A Magical Bus Ride: Resort Getaway From The Airport

Disney's Magical Express is a free airport transportation service for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. The service provides a round-trip bus service between Orlando International Airport and the Disney Resort hotels. The duration of the journey depends on various factors, such as the time taken to load the shuttle bus, traffic conditions, and the number of stops the bus makes. On average, the commute from the airport to the Disney World main entrance takes about 30 to 45 minutes. However, the entire process, including the walk from the plane to the Magical Express area, waiting for the bus, and the bus ride, can take anywhere from an hour to just under two hours.

The journey from plane to resort

Disney's Magical Express is a free airport transportation service for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. The service operates to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and runs whenever the airport is open.

Getting to the Magical Express from the airport

Once you land at MCO, follow signs to the Disney Welcome Center on level one in Terminal B. It will take about 10-12 minutes to get to the Magical Express area from your plane, via the airport monorail.

Upon arrival at the Welcome Center, a cast member will scan your MagicBand and verify your arrival details. You will then be assigned a numbered lane based on your resort hotel. Each bus usually services two to three resorts in the same area.

Waiting for the bus

After checking in, you will wait for your bus to arrive. This can take anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour, depending on demand. The bus will only leave once it is full.

On the bus

The bus ride from the airport to the Walt Disney World main entrance takes about 30 minutes. After that, add about 7 minutes for each hotel at which the bus stops. So, if your resort is the fourth stop, the journey will take about an hour.

The Magical Express buses are coach-style buses with restrooms and onboard displays that play a video about Disney's Magical Express and Walt Disney World. There is also an hour-long music loop, and Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck shorts are played after the video finishes.

At the resort

You will be dropped off right at your hotel. Your luggage will be delivered to your room within three hours of checking in at the resort.

Overall journey time

The whole process, from getting off the plane to arriving at your resort, will take a minimum of about an hour and a maximum of just under two hours.

The Magical Express service

Disney's Magical Express is a complimentary, round-trip airport transportation and luggage delivery service for guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels. The service is available to all guests with a Disney Resort hotel reservation and operates to and from Orlando International Airport (MCO) only.

Disney's Magical Express provides a motorcoach service between the airport and Disney Resort hotels. The service is operated by Mears Transportation and includes someone to handle your bags and do the driving, so you can relax and start enjoying your Disney World vacation as soon as you step off the plane.

When making your Disney hotel reservation, you will be asked if you want to use the Magical Express service. You can also add it to your reservation online or by calling 866-599-0951. Alternatively, you can simply show up at the Disney's Magical Express kiosk at the airport, where they will scan your MagicBands and let you board the bus.

The commute from your plane to the Magical Express area takes about 10-12 minutes. The wait time from when you arrive at the Magical Express area until your bus departs is about 10-30 minutes, and the commute from the airport to the Walt Disney World main entrance is about 30 minutes. After that, add about 7 minutes for each additional hotel stop. The whole process will take a minimum of about an hour and a maximum of just under two hours.

Disney's Magical Express includes a luggage delivery service. You will be mailed special luggage tags to attach to each bag you wish to be delivered to your room. Your bags will be collected from the luggage carousel and delivered to your hotel room within three hours of checking in at the resort. This service is only available for flights arriving between 5 am and 10 pm. For flights arriving outside of these times, you must collect your luggage and bring it with you on the motorcoach.

The main benefit of the Magical Express service is convenience. It eliminates the stress of getting to your Disney Resort hotel and allows you to start your vacation as soon as you arrive. It is also a free service, although it is customary to tip your driver.

However, using the service can be time-consuming, especially when compared to renting a car and driving directly to your hotel. It is also not a private service, and the bus makes multiple stops at different resorts. There have also been reports of long wait times for the buses, especially during peak travel times.

If you prefer a private ride, you can use a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, or rent a car. Mears Transportation Group also offers a similar service called Mears Connect, which operates between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort for an additional cost per person.

Luggage delivery

Disney's Magical Express provides a luggage delivery service for guests with a reservation at Walt Disney World hotels. This service is not available for guests staying at Disney Springs hotels, the Swan/Dolphin, Shades of Green, or any other off-site hotels.

If you are eligible for the service, you will receive special luggage tags in the mail two to three weeks before your trip. These tags should be placed on every checked bag, in conjunction with your airline luggage tags.

If you are travelling on a domestic flight, you can skip baggage claim altogether as long as you have tagged your bags with the Magical Express tags. Disney representatives will collect your bags on your behalf and deliver them to your hotel room. This process can take up to three hours, so it is recommended that you pack everything you need for your arrival day in your carry-on bag.

For international flights, you will need to retrieve your luggage and go through customs. After exiting the customs area, you can either bring your checked bags with you to the bus or place them back on the transfer carousel for Disney to collect.

Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, luggage delivery services are currently unavailable. All guests must collect their luggage from baggage claim and carry their own bags to the Magical Express bus.

Pros and cons of the service

Pros:

• The service is free, saving you money over renting a car or ride-sharing.
• It is convenient and easy to use, with direct transportation from the airport to your resort.
• You don't have to worry about traffic or directions, as someone else is doing the driving.
• Your luggage can be delivered directly to your room (although this service is currently unavailable due to the coronavirus pandemic).
• The ride is comfortable, with spacious seats, AC controls, footrests, USB charging stations, and onboard entertainment.
• It is a fun way to start your vacation, with Disney shorts and teasers playing during the ride.

Cons:

• The service can be time-consuming, with potential waits for the bus to arrive and depart, and multiple resort stops along the way.
• Luggage delivery can be delayed, so it is recommended to pack a carry-on bag with essentials and a change of clothes.
• The return trip to the airport is scheduled for a specific time and is non-negotiable, so you need to be punctual.
• It may be more convenient and economical to rent a car, especially if you are visiting multiple theme parks.
• The service only stops at resort hotels, not theme parks.
• You cannot send your luggage ahead on the Magical Express if you plan to use a ride-share service to the theme parks.

Alternatives to the Magical Express

As of January 1, 2022, Disney's Magical Express shuttle service has been discontinued. However, there are several alternative transportation options for getting from Orlando International Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort:

• Mears Connect: Operated by the same company that ran the Magical Express, Mears Connect offers two service levels – Standard and Premium. Standard service is shared transportation on a bus or van, with a wait time of 20 minutes or less, priced at $16 per adult and $13.50 per child for a one-way trip. Premium service offers a dedicated vehicle with limited to no wait time, starting at $250 for round-trip service with up to 4 passengers.
• The Sunshine Flyer: A themed motorcoach service with buses styled after old-fashioned passenger cars and train engines. The staff are dressed as 1920s rail conductors. Tickets are $17 per adult and $12.50 per child each way, with discounts available for military families.
• Ridesharing: Uber and Lyft are popular ride-sharing options that provide door-to-door service. While they may be more expensive for larger groups, they offer flexibility and convenience.
• Taxis: Similar to ride-sharing options, taxis are readily available at the airport and can accommodate larger groups if requested in advance. The cost is generally between $55 and $70 one way.
• Rental Cars: Renting a car can offer flexibility and the ability to leave the resort, but keep in mind that rental car prices can be high, and there may be additional costs for gas and parking.
• Private Limousine Services: For a more luxurious option, private limo services are available but may be less desirable for families due to higher pricing.

Frequently asked questions