You can now reserve Mears' new shuttle service to Disney resorts — Here’s the cost breakdown

For countless travelers arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO), reaching the Walt Disney World area is the top priority upon arrival.

Frequent park visitors were taken aback earlier this year when Walt Disney World officially announced the discontinuation of the complimentary Disney's Magical Express bus service, effective January 1, 2022.

To address this gap next year, Mears Transportation Group (which currently operates Disney's Magical Express) has revealed plans to introduce its own direct shuttle service to Walt Disney World resorts from the airport, starting in January 2022.

Now, anyone planning a Disney trip for next year can begin booking the new Mears Connect service for rides starting January 1, 2022.

The Mears Connect service will initially transport visitors arriving at MCO to Walt Disney World resorts using "high occupancy vehicles," providing similar features as Disney's Magical Express, including luggage handling, return trips, and convenient pickup at the airport terminal — services enjoyed by passengers since 2005.

However, unlike Disney's Magical Express, Mears Connect is not complimentary. It offers two service tiers: Standard, which involves a shared ride with several stops and waits of up to 20 minutes after checking in at the Mears reception area; and Premium, which provides a direct ride to your resort with minimal to no wait time and no additional stops.

Mears Connect is currently offering "introductory rates" for rides starting January 1, 2022. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

• Standard service: $16 each way for adults, $10 each way for children (prices double for a round-trip ride)
• Premium service: $200 round-trip for up to four passengers; each additional passenger is $55

You can now book your rides at Mears Connect's website.

The end of Disney's Magical Express Bus is just one of several changes at Walt Disney World to consider when planning a trip in 2021 and beyond.

While Disney's Magical Express will continue operating until its official end date, luggage delivery services are no longer available for passengers traveling to and from Orlando International Airport.

MCO is accessible via ride-hailing services such as Lyft and Uber, as well as airport taxis. With the introductory rates for Mears Connect shuttle, families might find it more cost-effective to choose one of these alternatives instead.