Ilene,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
The Disney Magical Express service that you might be referring to expired at the end of 2021. But don't worry, there are still a lot of great choices for getting from the Orlando International Airport to your home in the magic at Walt Disney World!
Options for you include shuttles, ride share services, cabs, rental cars, and even car services. There are choices to meet every need and budget.
Shuttle Services: Several Magical Express-like services have appeared in recent months. For many Disney veterans, the
Mears Connect service most closely matches the old Magical Express service, though of course it is not free. I recently used this service, and it was very similar to Magical Express. My wait time for the bus was about the same, the pickup and drop off locations were the same, and the buses were the same. It is the most affordable of all the options listed here. They also offer an "Express" version that costs more, but means almost no wait time for your ride, and provides a direct route to your resort. You can find and book either via their Mears Connect website.
Ride Share / Taxis: Ride share services like Uber & Lyft, as well as taxis are obvious choices. They will be more expensive than the larger shuttle services, but are more direct, and you are not typically riding with other travelers.
Rental Car: Of course, you can rent a car. But the cost can be high, and you may not really use it much during your stay. For many guests, after they arrive, they rely on the
Disney Transportation services to get from resort to park. In their case, a rental car might just sit idle in a parking lot at the resort. Consider how often you will use it when weighing this option. Also check what the daily parking charge is at your resort and factor that in as well.
Car Service: One option that is often overlooked is a car service. When you book this as a round trip the cost may not be as high as you would think, and it will shorten travel times, since you are the first and only stop. Many, like Quicksilver, also offer a 30-minute stop on your arrival leg at no charge. We love this choice as a way to plus up our trip, and to get some snacks and drinks for our room during that stop.
BOTTOM LINEMy suggestion is to check out the costs of each of these different options, and then decide. We enjoy riding the
monorail, the
boats, and the
Disney Skyliner, so don't really find a use for a rental car, and opt either for the shuttle service, or a car service.
Write me back if you need any other suggestions!
Have a Magical Vacation!Doug