Best Rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Looking for the best rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort? Look no further! In this video, I provide insider tips and tricks to help you choose the perfect room for your magical Disney vacation. From room views to amenities, I cover everything you need to know to make the most of your stay at this Disney Deluxe resort. Don't book your room before watching this guide!
Stay tuned for all the details on the best rooms at Disney's Yacht Club Resort!
Disney’s Yacht Club is the sister resort to Disney’s Beach Club Resort - in fact, they are both part of the same building. One the east side of the resort complex is the Beach Club, the west side is the Yacht Club. Both resorts have separate check-in areas but they share the same amenities. Rooms are nearly identical in size and have similar floorplans.
I encourage you to watch the video below, I include detailed maps of the resort:
Yacht Club is a little more sophisticated than Beach. sister. It has more upscale dining, the lobby is darker with warm wood accents, and houses a collection of nautical decor. It resembles the elite Yacht Club s found throughout New England. But make no mistake, this is Disney, so it still feels casual. Now, Beach Club is brighter, and more casual - almost as if you were staying at a family beach house, and it’s just a little closer to Epcot. Yacht club is a little closer to Hollywood Studios.
Quick-service dining at this hotel can be found at the Ale and Compass Market - which has a better layout than Beach Club and a better menu. You;ll find mostly hot and cold sandwiches like a ham, egg, and cheese on a pretzel roll for breakfast and a turkey and bree sandwich for lunch and dinner, just to name a few.
One of the best features of Yacht Club is Stormaling Bay, which is a min-water park right behind the hotel. Stormalong Bay is shared with Beach Club but with 750,000 gallons of water, it’s big enough to handle the crowds. One of the most unique features of Stormalong Bay is that the bottom of the pool is covered with sand and it has one of the longest water slides of any Disney World Deluxe hotel.
Yacht Club is a sprawling hotel, ranging from 3-5 stories tall. Most rooms at this resort sleep 5 people with 2 queen size beds and a day bed. But there’s a critical variation that will soon be revealed.
Disney prices the 630 guest rooms based on view, Resort View and Water View.
Resort View rooms are the most economical and overlook the hotel’s driveway, roof, gardens, or woods. Rooftop views are not pretty and there are a lot of them at Yacht Club. Rooms that overlook gardens and wooded areas are of course, more desirable.
Water View at Walt Disney World means anything that is wet. Your view may be of the quiet pool (if you have a direct view of the pool), Stormalong Bay or Crescent Lake. Water View rooms that overlook Crescent Lake may also have distant views of Disney’s Boardwalk.
Resort View and water-view rooms come in a variety of configurations here.
Most will have either 1 king bed or 2 queen beds. But here’s that critical piece of information. Most rooms that have 2 queen beds also include a day bed, which is a sofa that folds flat into a twin bed. Not to be confused with a pull-out sofa. Notice I said “most rooms.” Some rooms simply have 2 queen beds without the day bed. This is important to know because if you are counting on the day bed as a separate sleeping arrangement, there’s a chance you may not get it. This could be a problem if you have 2 guests who cannot share the same bed. If you need the day bed, I like to make to this request for my clients well in advance.
Now, if you have 5 people Disney should automatically assign you a room with the daybed. Otherwise, where’s the 5th person going to sleep?
Yacht Club also has rooms with 1 king bed and just as you might automatically trigger a 5-person room with 5 people, you might also trigger a king bedroom with just 2 people. Some king rooms at Yacht Club also come with a Day bed, but some do not! If I have clients who do not want a king bed, I call the hotel to let them know in advance. If you need help with any of this be sure to contact me here.
There are also 70 Club Level rooms on the 5th floor which include access to the Regatta Lounge. Most of the Club Level rooms are standard hotel rooms, but some suites are located on other floors throughout the hotel and come with access to the lounge. The turret suites at this hotel are among the most popular at any hotel in Walt Disney World and book up far in advance. I had a chance to stay in one many years ago, and I would highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a suite.
Regular rooms at this hotel have either a balcony or a patio.
So, we covered room categories, club level, balconies, and sleeping arrangements, but what about the best room locations at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort?
There’s no doubt that the best rooms with views are on the higher floors. The 4th floor is best especially if you have a water view room, you’ll likely have great views of Stormalong Bay or The Boardwalk and or Crescent Lake.
