Is Disney’s Magical Express Returning… Thanks to Epic Universe?

For years, Disney reigned supreme as the dominant theme park force in Orlando. Sure, Universal had its hits—Harry Potter being the biggest—but Disney remained the clear leader in attendance, investment, and overall guest loyalty. But in 2025, that dynamic is about to shift in a major way.

Universal’s Epic Universe is set to open next month, bringing immersive lands themed to Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, Classic Monsters, and a brand-new Harry Potter area. The sheer scale, theming, and attraction technology rival anything Disney has done in the last decade. And from what we’ve heard behind the scenes? Disney is paying attention—a lot of attention.

When Universal announced Epic Universe, Disney’s response was slow at first. The EPCOT transformation had been scaled back due to the pandemic, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was a short-lived experiment, and other rumored projects never materialized. But then, last summer, Disney suddenly revealed a multi-billion-dollar investment in new attractions, including:

✨ Villains and Cars Lands in Magic Kingdom

✨ Monsters, Inc. area in Hollywood Studios

✨ Tropical Americas land in Animal Kingdom

These additions sound exciting, but there’s one big issue… they won’t be ready for years.

So How Does Disney Compete Until Then?

Until these projects open, Disney has to find other ways to keep guests loyal. And their strategy? Major discounts and a renewed focus on guest experience.

1. Disney is Dropping Discounts Like Never Before

Over the past six months, we’ve seen Disney release some of the biggest discounts in years:

💰 30% off resort stays

💰 Free dining for select vacation packages

💰 50% off kids’ tickets (a rare East Coast deal!)

💰 A three-day, three-park ticket promotion

These kinds of deals haven’t been this aggressive since… well, since Universal first launched the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

2. The Return of Disney’s Airline Check-In… and Maybe More?

Now here’s where things get really interesting. Last week, Disney quietly tested the return of airline check-in at Pop Century Resort.

This was a beloved pre-pandemic perk that allowed guests to check their luggage at the resort for their return flight, completely skipping the hassle of dragging bags through the airport. If successful, this test could signal that Disney is bringing back more guest convenience perks.

And that raises a big question… is Disney’s Magical Express next?

Could Magical Express Return?

Disney’s decision to eliminate Magical Express in 2022 was one of the most unpopular moves in recent history. The loss of this free airport transportation forced guests to rely on pricey options like Mears Connect or Uber—and families with strollers and luggage felt the pain the most.

But now, the pieces are aligning for its return:

✅ They’re already bringing back airline check-in, which requires coordination with Orlando International Airport.

✅ They need to differentiate from Universal, which is launching its own massive, on-site hotel and transportation system.

✅ Bringing back Magical Express would boost guest loyalty, giving people a real reason to choose Disney over Universal.

Would it be free again? That’s a bigger question. But a paid add-on version of Magical Express (or one bundled into resort stays) could absolutely be a reality.

Disney vs. Universal: The Battle for Guest Loyalty

Universal is making major moves, and Disney knows it. While Epic Universe will shake up Orlando’s theme park scene, Disney isn’t just going to sit back and watch.

Until Villains Land, Cars Land, and the other expansions are ready, expect Disney to keep rolling out massive discounts, guest perks, and maybe… just maybe… the return of Magical Express.

🔥 What do you think? Would the return of Magical Express keep you loyal to Disney? Let me know in the comments!