There are a number of transportation choices between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World, together with shuttle buses, Uber and Lyft, personal automobile companies, 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 lodges, two paid companies have stuffed 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 options, together with a number of which might be superior to DME, and we’re right here to provide you a rundown of the options for airport transportation. First, let’s begin with an replace…
By this level, you’ve possible 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 companies, rental automobile corporations, and rideshare companies. Suffice to say, there have been loads of horror tales about provide and demand imbalances for airport transportation at Walt Disney World during the last couple of years.
Fast ahead to 2023, and issues have virtually 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 principally 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 truly “Express,” both.)
Our experiences with each have been solely uneventful. That’s not precisely a ringing endorsement, however they’ve been stable for airport shuttle buses. Neither will win any awards for pace, however that’s par for the course. We haven’t any complaints.
If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World throughout peak journey weeks in 2023 (or any 12 months, actually)–assume 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 automobile, we’d encourage you to e-book early.
This is nice follow, on the whole. Airfare and resort 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 automobile costs will virtually definitely enhance.
We’ve additionally used Uber and Lyft so much for attending to and from MCO. This has been simple and environment friendly, and we’ve by no means had any points in any way with availability or wait instances on the airport or on-property at Walt Disney World. That hasn’t at all times been the story at Flamingo Crossings–the place wait instances are normally longer–but it surely’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 motive, MCO is usually slammed late at evening, which ends up in surge pricing. We’ve paid as a lot as $70 for a experience to Walt Disney World through rideshare. That’s not whilst unhealthy because it will get–we’ve heard of some folks paying $100.
We normally depart Walt Disney World early within the morning or in the course of weekdays, and rideshare costs are virtually at all times considerably decrease. In the final two months, our vary has been $30 to $40 earlier than tip for these journeys. On that notice, a few options.
First, pull up each Uber and Lyft and evaluate costs. The overwhelming majority of the time, we’ve discovered cheaper (typically considerably so) rides through Lyft–however not at all times. Second, go for the “Wait & Save” choice when you’re not tight on time. We did this as soon as, received a direct pick-up time, and have carried out it ever since. If you’re touring at an off-peak time, that is normally simple financial savings and minimal inconvenience.
With that replace out of the best way, 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 start out 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 school passenger automobiles and practice 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 Nineteen Twenties practice journey.
The buses service all Walt Disney World resort lodges and supply with a restroom, USB chargers, and three-point seatbelts. Ahead of journey, friends will e-book their tickets on-line and obtain a QR code to scan at MCO, which is able to guarantee easy timing and departures. For the return journey, a affirmation e-mail might 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 provides transportation to all Walt Disney World resorts, from Value Resorts to Deluxes–and might be expanded to off-site lodging sooner or later. Tickets for the Sunshine Flyer have to be booked at the very least 4 days forward of arrival. Tickets are $19.50 per grownup and $11 per youngster every means. The Sunshine Flyer provides a full refund if cancelled 72 hours upfront, or credit score in the direction of future tickets if cancelled beneath 72 hours.
We’re extremely enthusiastic about Sunshine Flyer, because it provides 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 each 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 provides 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 approach to your resort inside 20 minutes of your check-in to the Mears Connect reception space. The Express degree provides direct service with restricted to no wait time.
Pricing might range relying on date and resort, however the present price 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 have now not been followers of Mears. We had a number of unfavorable 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 provided good service, our suspicion is that it was attributable to contractual necessities with, and oversight from, Walt Disney World. Without the Disney monitoring and mandating service high quality, bus frequency, dispatch instances, and so on., we concern the “spiritual successor” may very well be worse. In our experiences with Mears Connect to this point, 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 personal 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 automobile served the wants of 98% of readers.
Obviously, the top of Disney’s Magical Express adjustments the equation. Now, many households of 4-6 might be discover personal automobile service to be a superior and extra economical choice than the aforementioned shuttles. Moreover, relying upon how issues play out with rental automobile and rideshare costs and waits, personal automobile service is likely to be higher than these, as properly.
