There are a number of transportation choices between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World, together with shuttle buses, Uber and Lyft, non-public automotive providers, and extra. This information covers MCO to WDW floor transportation, pricing, comparisons, and extra. Plus, updates on provide/demand and value will increase. (Updated February 5, 2023.)
In case you missed it, Walt Disney World ended the Magical Express airport shuttle service. In place of that free bus service between MCO and resort motels, two paid providers have crammed the void. One is Mears Connect, which was the operator of Disney’s Magical Express (DME) and now makes use of the identical buses and drivers. The different is Sunshine Flyer, a very new service with a enjoyable railroad theme.
The elimination of Disney’s Magical Express was large and stunning Walt Disney World information, and continues to anger followers. It even took the #1 spot in our List of Biggest Guest Complaints About Walt Disney World, forward of Genie+ and different cutbacks. Fortunately, there are many viable alternate options, together with a number of which might be superior to DME, and we’re right here to provide you a rundown of the alternate options for airport transportation. First, let’s begin with an replace…
By this level, you’ve probably heard the tales of provide chain disruptions, staffing shortages, and different ripple results from the pandemic and ensuing financial circumstances. It ought to thus come as no shock that this impacted airport transportation providers, rental automotive firms, and rideshare providers. Suffice to say, there have been loads of horror tales about provide and demand imbalances for airport transportation at Walt Disney World over the past couple of years.
Fast ahead to 2023, and issues have nearly solely normalized. We’ve used each Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer, and have discovered each to be economical and dependable methods to get between MCO and WDW. They’re mainly Disney’s Magical Express. Minus the “Disney” half…and the “Magical” half…okay, and the “Express” half, too. (In equity, DME was by no means really “Express,” both.)
Our experiences with each have been solely uneventful. That’s not precisely a ringing endorsement, however they’ve been strong for airport shuttle buses. Neither will win any awards for pace, however that’s par for the course. We don’t have any complaints.
If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World throughout peak journey weeks in 2023 (or any yr, actually)–suppose Presidents’ Day/Mardi Gras, Spring Break, Easter July 4th, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, NYE, and so on–and plan on utilizing an airport shuttle service or renting a automotive, we’d encourage you to ebook early.
This is nice observe, generally. Airfare and lodge costs enhance, availability worsens, and so forth. Well, identical applies to floor transportation between MCO and WDW. It’s potential that Sunshine Flyer or Mears Connect will promote out forward of the busiest dates in 2023, and rental automotive costs will nearly actually enhance.
We’ve additionally used Uber and Lyft loads for attending to and from MCO. This has been simple and environment friendly, and we’ve by no means had any points in any respect with availability or wait occasions on the airport or on-property at Walt Disney World. That hasn’t all the time been the story at Flamingo Crossings–the place wait occasions are often longer–however it’s additionally out in the course of nowhere. (It’s an odd dynamic–center of nowhere, and but, tons of individuals reside in that booming space.)
Pricing with Uber and Lyft is all over, however the vary is unquestionably above what we expertise in 2019. We’re primarily touring between the Orange Counties (Florida and Southern California), which tends to place our MCO arrivals late at evening. For no matter cause, MCO is commonly slammed late at evening, which ends up in surge pricing. We’ve paid as a lot as $70 for a trip to Walt Disney World by way of rideshare. That’s not at the same time as dangerous because it will get–we’ve heard of some folks paying $100.
We often depart Walt Disney World early within the morning or in the course of weekdays, and rideshare costs are nearly all the time considerably decrease. In the final two months, our vary has been $30 to $40 earlier than tip for these journeys. On that word, a few strategies.
First, pull up each Uber and Lyft and examine costs. The overwhelming majority of the time, we’ve discovered cheaper (generally considerably so) rides by way of Lyft–however not all the time. Second, go for the “Wait & Save” choice in the event you’re not tight on time. We did this as soon as, received a right away pick-up time, and have completed it ever since. If you’re touring at an off-peak time, that is often simple financial savings and minimal inconvenience.