Rooms that are closer to Epcot and close to Stormalong Bay are found in the block of rooms that end in 185 through 241. And if you would like to be closer to the walking path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, request rooms that end in 001 through 065.
Some rooms at the yacht Club might have a view of the Epcot fireworks. Keep in mind that most of the Epcot fireworks are lower to the ground so it will be difficult to see most of the show. But if you’re ok with a glimpse of a few high-flying shells, I would request odd-numbered rooms on the 3rd or 4th floors that end in 011 through 027 and 067 through 081.
Yacht Club is one long building, so if your ideal room is to be closer to transportation - being the bus, boat, or parking lot, requesting a room near the lobby would be ideal Ground floor rooms in particular. Rooms 1149 through 1163 are excellent rooms - a good mix of resort view and water view rooms.
If you want both a convenient location AND a great view, 4th-floor rooms 4149 through 4163 are best.
What about The best water-view rooms, well that could be a few different things. Remember that water view means anything with water - so Stormalong Bay Cresent Lake, or a combination. My picks are rooms 4161 and 4163- 4th floor of course. These rooms look straight to Crescent Lake and Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
The best scenic resort view rooms are odd-numbered rooms between 4143 and 4151. They are somewhat close to the main lobby, but they also have partial views of both Crescent Lake and Stromalong Bay. So you’re getting some water views at a resort view price. But even more than that, you’re on the more scenic side of the resort - the back. The front of the resort overlooks the entrance, so there isn’t much to see on that side. Something else I like about these rooms is that they are the lobby elevator. These same rooms on floors 2 and 3 are also acceptable. Just keep in mind that these rooms are located in the heart of the resort, so there isn’t too much privacy from your balcony.
Now speaking of privacy, if you would rather a resort view room that is located in a quiet area, I like rooms on the far west side of the building. These rooms overlook a wooded area and they are closer to the quiet pool and tennis courts. Even numbered rooms ending in 092 through 112 have lots of shade and almost no pedestrians walking by. So for example, rooms 4092 (4th floor), 3092 (3rd floor), and so on are all great for privacy.
What about a water-view room that’s in a quiet location? Some water view rooms overlook Stromalong Bay, and while the view is nice, you’ll definitely hear noise from the people in the pool and during the afternoon, there’s a DJ that plays music and poolside games.
So, water-view rooms that overlook Crescent Lake are going to be your most quiet options. Odd-numbered rooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors ending in 003 through 009 will have excellent water views and far from the noise of the pool. I didn’t select ground floor rooms however because there’s a busy walkway that runs past these rooms. And by the way, these rooms have amazing sunset views as well.
I help my clients with room requests all the time so feel free to contact me for your next Disney World vacation. Together we can come up with the perfect room request.
Room requests have a better chance of being honored if you make them within the category you booked.
For example, if you book a Resort View room and request to have a view of Crescent Lake, that request would have very little chance of being honored. This is like asking the hotel for a free upgrade. Sure you might get it, but odds are you won’t. A request for a room with a full-size balcony, overlooking woods and gardens, has a much higher chance of behind honored. You should also keep room requests as general as possible. Provide a range of room numbers rather than a specific room. Or request a room similar to a specific room. This gives the room assignor more possibilities when searching for your room. Keep in mind that room requests are not guaranteed but Disney tries hard to honor them.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
Sneak Peek at Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas
An insider look at the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island - Royal Caribbean’s new private beach in Nassau, Bahamas.
I just attended a workshop with Royal Caribbean about Utopia of the Seas but at the end, we were treated to a sneak peek of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opening in Nassau, Bahamas sometime in 2025.
This was perfect timing because I was just in Nassau and could see that there was a lot of work taking place. I have been wondering what the finished product is going to look like.
Well now, I have pictures to share!
If you haven’t been to Nassau in the past few years, you’ll notice that it has been completely renovated. The port area is now bright, cheerful, and well-thought-out.
Previously Nassau was dingy, felt unsafe and there wasn’t anything worth doing. It’s all been cleaned up now.
Now you can go shopping, listen to live music, and get your hair braided, all in one complex without having to stray far from the ship. And that’s a good thing because Nassau is a big city with big city problems.
Royal Caribbean is taking things to the next level by developing a new beach resort for guests.
They purchased a strip of abandoned property that runs alongside the harbor, where the cruise ships park. If you’ve been to Nassau before, you might have seen this strip of land - it had an abandoned mansion on it and a few boat slips.
