Guests staying at the theme park hotels in Orlando will no longer have access to Disney’s Magical Express.
Walt Disney World announced that it is discontinuing the popular perk, which offered free airport shuttle service and extended access to various rides and attractions to hotel guests.
Disney released the following statement: “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.”
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The complimentary service was operated by Mears Transportation, which has been impacted by a number of layoffs due to the COVID pandemic.
Mears told Spectrum News 13: “Walt Disney [World] made us aware of their decision. While we are disappointed Disney will no longer offer this service, we intend to continue offering transportation services between the airport and all area theme parks and hotels to meet the demand of our visitors now and in the future.”
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney has reamed with Brightline to build a high-speed rail service at Disney Springs, which would connect to South Florida and Orlando International Airport. It is expected to start operating in 2022.
When the parks reopened in July, Disney also quietly ended “Extra Magic Hours,” which allowed Disney hotel guests to visit certain parks earlier and stay later on certain days. The company is replacing it with a new policy that will allow guests to access any of the parks 30 minutes prior to the official opening every day.
“The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks, while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing,” the company wrote at the time.
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