Shades of Green Transportation Options

Here are your Transportation Options at the Shades of Green Resort, the Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property.

On this page we’ll cover getting to Shades of Green and then getting around Walt Disney World once you are there.

Getting to Shades of Green

While Walt Disney World provides free airport transportation for guests of their Resort Hotels via the Disney’s Magical Express. Those staying at Shades of Green are NOT eligible and must find their own way to Shades of Green from the Orlando Airport.

Transportation Options for Shades of Green

Here are the various options for your transportation from Orlando International Airport to Shades of Green:

• Mears Connect
• Sunshine Flyer
• Limo Service
• Disney’s Minnie Van Service
• Uber or Lyft
• Taxi
• Bus Service
• Rental Car
• Split your stay between Shades of Green and a Disney World Resort(s)

Mears Connect – Is a Disney’s Magical Express replacement. It’s the same service as the Magical Express, except it’s paid and goes to Shades of Green also.

Sunshine Flyer – Is another paid Disney’s Magical Express replacement. They offer military discounts on Shades of Green trips from the airport.

Limo Service – There are numerous limo services available to take you to Walt Disney World.

Minnie Van Service is a Disney run version of Uber or Lyft (Re-starts summer 2022).

Uber and Lyft -Are great alternatives to traditional transportation companies. Uber and Lyft ares are currently starting at around $30 one way to WDW.

Taxi – Taxis at the airport are about $75 each way to Disney World.

Bus Service – A company called Mears Transport offers vans, and limos from the airport to all WDW and local area resorts. They are about $100-120 one way

Car Rental – You might be able to find a good military rate. I’m a USAA member and they have discounts negotiated with all the major car rental companies.

Airport Transportation Information

Mears Connect – Is a Disney’s Magical Express replacement that started operation 1 January 2022. It’s the same service as the old Magical Express, except it’s paid and goes to Shades of Green also.

The Sunshine Flyer – Is a Disney’s Magical Express replacement that started operation 1 February 2022. It’s the same type service as the old Magical Express, except it’s paid and goes to Shades of Green also.

Minnie Vans

Disney has announced that their Minnie Van Service will be coming back in Summer 2022!

Minnie Van Service was discontinued after the 2020 shutdown.

In 2017 Disney World began offering a new “uber like” service called Mini Vans. These are a fleet of polka dotted (they look like Minnie’s dress) SUVs and cargo vans (with the ability to carry scooters). For about 25 dollars they will take you anywhere on property. They can seat up to six guests, and car seats are on board at no additional fee. Several larger vehicles are available and can transport up to 2 wheelchair/ECV guests.

These are a great totally safe version of Uber and Lyft for those who may not be comfortable with those options. These are driven by Walt Disney World cast members, so totally vetted and safe (though more expensive). The ride experience is far superior to the usually silent or sullen Uber/Lyft drivers,; cast members are friendly, knowledgable and talkative (if you want)! Plus the music played during the ride is Disney music themed on your destination.

Minnie Vans service all locations on WDW property. The Minnie Vans can be requested via the Lyft app (keep swiping left through ride types) or by calling 407-828-3500.

Minnie Vans operate from 6:30 am to 12:30 am and only operate on property. (there is an airport option)

Minnie Van Operating Hours

Minnie Van service operates from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily.

Links from this section:

• WDW’s Minnie Van Service Review
• Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans

Uber or Lyft

Uber and Lyft are a great alternatives to traditional transportation services. Fares to and around Walt Disney World can be much lower that other commercial options.

If you, or someone in your party doesn’t yet have a Uber account, you can get a free ride up to $15 by signing up via this link for Uber (or use the promo code steveb14703ue if the link doesn’t work). This promo is for your first ride only, any value not used expires so this is not good for a quick hop across WDW property, but it is perfect for a ride from Orlando International to WDW.

If you, or someone in your party doesn’t yet have a Lyft account, you can get a $5 credit towards your first ride when you sign up for Lyft using this link. This promo is for your first ride only, this is perfect for a quick hop across WDW property.

