Disney’s Magical Express stopped operating on January 1st, 2022.
The service was complimentary and many guests would rely on this transportation benefit to transfer them from the airport to their Disney World resort. While the Magical Express has gone away, there are plenty of buses, shuttles, and rideshare companies to choose from. We’ve put together a list of reliable transportation methods that will transfer you from the airport to Disney World.
Rideshares and Taxis
Disney stated that one of the reasons the Magical Express was disappearing is because of the growing popularity of rideshares. Over the years, visitors have become accustomed to taking a Lyft or Uber from the airport and to other places in Disney World.
The reason being, the service is relatively easy to use. All you have to do is download the app and order a car from your location. You have a choice to order a car that fits up to four people or up to six people with an added cost.
You can even schedule a ride ahead of time if you know what time you want to leave your destination. This can be really handy if you’re transferring from the airport. The wait for a Lyft or Uber can get really long during peak times at the airport and you might be waiting for a bit before it arrives.
Of course, you also have the option to order a standard taxi to pick you up as well. You can pick up a taxi at the airport or schedule one yourself. We suggest scheduling a taxi ahead of time so you’re not stuck without a ride!
Learn more about how to use rideshares at Disney World here!
Shuttles
You may be traveling with a large group and need more room than a taxi or rideshare can offer you. There are plenty of shuttle companies that will transport you from the airport to the resort of your choice. Though, we should note that you will most likely share your shuttle with other passengers, much like the Magical Express.
Mears Connect
Mears, the company that previously operated Magical Express, now operates their own transportation service to Disney World.
This Mears Connect service is probably the closest you’ll get to replicating the Magical Express experience, so we’d recommend booking a reservation here if you want something familiar.
Click HERE to See How the Cost of Mears Connect Compares to Common Rideshare Services.
The Sunshine Flyer
Orlando Transportation Management Services also has a shuttle service between the Orlando International Airport and Disney World called The Sunshine Flyer.
The service launched in February 2022 and functions much like Disney’s Magical Express, guaranteeing that guests arrive at their hotel within 65 minutes of leaving the airport.
Learn More About The Sunshine Flyer Service and Pricing HERE!
Renting a Car
You would be surprised how easy life becomes when you rent a car at Disney World. You can drive from the airport, pick up groceries, and don’t have to be dependent on Disney transportation to get you around.
Plus, you might have luck getting really good deals on a car, especially during non-peak seasons. You may even find renting a car for a week is cheaper than taking multiple Lyft rides throughout the week.
A couple of things to note: Disney World resorts and the theme parks charge for parking, and recently rental car prices have been going up. Be sure to calculate these costs when budgeting for transportation.
Pros and Cons: Should you rent a car in Disney World?
Private Car Services
You may want to have the option to have a private ride that isn’t shared with other passengers. Or, maybe you want to arrive in style!
There are plenty of private car services in the Orlando area that will pick you up, assist with luggage, and even allow you to make a grocery stop. Private services include large shuttles, cars, and limos.
Minnie Van
Disney started their own version of a rideshare service called Minnie Vans. While the service was gone for a while, it has since returned to the parks.
The service is run by Lyft and allows you to fit up to 6 people in one van. The vans can even provide up to 3 car seats should you need them. This is one of the pricier options, however. A one-way trip will cost $155 without gratuity included.
To book a Minnie Van from the Orlando International Airport, call (407) WDW-PLAY and have your flight information handy. You can make reservations 6 months in advance and up until 11:59PM the night prior to your arrival. For domestic departures, reserve a pick-up time at least two hours before takeoff. For international departures, allow at least three hours. When operating, Minnie Vans are available for flight arrivals between the hours of 7AM to 10PM.
Read more about Minnie Vans right here!
Brightline High-Speed Train
The private company Brightline has also announced plans to build a route for a high-speed train that runs all the way from South Florida to the Orlando International Airport and on to Tampa with a stop near Disney World. There was originally set to be a stop at Disney Springs, but the plans later changed.
The Brightline station at Orlando Airport is set to open in 2023. See the expected route for the train in Orlando here.
There are plenty of reputable companies in the Orlando area that can assist you in transferring from the airport to your Disney World resort. Also, onsite Disney World transportation will still be available to guests. Disney buses, boats, monorails, and the Skyliner will continue to transfer people from the resorts and theme parks.
Be sure to keep up with AllEars for more news in the future!
Do you have a suggestion for transportation between the airport and your Disney World resort? Let us know in the comments below!
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We pay thousands in annual dues as DVC members. As 2 senior citizens, Magical Express was very convenient and useful to us. Little by little Disney is taking away many of the reasons we joined DVC in the first place. As we get older we have been cruising more and go to the parks very little. With Magical Express being taken away it adds another level of stress AND EXPENSE to what is already an expensive vacation. Wake up Disney – you are going to price yourself right out of business. I will be curious to see what Mears is going to charge for transportation in place of Magical Express.
