If you’ve ever taken a vacation to Disneyland and needed transportation from the airport to your resort hotel and back chances are you’ve come across the Disneyland Resort Express service. They’ve been shuttling guests to and from LAX and SNA airports to Disneyland and back for many many years.
Guests staying on property at either Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel have probably been offered the service by Cast Members as a great option to get to the airport upon departure. That’s because Disney and the Disneyland Express have had an agreement in place all these years.
However, all that’s about to change.
After hearing rumors that the Disneyland Resort may be severing ties with the Disneyland Resort Express airport service ran by Coach USA I contacted them and received the following response:
“Hello, and thank you for contacting the Disneyland Resort Express.
We regret to inform you that the Disneyland Resort Express will be ceasing operations as of 1/7/20. If you have already purchased your transfers on our website to be used after January 6, please contact our office at 800-828-6699 or reply to this email with your confirmation number, so you may obtain reimbursement. If you have purchased through a 3rd party or wholesaler, please contact them directly.
Kindest Regards,
The Disneyland Resort Express Team”
Clearly this confirmed my suspicions while at the same time brought so many other questions to mind, mainly, who will replace them?
Thus far I haven’t found the answer but there are two options that are more than likely going to be the answer. First is that Disney themselves will operate their own motor coaches or shuttles from the airports under the Disney name. As great as this sounds, I have my doubts on it. I say this because even the Magical Express at Walt Disney World runs under Mears Motor Coach and not Disney, and it’s heavily used each day.
The second option is that there is no option. Disney may just be cutting ties with Coach USA and may not replace them with anything or anyone else. Only time will tell.
In the meantime, if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland and need transportation there are plenty of options:
- Uber or LYFT both operate out of Long Beach, John Wayne – Orange County and LAX. Grab some free rides here.
- LAX and John Wayne both seems to have knock off Disneyland Express shuttle services that just drive around looking for guests. They typically cost about $15-$20 each way. It’s not bad though some aren’t in great shape and some won’t leave until they have a semi-full van.
- Renting a car is always an option. Just remember that most hotels charge parking fees around $20 per day.
In the meantime I’ll be sure to keep you updated on what happens as things develop.
