A new year is right around the corner! If you are planning a trip to Disney World in 2022, then you’re probably preparing for all of the changes, including Disney Genie and Genie+, the 50th Anniversary Celebration, and much more!
Magic Kingdom
However, if you’re accustomed to flying in and out of Orlando International Airport, then your Disney World trip may actually cost MORE starting on January 1st. That’s right, there’s a new line item in your vacation budget that you’ll now need to plan for starting in 2022: ground transportation.
That’s because Disney’s Magical Express will conclude its service to and from the airport, effective January 1st. Magical Express was a complimentary bus transportation system that brought guests to their Disney World Resort hotels, along with their luggage, which would “magically” appear in their hotel room just a couple of hours after arriving. For many families, Magical Express was one of those Disney World traditions that signaled the start and the unfortunate end (Tragical Express, anyone?) of their vacation.
Disney’s Magical Express will conclude its service at the end of 2021
With Magical Express gone, you may be wondering how in the world you’ll get to your hotel, especially if you’ve relied on this bus system for years! Well, there IS a replacement bus system coming, and it will launch the exact date that Magical Express goes away: Mears Connect.
Mears bus
Mears Connect will be the new “standard” way guests are transported to and from Orlando Airport when staying on property at Disney World, along with a few additional off-property hotels. Much like the Magical Express, guests will board motor coach buses at Orlando Airport and be transported to their Disney World hotel. At the end of the trip, guests will board the buses once again to be brought back to the airport.
Orlando International Airport
Mears Connect, however, will NOT be complimentary like Magical Express was. In fact, Mears Connect will be a considerable new cost to budget for when planning your Disney World vacation. Mears is offering two price points for guests: Standard and Premium.
UPDATE: Note that premium service is now referred to as “express” service.
Mears Bus at the Swan
Standard will cost $32 per adult and $27 per child (ages 3-9) for round trip service. A one-way standard service trip right now costs $16 per adult and $13.50 per child. So, to do the math, a family of four (two adults and two children) would cost $118 roundtrip, while a one-way standard service trip would cost this family $59.
©Mears Connect
Premium, on the other hand, costs $200 round trip for up to four (4) people, with each additional guest costing $55 roundtrip.
UPDATE: Express service has since increased in price. Express service now costs $250 round trip for up to 4 guests. Each additional guest is still $55.
Guests using Mears Connect’s Express service could be taken to and from the airport in a bus, or a smaller vehicle like a van or private car. At this time, only roundtrip service is available at the Express price level.
©Mears Connect
Depending on how large your travel party is, choosing to ride on Mears Connect can cost as low as approximately $30 roundtrip if you’re traveling solo to hundreds of dollars roundtrip for the entire family. That is definitely something to keep in mind when making other plans, like your hotel reservations (the cost of Mears Connect can be equivalent to another night at your hotel), your overall dining budget, the number of days on your theme park tickets, and much more.
Roundtrip service on Mears Connect for an entire family could easily add up to the cost of one more night at your resort hotel!
What about that Brigthline Train that was supposed to bring guests from Orlando Airport to Disney Springs? It’s still in the works, but updates have been few and far between, with several delays impacting when we’ll actually get to use the train. Even once it’s complete, we don’t know at this time exactly how much it will cost. Numbers have been tossed around but they could always change.
©Brightline
For now, your primary options for getting to your Disney World hotel starting January 1st include Mears Connect, a taxi service or ride share service like Uber and Lyft, or a rental car. Unfortunately, none of these options are complimentary, so your 2022 Disney World vacation will likely have to factor in the cost of ground transportation.
Disney World Entrance
If there are any changes or updates made to the Mears Connect bus system, we will surely let you know! Follow along for more of the latest updates and announcements from across Disney World as you prepare for your 2022 vacation.
Click here to read about what else is coming to Disney World in 2022!
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What more can you say, but SHAME ON YOU DISNEY! You have placed another obstacle in the way of families and loyal fans. You have made getting to your hotels an expensive nightmare. Where has all the magic gone…
So disappointing!!!
Please Sarah, we know the cost of the Mears Bus Service but we have not been told how our luggage is getting from airport to hotel and from hotel back to airport. Even with Magical Express, the bus could barely hold the carry on luggage. Sarah, can you please explain how the luggage will be handled when The Magical Express is gone. ☹️ Thanks
Will Mears premium have an option for kids in car seats? How does it compare to the old Minnie Vans? I loved the idea of the Magical express but it always ended up with us waiting for hours to get on the bus.
YVV, this is what the Mears Connect website says: Florida Law provides that the child restraint [car seats] requirements do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation. It is up to the parent or guardian. If a guest would like to bring a car seat, they are welcome to use it. In this instance, please book a seat for the seat occupied by the child in a car seat. Please note that Express service is not considered private car service, but it may be based on arrival time and volume at that time.
As for how it compares: the similarity seems to be the direct service. They promise you a short wait (if any) for your Express Service vehicle to pick you up at MCO, and they promise you’ll be the first stop when you book the service, so you won’t have to wait through multiple resort stops (as you may with Standard service). Minnie Vans had chargers in the vehicles, car seats, and Disney-trained Cast Member drivers, and Express service won’t have any of those. Here’s the FAQ page if you want to see what else they’re saying about the services.
Ron, Mears Connect does not offer a luggage service at this time (their site says they’re exploring options for the future), so guests will have to go to Baggage Claim, collect their luggage, and take it to the bus. The Mears Connect driver will load the luggage, and when you arrive at your destination, they’ll pull it for you. On your return trip, you’ll have to handle your luggage to the bus and then into MCO to check in for your flight.
What is all the histerical reporting? Transport to the parks was by mears for many years before Disney took it over. So big deal, it goes back to mears Who have always prove themselves to be competent
No moderation forthcoming. Funny the way the truth just makes you crazy with fear of Disney
Before the Magical Express my family did not use Mears, we took a cab from airport to hotel and back from hotel to airport. It was costly. That is exactly why my family loved the Magical Express. It was a free Disney perk and it was MAGICAL. Many families do not know anything other than THE MAGICAL EXPRESS. Those families will see the difference on January 1. One of many differences created by Disney which will continue to alienate and infuriate guests.