DON’T FORGET: There’s a BIG change coming soon to the transportation services between the Orlando International Airport and Disney World.
Orlando International Airport
If you’re planning to fly to Disney World for your next vacation, this change could very well impact your trip. Make sure you’re prepared before you take off!
It was announced earlier this year that Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer will be merging into one combined service. Both of these transportation services filled the void that was left when Disney’s Magical Express was discontinued in 2022. Both offer transport between your Disney World hotel and the Orlando International Airport (for a fee).
Mears Connect bus
Starting on August 1st, 2023, the two companies will no longer be competing: they will become one new service called Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. This service will continue to provide guests with transportation between the airport and eligible hotels “with enhanced booking capabilities, guaranteed 24/7 service, greater operational efficiencies, and a hassle-free experience.”
The General Manager of Sunshine Flyer said, “As partners, we will be able to bring even more features and benefits to our guests…Whether it is 24/7 service, express options, or a private trip to ease guests’ minds the minute they step off the plane, together, Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine is delivering more to our guests.” Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine will be the only 24-hour shuttle serving both A/B and C Terminals.
Sunshine Flyer
If you have a Mears Connect reservation, your reservation will not be impacted and will remain the same. If you have a Sunshine Flyer reservation to travel between July 14th and July 31st, you should receive an email to confirm your travel plans.
Mears Connect Bus
If you have any questions about the merger and how it might impact your upcoming reservations, you can call the 24/7 hotline at (407) 423-5566. You can also contact the customer care team listed in your confirmation email or reach out via email during business hours by sending a message to [email protected].
Mears Connect signs at Orlando Airport
Note that Sunshine Flyer guests arriving and departing in July will continue to take their trip with the Sunshine Flyer. However, if you arrive in July but depart in August, you’ll be transported through Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. The announcement about the merger stated that “all ticketing information including additional tickets, updates to reservations, and cancellations will now operate out of the Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine ticketing portal which you can access here: https://sunshineflyer.com/manage-reservations/.”
We’ll continue to watch for more updates that might affect your upcoming trip, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news!
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Are you planning to use the new Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine service? Let us know in the comments.
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We (6) are planning to use Mears / Sunshine on our trip Nov 27-Dec4. 2 of us used it last year October 2022. We found no difference except a minimal fee, which is not an issue. This will be our 8th trip, live in Claiofrnia and have always used first the free service and now this one. We stay at Port Orleans Riverside and it was hassel free last year and expect the same this coming November.
When I think of Disney transportation, it is either bus boat or Skyliner, but not travel between Disney World and MCO
I’d be interested. I always used the free transportation offered. This year I was just going to get a cab from the airport for ease and quickness.
What are the prices from airport to Disney Hotels. Are there multiple stops at hotels on the way. Does the bus have space for your luggage as well? Thanks
Transport will be 60 dollars round trip. I consider this a rip-off, since we were originally told that staying at a Disney resort would provide free transport.
Hi Ron! You should be able to call the 24/7 hotline at (407) 423-5566 to see if they can answer those questions for you. You can also reach out via email during business hours by sending a message to [email protected].
Thanks Gigi
“As partners, we will be able to bring even more features and benefits to our guests…”
Translation: “it will cost more and we plan to layoff employees”.
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C’mon Disney — just bring back The Magical Express already. Amirite?
I really enjoyed Sunshine as it was located close to the elevators. Now it’s apparently back to the trek required to reach the Mears holding area. If baggage handling and hotel check- in could return I’d have a much happier comment to make. Yes, I am more than willing to pay a surcharge for the baggage service.
What people dont understand is that mears ran the magical express ,disney was paying for this service , let the contract expirer now disney did not lower there prices just kept the money remember disney dose not do anything for free.
Ed. You are absolutely correct. The Magical Express was a wonderful way to start a Disney vacation and I know it was expensive for Disney to provide this service. I for one would be willing to pay a reasonable amount to Disney if they would bring back the Magical Express exactly the way it was.
I agree with Ron, the magical express was always the start of a wonderful relaxing vacation. with luggage pickup and delivery my vacation started when I arrived at the airport, from then on I could relax and know that from that moment until I arrived back home everything was done for me. The only thing that I had to do was to make reservation for meals and shows and I could relax. With the old park hopper we could get up in the morning and decide which park we would go to then jump to other parks for meals and shows or just to visit and walk around. This allowed us to enjoy riding the boats and monorail. once these perks were gone there was no longer any reason to stay on Disney Property therefore all future trips will be made to other resorts etc. since I need to make all my own arrangements. But I will miss the variety of signature restaurants although there is still Disney Springs and Morimoto’s
‘s
We loved the magical express, once you got to the airport and turned our luggage over, the vacation seemed to have started. Magical express was one of the best things about a vacation at Disney, and it’s really a shame they took it away. We taken Sunshine twice with no problems, we have used Mears taxi’s. With no problems. So hopefully we will continue to have no problems. One thing that I really like is them offering 24 hour service, so no more worrying about landing by 8.