On the opposite shore of this island, the north shore, you’ll find amazing views of the ocean.
With more details to be revealed in the coming months, we now know that were will be family-friendly pools, chill pools with music, and adult-only areas.
There will three pools with swim-up bars and private cabanas, four island-style spots for quick bites and local fare, and experiences that feature local artisans and live music.
Here’s a first look at the one of the new cabanas coming to Royal Beach Club.
Once complete, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is expected to host an average of 2,000 guests. Vacationers will access the beach club via a ferry ride from the Nassau Cruise Port and return through historic downtown Nassau near the world-famous Straw Market.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
Watching the $1.3 Billion Utopia of the Seas Pull into Port Canaveral
Utopia of the Seas has arrived in Orlando! What it was like watching the world’s 2nd largest cruise ship come through the channel.
On July 11, 2024 Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class cruise ship, arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida - just outside Orlando.
I was on a conference call with Royal Caribbean the day before and it was mentioned that Utopia of the Seas was scheduled to be pier-side by 8am. I wasn’t sure when exactly she would arrive but figured after sunrise so the media could get their shots.
I arrived at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral at sunrise, about 6:45am and a small crowd had already gathered.
It was a beautiful morning, cloudy with a steady breeze. Sometimes the shore looks better when it’s cloudy, this was one of those mornings.
Fox 35 Orlando was already there setting up for live coverage.
I was watching Utopia on cruisemapper.com and could see that she was just off the coast of Cocoa Beach.
At about 7:20am some people near me spotted the glass dome over Utopia’s Solarium coming into view over the trees.
It was so unnatural to see the massive glass dome, some 18 stories up, gliding by the treeline without being able to see the rest of the ship. It was like watching a spaceship coming into view.
Within a few minutes, she was in full view and everything made sense again.
Utopia came in with several blasts of the horn to celebrate her arrival and to give the media a good show. The horn is a low, deep sound, but you can feel it in your chest.
I captured Uptoia of the Seas on video:
Utopia of the Seas Arriving in Port Canaveral with horn blast.
The crew, who had been onboard for 12 nights for Utopia’s transatlantic crossing, came out to wave. They were on the bow and up on the top deck. Some of the crew were in their staterooms and came out to the balcony to wave.
The top deck entertainment team began blasting Meghan Trainor music. Trainor will be the ship’s Godmother.
As she went by, I got a sense of just how big Utopia is.
Utopia of the Seas is the second largest cruise ship in the world, larger than her sister Wonder of the Seas, and smaller than Icon of the Seas.
And speaking of Wonder of the Seas, Orlando - Port Canaveral - will now be home to two of Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ships.
Wonder of the Seas will be doing 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries while Utopia will be doing 3 and 4 night Bahamas sailings.
Disney Cruise Line will surely take notice. And while both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer very different experiences, it’s hard to ignore the sheer size and of these Oasis Class ships, which are packed with family activities.
So while you might not have character meet and greets, you’ll have about 10 times the amount of activities like laser tag, Ultimate Abyss Slide, a water park with water slides, over 20 restaurants, a shopping mall, Flow Rider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, miniature golf, live musical performances, shows, an aqua theater show, ice skating and ice shows, and more.
I think Disney is very good at what it does, but for families who want a variety of experiences, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the way to go.
But if you prefer to meet Disney characters and see Disney shows, then there’s nothing like a Disney cruise! It’s even better than being in the theme parks.
One of the things that makes Utopia of the Seas different from other Oasis Class ships is that she has a longer Ultimate Abyss slide.
You can see more about how Utopia is going to be different from other Oasis Class ships in my video here:
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
Are Royal Caribbean's Western Caribbean Ports Worth Visiting?
Do you need to book excursions on your Western Caribbean cruise? Let’s check out the port towns to see what there is to see and do on your own.
Are you considering a Western Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean? Stick around to see what the ports of call are like and if they are even worth visiting!' It’s coming up right now on…
A 7-night Western Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean usually includes two stops in Mexico - Cozumel and Costa Maya plus a stop at Roatan, Honduras.
Like most experienced cruisers, we look forward to port days because we pretty much have the ship to ourselves. This means no long lines at Flowrider, the Ultimate Abyss slide, and plenty of seating by the pool.
