As we reported earlier today, Disney’s Magical Express service, which provides guests with transportation between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World, will be ending in 2022. The service was operated by Mears Transportation, which has seen a number of layoffs due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since issued a statement regarding the suspension of the service.
Mears Transportation issued the following statement to Spectrum News 13:
Walt Disney [World] made us aware of their decision. While we are disappointed Disney will no longer offer this service, we intend to continue offering transportation services between the airport and all area theme parks and hotels to meet the demand of our visitors now and in the future.
Disney’s Magical Express service is set to end on January 1, 2022. For more information on Mears Transportation options to the theme parks, including shared shuttles, Mears taxis, and even private cars, click here.
Disney’s Magical Express service was launched back in 2005, offering guests complimentary motorcoach transportation between MCO and Walt Disney World Resort hotels as a benefit of staying on-property. Other popular benefits for Disney Resort hotel guests have also been modified or suspended:
- Complimentary MagicBands are no longer offered for resort stays
- Souvenir luggage tags and Magical Extras booklets are now only available by request at resort front desks
- Extra Magic Hours will be replaced with “Early Theme Park Entry”, providing just 30 minutes of early access to parks—however, guests now have the option to choose which park
does disney even want guests anymore?
I agree. I’ve been going for many years and I am so disappointed about the Magical Express being taken away among many other things. Ready to throw in the towel!!
SHAME ON THEM. I say this as a longtime shareholder and DVC member.
Riding the Magical Express to and from our Disney resort was a wonderful beginning and ending to our trips there. More magic taken away by Disney.
Walt Disney World continues to lose its magic. First high prices for everything tickets , Food, souvenirs, holiday events. And now slowly one by one every little special thing that gave us that magical feeling is being eroded. Soon it will be like six flags and universal.
This makes zero sense. I’m sure it’s great for them to save money, but how much more magic can they suck out of Disney world??!!? I thought that was part of the insane resort fees. This place is fast approaching a regular old amusement park.
All I can say is Thank you Disney! I was having trouble budgeting the resorts with their upscale prices, but, now, no need. In fact, I am now I proud Universal Studios AP holder. I get better deals at their resorts, with some offrering me front of the line passes for the entire family.
The Magical Express was the one balance that justified the stay. It saved me time and hassel at the airport looking for transportation and meant I didn’t need to rent a car. Now that is gone, I no longer have to worry about Disney resorts. (By the way, last year I spent over $15,000 on resort stays in both deluxe and value rooms over 8 stays ranging fron 1 day to 8.) I still love the parks, but now that there is no more airport transportation, I’m staying at a nearby hotel.
We were devastated to see this today!!Cast members and entertainment all let go!!! Tron and GOTG in epcot delayed , no disney dining plans, cancelling all flights inclusive Holidays and now no magical express service as of 2022 !!! WHY DISNEY?? We are booked for October 29th – November 15th 2021 coming from Liverpool, UK after moving last years trip!!! I will now be calling and cancelling our x2 family bookings for our 15nts stay at the Polynesian and we will rebook to go when disney starts to sort it’s self out!!! SO UPSET!! Mrs Deborah Roberts 😢
Can’t this be a temporary thing just so until covid is over? They can bring DME back, can’t they? It’s so full last time I was on it, there wasn’t a seat available.
Disney seems to be all about saving pennies at the moment (well last few years really!). If you do that you’ll lose more customers and therefore, long term, will make less profit. Can’t trade off a historical brand forever.
Welcome to the future of the Disney company, ladies and gentlemen. This company has the inability to make smart decisions nor act with any common sense. Watch onsite stays drop as a result of this, and they will deserve it. Disgusting.
Have enjoyed visiting Disney since 1976 and have brought many family members and friends along for the “magic”. Recent visits have included: 2006, 2008 (cruise and park), 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2019. Needless to say, Disney has enjoyed a nice chunk of my income for those trips but you have constantly raised prices and cheapened the experience! With the elimination of the magic hours and the crazy prices you charge, what remains the motivation to stay on property? The cattle cars (busses, boats and monorail) you move people around on? Cha! As if! Your constant move to match the park experience with your movies is obvious as the merchandising cash grab you are engaged in. Disney is looking less and less what Walts vision was and more and more like an overgrown toy store with food offerings.
IF and when I return, my dollars will be spread more to Orlando at large with a few sprinklings of “magic” since this appears to be the executive team’s desire….more selling and much less “magic”. RIP Walt….hope the flipping on your grave doesn’t damage you.
A lifelong and dedicated fan!
I am part of a group of 70-year-olds who come to Disney once a year. We come from Montana and this means catching a plane at 6:30 in the morning, changing planes twice, and arriving around 530 in Orlando. By this time we are absolutely fried and the best part was knowing that once we got to that airport, all we had to do was board that express and we were on our way to a grand and magical vacation. The whole vacation was enhanced by Knowing that the evening before departure, we would have the departure tickets on our door and the magical express would take us away.
Now since you’re taking away the magical express, you have just added to the stress level of older people coming to Disney. Just the thought of having to get to the airport, get my bags, and get all of us a taxi or an Uber to go to the resort is a terrifying idea for an older person. Plus the day before we leave, instead of enjoying the whole day to the fullest, our thoughts will be going to how do we get back to the airport? how do we get our passes ?This is both worrying and extremely disappointing. Is Disney going to offer any way to get us to the resort without having to go through the hassle of the bags and leaving the resort without the hassle of trying to get to the airport on time? I don’t think you understand how important the magical express was to having an excellent vacation or having a vacation filled with stress. Please help us older people they giving us someway to get to the resort. We always felt once we landed in Orlando that Disney was taking care of us, I guess not! Please pass this on to someone who can help
Sent from my iPad
Disney is not hurting for money. Disney parks is I’m sure. When my family and I went in March 2019, it was at its height. Parks were crowded and it was right before Star Wars GE opened. Of course they want to keep people safe, but when you are constantly removing features and shows, less and less people want to come. My family and I won’t return until the magic returns in full form. And I’m sure we will be paying for it.