Here is a link to Uber’s Orlando International page for pickup instructions and price estimates.

See our Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Disney World post

Taxi – Taxis at the airport are about $75 each way for Walt Disney World.

Limo Service – There are numerous limo services available to take you to WDW. Prices start near $100 one-way. Many will make a food stop for room supplies.

Bus Service – A company called Mears Transport runs regular buses vans and limos from the airport to all WDW and local area resorts. They are about $80-100 one-way.

Car Rental – You might be able to find a good military rate. I’m a USAA member and they have discounts negotiated with all the major car rental companies.

Once you do arrive at Shades of Green its easy to get around

A great benefit to staying at Shades of Green is the complimentary bus transportation to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Shades of Green buses run throughout the day on a seasonal schedule. ADA options include ramps and lifts for certain designated routes. Shuttles and transportation to other areas around Central Florida are available at an additional charge.

The bus loading area conveniently located in the front of the resort on the lower level. Click here for pictures and directions to the Shades of Green bus loading area.

Note: In order to use Shades of Green’s fleet of buses, all adults will have to show either a military ID and their Shades of Green resort ID (non military sponsored guests show their photo ID).

Shades of Green’s Bus System

Shades of Green currently offers bus service to:

• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Springs

Shades of Green Bus Schedule

Bus service is dependent on the daily theme park schedules. Service typically begins approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours prior to a park opening.

• Magic Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 20 minutes to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center where it stops at Bus Space C10
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Charter Bus lot at Animal Kingdom on the hour and half hour
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Westside Charter Bus loop Space 60 at Hollywood Studios on the hour and half hour
• Disney Springs – Bus departs approximately every hour on the half hour from Shades of Green and from Westside Charter Bus loop Spaces 1-7  on the hour

Shades buses do run late to parks with Extra Evening Hours for special late night events like Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

A note about the Shades of Green’s bus stops at the theme parks, there are no queue lines like there are at the Disney bus stops. When returning to Shades of Green it can be a free for all. Often people will swarm the bus when it arrives ignoring the people who have been waiting and formed an impromptu line. Don’t be these people!

Shades of Green – Magic Kingdom Transportation

You have s few options to get to and from the Magic Kingdom from Shades of Green.

Use Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation. Your bus departs Shades of Green from the lower level bus stop and will take you to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC), which is where all non-Disney transportation uses for the Magic Kingdom. You’ll be dropped off at spot C10 at the TTC Bus Lot (to the right in the image below). C10 is at the southern end of the lot closest to the TTC.

From the TTC you can take either of the 2 monorail lines to the Magic Kingdom, the Express or the Resort line. The Express Monorail only stops at the TTC and Magic Kingdom. The Resort Monorail will go from the TTC, The Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort, and then back to the TTC.

You can also take the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom.

As an option to Shades of Green’s Buses, you can walk to the Polynesian from Shades of Green and catch the Resort Monorail or water taxi to the Magic Kingdom there. Or if you are even more adventurous it is possible to continue walking to the Grand Floridian and then the Magic Kingdom (it’s about 1.6 miles). You could also walk to the TTC from the Polynesian.

The Shady Shuttle

If you do decide to walk it is possible to reduce your walking distance by almost 4 tenths of a mile (0.37 miles) by taking the Shady Shuttle. The Shady Shuttle is a courtesy service provided by Shades of Green Bell Services. The Shady Shuttle will take you from the front entrance of Shades of Green to the end of the entrance driveway, which is across the street from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The Bell Hops will provide this service if they are not busy with their primary job (assisting others with their bags). Tipping is encouraged for this extra service.

On your return to Shades of Green you can call the Shady Shuttle and have it pick you up at the same spot if someone is available. Just call 407-824-1401 a little bit before you plan to arrive at the SHades of Green driveway. Remember though, this is not an automatic service. If the Bell Hop’s are busy you’ll need to walk.