With that replace out of the way in which, let’s flip to our regular Orlando International Airport transportation information…
MCO-WDW Shuttle Services
Sunshine Flyer – The newest choice for MCO to Walt Disney World shuttles is the Sunshine Flyer, a themed motorcoach bus expertise. Offering a handy and cost-effective mode of transportation, the Sunshine Flyer permits friends to begin the themed magic of their Walt Disney World trip from the second they step off the airplane.
The Sunshine Flyer’s buses are late mannequin, premium buses with themes that focus on old style passenger automobiles and prepare engines. From the bus designs to workers dressed as outdated timey rail conductors and engineers, the motorcoaches successfully function time-machines, providing a glimpse into Twenties prepare journey.
The buses service all Walt Disney World resort motels and supply with a restroom, USB chargers, and three-point seatbelts. Ahead of journey, friends will ebook their tickets on-line and obtain a QR code to scan at MCO, which can guarantee clean timing and departures. For the return journey, a affirmation electronic mail will likely be despatched advising of the bus departure time the day earlier than checkout out. It’ll be roughly 3 hours previous to scheduled departure time for home flights and 4 hours previous to departure time for worldwide flights.
The Sunshine Flyer presently affords transportation to all Walt Disney World resorts, from Value Resorts to Deluxes–and will likely be expanded to off-site lodging sooner or later. Tickets for the Sunshine Flyer should be booked at the very least 4 days forward of arrival. Tickets are $19.50 per grownup and $11 per little one every approach. The Sunshine Flyer affords a full refund if cancelled 72 hours prematurely, or credit score in direction of future tickets if cancelled underneath 72 hours.
We’re extremely enthusiastic about Sunshine Flyer, because it affords a enjoyable theme—trains are undeniably superior, as is the golden age of rail journey after which the Sunshine Flyer is modeled. There’s additionally a transparent “Disney connection” to the Sunshine Flyer’s theme, as Walt Disney was an avid railroad fanatic.
The solely draw back is that the Sunshine Flyer is new and nonetheless discovering its footing. It doesn’t have the fleet or assets as Mears in Central Florida. While it’s by a longtime firm (Transportation Management Services) with in depth expertise within the occasions area, that’s not fairly the identical as working a every day shuttle service at this scale for many years.
Mears Connect – Similar to Sunshine Flyer, this can be a shuttle service by the corporate that operated Disney’s Magical Express. This makes Mears Connect the “true” religious successor to Disney’s Magical Express. It actually makes use of the very same drivers and buses, simply minus the Disney-branded wraps.
Mears Connect affords transportation service for guests in excessive occupancy automobiles, together with buses and vans. The firm advertises Mears Connect because the “same reliable, safe service guests have been using for decades to Disney area hotels” with scheduled service, baggage dealing with, handy airport terminal staging, and return journeys from resorts to the airport.
Mears Connect has two choices: Standard and Express. Standard is a shared automobile on Mears Connect (bus or van) that’s economical. Standard makes a restricted variety of stops and can have you in your strategy to your resort inside 20 minutes of your check-in to the Mears Connect reception space. The Express degree affords direct service with restricted to no wait time.
Pricing may fluctuate relying on date and lodge, however the present fee on the usual service is $16 for adults and $13.50 for youngsters for a one-way journey or $32 for adults and $27 for youngsters for spherical journeys. Express is presently priced at $250 per spherical journey for as much as 4 passengers, plus $55 for every further individual.
Mears is a transportation firm with coach buses and taxis that loved a digital monopoly on Orlando for many years. Historically, we’ve not been followers of Mears. We had a number of adverse 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.
To the extent that Disney’s Magical Express supplied good service, our suspicion is that it was as a consequence of contractual necessities with, and oversight from, Walt Disney World. Without the Disney monitoring and mandating service high quality, bus frequency, dispatch occasions, and so on., we concern the “spiritual successor” might be worse. In our experiences with Mears Connect to date, this has not been an issue–however we’ll proceed to make use of the shuttle service and supply periodic updates.
