“Wasn’t sure how many cars were going to be available for Lyft or Uber - this is the best alternative we have today,” said Shawn Shibley. Its similarities, despite the cost, is what led the Shibleys to go with Mears Connect.

Mears is even using the same Magical Express buses, just with new wraps. “This can now move people in the same highly efficient manner from their airplanes, through the airport, off the curb and to the resort so they can start their vacation,” Chapin said. The company is offering a new option called Mears Connect, a one-way ticket that will cost an adult $16 to travel between the airport and a Disney hotel. In the meantime, Chapin said Mears is trying to fill the void left by the Magical Express. 'We checked Uber and a one-way ride to Disney would cost $38.31.'īut getting caught going to the resorts during a busy time, experts say surge pricing can cost people double or even more.ĭisney may be betting on a connection to Brightline - the high-speed rail company has announced it’s looking to connect Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs. “We did consider Lyft, we did consider Uber,” said Shibley's father, Shawn Shibley. “These options are becoming more popular for vacationers, providing more flexibility and saving time, so they can better plan their day at their convenience,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.īut those options, unlike Magical Express, cost visitors, like the Shibleys, money. The Magical Express was a “very efficient movement of people, less cars on the road, less traffic, less people wondering around the airport not knowing where they’re going,” Chapin said.Ī Disney spokesperson told Spectrum News that guests have more options when picking their transportation compared to 15 years ago. That’s approximately 5 million people a year not taking a rental car, taxi or Uber between the Orlando airport and Walt Disney World. Mears operated Magical Express for Disney since its inception in 2005. “I’m very sad - something we looked forward to for all of our vacations, and it was free,” said Kaylee Shibley, who was traveling with her father from Minneapolis.Īt its peak, the Magical Express moved an average of 14,000 passengers in and out of the airport daily, according to Roger Chapin, a spokesperson for Mears Motor Coach.

Mears and the Sunshine Flyer are offering new bus services between the airport and Disney, for a feeĭisney ended its Magical Express, a free bus service for guests traveling between the airport and Disney’s resorts.

Disney says visitors have more options for transportation.An average of 14,000 passengers used Magical Express every day.Disney has discontinued its Magical Express, the free bus service that carried passengers between MCO and Disney hotels.

Disney express bus