If you are bound for Shades of Green from Orlando International Airport, you are on your own!
Walt Disney World has its Magical Express airport transportation for guests staying at Disney owned resorts.
But Shades of Green guests are on their own for transportation from Orlando International Airport to the Military Resort on Walt Disney World property.
My family has lots of experience flying into Orlando International Airport. I was stationed in Ohio for many years and we flew into Orlando several times back then. We then transferred to the Florida Panhandle and drove to Disney World for 9 years. But we’ve been back in Ohio for quite a few years now, and we fly into Orlando several times a year.
When not staying at a Disney Resort, we’ve rented cars at the airport and used airport limos.
Transportation Options for Shades of Green
Here are the various options for your transportation from Orlando International Airport to Shades of Green:
- Limo Service
- Taxi
- Bus Service
- Rental Car
- Uber or Lyft
- Split your stay between Shades of Green and a Disney World Resort(s)
Limo Service – There are numerous limo services available to take you to Walt Disney World.
Taxi – Taxis at the airport are about $75 each way to Disney World.
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.
Uber and Lyft -Are great alternatives to traditional transportation companies. Uber and Lyft ares are currently starting at around $30 one way to WDW.
Disney World’s Minnie Van Service will transport you from the airport to anywhere on WDW property and back for $150 each way.
Split Stay – A Split Stay is when you spend part of your vacation at one or more Disney World Resorts and the remainder elsewhere. You could bookend your Shades of Green stay with a night on each end at a Disney Resort, thus obtaining free airport transportation on each end (and free Magic Bands). We have a post which discuses Split Stays in detail.
Check Your Bags Before the DIsneys Magical Express
My Transportation Recommendations
Use a Limo Service.
Military Disney Tips has negotiated a Military Discount with Orlando Shuttle Service. This special offer is exclusive to MDT Readers, you’ll get $15 off the basic round trip pricing of private transportation to ANY Orlando hotel or resort when you book at Orlando Shuttle Service. Just enter the promo code MDT15. This code is valid online or via phone.
Orlando Shuttle Service is the ONLY company doing what they do in Orlando. They search out all of the local transportation companies & list true total trip pricing in one place (before driver gratuity). They’ve been at this for over 9 years.
OrlandoShuttleService.com is proud of our military and pleased to offer this exclusive discount code for all military & their families: Get $15 off the basic round trip pricing of private transportation to ANY Orlando hotel or resort, including Shades of Green. Just enter the promo code MDT15″
Email: customer.service
@orlandoshuttleservice.com, Phone: 1-407-574-4671 (9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern, M-F)
Use 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
How can I get to Other Destinations like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or Legoland?
As far as getting to Universal or Sea World from Shades of Green you have a few options.
There is an Alamo kiosk just off the Shades of Green lobby you could rent a car for the day or more if you have other excursions planned.
There is a shuttle bus available for Universal and SeaWorld at Shades. You need to make a reservation 24 hours in advance with the Shades of Green Ticket Sales Office. The round trip cost is $ 10.00 per adult and $ 5.00 per child. Under 4 is free. Pickup times are set so you’ll need to stick to their schedule. Departs Shades of Green Lobby (Lobby Level) promptly at 8:15 am. Return trip from Universal 6:30 pm return trip from Sea World 6:45pm.
For other destinations like Legoland Florida, Kennedy Space Center, and your Disney Cruise at Port Canaveral I again recommend OrlandoShuttleService.com, or Uber/Lyft. The ride to another theme park would also be a great use of the $15 off your first Uber trip, or the $5 credit towards your first Lyft ride.
Getting around WDW
Once you are at Shades there are lots of transportation options.
Shades has its own small fleet of buses to take you around Disney World and you can use Disney’s transportation free options (Buses, Monorail, Boats) without staying at a Disney Resort and they also offer a fleet of Minnie Vans, a new paid Disney run uber like service.
Or these other posts which you might find helpful:
Your Guide to Disney World Transportation
Transportation options at WDW for Shades of Green Guests
Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans at Disney World
Magic Kingdom Parking for Shades of Green’s Guests
Epcot Parking for Shades of Green’s Guests
Have you flown into Orlando and stayed at Shades of Green? How did you get there?
