Today, Walt Disney World set fans ablaze with the news of their upcoming departure from Disney’s Magical Express, the complimentary service that offers guests transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World Resort hotels… and vice versa.
As of January 1st, 2022, Disney Magical Express will no longer be available. However, Disney’s Magical Express will remain available for guests who are staying on Walt Disney World property through that date. In addition, DME is no longer offering luggage delivery for arriving and/or departing visitors from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the resort airline check-in service is no longer available.
Disney’s Magical Express service premiered in 2005, as a way of providing guests with free-of-charge motorcoach transportation between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Walt Disney World Resort hotels. This was introduced as an incentive for/perk of staying on property within the Disney bubble. It quickly became a mainstay for fans. Disney’s Magical Express buses are/were covered in Disney palate wraps and festooned with classic characters and insignia. In addition, bus drivers often provided a bit of narration and fun factoids throughout your trip, while Disney music played softly in the background, as shorts featuring the Fab Five played on the built-in televisions.
It is safe to say that Disney’s Magical Express became a staple for those travelling from afar and in many ways served as a pre-show to their long-awaited vacation experience. So, why, despite guest attachment, would Walt Disney World do away from this fifteen-plus-year tradition?
As we previously reported, Mears Transportation, the service that operated Disney’s Magical Experience, has experienced numerous layoffs this past year due to the effects of COVID-19.
Walt Disney World issued an official statement pertaining to the termination of Disney’s Magical Express:
“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.”
Despite the loss of Disney’s Magical Express, Mears Transportation has confirmed that they will still be providing transportation to the theme parks and various resorts.
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