The Sunshine Flyer is a brand new themed airport shuttle service to Walt Disney World, changing Magical Express. This covers pricing, transportation information, and all the pieces we all know in regards to the bus between Orlando International Airport and resorts, plus commentary on this v. Mears Connect. (Updated November 24, 2022.)
Let’s begin with a fast recap. Walt Disney World’s free shuttle service from MCO to the corporate’s resorts, Disney’s Magical Express, has now ended. Guests now want to seek out their very own transportation from the airport to their resort, and we cowl the vary of choices in our Guide to Airport Transportation for Walt Disney World. There is not any one-size-fits-all good resolution; it depends upon your social gathering measurement, finances, and different components.
The first choice to launch firstly of 2022 was Mears Connect. That provides airport transportation service through excessive occupancy automobiles, together with buses and vans. This is the “spiritual successor” of Disney’s Magical Express, utilizing the very same buses as its predecessor (Mears was the operator of DME and owned the buses). We have extra up-to-date particulars, in Reservations & Pricing for Mears Connect, Disney’s Magical Express Replacement.
Another different for Walt Disney World airport shuttle buses from MCO is the Sunshine Flyer, a themed motorcoach bus expertise. Offering a handy and cost-effective mode of transportation, the Sunshine Flyer permits visitors to start out the themed magic of their Walt Disney World trip from the second they step off the airplane.
We’ve used Sunshine Flyer since launch, and customarily discovered the service similar to Disney’s Magical Express. Both are economical and dependable methods to get to Walt Disney World, albeit not significantly environment friendly. That was additionally the case with Disney’s Magical Express, the place the final phrase within the identify was at all times a bit doubtful. For its half, the Sunshine Flyer does a greater job at replicating the “Magical” a part of that identify, with a enjoyable theme–albeit minus any Disney IP.
November 24, 2022 UPDATE: The Sunshine Flyer’s Black Friday 2022 deal is now reside!
Take 22% off all tickets now by way of November 28, 2022 with low cost code MAGIC22 at checkout. This promotional supply applies to new purchases solely, which means it can’t be utilized retroactively to previously-booked transportation.
Transportation doesn’t should be used throughout this window, which means that you should utilize this code to make reservations for Walt Disney World holidays in 2023 along with Christmas-time journeys this 12 months! (Buying transportation tickets now additionally guards towards future value will increase that is likely to be coming in 2023–so we suggest it from that perspective, too.)
Above is a take a look at the vary of bus wraps that the Sunshine Flyer provides. Just just like the number of themed Disney Skyliner gondola designs, it’ll be enjoyable to identify the totally different practice fashions. Should be a superb time for teenagers with a level of “re-rideability.”
The Sunshine Flyer’s buses are late mannequin, premium buses with themes that focus on old school passenger vehicles and practice engines. From the bus designs to workers dressed as Twenties rail conductors and engineers, the motorcoaches successfully function time-machines, providing a glimpse into Twenties practice journey.
Upon coming into the Sunshine Flyer staging space, visitors won’t wait greater than 20 minutes to board the bus, and the journey to the resorts is scheduled so the final cease won’t take greater than 65 minutes.
Originally, Mears Connect made this identical 20 minutes promise, however has since quietly dropped it from their web site as visitors have reported ready as much as 45 minutes to depart. It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not the Sunshine Flyer can do a greater job dispatching buses extra incessantly.
The buses service all Walt Disney World resort resorts and supply with a restroom, USB chargers, and three-point seatbelts for the consolation and security of all visitors. Ahead of journey, visitors will ebook their tickets on-line and obtain a QR code they’ll scan as soon as arriving at MCO, which can guarantee easy timing and departures to Walt Disney World resorts.
For the return journey to Orlando International Airport, you’ll obtain a affirmation e-mail advising you of the motorcoach departure time the day earlier than you take a look at out of your Walt Disney World resort. It will likely be roughly 3 hours previous to your scheduled departure time for home flights and 4 hours previous to your scheduled departure time for worldwide flights.
The Sunshine Flyer formally began service from Orlando International Airport in 2022. The Sunshine Flyer provides transportation to all Walt Disney World resort locations in Orlando, from Value Resorts to Deluxes.
Tickets for the Sunshine Flyer have to be booked a minimum of 4 days forward of arrival. Tickets are $16.00 per grownup, $10 per youngster every approach. (There is not any roundtrip low cost–these tickets are $32 and $20, respectively.)
The Sunshine Flyer provides a full refund if cancelled 72 hours prematurely, or credit score in direction of future tickets if cancelled beneath 72 hours. For extra data and to ebook tickets, click on right here.
Sunshine Flyer does have some limitations as in comparison with Mears Connect. For one, Sunshine Flyer reservations are solely accepted up till 4 days earlier than service, whereas Mears Connect permits last-minute reservations.
Additionally, the Sunshine Flyer service begins at 4:00 am and providers flights beginning at 7:00 am. The final bus leaving Orlando International Airport is at 11:00 pm. By distinction, Mears Connect runs 24/7.
Finally, the Sunshine Flyer doesn’t choose up or drop off visitors at MCO’s new Terminal C. However, there’s a tram that takes visitors from Terminal C to Terminals A/B the place the Sunshine Flyer is situated. Mears Connect provides service from Terminal C.
For most Walt Disney World vacationers, none of those variations will matter. The bulk of holiday makers ebook airport transportation far prematurely, don’t do red-eye flights, and fly into Terminals A or B.
