Disney shared the news today that its Magical Express bus service at Orlando International Airport, which provides Disney Resort Guests transportation to and from Walt Disney World, will no longer be available beginning in 2022.
Guests with Disney Resort reservations through the end of 2021 will still be able to ride the bus service between the airport and their Resorts, but without the luggage delivery or Resort airline check-in service once included with the Magical Express service prior to WDW’s closure due to COVID-19 .
Walt Disney World issued the following statement regarding its cessation of the Magical Express transportation system next year:
“Vacationers have more options to choose from than ever for transportation, including ride-share services that save time and offer more flexibility to go where they want, when they want. In light of this shift, when Disney Resort hotel bookings open for stays in 2022, we will no longer offer Disney’s Magical Express service for airport transportation, starting with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022. We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021. Additionally, complimentary transportation options – such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner – will continue to be available within Walt Disney World Resort for Disney Resort hotel guests, including to and from all four theme parks.”
In response to Disney’s announcement, Mears Transportation, which operates Disney’s Magical Express, made the following statement, reassuring future visitors to Walt Disney World that Mears will continue to provide transportation options between Orlando International Airport and WDW:
“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.”
Mears, which has suffered many rounds of layoffs since the onset of the pandemic, currently offers shuttle buses, private cars and its own taxi service to and from Walt Disney World.
Disney’s Magical Express Service, which first launched in 2005, provides complimentary motorcoach transportation for Disney Guests traveling to and from WDW, and has been a popular and valuable perk of staying at a Disney Resort.
In light of Disney’s recent agreements with Brightline for the development of train terminals at both MCO and Disney Springs, Disney may be looking at a new way to transport Guests to and from Walt Disney World. This expansion of the Brightline rail system will connect South and Central Florida via a high-speed train ride between Miami and Orlando. Projected completion of the train terminal at Orlando International Airport is 2022, with Disney Springs’ terminal expected to be completed in 2023.