For an overwhelming number of visitors landing at Orlando International Airport (MCO), getting to the Walt Disney World area is the first order of vacation business.
Loyal park visitors got a shock earlier this year when an official statement released by Walt Disney World announced the move to terminate the complimentary Disney’s Magical Express bus service, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
To fill that gap next year, Mears Transportation Group (which currently operates Disney’s Magical Express bus) announced it would launch its own direct shuttle service to Walt Disney World resorts from the airport starting Jan. 2022.
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And now, anyone who has a Disney trip planned for next year can start booking the new Mears Connect service for rides beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
Mears Connect service will initially link visitors arriving at MCO to resorts in the Walt Disney World area aboard “high occupancy vehicles” and offer similar amenities — including luggage handling service, return trips and convenient staging at the airport terminal, services enjoyed by passengers on Disney’s Magical Express since 2005.
However, unlike Disney's Magical Express, Mears Connect isn't free. There are two tiers of service: Standard, which is a shared ride that makes a few stops en route to your hotel with waits of up to 20 minutes after checking in at the Mears reception area at the airport; and Premium, a direct ride to your resort with no other stops and "limited to no wait time."
Mears Connect is currently offering "introductory rates" for rides beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Let's take a look at what it'll cost you:
- Standard service: $16 each way for adults, $13.50 each way for children (double prices for a round-trip ride)
- Premium service: $200 round-trip for up to four passengers; each additional passenger is $55
You can book your rides now at Mears Connect's site.
The termination of Disney’s Magical Express Bus is just one of many changes at Walt Disney World to keep in mind when planning a trip in 2021 and beyond.
And while the Disney Magical Express will continue to offer service until its official termination date, luggage delivery is no longer provided for passengers arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.
MCO is serviced by ride-hailing services, including Lyft and Uber and airport taxis, too. With these introductory prices for the Mears Connect shuttle, a family may end up saving more by choosing one of those options instead.