LOVE the Magical Express!! Hassle free and no worries about a rental car. Disney did this to keep guests on property . Yes it is about $$ and the “complimentary “ aspect was added to the vacation cost for sure. We will never download Lyft again. We downloaded the app to only use the minivans once for a dinner reservation. The van and driver were terrific. Now the pricing has changed for the worse. Several months after being back home we started getting calls early AM’s from Lyft drivers outside our house waiting. Except they were in California and we are in New England. Someone hacked the account. Had to jump thru hoops to remove app. No contact numbers. Never again. Will stick with Mears at any cost.
We used Magical Express one time early one. Terrible experience so we never tried it again. Our next trip we took an airport taxi which got us to the resort, but barely. I talked to a guy at bell services and he recommended a particular taxi driver. We’ve been using him for many years now. Yes, it costs money but it’s a fix price and we’re happy. He meets us at the airport and we get to our resort quick (no stops at other resorts). He picks us up about 1 1/2 or 2 hours before our flight home based on his knowledge of the airport conditions. He gives us tips on the parks even though we’re veterans of Disney World. If he can’t be there to pick us up he ALWAYS has a reliable replacement. When Pandora first opened we decided to call him to take us to Animal Kingdom instead of taking a loaded bus that wouldn’t get us in early. He didn’t even charge us. This is what I call service. I wish I could post his information. My suggestion is when you get to your resort ask someone from bell services if they can recommend a particular driver. This will be good for you especially if you go to DW at least once per year (like us) and get to know your driver.
For our of owners/those from
Canada, are there options like the original magical express, that could mean I don’t have to transport car seats to Florida just to
Get to/from the airport?
No. No. No. Part of our original decision for buying into DVC was the Magical Express hassle free transportation. Rethink this decision. Or we may rethink ours.
Of all the cheap ways to save a buck. The whole point of the magical express was to set the tone for your vacation and start the magic. No stress just get on board sit back and relax. Now just one more thing to worry about. Thanks for reminding us of the only thing magical about Disney today is how they make our money disappear. Time to sell my DVC membership.
I feel they should definitely bring back the Minnie Vans. THAT could be the “new” MExpress.
Can you just imagine seeing all these dots running up and down the highway! Complimentary if your staying on property or at any WD participating hotel.
I feel that would be a phenomenal idea especially if they are making us find alternate forms of transport right? Just bring back Minnie and let her take us Home!!! : )
Growing popularity of ride share? No thanks. I will never “order an Uber” for my family. Part of the great thing about magical express, especially with young children is we didn’t have to worry about luggage, or car seats. It was great getting off the plane, and going right to the bus. No trying to balance 4 suitcases between 2 adults, and 2 kids, plus pushing a stroller.
The luggage piece will be a nightmare as we are traveling with a family of seventeen. Car seats will be needed and we are talking about in excess of twenty pieces of luggage here! We spend in more than of $50K for this trip so added cost is not inconsequential, but not a driving force in our thinking of rescheduling our planned trip elsewhere next year.
Without the magical express I won’t return to Disney . With 4 people and 4 suitcases it would be quite expensive to pay for rides to and from the airport on top of an expensive Disney trip . Double whammy with no magical express and no magic hours .
It is great we still have all those options. But no incentive to stay on Disney Property
any more.
You forgot the (public) bus – Lynx (golynx.com). You have to transfer but it takes you to Disney Springs.
its great there are so many services that cost MONEY. Disney is expensive enough. Now they want to stress you out even more find your own ride and pay for it….If i wanted that hastle i would go to Universal instead.
Excellent post. My sentiments exactly. Little by litle the magic disappears.
With Magic Express being discontinued, has there been any discussion on cancelling the “perk” of checking luggage at select Disney resorts?
It’s my understanding they’ve eliminated resort airport luggage check-in too. You now have to get your own luggage at the airport and take it back too.
Yes, that was part of the announcement. Disney will no longer issue the yellow luggage transfer tags, so you won’t be able to have bags transferred from the airport to the resort room. Also, no airport check in and bag drop off anymore.
Let’s take a look at what Disney has taken away fast passes Dining plans extra magic hours closing parks at 6pm and now magical Express and let’s not forget paying to park at the resort you are staying at. What’s next paying for pool use paying for each ride individually were dose it stop Disney really needs to wake up
If Lightening Lane and Genie + are the answer to pay for riding individual rides, then why aren’t dailing adminnion prices for parks going down?
Yes, I heard resort airline check-in is canceled too.