Hey Howdy Hey, JenniferMae!
Welcome to planDisney. Thank you so much for moseying by with your question. Yeehaw! How exciting that you are planning ahead for your Disney vacation. You'll be visiting at the most magical time of the year, and you are sure to enjoy the merriest vacation on earth.
JenniferMae, you are correct - Disney discontinued Disney's Magical Express a few years ago. While I wish there was a complimentary way to gallop over to Disney from Orlando International Airport, unfortunately, there is no complimentary transportation to and from the airport at this time.
You do have a few options, however, and I recommend pricing out which is most cost effective for your family. One option is to take an Uber or Lyft to and from the airport to your Disney Resort Hotel. Then, you can use complimentary Disney transportation to get to and from the theme parks and
Disney Springs once you are onsite. You can rent a car; however, there are
parking fees if you park at the theme parks, and the cost of a car rental for the length of your vacation may be more expensive than a ride share. But, our family likes the flexibility of having a car.
Here's a fun fact, JenniferMae. If you do rent a car and park at the theme parks, you never have to worry about forgetting where you parked. My Disney Experience has a
Car Locator feature so you can remember where you parked after a fun day of magic making at the parks!
Alternatively, you can book Mears Connect transportation. While it does cost money, it may be cheaper than a ride-share to and from your Resort or a rental car, and these shuttles run 24 hours a day. Another benefit of using Mears Connect is that you have a guaranteed pick up time when you are returning to the airport, so you don't have to worry if it is very early or very late and trying to find a ride. You can look at the Mears Connect website for more information.
While this service regularly travels to and from Walt Disney World, it is independent of Disney. So you do have to make the arrangements on your own. If you have any questions or are concerned about your pick up, drop off, or ride, or if you have to make any changes, you do need to contact them directly. However, in our experience, it has been a very smooth ride.
You do have to make your reservations for Mears Connect in advance. But when you arrive at Orlando Airport and after you get your bags, you can go down to the transportation pick up area and go to the Mears Connect bus pick up. When you are returning to the airport, the Mears Connect bus will pick you up in front of your Resort. They do pick you up early - usually three hours before your check-in time - so just be aware that if you have an early return flight, your pick up time will be very early. However, this will allow you plenty of time to check in and get through Orlando Airport TSA, which can be very busy.
I hope this helps you, JenniferMae! If you have any further questions, giddy-up back here to see me and I'll be so happy to round-up an answer. After all, you've got a friend in me.
Happy Trails,
Keri