- Disney World announced on Monday that it will no longer offer its Magical Express bus service to airport travelers starting in 2022.
- The theme park will also not reintroduce Magic Extra Hours after being suspended at the start of the pandemic.
- Instead, Disney World visitors will have to use rental vehicles or shared ride services to reach their resorts, and those looking to spend more time at the parks can take advantage of a new 30-minute early entry service.
- Many Disney World fans expressed disappointment at the changes, with many noting that the value of stays at Disney World Resort appears to be decreasing.
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Some Disney World vacations will look very different starting in 2022.
On Monday, Disney World announced through the Disney Parks Blog that it will retire its Magical Express bus service next year. Beginning January 1, 2022, airport travelers will have to use rental cars, shared vehicles or other travel services to reach Disney World resorts.
Disney World also announced on the blog that it will not bring back its Extra Magic Hours, which have historically extended the opening and closing times of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
Disney World announced the next changes in a blog post
The Disney Parks Blog published a post on Monday entitled “A look to the future at Walt Disney World Resort”, which describes the changes for 2021 and beyond.
“For nearly 50 years, Walt Disney World Resort has continued to develop the guest experience to better suit changing times,” read the blog post. “As we plan for the future, we are seeing how needs and preferences are changing across the travel industry, especially in how people want to get to places faster, at their convenience.”
The note said that Magical Express will no longer be offered to travelers upon arrival on January 1, 2022. The free service was first introduced in 2005 and has transported travelers from Orlando International Airport to their Disney World resorts since then. .
Anyone visiting the parks in 2021 through Orlando International Airport will be able to use the service. Disney World resort buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner, on the other hand, will not be affected.
View from Magical Express check-in at Orlando International Airport.
Kirsten Acuna / Insider
Disney World also announced on Monday that it will not bring back Magic Extra Hours after suspending them at the start of the pandemic. Instead, Disney World will offer guests a 30-minute early entry service to the theme park of their choice each day of their vacation.
“As a reminder, the Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when Walt Disney World Resort reopened last summer, and as we continue to manage the frequency with health and safety in mind, Extra Magic Hours will not be returning,” the blog said.
“The new early park theme benefit helps us spread visitation better across all four theme parks, while providing additional flexibility by giving guests extra early time in the park each day of their vacation and in the park of your choice “, continued the post. “Please note that guests need valid admission and a reservation made through the Disney Park Pass system to enter a theme park.”
When contacted for comment, a Disney World spokesman reiterated the statements included in his blog post: “As consumer needs and preferences change, we will no longer offer Disney’s Magical Express service from 2022 arrivals. At the same time, we’re also introducing new ways for guests to enjoy their visits, including early entry to the theme park for Disney Resort hotel guests
Theme park fans seem skeptical about the changes
Disney World noted at the end of its blog post that the company “will help guests navigate the next steps and continue to deliver what is expected of a Disney experience”.
On Twitter, several Disney World fans expressed their disappointment at the ads. Some questioned how the changes will affect their future vacations, and others pointed out that the changes could apparently decrease the value of stays at Disney World Resort.
—Jennifer Harvey (@ Flyersgirl17) January 11, 2021
—ChloeEverAfter 🏰❤️ (@ChloeEverAfterr) January 11, 2021
—Robin L (@RobinLuvsDisney) January 11, 2021
—Jacob de Avalon (@JacobofAvalon) January 11, 2021
Others seemed more hopeful and are welcoming changes at the resort.
—Adam Hattan (@adamhattan) January 11, 2021
—Katelynn (@shutupKatelynn) January 11, 2021