You can now book Mears' new shuttle service to Disney resorts — Here's what it'll cost you
Terry Ward is a Florida-based freelance writer who travels the world with her two young children while contributing to The Points Guy Family, in addition to many other outlets. She has lived in France and New Zealand and has a particular passion for Norway. terry-ward.com
Aug. 05, 2021
•
3 min read
You can now book Mears' new shuttle service to Disney resorts — Here's what it'll cost you
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Editor's Note
This post has been updated with new information.
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.
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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.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees