A MAJOR change is coming to airport transportation in Florida! As you may have heard, Disney’s Magical Express service is ending in January 2022. But you won’t be stranded at the airport. There are still options to get you to your hotel, and one of them is a new high-speed train. The Brightline train will take guests from the Orlando International airport to a brand new Disney Springs train station.
©Brightline
The plan is still very much a work in progress and is now expected to open around 2026. While we wait for a progress update, we thought we should talk about how this new train will change Disney World! Will it make things easier? Harder? There’s a lot to consider, so let’s break it down!
Extra Planning
There are still a lot of unknowns with the Brightline train system, so bear in mind that, as more details come forward, guests’ impressions of this new option could change for good or for bad — time will tell. First, there’s the luggage issue. Will guests have to take their luggage from the airport to their resort themselves? Will Disney deliver your luggage to your room from the airport? This is still up in the air!
What will happen to your luggage when you arrive at the station?
Then, how will guests get from the Disney Springs train station to their resort? It seems likely that guests will have to take a bus (either dedicated for arriving guests or the normal resort buses that shuttle to and from Springs) or a car/rideshare service to get to their resort.
Will a rideshare service like Minnie Van return?
Either way, this adds an extra step to the process of arriving at Disney World, meaning guests should expect that it will take a little longer to get to their resort. No matter what Disney decides, it will probably take a little extra planning to figure out the logistics of your arrival day. It won’t be as simple as sitting on the Magical Express and getting off at the door to your hotel.
See Our NEW Tips for Planning a Trip to Disney World with Disney Genie
New Guests
The Brightline train will have stops in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando. With the additional stops on the line, Florida locals might take advantage of the train and plan more day trips to Disney World.
©Brightline
Brightline reportedly is also planning on creating a stop in Tampa, further connecting the major cities of Florida to Disney World! For those living in Miami, for example, the train will likely be seen as a faster and cheaper alternative to driving to Disney World.
©Brightline
Now that Disney has so many new Annual Pass options for Florida residents (when available!), the idea of taking a quick trip to Disney World is probably pretty enticing to people living near Orlando, and the train adds to the benefits!
©Brightline Train
Keep in mind that Disney’s park pass reservation system makes sure that none of the parks exceed capacity, so even with potential new guests, the crowds shouldn’t get any bigger.
Click here to learn more about the Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system for Walt Disney World
Shorter Disney World Vacations?
As we mentioned, the Disney Springs station is just one of the many stops on the new Florida line. Could the convenience of traveling from Orlando to Maimi via train cause people to shorten their Disney vacation and opt for a few days at the beach instead?
Would you shorten your Disney vacation for a trip to the beach?
Over in California, many people spend a few days at Disneyland, then take a train to other cities! Between the increasing costs of a Disney vacation and the new train stops, maybe people will spend less time in Disney World!
Check Out 25 Dates to Consider When Planning Your Next Disney World Vacation
No Need for a Rental Car
Some people used to prefer renting a car from the Orlando airport and driving to Disney World. While a car provides a little more freedom, it is also pretty expensive!
Parking is convenient but expensive!
For example, consider the cost of the rental car itself, gas, and theme park and hotel parking fees — it adds up quickly! With the high-speed train, guests might not need a rental car anymore.
Parking at Walt Disney World
It’s still unclear how the pricing will work out for a train ride from the airport to Disney Springs, so it’s hard to weigh the difference at this point. Either way, some people might prefer to have someone else worry about the driving while they’re on vacation! We could see the new train being a popular option for those larger travel groups, like school bands, dance groups, and sports teams. With a train, you won’t have to worry about all of your travel parties getting in the same car, van, or bus. There will be plenty of room to keep everyone together.
Renting A Car Could Cost MORE Than Disney World Tickets: Here’s Why
Added Expense
We asked our readers how they felt about the train, and many are excited to give it a try! On the other hand, many people are upset that Disney’s (free) Magical Express service is no longer an option.
You will be missed 💙
Now that there are so many extra services and costs associated with a Disney World vacation, a ride on the Brightline train is yet another expense that people must account for in their budget. Could this mean that people will make cuts in other areas of their vacation to afford a trip to Disney?
Does the budget allow for a dessert party?
If people can only spend so much on their vacation, they might decide to stay at a less expensive hotel, stay off-property, or skip a dessert party or after-hours event to make up for the new added expenses.