Alternative Airport Transportation
Luxury Car, Limo & Private Van Service – Honestly, we’ve by no means used non-public van service for touring between MCO and Walt Disney World. There are solely two of us, so it has by no means made sense. It additionally felt of little worth from a analysis perspective, since Disney’s Magical Express, rideshare, or rental automotive served the wants of 98% of readers.
Obviously, the top of Disney’s Magical Express modifications the equation. Now, many households of 4-6 will likely be discover non-public automotive service to be a superior and extra economical choice than the aforementioned shuttles. Moreover, relying upon how issues play out with rental automotive and rideshare costs and waits, non-public automobile service could be higher than these, as effectively.
I’ll degree with you once more: researching non-public automotive service in placing collectively this text has been overwhelming. There are lots of advertorials and it’s nearly unattainable to inform what’s goal recommendation. Fortunately, we’ve gotten lots of suggestions from readers within the months since DME’s demise was introduced, and I’ve cobbled that collectively right here. (On that word, please supply extra suggestions–I’ll proceed to change this together with your prime picks!)
Quicksilver Tours – Far and away the “most recommended” choice, we’ve heard nothing however good issues about Quicksilver from our readers. Many reward the pricing, noting that it labored out to be cheaper for them than Mears Connect or Sunshine Flyer. (Just remember the fact that costs will probably go up with demand, which can assuredly enhance with the top of DME. So ebook sooner quite than later!)
Orlando Transportation by Mike – Readers have really useful this service (together with within the feedback to this publish!) and on-line evaluations elsewhere are likewise overwhelmingly optimistic. Mike’s transportation firm will get excessive marks on communication, courtesy, and cleanliness.
Happy Limo – Based on our analysis, this is likely one of the most well-established and largest luxurious automobile providers in Orlando. It’s positively not the most cost effective, however seems to supply good customer support, with fewer points than many alternate options. From our perspective, there’s one thing to be mentioned for a bigger scale operation with years of expertise–particularly as all of those transportation choices modify to a post-DME surroundings.
Tiffany Town Car – Readers who’ve used Tiffany have unanimously praised their service and really useful this luxurious limo. However, we’d supply the caveat that on-line evaluations are extra combined, with some crimson flags from friends with disabilities.
Again, we can’t vouch for any of those providers as we haven’t used them. Generally talking, we’d suggest checking insurance policies on baggage dealing with (included or do drivers help?), automotive seats (included or do they price additional?), airport meet & greet coverage (does the motive force greet you with an indication within the pickup space of MCO?), grocery stops (whether or not they’re included, discretionary, and length), and whether or not gratuities are included or really useful on prime of the bottom value.
Public Bus – Orlando International Airport has bus stops which might be serviced by LYNX native buses. This public transportation is on the market not solely to Walt Disney World, but in addition Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, International Drive, Downtown Orlando, and a variety of different locations in Central Florida.
We haven’t used the LYNX buses in Central Florida, however will not be averse to public transportation. Judging by Google Maps and LYNX’s route map, this looks as if a significantly better choice in the event you’re staying close to downtown or I-Drive, which provide extra direct routes. (Really, something to the east of Walt Disney World is healthier for bus service.) With that mentioned, transit occasions appear comparatively cheap (~90 minutes from MCO to Disney Springs) however simply remember that you just’ll probably have a number of transfers to get to your resort. Probably not supreme with youngsters in tow, however that’s the character of public transportation.
Taxi – Available on a walk-up foundation on the Arrivals Level (Level 2) on each side of Orlando International Airport. Taxis might carry as much as 9 passengers, and cost the identical fee whatever the variety of passengers. All taxicabs selecting up on the MCO are regulated by Orlando’s Vehicle-for-Hire Ordinance, which requires fares to be decided by a taximeter. This means there aren’t any flat charges–you’re paying by distance, which usually quantities to $60 to $70 every approach relying upon the situation of your lodge.
