Getting perks for staying at Disney World is the best, no?!
There are plenty that we can think of like Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, and even a new one coming in 2025 — complimentary access to Blizzard Beach Water Park or Typhoon Lagoon Water Park on guests’ check-in day. Thinking about all of those had us wanting to find out what your thoughts were about a perk you WISH Disney World hotels would offer. Well, we asked and boy, did you deliver!
We reached out to our followers on Facebook to ask: “What’s a perk you WISH Disney World hotels would offer?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments and we were shocked by the fact that you had, basically, one major answer!
Some of you mentioned perks like Extra Magic Hours for all resort guests and the Inclusion of Genie+ with your stay as you could see in your responses:
- “Evening extra magic hours for all resorts. Not everyone wants to get up at the crack of dawn on vacation ( we do that all year!)”
- “Magic hours for all resort guests, like it used to be!!”
- “I wish Disney deluxe hotels would include genie+ with your stay.”
- “Genie plus included (at the minimum with deluxe resorts).”
However, by FAR, the most common response was that you wanted Magical Express back!
Here, just have a look at some of the top responses from you about this:
- “Bring back Disney’s magical express!”
- “Magical Express. Please bring it back!”
- “Look at what everyone is saying! We just want back what we already had. Magical Express.”
- “I do really wish they would restart the Magical Express. They could make it based on a minimum number of days you stay and prorate after that. But, it was such a fun way to start/end your vacation.”
- “Magical express. This makes it so easy for guests to come and spend money. Isn’t that what you should give to increase revenue!! No brainer. I came twice a year for the ease of being picked up and dropped off at the airport/ resort.”
There were over 500 responses from you sharing how badly you want this perk back!
Just in case you have absolutely no idea of what Magical Express was, let’s give you a quick primer.
The Magical Express used to be a complimentary perk for guests staying at Disney resorts. It provided bus transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport, and they included luggage handling! Also, you didn’t need to bother with baggage claim upon your arrival. You simply tagged your bags before leaving home, then boarded the bus upon your landing. Your luggage would “magically” appear in your hotel room later on!
Sadly, this service ceased at the close of 2022. Now, you need to make your own transportation arrangements and cover the expenses of traveling to and from the airport. Your options include taxis, rideshare services, Mears Connect, or opting to rent a car.
As we said, we weren’t prepared for the amount of love you expressed for the Magical Express especially since it’s been gone for two years now, and who knows if Disney will ever bring it back (maybe they will if they read this post!).
Until then, as always, stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news!
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What are your thoughts about Magical Express? Let us know in the comments!
A couple of thoughts. First: does anyone really believe these perks were ‘free’? I always thought of them as being rolled into the room rate. Did anyone at Disney ever say “We are eliminating these perks and we are reducing room rate as a result” ? Not that I heard.
Second. I always looked at the luggage service and DME as your vacation really starting at home. You got to drop off your bags at the airport and then you could relax and start to focus on having fun.Everything was taken care of. And when you arrived at MCO you just took your kids by the hand and walked to the bus pick up area and you were entertained with Disney information and short films on the way to the resort.
Disney could have said “We need to charge for this now. Sorry. The Magic package will be $50 pp or whatever”. But they nickled and dined us instead. The perks became pay for this and that and carry your own bags. What is wrong with Disney now is instead of them saying “Relax. We got this. Your job is to enjoy with your family. All the headaches of a Disney vacation are our problem not yours.” Now. Its figure out a way to get to the resort, get off the plane, go to baggage claim, drag the bags and make sure you have the kids and go to whatever ground transportation you are using. And when you get to WDW stay up late to buy Genie+, get up early to pick your 1_ride, and spend your day looking at your phone. And we have a tip for you: dont forget your portable phone charger. You are going to need it.
To me the first thing Disney decided when they started all this is the magic of Disney is no longer worth it to them. And the message ever since has been “Get over it”. . Walt has to be rolling over in his grave. But at least he doesn’t need Genie+ to be able to do that.
I was JUST talking about this today with my wife who’s never been to Disney world. It used to be so simple and so hyping to just go from the plane to the bus to the hotel. It’s such a drain already to have to spend half the day flying from the west coast to Florida in order to go, but to then have to find a taxi or something? It’s the single biggest reason we haven’t bothered going at all for the last two years. Not having direct, simplified travel from MCO to the resorts is a massive fumble from Disney, who is already relying on their parks to prop up their film and TV fumbles.
Really? Spending $60 for two adults round trip is too expensive? Just close your eyes and hand Disney your charge card. Less painful that way. Mears busses are exactly the same. Having your luggage with you at all times is not the worst thing. Check out time at Bay Lake at times was a zoo. Bell Services and Airline employees did it all. Sometimes it was a lengthy wait. So what if you have to schlep your gear around the airport? You could use a little exercise. Weren’t you just sitting for hours on a plane? Disney is crowded with people spending money like it was water. Look around, it doesn’t look like most people are hurting for money. It’s still magical
Yes definitely Magical Express. Disney really coordinated the transportation well. Last trip Mears forgot about our pickup at our hotel. Almost missed our flight home, and received nothing, not even an apology.
Have always stayed on property at Disney resorts since the mid 70’s, and as annual Passholder’s would visit 2/3 times a year from Ohio. Loved the Magical Express. We now stay off property, as there is no advantage to staying on property. Now get larger rooms with more amenities off property.
When I got in line to get on the DME my vacation began. It was a relaxing way to get to the property after a challenging flight (usually). I remember the days of trying to get some type of transport to my hotel (one van had no seatbelts). Made the trip just that additionally challenging. I do miss the old Disney, and I have a hard time wanting to be there now.