Mears Connect and Magical Express Replacement Services
As I’m sure many of you are already aware, tragically Disney’s Magical Express service will be ending January 1st, 2022. Magical Express is (was?! so sad) the complimentary bus service for Disney Resort guests that would take you between Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort at the start and end of your trip. It was an added benefit of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Prior to the Covid shutdown, Disney’s Magical Express also included luggage service, where through the service checked bags would be transported to your hotel room without you having to pick them up at baggage claim.
The end of Disney’s Magical Express is disappointing to me- and likely other guests, who now have to worry about airport transportation- but thankfully other options are available. We’re outlining the ones we know about so far and will update this post as we hear about more!
Mears Connect
Mears Connect is the main service replacing Disney’s Magical Express. Mears Transportation Company offers a number of services including taxis, shuttles, luxury vehicles for hire, and bus charters. Mears was the operator for the Magical Express, and in the advent of the cancellation of Disney’s service they launched a new service called Mears Connect.
Mears Connect is essentially the same service as Magical Express- it will provide ground transportation to and from Orlando International Airport to your Disney World Resort hotel. The service will begin on January 1st, 2022 and is currently accepting reservations. While there will not be Disney theming on Mears Connect there will be entertainment on the service as well as an arrival souvenir.
Unlike Magical Express which was a complimentary service for Walt Disney World Resort guests, Mears Connect will be an additional cost. There are two different levels of service- standard and premium. The pricing and differences are below:
Standard
Shared transportation on a motorcoach bus
May stop at multiple resorts, will have monitored wait times
One Way: $16 per adult, $13.50 per child
Round Trip: $32 per adult, $27 per child
Express (Previously “Premium”)
Direct service to your hotel with limited wait times
Seems like it will be a van or car but not confirmed
Not confirmed to be private transportation
Round Trip: $250 (up to four passengers) (was previously $200), $55 per additional passenger
The prices listed above are “introductory prices” meaning they will likely go up in the future. When we hear of any pricing changes we will update this post.
At this time, Mears Connect will not be offering the luggage to room service that was included prior with Magical Express- you will need to pick up your own luggage from baggage claim and bring it to the Mears Connect charter vehicle. Mears does state that this may be a service they offer in the future.
Mears Connect will be located at Orlando International Airport (MCO) close to the prior location of Disney’s Magical Express on Level 1 in Terminal B. It will be a service not only to Disney World Resorts but also the Disney Springs area hotels, the Four Seasons, Gaylord Palms, Bonney Creek, Shades of Green, and more. Much like Magical Express, for return trips you will be picked up at your hotel for the airport three hours prior to your flight departure for domestic flights and four hours prior for international flights. To reserve Mears Connect, you do need to have your flights booked. Click here for more information or to book your Mears Connect service.
Taxis, Car Service, Uber, and Lyft
There are many transportation service options available at Orlando International Airport. Pricing can vary widely depending on date, time, party size, type of service, which resort you’re staying at, the amount of luggage you have, and even weather. However, most ride share services do offer the option of choosing a car with a car seat, and choosing a car service is likely the fastest way to get to your resort or the Disney Parks as with any coach bus service you’ll likely be stopping at multiple resorts.
We will be keeping an eye on pricing once Magical Express ends January 1st to get an idea of a range, but I would expect to see anything from $40-$120 depending on the many parameters listed above.
We’ll also update if Disney’s Minnie Van Airport Service returns, which was $155 each way from the airport through Disney and Lyft.
Renting a Car
Orlando International Airport has many national car rental companies on site. Car rental pricing also varies widely depending on many factors including length of time, date, party size, type of car, etc. However, many car rental companies offer discounts for affiliate program members and run discount deals, and it may be a worthwhile option if you’re planning to stay off property or visit other theme parks and attractions while in Orlando.
An additional thing to keep in mind is that Disney does charge a fee both at the resorts and the parks for parking. At the resorts, there is a parking fee of $15 for Value Resorts, $20 for Moderate Resorts, and $25 for Deluxe Resorts per day.
The Sunshine Flyer
The Sunshine Flyer will be an additional transportation offering between Orlando International Airport and Disney World Resorts. This will be a bus service from Transportation Management Services and will launch on February 1st, 2022. Buses will be modeled after old-fashioned passenger cars and locomotives and staff will be dressed as 1920’s rail conductors and engineers. The prices will be:
One Way: $17 per adult, $12.50 per child
Round Trip: $34 per adult, $25 per child
These are all the Magical Express replacement options we’ve heard about so far! If you have any questions about any of these services let us know in the comments. We will be updating this post as more information becomes available. Thanks for reading and I hope this helps you plan for your upcoming Walt Disney World trip!