But we are on vacation and in a foreign country, so it can still be fun to get off the ship and do a little exploring. But what is there to do? And is there anything you need to be careful of?
I’ll take you on a tour of the 3 most popular ports of call so you can see for yourself.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico
We were on Wonder of the Seas from Orlando so our first stop was Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel is the most authentic port I’ve seen in the Caribbean.
See, most of the Caribbean ports you visit whether it be Mexico, Jamaica, or St. Thomas, and so on, are all manufactured ports.
These are not rlittle towns that exist naturally. They are full-blown tourist traps. But that’s ok, we’re tourists. Orlando, Dollywood, and Las Vegas, all follow the same principles.
These fake little towns are in a high-security compound, so you’ll only find fellow cruise passengers here and licensed vendors.
The first thing you’ll notice about Cozumel is that it’s a bustling city - a real city. After getting off the ship you’ll stop for a quick security screening and then you're inside the port complex.
There are several bars like Margaritaville and Senor Frogs. Their main draw is that they promise a party atmosphere - similar to a college frat party. If this is your thing, more power to you, but they are famous for overpriced drinks, allowing people to get drunk rather quickly, and serving lousy food.
On our visit, we kept walking past the bars and entered the outdoor shopping district.
I like Cozumel in particular because the area is generally well kept and they have a lot to look at. Almost all of the stores sell the same things like t-shirts and Mexican-themed souvenirs. Other stores sell diamonds, silver jewelry, and leather goods.
I like to look for stores that might have something unique. Maybe they have someone making personalized souvenirs or offering hair braiding.
Now don’t be weirded out if the store owners call out to you. This is customary in Mexican culture. I saw some people get super offended by this and began yelling back.
Others stopped to offer an excuse. It’s perfectly ok to ignore them and just keep walking.
This is cultural and you will not hurt their feelings if you just walk by.
We continued walking and found a covered shopping area as well. The stores in here seemed to be a little nicer but still offered the same kinds of things.
I did a little research before our cruise and saw on a map that there was an additional shopping area across the street. It was a little hard to find the back exit, but eventually we got there.
I liked being out here because it felt to me like we were getting away from the fake Mexico and getting into more authentic territory - but without straying too far.
There was another outdoorsy mall but hardly anyone was there and some of the shops were closed. It looked like this was a failed attempt at expanding the port. But it was a nice area, maybe someday it will come back.
As we reached the end of the shopping area, we found ourselves across the street from a small resort right next to the harbor. I went to look around, I love to explore hotels. I spoke with the front desk staff and it turns out they sell day passes to use their pool and facilities.
There was a massage area and a restaurant. I wouldn’t go here if you’re looking to swim at the beach because you’ll be swimming in the harbor,
but the beach and pool are nice places to relax and get some great views of the ship. There are plenty of beach resorts if you want to book an excursion, but if you’re just looking to stay near the ship, this place would be great.
It’s called the El Cid Resort - and for about $65 US per adult, $33 US per child, you’ll get unlimited food and drinks, free WiFi, an open bar, 90 minutes of snorkeling and use of the facilities and pool.
There’s also a $25 package that includes wifi, use of the pool, 90 min. Or snorkeling. So basically it doesn’t include the food or drinks. Children on this package are $13 US.
Now being in Mexico, I wanted to see if I could find an authentic taco.
I live in Orlando the capital of chain restaurants. So I wanted tacos not one from the tourist areas, but a local place.
I had read about a guy who sells tacos out of a blue truck but didn’t know if it was any good.
I asked the bellman at the hotel where I could find authentic tacos. He told me to go see the guy in the blue truck two blocks away. Ok so now I know this guy must be legit.
It was a leap of faith because we had to leave the tourist area to walk down a busy road with barely a sidewalk. But Sure enough, we saw the blue truck.
He makes tacos in the bed of an old pickup truck. When we got there, the guy was using a machete to chop vegetables.
Now I must warn you, this is the ultimate Mexican street food ok, not the most sanitary so you need to be willing to overlook a few things.
But if I wanted to know what I’m missing when I go to Chipotle. This is what I was looking for - street food in Mexico.
The chicken tacos were awesome I watched him make them on a flat top. There were no cruise passengers around and the Locals were so happy that we were there.
