Disney's Magical Express And Disney Cruise Line Transports Are Not The Same

A general confusion that exists for guests who are familiar with traveling to Walt Disney World is that transportation to/from Port Canaveral for a Disney cruise is the same as Disney's Magical Express service.  Yes, they both use buses, sometimes the exact same buses.  Yes, they are both owned and operated by Mears.  Yes, the buses have bathrooms and show cartoons/movies.  And, yes, they both have check-in counters at Orlando International Airport that are actually adjacent to each other.

So, with all of these commonalities, it is understandable how prospective guests think that they are one in the same.  But there are some significant differences.

Disney's Magical Express is FREE to guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney Cruise Line transports or transfers are $35 per person per trip or $70 round-trip.

Disney's Magical Express transports guests to/from Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney Cruise Line transports transport guests from airport to port, port to airport, port to resort, and resort to port.

Disney's Magical Express operates all day every day.  Disney Cruise Line transports operate only on days Disney ships are in port either embarking or disembarking and only those mornings and early afternoons.  All guests must leave the ship no later than 9:00 am and all guests must be on the ship by late afternoon, limiting the hours the transports are needed.

For us a typical sea/land vacation includes the use of both Disney Cruise Line transports and Disney's Magical Express.  When we stay at the Hyatt at Orlando International Airport prior to sailing, it is convenient for us to make our way downstairs at the airport and board a bus to the port--the bus being Disney Cruise Line transports.  If we are heading to Walt Disney World Resort after disembarking from the ship, we again us Disney Cruise Line transports to take us from port to resort.  And, then, when we check out of our resort to head back to Orlando International Airport, Disney's Magical Express whisks us away in true Disney style.