Disney's Magical Express Positively Impacts

New service creates 600 jobs and reduces airport wait times, traffic congestion

(LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2005) - After only five months of operation, Disney's Magical Express has set new travel industry service standards, created more than 600 new jobs in Central Florida, reduced crowding and wait times throughout Orlando International Airport (OIA) and cut down on area roadway congestion by efficiently transporting up to 21,000 passengers per day.

Disney's Magical Express reduces overall congestion for everyone at the airport by moving 15 to 20 percent of OIA's arriving passengers. Less than 10 percent of all ground transportation curb space is needed, leaving the remaining 90 percent for other transportation services.

Prior to the introduction of Disney's Magical Express, all passengers waited an average of 25 to 30 minutes for luggage at the baggage claim area before seeking ground transportation. Today, Disney's Magical Express guests bypass baggage claim, thereby reducing the wait time for other passengers.

"Disney's Magical Express is a 100 percent privately-funded, industry-leading and innovative program that has injected tens of millions of dollars into the local economy while significantly increasing the capacity of our airport and improving the airport experience for all passengers," said Jerry Montgomery, Walt Disney World senior vice president of public affairs.

The benefits of Disney's Magical Express include:

Ø More than 600 new jobs in Central Florida
Ø Reduced roadway congestion, specifically along the I-4 tourism corridor
Ø Efficient transport of 15-20 percent of all OIA arriving passengers, while utilizing less than 10 percent of OIA's ground transportation curb space
Ø Enhanced airline efficiency - check-in and luggage handling
Ø Improved TSA security screening process (off-terminal)
Ø Increased food and beverage, retail and transportation concession income to OIA

Additionally, Disney's Magical Express already has received numerous accolades:

Ø Congressman John Mica (FL-7), chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation, recently applauded Disney's Magical Express, which enables departing guests on certain airlines to check their luggage and receive a boarding pass before ever leaving their Disney hotel. "Not only does resort airline check-in provide a convenience for travelers, it also helps to expedite and improve security checks by reducing congestion during the busiest times. A new industry model has been established," Mica said.

Ø Airline partners of Disney's Magical Express also have expressed their support for the service. "Delta's Disney customers can now enjoy more convenient flight and baggage check-in right from their resort. As the largest air carrier of passengers into Orlando International Airport, making this service available to customers is right in line with Delta's focus on making travel simple, convenient and reliable," Josh Weiss, Delta Air Line's director of customer-service operations and strategy, said.

Ø Arthur Frommer's widely read Budget Travel magazine recently honored Disney's Magical Express with its 2005 "Extra Mile Award," which recognizes "forward-looking companies that have demonstrated real innovation" and made "travel easier, more affordable or simply more enjoyable."