They couldn’t stop talking about how good the tacos were. Everyone was very friendly. Oh, and he takes American money. Now if you want to find him, just search Google for Blue Taco Truck in Cozumel - you’ll find it.
After a couple of hours in Cozumel, we walked back to ship and enjoyed a really quiet day at the pool.
Roatan, Honduras
Day 2 was Roatan Honduras. Roatan is a large island just off the mainland of Honduras. It’s the smallest port town on Royal Caribbean’s Western Itinerary and it was recently refurbished to look like a small village.
The most popular excursions here are to visit the animal sanctuaries, ATV tours through tropical rainforests, and beach passes. Keep in mind that the cruise lines use different ports in Honduras. So if you’re on Royal Caribbean, be sure you look up Coxen Hole.
Other cruisers have told me this is one of their favorite ports of call and that may be true if you have an excursion, but if you’re just planning on getting off the ship to check out the port, I’m afraid it’s a little disappointing.
When I say the port is small, I mean it’s actually smaller than the cruise ship. There are just a handful of souvenir shops but they are still fun to walk through. I found them to be well-kept and organized. Most will take American money and credit cards.
The refurbishment added tiki huts and some water features, plus a few nice restaurants and bars. But you can walk through here in less than an hour..
Just for a little adventure, I wanted to see what was beyond the port complex like I had done in Cozumel. That’s where things took an interesting turn.
As soon as we left the secure boundary of the port, we were immediately swarmed with dozens of people asking if we wanted a ride.
They were negotiating and outbidding each other and I hadn’t even said I wanted a ride. I felt like Indiana Jones returning to the village after the quest.
There were so many guys, that it was nearly impossible to keep walking, it was not a great position to be in.
I found it disturbing that they had to post signs all over reminding us that human trafficking is a crime.
Hopeful that things would get better once we got away from the taxi drivers, we ventured out a little further. But several guys began following us and some approached us asking if we wanted a walking guide.
While everyone was friendly, I just got bad vibes.
The immediate area surrounding the port was not great - there were no sidewalks and there wasn’t anything to see.
We turned around and went back into the secure port.
My advice is to stay within the boundary of the port. If you do want to book an excursion, book it through directly Royal Caribbean so you know they are vetted and reliable.
We had a very short day in Roatan. Other passengers were telling me how much fun they on their excursions. But my advice is that Roatan is not a do-it-yourself port of call.
Costa Maya, Mexico
On Day 3 we returned to Mexico, this time Costa Maya. Of the 3 ports, this was our favorite. If you’ve been to Disney World and enjoy themed entertainment, you’ll like Costa Maya.
The port is quite large and oval-shaped, so you can walk around and return to the same place you started. There are a few side streets with additional shops within the compound as well.
Inside, there’s a resort-style swimming pool, but I don’t think it looks very appealing. Granted on the day I was filming it was raining, but even on previous trips, I hardly ever see anyone in the water.
You’d be surrounded by tourists and shoppers, not quite the best pool atmosphere.
There’s an elevated bird aviary that takes you above the rooftops, this is a popular activity, especially with kids. You’ll also find a few performances from mariachi bands and ancient Mayan dances.
If you would like to swim with dolphins without straying far from the ship, you can do that here right in the port.
The shops pretty much sell all the same things. Just like Cozumel, look for shops that have something a little unique or one that offers personalized souvenirs.
My son wanted a leather bracelet with his name on it. Watching it be made was pretty entertaining. It’s amazing to see the craftsmanship and how fast they can work.
By now you know I was on a quest for great tacos. On a previous trip, I found a great taco stand inside the port, so I was on a mission to go there once again. It’s located in the back, down a little alley. This one is clean and well-kept, not located in the back of a pickup truck.
The vendors here take American money and credit cards. The atmosphere is pretty relaxed here you won't have vendors calling out to you like Cozumel.
Now, if you didn’t book an excursion here in advance, but would like to, there are kiosks located in the port. On a previous trip, we rented a golf cart and drove it down to the beach where we found additional shops, bars, and restaurants. You can also take a taxi, but a golf cart is way more fun.
