With the pre-pandemic crowds regularly causing its theme parks to close on the busiest days, Disney is looking for new ways to keep its shareholders happy.
Earlier this year was one of the boldest moves since Bob Chapek took over as CEO last year when the company announced it The End the free airport shuttle service Magical Express for hotel guests on site. Beginning in 2022, guests will need to find their own transportation to and from the resort on-site, including stays in Disney suites that can regularly cost more than $ 1,000 a night.
Some have pointed to the upcoming Brightline train service, which will connect Orlando International Airport to Disney World as an alternative, but that service is years away.
Walt Disney World is bringing back annual passes
Walt Disney World is bringing back annual passes
By Alex Galbraith
Blogs
Instead, many will likely choose Mears’ new shuttle service. Mears, best known for his kingpin role in transit through central Florida, operated the Magical Express and was deep dissatisfied about Disney’s announcement not to renew her contract. They quickly vowed to offer their own alternative and we now know what they have in store.
Mears Connect provides quick access to Walt Disney World Resort hotels for guests arriving at Orlando International Airport. Many of the same benefits that Magical Express offered, such as on-board entertainment, are provided.
“We plan to offer the same level of experience, service and comfort on behalf of our long-term partner that we have provided for 16 years as returning guests and first-time visitors cannot expect otherwise,” said Roger Chapin, a Mears spokesperson. “It’s important for visitors to know that when they visit Orlando, they still have many of the same safe transportation options, all offered by the same company that has been providing seamless, economical, and hassle-free transportation for decades.”
The service has two tiers, with the Standard offering round-trip flight service for USD 32 per adult / USD 27 per child and single tickets costing exactly half the price. For those looking for direct service to and from their hotel, an express option is available for a flat fee of $ 200 for up to four guests. Prices are introductory prices and are likely to increase on days of higher demand, but they find that they will not increase prices. They also recommend making reservations that are beyond their own website.
Prices are slightly lower than Universal’s SuperStar shuttle service operated by Mears competitor SuperShuttle. Mears Connect will not offer any services to Universal Orlando for the time being.
Mears Connect will service Disney World on-site resorts, the Hotel Plaza area, Bonnet Creek resorts, the Four Seasons, and other select resorts in the Lake Buena Vista area. You indicated that the service may expand in the future. Mears also offers other transportation options, including partnering with Uber, for guests seeking access to areas unavailable from their shuttles.
Prices are higher than Brightline has charged for tickets of similar distance in South Florida, but prices are for Orlando International Airport to Disney Leg has yet to be divided. The private train service remains years away with ongoing negotiations the route the service should take between Disney and the airport. Many local officials are pushing for one that would also provide rail services to the International Drive district, although that route costs twice the estimated cost of the Brightline preferred route.
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