I’ll degree with you once more: researching personal automobile service in placing collectively this text has been overwhelming. There are a number of advertorials and it’s virtually not possible to inform what’s goal recommendation. Fortunately, we’ve gotten a number of suggestions from readers within the months since DME’s demise was introduced, and I’ve cobbled that collectively right here. (On that notice, please supply extra suggestions–I’ll proceed to switch this together with your high 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 that costs will possible go up with demand, which is able to assuredly enhance with the top of DME. So e-book sooner slightly than later!)
Orlando Transportation by Mike – Readers have really useful this service (together with within the feedback to this put up!) and on-line opinions elsewhere are likewise overwhelmingly constructive. Mike’s transportation firm will get excessive marks on communication, courtesy, and cleanliness.
Happy Limo – Based on our analysis, this is without doubt one of the most well-established and largest luxurious automobile companies in Orlando. It’s positively not the most affordable, however seems to supply good customer support, with fewer points than many 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 alter to a post-DME setting.
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 opinions are extra combined, with some purple flags from friends with disabilities.
Again, we can not vouch for any of those companies as we haven’t used them. Generally talking, we’d advocate checking insurance policies on baggage dealing with (included or do drivers help?), automobile seats (included or do they price further?), 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 high of the bottom value.
Public Bus – Orlando International Airport has bus stops which might be serviced by LYNX native buses. This public transportation is offered 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 are usually not averse to public transportation. Judging by Google Maps and LYNX’s route map, this looks like a significantly better choice when 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 instances appear comparatively cheap (~90 minutes from MCO to Disney Springs) however simply bear in mind that you just’ll possible have a number of transfers to get to your resort. Probably not splendid with children in tow, however that’s the character of public transportation.
Taxi – Available on a walk-up foundation on the Arrivals Level (Level 2) on either side of Orlando International Airport. Taxis might carry as much as 9 passengers, and cost the identical price 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 generally quantities to $60 to $70 every means relying upon the situation of your resort.
This is one other instance of the place the Mears monopoly comes into play, however there are a handful of options to Mears at MCO. Given the wealth of options, I’d not take a taxi from the airport until actually determined. There’s a good likelihood desperation will creep in for some guests if issues play out with rental automobile and rideshare companies, 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 put up titled Tips for Renting a Car at Walt Disney World that covers the ins and outs of renting a automobile, together with money-saving suggestions. If you don’t like ready in any respect, prefer to be in management, and don’t thoughts driving whereas on trip, renting a automobile might be for you. This is doubly true when you ever wish to depart Walt Disney World property.
When we lease a automobile wherever, we sometimes use both AutoSlash or Hotwire for automobile leases and e-book considered one of their “blind” Hot Rates. Renting a automobile can scale back waits and commute instances, however we’ve discovered that typically not renting works higher for us. Consider your circumstances, how a lot you wish 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 wish to enterprise past the bubble.
Without query, there might 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 typically), end in extra overbookings, and the long-term affect on pricing. If you intend on reserving a rental automobile, it’s clever to lock-in charges as early as potential.
Rideshare – Similar deal right here as with the rental automobile part. Now that they’re moderately well-established in most cities, we assume most individuals are conversant in Uber and Lyft–even when you’ve by no means used them. If not, you possibly can learn a few of our recommendation for utilizing Uber and different ride-sharing companies within the put up Uber & Lyft at Walt Disney World Tips.
In basic, we’re large followers of Uber and Lyft, utilizing rideshare companies at any time when potential slightly than renting a automobile. We’ve virtually 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 resort, together with Disney-owned ones, prices for parking.
Using rideshare in tandem with Disney transportation works out very well for us. As with renting a automobile, you’ll additionally wish to contemplate 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 options exist. Equally as necessary, 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 unhealthy 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 consequence 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 advantageous, 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, so much has modified since Disney’s Magical Express debuted and Disney attendance nonetheless hasn’t recovered to 2019 ranges, so there might nonetheless be disruptions throughout peak journey dates. Just one thing of which you would possibly wish to be conscious if visiting Walt Disney World throughout a very busy journey time–it doesn’t damage to hedge your bets and get one thing booked sooner slightly than later.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about lodges 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 put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every little thing you might want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the announcement of 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 anything concerning airport transportation? What do you concentrate on 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 under within the feedback!