Magical Express: “No Logical Reason To End…”
There are two pieces to my Walt Disney World vacations which set them apart from, well, any other vacation (including Disneyland).
We don’t yet know about the former, but we’re hearing a lot about the latter.
And, while I am willing to try the train — when it arrives in a couple years (!) — I am heartsick about Magical Express. Heartbroken actually.
For someone from the Northeast, who does not see palm trees and sunshine everyday; someone who has to take a plane to get to the warm or to the Disney bubble, Magical Express extends the vacation.
It begins when I drop my bags at the airport and head to my gate. And then when I see those bags in my room, not having to endure — and I do mean ENDURE — any measure of rentals, or livery, or ride share, not to mention dragging kith and kin to the baggage claim, well I feel like the richest guy in the world.
For this dad, that is the real vacation and really “plusses” the event in terms of utility versus cash. And it makes me feel like the hard work toward saving for the trip was worth it.
But, alas, my favorite “ride” at Walt Disney World will soon be no more. So, I am glad to see other Disney pros speak plainly about the loss of this primo perk.
Ouch: Goodbye Magical Express
The Motley Fool’s Rick Munarriz wrote:
There is no logical reason to end Disney’s Magical Express in 2022. There will be rail service from Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs, but that’s not likely to open for at least a couple more years. It will also be a premium service with a less convenient schedule than the current continuous flow of shuttle buses. Even when Brightline’s rail connection is complete guests will still need to travel another leg from the Disney Springs entertainment complex to their room. Even more guests will start fuming about Disney starting to charge for parking at its resort hotels three years ago.
I mean, that one paragraph is a solid kick in the shin.
This graph aimed a little higher:
Disney is encouraging guests to use ride-sharing services to get to the resort, naturally. It doesn’t want you anywhere near the car rental agencies. However, getting its guests comfortable with the personal mobility apps will only mean more trips outside of the Disney bubble. Eliminating Disney’s Magical Express will save Disney money, but it will be the end of a major experience differentiator. You can probably still hear the echoes of the high-fives that area hotel operators were exchanging on Monday.
There is no doubt that I will be rooting hard for the return of Minnie Vans. And I have had a good experience with a town car service. If I am traveling alone, I will Uber or Lyft. But when it come to my family getting to and from Walt Disney World, Magical Express was an easy way to say, “Here we goooooooooo!”
However, here’s hoping that there’s more to the story. That there are more details coming ensuring that families like mine don’t just say, “No.”
When I told my hubby, he shook his head & said, “well, looks like no more trips to WDW”
Being in our 70’s, back surgeries, bum knees & basicly cheapskates, the ‘Express’ was our favorite part of our trip. Dropping off our bags & literally not thinking about them – either coming or going – was marvelous!!! But having to haul our bags from one end of the airports to the other is not a fun activity, in our books and renting a car is not gonna happen ( refuse to pay to park at the resort when we are not going anywhere off WDW property ) and although we have used Mears before on other trips ( UO & by train ) I would gladly pay for their service – always on time, courteous & friendly. Well, maybe after Covid goes away, we’ll think about it . . . Missed celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, so WTH . . .