However, this may influence possibly ~10% of you, particularly these flying internationally or from the West Coast, and last-minute vacationers. To of these issues describe us, and as such, we’ve had extra challenges utilizing the Sunshine Flyer than Mears Connect. That doesn’t diminish its service or high quality–simply makes it much less appropriate for us. As with something, your mileage might differ!
To its credit score, the Sunshine Flyer has a passionate workforce providing a top quality transportation possibility that immerses Walt Disney World guests in a themed expertise from the second they land at MCO. “We’re incredibly excited to launch The Sunshine Flyer and give Disney guests the chance to kickstart their vacation with a fun, unique travel experience,” mentioned Frank Sherman, CEO of TMS, the father or mother firm of the Sunshine Flyer.
“Everyone knows the magic of Disney once they’re inside the park gates. But, through The Sunshine Flyer, we’re able to give guests the chance to start their vacation from the minute they step off the plane and turn what used to be a procedural drive into the beginning of an adventure to remember.”
With 25 years of expertise as a big occasions transportation firm working with world-class occasions such because the FIFA World Cup, NBA Finals, and PGA TOUR Tournaments, TMS contends that their firm is primed to supply a streamlined and well-executed service.
“By combining our storied expertise in mass transportation management with a creative, themed experience, we have the unique opportunity to offer an experience that’s both stress-free and engaging,” added Sherman.
“After all, Disney guests deserve a trip to remember, right from the start. Whether they’re young or old, travelling in a group or solo, we hope The Sunshine Flyer sparks the imagination and excitement of all of our guests from the moment they step on the bus.”
In celebration of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, the Sunshine Flyer will donate 50% of all income from the primary 50,000 passengers through the first 50 days of enterprise to Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida to help their mission of making life-changing needs for youngsters with important sicknesses.
As part of the Sunshine Flyer’s dedication to giving again, all Make-A-Wish youngsters and their households will obtain complimentary service from the Sunshine Flyer for his or her Disney needs indefinitely.
In phrases of commentary, that is superior. Well, a minimum of as “awesome” as going from the free (or a minimum of included in the price of resort stays) Disney’s Magical Express to one thing that prices additional. With that mentioned, the Sunshine Flyer is to not blame for Walt Disney World’s shortsighted resolution to remove Magical Express. Can’t precisely fault one other enterprise for Disney’s ill-advised cutbacks.
What’s superior about that is that it’s themed–and to one thing objectively cool. Trains are superior, as is the golden age of rail journey after which the Sunshine Flyer is modeled. Perhaps I’m biased as a railfan who visits museums, enjoys railroad simulators, and much prefers practice journey to all different types of transportation–however you already know who else cherished trains? Walt Disney. Even setting apart my very own pursuits, there’s a clear “Disney connection” to the Sunshine Flyer’s theme.
Another purpose that is superior is as a result of the Sunshine Flyer isn’t operated by Mears. For those that are in any other case unfamiliar with it, Mears is a transportation firm with coach buses and taxis that loved a digital monopoly on Orlando for many years–earlier than Uber and Lyft arrived on the scene. Since then, Mears has been extensively concerned with rideshare lawsuits over the previous a number of years.
Historically, we’ve not been followers of Mears. We had a number of detrimental experiences with them within the pre-rideshare days–sufficient to reach on the conclusion that it was a poorly-managed firm doing the naked minimal and never caring about customer support given their aforementioned monopoly.
If you’ve learn our posts in regards to the Disney’s Magical Express saga, you may discover this shocking. We’ve been pretty sympathetic to Mears, which is basically as a result of we’ve purpose to imagine they acquired “done dirty” by Disney (as the children say). I additionally don’t like some Time Warner properties, however however really feel pity for a way they acquired screwed over within the AT&T acquisition. Beyond that, Mears was filling a void left by the tip of Disney’s Magical Express and could be the default “best” possibility for a lot of vacationers. With the arrival of the Sunshine Flyer, that’s now not the case.
Granted, I’ve completely zero information of or expertise with TMS. For all I do know, they may in some way be chargeable for the plight of Florida’s manatees. I’m guessing not, however it’s doable they provide equally poor customer support. However, I’m prepared to take my possibilities on just about any transportation service over Mears. Any firm with such an affinity for the golden age of railroads can’t be all dangerous.
Ultimately, extra competitors and options for transportation between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World resorts is an efficient factor for shoppers. Even if you happen to’re a monster who hates trains, it’s onerous to disclaim this as optimistic information from that perspective. As previous precedent has demonstrated, Mears having a monopoly isn’t a superb factor. We strongly suggest reserving considered one of these shuttles fairly than counting on Uber or Lyft if you happen to’re visiting this 12 months or in 2023.
Without Disney’s Magical Express, rideshare demand has elevated, and at instances there’s an inadequate provide (or drivers) within the Orlando market at instances when journey quantity is excessive. We’re used Uber and Lyft when touring between the Orange Counties (Florida and Southern California) this 12 months, which tends to place our MCO arrivals late at evening. For no matter purpose, MCO is usually slammed late at evening, which ends up in surge pricing. We’ve paid as a lot as $70 for a journey to Walt Disney World through rideshare. That’s not whilst dangerous because it will get–we’ve heard of some folks paying $100. Unless you may have a big social gathering, utilizing an airport shuttle service goes to be far more economical than that.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the pieces that you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Sunshine Flyer? Will you utilize the service, or is it too costly for shared transportation? Will you go for Sunshine Flyer, Mears Connect, Uber, Lyft, or renting a automobile? Thoughts on pricing, effectivity, or the rest concerning airport transportation? What do you concentrate on Walt Disney World ending Disney’s Magical Express? Other ideas on this? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!