Credit: Screenshot Disney Parks Blog
If you are looking to use Disney’s Magical Express in 2022, we are sad to inform you that that will no longer be possible. We already knew that Disney’s Magical Express was coming to an end for months. Still, now that we are approaching the bitter end of the amazing transportation system, Guests are having to find their alternative methods of transportation to and from their Disney Resort.
Earlier this year, Disney announced the unfortunate news of discontinuing Magical Express, stating:
Disney’s Magical Express service will no longer be offered starting with arrivals January 1, 2022. The service will continue to operate for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021.
Until January 10, Disney’s Magical Express is still shuttling Guests to Orlando International Airport; however, the transit to the Disney Resort is already gone. At the moment, Guests have two real options when it comes to getting to their hotel if they do not have a car of their own. The first is Mears Connect. Since Disney’s Magical Express was run by Mears, this was a great way for the company to continue to give Disney Guests a hassle-free method of transportation. All you have to do is book your ride ahead of time and pay for each person. This service is not complimentary like Disney’s Magical Express, but offers a similar Coach bus ride.
Round trips will cost adults $32.00 each and children $27.00. One way travel will cost adults $16.00 and kids $13.50. If you want premium direct service, you will have to pay $200.00 for four Guests and an additional $55.00 per extra Guest.
Related: OpEd: End of Disney’s Magical Express Pushes International Guests Offsite
The other option would be to use a rideshare program such as Uber. Although I loved Disney’s Magical Express, I have had days where I chose to Uber to my hotel when I was not an Orlando local as lines could get backed up, and I wanted to get to Disney faster after a long travel day. Uber costs from earlier this year were around $30.00 per car to bring Guests to Disney World property, as we noted here. This made Ubering a very affordable option.
Related: Magical Express Shuttle Operator Still Offers 2022 Reservations
Now, it seems things have changed. Uber costs are skyrocketing now that Disney’s Magical Express has ended. We went to see how much a Uber would cost from MCO to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the cost was $60.00 for a standard Uber! Of course, this is something that will constantly be in flux, but it seems that Guests traveling into MCO for their Disney World vacation should budget higher rather than lower for their Uber costs.
What transit method do you plan to use when you travel to Walt Disney World Resort on your next vacation?
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!
