For more than fifteen years, guests arriving at the Orlando International Airport have had the option of riding Disney’s Magical Express to begin their Walt Disney World vacation. For those arriving by plane, the experience has signaled the beginning of their journey into a world curtained off from the worries and stress of their everyday lives. But after a successful run, The Walt Disney Company is ending the service as of today in favor of guests using services like Lyft and Uber.
Announced in January 2021, the end of the Magical Express begins today with the last arrival services stopping at midnight of December 31st. Then, the service will continue to ferry guests back to the airport until January 10th, 2022. As of January 11th, the Magical Express will be no more.
In the wake of guests losing a transportation option, new third party options have, and are likely to continue, to arise:
“The Sunshine Flyer” Launches Bus Service Between MCO and Disney World as Magical Express Ends https://t.co/pJ7WAjwFdo
— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) December 21, 2021
And earlier this year, Disney cast members who have worked the Magical Express received a farewell gift. This is especially remarkable considering that Disney has cut back on many of the perks and extras that cast members (and guests) receive without fee:
Disney’s Magical Express cast members have been given a farewell jacket 😭 pic.twitter.com/rp41ExcpTh
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) December 23, 2021
Have you used the Magical Express in the past? Are you sad to see it go? Or is this a nothing-burger in the age of easy transport? Let us know in the comments below!
Canceling the Magical Express will be Disney’s biggest regret.
I have used it in the past, and sad to see it go; however, not going to become pessimistic about it until there is a fair chance for The Sunshine Flyer, the Brightline train, etc to have a chance proving they are better. If they end up being an improvement, perhaps it was time for the Magical Express to become a nothing-burger? Only time will tell.
Bob Chapek is going to regret this one.
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He has just given his customers a gigantic reason to rent a car.
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Mark Woodbury has to be laughing himself sick. The death of the Magical Express means a lot of Disney customers are going to spend at least two days at Universal. Maybe even stay at Universal hotels.
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Or stay in town. It’s no secret there’s a lot more value for money in Orlando these days. And most of the on-property perks have been killed. Extra Magic Hours is now Extra Magic Minutes.
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Lower quality, fewer perks, less entertainment, and higher prices. That’s the Chapek promise.
It’s a nothing burger. People that used it might miss it, but I never used it… When I started going to Disney in the 80s, we always arranged transport, through whatever means necessary. People plan their trip, before they get to Orlando. They’re either going to Disney or they’re not. The Magic Express was negligible when it came to attendance at the parks. Probably a good idea to cancel it in order to save money. I’m with Chapek on this one.
Where I’m annoyed is with the Genie. I think that’s a failed model and we’ll see it disappear in time.