What's this I hear about complimentary airport shuttle service being discontinued?!

[Nybor]

My travel agent said the complimentary shuttle service from the airport to Disney properties is being discontinued at the end of 2021. Is this true?! We're booking for January, of course...

 

[Brett Wyman]

100% true. You're on your own in 2022.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/g...kGHa_06-R80iegswZMXYKMo9_cNjb9SxoCKUoQAvD_BwE

 

[Sandiz08]

My travel agent said the complimentary shuttle service from the airport to Disney properties is being discontinued at the end of 2021. Is this true?! We're booking for January, of course...

Yes magical express is ending. There will most likely be a paid option through Mears, or you can rent a car/ car service.

 

[Pmlocke]

According to Mears, they will continue the "Magical Express" service as of January, 2022. You will have to make reservations and pay for the service.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

Just another example of why it's better to rent a car.

 

[Koda]

I sure hope they come up with other perks for staying onsite. ME was a big reason why we always stayed on property.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

 

[Wandering Oaken]

View attachment 581632

This made me laugh a little harder then I would have liked.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just another example of why it's better to rent a car.

Why?

 

[DWillowBay]

There's still going to be a bus. It's just not Magical Express. But Magical Express is just a bus with an overlay. When I first brought by kids back in the '90's, It was a Mears bus - $10.00 each way/ per person. Believe me, you pay at least that now, you just don't see it itemized. You'll just "know about it" now.

 

[Heather07438]

No DME or complimentary MBs

Mears first said they’d have info about continuing the service in May, but then postponed to ‘sometime this summer’.That’s when we’ll find out the pricing etc.

MB’s are now $10 but phones can serve most of those functions instead.

 

[sam_gordon]

There's still going to be a bus. It's just not Magical Express. But Magical Express is just a bus with an overlay. When I first brought by kids back in the '90's, It was a Mears bus - $10.00 each way/ per person. Believe me, you pay at least that now, you just don't see it itemized. You'll just "know about it" now.

But Disney won't lower resort prices, so you're still paying Disney for DME (that's not available), then paying for some other party (whether it be Mears, Uber, Lyft, Taxi, Towncar, Rental, etc) in addition.

 

[DWillowBay]

But Disney won't lower resort prices, so you're still paying Disney for DME (that's not available), then paying for some other party (whether it be Mears, Uber, Lyft, Taxi, Towncar, Rental, etc) in addition.

Yes. Yes, you are. You're paying someone...and you get to decide who and how much.

 

[Cheburashka]

Magical Express is just a bus with an overlay.

Not quite. It also provided luggage service, which was a huge help to many families.

 

[starry_solo]

Not quite. It also provided luggage service, which was a huge help to many families.

that was a different service...

 

[Cheburashka]

that was a different service...

No, when you arrived into MCO, Magical Express collected your checked luggage and sent it to your resort for you. It was part of the Magical Express service and one example of how ME was not just a "bus with an overlay".

 

[Lewisc]

that was a different service...

Many of Disney's marketing materials used the term Disney Magical Express to include all 3 services: bus transportation between MCO and WDW, inbound luggage service and RAC. At one time Disney had 3 vendors handling services later Bags handled luggage both directions.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes. Yes, you are. You're paying someone...and you get to decide who and how much.

Actually now you're paying TWO someones. You're still paying Disney (since it's included in the room rate and they're not going to discount) AND you now have to pay someone else. That's my point.

 

[MrKnight]

Just another example of why it's better to rent a car.

Not true, a car is not necessary on WDW property and a roundtrip car service/Lyft/Uber to/from the airport is still significantly less expensive than renting a car for your entire vacation.

 

[Wandering Oaken]

Not true, a car is not necessary on WDW property and a roundtrip car service/Lyft/Uber to/from the airport is still significant less expensive than renting a car for your entire vacation.

My disdain for WDW transportation is well known. Renting a car is necessary unless you want to wait forever to get to the park in the morning, wait forever to get back to your room, sit in an icebox because the driver keeps the AC at a crisp -40°, sit next to other sweaty people, listen to kids screaming because they don't want to leave the parks, etc. The list goes on. Rent a vehicle and pay the money grab for parking at the resorts. It is well worth it in the end.