Tags:
Royal Caribbean,Travel vlog,Cruise itinerary,Cruise vlog,Caribbean ports,Travel tips,Western Caribbean,Caribbean islands,Caribbean cruise ports,Caribbean adventure,Caribbean travel,Caribbean vacation,Cruise review,Caribbean cruise tips,Caribbean cruise,Cruise ship,Cruise vacation,Royal Caribbean ports,Cruise experience,Caribbean cruise vacation
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
3 Royal Caribbean Ships with BIG SAVINGS!
No need to look any further! Royal Caribbean and I have you covered with three showstopping ships offering BIG SAVINGS! Book your short getaway and score incredible deals that are sure to make this vacay the ultimate memory-maker.
For a limited time, Royal Caribbean is offering an additional way to save money - up to $50 extra off your cruise fare. This is an addition to these following offers:
Up to $275 Off your cruise fare
60% off the second guest. discount with code
Allure of the Seas
Offer Details
Don’t miss this limited-time extra savings of up to $50 off when you book your next Royal Caribbean cruise with me.
Booking Window: June 24 – July 12, 2024
Sailing Window: Sailings 5-Night or less on Allure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas departing between August 1 – December 30, 2024
$25 instant savings for Interiors and Oceanview staterooms
$50 instant savings for Balcony and Suite staterooms
Independence of the Seas
starting from $269
sailing from Miami, Florida
Allure of the Seas
starting from $309
sailing from Miami, Florida
Navigator of the Seas
starting from $269
sailing from Los Angeles, California
Plus you’re also going to earn 60% off your second guest! Act fast, this brag-worthy deal won’t last long. Availability is limited.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
Spy Photos of New “Magical Express Style”Buses at Disney World
Magical Express look-alike buses have been spotted in Disney World, Port Canaveral.
What are these new buses doing at Walt Disney World? And why are they painted in a similar livery as the old Magical Express buses? I’m a huge nerd when it comes to Disney World transportation, here’s what I’ve been noticing.
New Academy buses have been spotted shuttleing Disney Cruise Line guests between Disney World and Port Canaveral.
Most of us Disney-fans know that Disney’s Magical Express was a complimentary transportation service that shuttled guests between Orlando International Airport and Disney World. The program ended in January 2022.
Magical Express was operated by Mears Transportation Group for many years. Mears also operated the Disney Cruise Line buses that serviced Port Canaveral.
But in 2022, the Disney Cruise Line contract was awarded to Academy Transporation, one of the largest transportation companies in America.
Mears continues to offer airport transportation to Disney World, known as Mears Connect, but it is unaffiliated with Disney. They use the very same buses, just without Disney branding.
Mears, who owned all of the Magical Express buses began removing the Disney graphics on the buses in late 2021. What was left were stripped-down blue buses, without any graphics or references to Disney.
Former Magical Express bus with Disney graphics removed.
In early 2022, Mears began adding its own graphics to the former Magical Express buses. Today, there is a variety of designs that Mears uses but you can spot the Magical Express blue paint from miles away.
Lately, however, brand-new buses have been spotted around Orlando. Specifically on 528 between Disney World and Port Canaveral, and on Walt Disney World property. They have that classic Magical Express blue paint.
An Academy logo is on the front, across a white panel. That white panel is nearly identical to the look of the former Magical Express buses.
These are brand-new buses, not repainted or rebranded.
One of several new Academy buses spotted near Walt Disney World. It’s painted in a similar livery as the former Magical Express buses.
So then, why is Academy taking delivery of new buses painted in the basic Magical Express livery?
Disney Cruise Line buses are navy blue with Disney characters and branding.
When Academy was awarded the Disney Cruise Line contract, it ordered several brand-new buses in the classic navy blue color. Shortly thereafter, the buses began arriving in Orlando and were eventually outfitted with DCL graphics.
Spy photo taken in July 2023 of a new Disney Cruise Line bus, operated by Academy Bus, just before getting Disney branding and graphics.
Disney and Academy obviously have something in mind for these new buses. Could it be the return of Disney’s Magical Express?
When Mears operated both Magical Express and Disney Cruise Line buses, it was common for Mears to use Disney Cruise Line buses as Magical Express buses, when needed.
It’s worth noting that Disney cited low ridership on Disney’s Magical Express as the reason for stopping this service.
These new Academy buses look nearly identical to the former Magical Express buses, just without the graphics. Several of these buses have been spotted in Disney World and in Port Canaveral.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
Search articles
Recent Articles
See what I’m up to in the theme parks.
Explore Universal Orlando’s new Helios Grand Hotel near Epic Universe. Get a full tour, review, and travel tips for your next family vacation.