If you’re heading to Walt Disney World, chances are you’ll be flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO) — it’s the main gateway for millions of Disney guests each year.
Orlando International
Just stepping off the plane, seeing that iconic blue and green carpet, and you can already feel like the start of your vacation. But while MCO and Disney World are closely connected in many ways, the journey from the airport to the parks has gotten trickier in recent years — and there are a couple of big things that really need to change to make this part of the trip smoother for guests and our readers did not hold back their thoughts on this one.
We asked readers, “What changes would make that ride from MCO to Disney World smoother?”. The was one overwhelming response to this — the Magical Express. This complimentary bus service used to take guests from the airport straight to their Disney World hotel — no extra planning, no luggage wrangling, and no stress about ride-shares or rental cars. It made the arrival experience feel seamless and magical, like your vacation truly started the moment you stepped off the plane. As reader Mike put it plainly, “There’s only one answer, right? Bring back the Magical Express.”
Magical Express sign
Not only did the Magical Express offer convenience, but it also kept guests in the Disney bubble — something a lot of fans are still missing. Reader Kristen explained it best: “Why would they stop bringing people into their Disney bubble? It just pops the bubble and makes us more mobile — maybe even able to stay elsewhere and visit Disney.” Without the Magical Express, guests are now more likely to explore other transportation and lodging options, which means they may not be as immersed in the full Disney experience as they were before. For many, this one change made a big impact on how that first day of vacation feels.
We miss the Magical Express
With increasing traffic and travel times between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World, many guests are dreaming of a faster, smoother option, like a dedicated rail line. Our reader, Chris, summed it up perfectly: “Rail, rail, rail! Need an AirTrain-like train between MCO and Disney to just bypass the traffic.” A reliable rail system could eliminate the guesswork of traffic delays, ride-share surges, and rental car chaos. It could also help bring back a little of the “magic” that’s been missing since the end of services like Magical Express, giving families a calm, stress-free journey straight to the fun.
Baggage claim!
Good news, Chris — this might happen! Currently, there is a proposed project in the works to add a SunRail train line to Central Florida. The proposed stops would be at Orlando International Airport (MCO), near the Orange County Convention Center, and on South International Drive. There will even be a route along Interstate 4 to go to Tampa. A stop will eventually be added to Disney Springs, as well!
©SunRail
For more Disney news and travel tips, follow us at DFB! We’re here to help you have the tools you need to have a magical vacation.
7 Things Orlando Airport Wishes You Knew When Traveling to Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What changes would make that ride from MCO to Disney World smoother? Let us know in the comments below.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I totally agree that the Magical Express should be reinstated! I would be happy to pay extra for it. As I travel to Orlando from the UK I find after a long flight I get very anxious when it comes to the journey between MCO and Disney. Booking an Uber, finding the right spot to wait for it amongst the crowds of others waiting for one is not a great start to my holiday and Mears connect I found the few times I booked it unreliable, even to a point one time they had no booking for me even though I had paper work! Bring back the Magical Express and let the magic begin straight away!
That would still make you pay to get from Disney springs and your resort because you can’t take luggage on the resort buses , they just need to bring back the free magical express, Disney needs to stop trying to make millionaires richer they don’t need the money maybe if they would stop trying to become richer maybe Disneyland and Disney World could become affordable again and middle class families could go to Disney again without having to go into debt to come to the so call happiest and magical place on earth.
Here’s a novel idea…. A bus? Humbug! Build a train line. Start at the Transportation Center (why else call it the “Center”??) so you can take advantage of transportation to EVERY resort and park. Run it along existing roadways. End it at the airport, ideally at the terminals but close by enough to make it easy to get to the terminals. On the way to the Center, elevate it over the trees so you get a MAGICAL view of ALL the parks and resorts. In the train cars (with only sitting room) show videos of upcoming events, Disney news, etc. How about ‘DAT for immersion???
Expensive? Undoubtedly. Worth it? Absolutely!! With only a modest fee (I pay about $40 for us to take an Uber), I’d bet it could be billed as the “first ride at Disney”.
Disney had a great thing going for them before 2020 them Disney starting to get money hunger, them the people that could afford to go starting, to get more expensive and can’t go now. The magic is now gone and all it about is $$$$ someone is getting rich from it .
I have been doing business with Mears for over 40 years of visiting Walt Disney World; before, during and after Magical Express. The thing I miss most is the baggage handling. I can understand Disney cutting Magical Express to save money, but they didn’t have to go all the way. Charging for the bus service is something I was used to and could understand charging for that. But the baggage handling must have been a much smaller portion of the cost and it would go a long way to improving visitor satisfaction. I would be more then happy to pay more to have this service restored.
TBH, while magic Express was a great touch, the time it took to actually depart and go was triple what it takes my Lyft driver to get me to my hotel. I honestly didn’t think I’d choose anything else now. That extra 40 minutes could be spent in the pool at the hotel, actually IN the bubble. 😁
And that is your prerogative. However, those who choose to take the bus should have an improved option closer to what they had with Magical Express.
Mears is basically the Magical Express and they do a great job!
Take them every time we go!
MAGICAL EXPRESS was never free, you paid for it in the form of higher resort rates. As someone that drives to Disney world, quite frankly I was tired of subsidizing those that flew and took advantage of Magical Express