This is one other instance of the place the Mears monopoly comes into play, however there are a handful of alternate options to Mears at MCO. Given the wealth of alternate options, I might not take a taxi from the airport except actually determined. There’s a good likelihood desperation will creep in for some guests if issues play out with rental automotive and rideshare providers, although…
Rental Cars – This one is fairly self-explanatory, so we’re not going to fixate on the ‘basics’ of it an excessive amount of. We have a complete publish titled Tips for Renting a Car at Walt Disney World that covers the ins and outs of renting a automotive, together with money-saving ideas. If you don’t like ready in any respect, prefer to be in management, and don’t thoughts driving whereas on trip, renting a automotive might be for you. This is doubly true in the event you ever need to go away Walt Disney World property.
When we hire a automotive wherever, we sometimes use both AutoSlash or Hotwire for automotive leases and ebook certainly one of their “blind” Hot Rates. Renting a automotive can cut back waits and commute occasions, however we’ve discovered that generally not renting works higher for us. Consider your circumstances, how a lot you need to drive whereas on trip, whether or not you’ll be staying off-site or on-site at Walt Disney World, and the way regularly you’ll need to enterprise past the bubble.
Without query, there will likely be robust demand for rental automobiles at MCO throughout peak journey dates. The unknowns are to what diploma, whether or not it’ll exceed provide of obtainable rental automobiles (and the way usually), lead to extra overbookings, and the long-term impression on pricing. If you intend on reserving a rental automotive, it’s smart to lock-in charges as early as potential.
Rideshare – Similar deal right here as with the rental automotive part. Now that they’re moderately well-established in most cities, we assume most individuals are acquainted with Uber and Lyft–even in the event you’ve by no means used them. If not, you may learn a few of our recommendation for utilizing Uber and different ride-sharing providers within the publish Uber & Lyft at Walt Disney World Tips.
In basic, we’re enormous followers of Uber and Lyft, utilizing rideshare providers at any time when potential quite than renting a automotive. We’ve nearly solely switched from renting automobiles to Uber/Lyft when visiting Walt Disney World. For us, it simply makes extra sense, is extra handy, and cost-effective. That’s very true now that just about each lodge, together with Disney-owned ones, expenses for parking.
Using rideshare in tandem with Disney transportation works out very well for us. As with renting a automotive, you’ll additionally need to take into account your circumstances to find out whether or not counting on rideshare is best for you.
Ultimately, the top of Disney’s Magical Express has been disappointing to many Walt Disney World guests, however the excellent news is that nice alternate options exist. Equally as vital, there largely are now not points with provide and demand imbalances or common roadway congestion between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer are absorbing most displaced DME riders, with rideshare and rental automobiles selecting up the remainder of the slack. The dangerous information is that each one of those choices price cash.
Even although the final couple years have been a curler coaster of provide and demand imbalances, this final result isn’t all that stunning. After all, Disney’s Magical Express didn’t exist till the 2000s–earlier than the times of Uber and Lyft–and other people managed to get to and from the airport simply wonderful, and with out situation. However, Walt Disney World attendance is up considerably since then (Magic Kingdom alone has elevated by ~6 million friends). Suffice to say, loads has modified since Disney’s Magical Express debuted and Disney attendance nonetheless hasn’t recovered to 2019 ranges, so there may nonetheless be disruptions throughout peak journey dates. Just one thing of which you would possibly need to be aware if visiting Walt Disney World throughout a very busy journey time–it doesn’t harm to hedge your bets and get one thing booked sooner quite than later.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels 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 sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel 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 very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every thing you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the announcement of the Sunshine Flyer? Will you employ the service, or is it too costly for shared transportation? Will you go for Sunshine Flyer, Mears Connect, Uber, Lyft, or renting a automotive? Thoughts on pricing, effectivity, or the rest concerning airport transportation? What do you consider Walt Disney World ending Disney’s Magical Express? Other ideas on this? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!