Shades of Green – Epcot Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will depart Shades of Green from the lower level bus stop and will take you to the TTC. You’ll be dropped off at spot C10 at the TTC Bus Lot. You will then take the Epcot Monorail line to Epcot.  It is a roughly 4 mile trip that concludes with a scenic loop around Epcot before arriving at the Epcot Monorail Station right outside the front gate.

Shades of Green – Hollywood Studios Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the Charter Bus Stop at Hollywood Studios, which is circled in the image below.

Shades of Green – Animal Kingdom Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the Charter Bus Stop at the Animal Kingdom, which is circled in the image below.

Shades of Green – Disney Springs Transportation

Using Shades of Green’s Bus Transportation, your bus will take you to the West Side Bus Loop at Disney Springs, which is at the far left in the image below.

Shades of Green Bus Links:

• Shades of Green’s Bus Stop
• Shades of Green’s Disney Bus Stops

Shades of Green’s Bus System Ratings

Here’s how MDT Readers rate Shades of Green’s Bus System on a 1 to 5 scale in our Shades of Green Surveys.

You will also see the following symbols after the numerical rating to indicate the most recent trend:

• Rating Increased is +
• Rating Decreased is –
• No Change is =

This symbol is then followed by how much the rating changed.

Overall Satisfaction – 3.40, +0.02

Convenience – 3.37,  +0.06

See the Full Survey Post for all ratings plus guest comments in each category!

Click Here to see Shades of Green’s current bus schedule

ID Checks on Shades of Green Buses

Walt Disney World Transportation System

Shades of Green guests have access to the Walt Disney Transportation System which includes: monorail, ferry boat and bus transportation all over Disney World property.

Walking / Disney’s Monorail

Shades of Green is located within walking distance of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s about a ten or fifteen minute walk. From there you can take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center (to transfer to the EPCOT monorail or WDW buses to other destinations), or visit other Magic Kingdom Resorts. Click here for pictures and directions to the Polynesian Resort.

Shades of Green New Security Gate 

Walt Disney World’s Transportation and Ticket Center

Shady Shuttle

The Shady Shuttle will run you around Shades’ property and half way to the Polynesian for the walk to the monorail station

Parking

Shades of Green has a large parking garage and there is a $13.00 fee per day for it’s use.

Shades of Green Guests pay $25 per day if they choose to drive their cars to the Disney theme parks.

Getting back to Shades of Green from the Magic Kingdom Parking Lot. Don’t go miles out of your way when driving a car!

Epcot Parking for Shades of Green’s Guests

Car Rental

Rental cars are available at Walt Disney World’s Car Care Center, which is located near Shades of Green. It’s not walking distance (over a mile and a half along roadways without sidewalks), but their free shuttle will pick you up from anywhere on property.

Enterprise, Alamo and National care rental companies are located here. you can call 407) 824-3470 to book or do it online.

Use these links to book, as you can’y find the Car Care Center when searching their sites:

• Alamo
• National
• Enterprise

Complimentary shuttle service from select Walt Disney World Resort hotels to the Disney Car Care Center Car Rental Facility can be arranged by calling (407) 824-3470 ext. 1. Guests renting a car through Enterprise, Alamo or National must schedule at least one hour prior to pick up time and be waiting at the pickup location at the appointed time. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please contact the Car Care Center to reschedule.Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM every day

Besides Car Rental the Car Care Center offers:

• A Speedway Gas and Convenience Store
• Extensive car repair services
• Roadside Assistance on property till an hour after the last park closes, call (407) 824-0976
  • Complimentary Towing Service to Car Care Center or, if the center is closed, to a destination within 3 miles of Walt Disney World Resort
  • Fuel Assistance
  • Battery Jump Start
  • Flat Tire Assistance, including inflation of flat tire
  • Winch Out (vehicle stuck in mud)

Other Transportation Information

See our new Transportation Overview Page

Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Minnie Van Service

Getting Around Walt Disney World for Shades of Green Guests

Split Stays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Shades of Green 

Mears Connect

Sunshine Flyer