Let us know in the comments below!
Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property
See all the current Shades of Green Discounts and Packages
A Special Note on Shades of Green Discounts: Something to be aware of is that Shades constantly changes the dates and discounts offered of their specials and packages.
Shades of Green Links
- Shades of Green
- Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Links to Everything Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Blog Tour
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.
See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Steve Recommends
Do you want all of your Disney Planning information in one place, organized in a step-by-step logical manner with an emphasis on Military Discounts and offers? I've written 2 Guidebooks just for the Military Community:
Walt Disney World for Military Families 2020 - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
The Essential Guide to Shades of Green - Available in Print, Kindle, and Digital PDF Download
Here are my recommendations for products and services I've reviewed that can improve your Disney planning. This is a short list since it only includes my top picks.
Ears of Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned
Need a Little Extra Help Planning your Disney Vacation? Check Out Ears of Experience's Concierge Service
Military Disney Tips Negotiated Military Discounts
Orlando Shuttle Service - $15 off basic round trip pricing to ANY Orlando resort use MDT15
Amusement Park Rentals - 10% Military Discount on Strollers and Scooters Use 10MILITARY at checkout
EzPacking Cube Organization System, Tame Your Suitcase! - MDT Readers get 15% off with MILITARYDISNEY at checkout
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I’ve never found the Shades of Green to be a good deal – compared to the amazing military deals on property and the benefits, it has yet to seem worthwhile.. without EMH or DME, I can’t imaging paying just for that location.. just my thoughts, though.
True Jenn, Shades isn’t the deal it once was due to Disney’s room discounts of the last couple years. But Disney is on record stating that they are in the process of weaning the public off the discounted rooms, so Shades will once again become a better deal. It still is the cheapest deluxe on property, even with 40% off Disney deluxes.
Shades guests are eligible for EMH, but as you say an airport transport would be nice!
Shades of Green is a much better deal for meals, and all around value. Shades of Green is a top quality resort. 5 Star. Disney Swan and Dolphin (Deluxe Resort) are a piece of crap. They are old and dingy and not worth even the discounted price.
I have stayed at better Hampton inns than the Deluxe Disney Resorts…
That value alone makes it worth. Shades of Green also offers separate buses that run more often than Disney buses to the parks.
That’s super tip on the Groupon savings! You can also find discounts on restaurant.com for the Swan and Dolphin resorts. Last month they had a 80% off sale (with certain restrictions. See DFB
Bus 111 from International Airport OIA to Florida Mall, then International Dr. Then Walt Disney bus Annex.
I tried to make a reservation for the Universal Shuttle, but the hours are very limited. They pick up from the hotel at 830 and pick up from city walk at 1830. If you wanted to spend an entire day at the park, you have to find other transportation. We ended up renting a car.
Thanks for the info Brandy!
The rate quoted by Sun State is the same as is on their homepage. No special rate. That said, I’m looking for info, comments, reviews. The good and the bad about using Sun State. The company we’ve used in the past was bought by another company and I wasn’t impressed so I’m are looking for a new car company.
We’ve used Sunstate twice now for pick up/return. Messaged me the moment my plane landed and took us to Shades offering to stop at local store if we needed supplies, was on time on my return trip to airport as well. Second trip same on time service. Town car was older, not awful but well used! Drivers very friendly, no complaints at all!
Thanks for the report Sandra
Is there a bus that travel to polynesia resort from the airport, so that way you could just walk to Shades of Green and save money that way?
The Disney Magical Express will take you to the Polynesian Village Resort for free only if you are staying there.
Thank you so much for negotiating a discount with Orlando Shuttle Service. We usually hire a well known Towncar service to transport us back and forth between the airport and Shades of Green. After seeing your post about the discount, we decided to give them a try. They actually act as a middle man between you and the car services. I have to admit that made me a bit nervous. But everything worked smoothly. Our driver was at the airport waiting for us, stopped at the grocery store on the way and was early picking us up to go back to the airport. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about both Disney and Universal Studios. For less than what we usually pay to have 4 adults a little tight in a Towncar, we had a luxury SUV instead. Will definitely use this service again in the future.
Hi Judy,
Awesome!!! Thanks so much for the trip report. So glad you were satisfied.