See How Much It Costs a Family of 4 to Do Disney World in 2022
As you can see, there are several pros and cons to the new Brightline train system! It will be nice to have another option for guests to get to Disney World from the airport, and we’re excited to review all of the details as they’re released. We still have a ways to go before the train is fully operational, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated with progress updates! In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned for all the latest Disney news!
Check Out 9 Things That Are Still Totally FREE In Disney World
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Disney buses won’t be an option, unless Disney changes the policy about luggage on the buses. Currently, you cannot bring your luggage on Disney buses.
With the price of gas rising by the week, rideshare drivers are decreasing. Getting that Lyft or Uber may not be an option at any given time, especially when it rains. When it rains, everyone tries to hire rideshare vehicles, and there are definitely NOT enough drivers for the demand.
Renting cars may not be possible, or if possible VERY costly. The severe undersupply of vehicles at car rental facilities means any available vehicles to rent will be very expensive.
The only real cost-effective way between the airport and Disney is likely Mears Motorcoach. They actually did the driving for the Magical Express (if you were observant enough to see the drivers’ nameplates you would know this) and still offer transportation to/from Disney. Fares might be a little higher than in the past, but what isn’t these days?
2026? Right! How about 2030 if possible! I won’t hold my breath that any money saving venture for Disney will come our way!
I got home from my 10th trip to Disney World on November 24. It was certainly not like my previous trips as far as convenience and comfort. My first trip was in 1989 and it was truly a magical experience, stayed at the Polynesian resort. Cast members actually made every single experience special. I feel sorry for the new people who never had that experience. Now its all about the money, you have to bid on your experiences, this Genie + was the worst idea that management has ever had. I am so upset that the most magical place on earth has become like every other tourist trap. We are a Disney family, besides the 10 trips to Disney World, we have been on 5 Disney Cruises, and 1 trip to Disneyland, we have cancelled 2 trips to Aulani in Hawaii in the past 2 years because of Covid. I have one grandson that has never had a Disney experience. I will be taking him sometime this next year, but if things don’t change this maybe my last trip. Somebody always has to screw things up.
No thanks on the train. Turn a 40 minute commute into a 2-hr excursion? Simpler to just use the Mears shuttle, as we did before Magical Express. Or, use Uber or Lyft and not have to make stops at other resorts along the way. Both will get you to your hotel long before the train to bus solution.
Another reason I feel I don’t want to go to Disney World. What a hassle and expense just to get there, especially with little ones, car seat, stroller, luggage. AND then to do it again in a few days to go home. Why don’t the Execs know when they have a good thing going? MAGICAL EXPRESS was perfect.
Once the train system is ready, I bet only option is train or car rental.
And kind of looks like Disney is in cahoots with the government….mass transit / restrict your movement…all to save the Planet, which is also part of “ the plan”. Car rental is now extremely expensive, Disney now charges a daily fee to park at your resort. If you drive to a Park, they charge $25 to park…kind of forcing you to use the mass transportation.
I just have to make one LAST trip, I owe my grandson a visit. I don’t look forward to this visit. But after this trip I’m DISNEY DONE !
Hi AJ
The Brightline article is interesting. I am sure that you must be tired, especially at this time of the year. The last segment of this article headlines with “How much does it cost a family of 4 to do Disney in 2022.”. However, your paragraph beneath this headline does not address it anywhere in the paragraph. Now, A J, I am a well-educated individual, but not an English major. However, I do know that the title of the paragraph must have something to do with the body of the paragraph. I get that you need headliners to keep the readers interested, but those headliners must have something to do with the body of the paragraph.
Thank you for publishing a newsletter each and every day. I enjoy reading and learning Disney through you.
Please have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy, and Prosperous 2022.
Alfred
Assuming the plans come to fruition at all, that’s still 4 years with no mass transit option for the Airport to Disney World trip. (Puts on Karnak turban and holds card to forehead) “I foresee unhappy guests and mass confusion”. (Reads card) “What will happen when the Magical Express shuts down”.
Yes. I’m old and remember Carson.
I hope Disney comes out with a discount for Brightline. It’s prices are currently $15 to $37 for just south FL travel. They just resumed service down here. I doubt we personally would take the train. Still has issues to resolve
Thanks, Alfred. I asked an editor to revisit the post.
The train does not seem like a viable option. I think that Mears will be the solution. Just need a luggage solution. Being able to drop it off at the airport and not having to worry about it was great. Same with the return. We are usually a large group (10), with small children and noy having to worry about extra bags, car seats, etc. DME was one of the greatest rides at Disney.