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.
UPDATE: Magical Express service will end for Disney World Resort reservations beginning on 1 January 2022.
If you have a reservation that begins on 31 December 2021 (or earlier) that carries over into 2022, you will still receive your return trip to the airport as part of your Resort Reservation.
For those starting their Disney World vacations 1 January 2022 or later the Paid Magical Express Replacement is Mears Connect. Mears Connect serves Shades of Green!
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:
- Mears Connect
- Limo Service
- Taxi
- Bus Service
- Rental Car
- Uber or Lyft
- Disney’s Minnie Van Service
- Split your stay between Shades of Green and a Disney World Resort(s)
Mears Connect: See out Full Post
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.
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 fares 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. (Minnie Van Service Currently Suspended, but rumored (by Disney) to restart in the future)
Split Stay – (While the Magical Express still operates) 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 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
Use Disney World’s Minnie Vans
The Minnie Van airport shuttle can pick up or drop off from the Orlando International Airport* and any Walt Disney World Resort hotel and now service is now available for Shades of Green!
The Minnie Van pick-up location is near the baggage claim escalators.
Each vehicle accommodates up to 6 Guests, 8 medium-sized suitcases and can be equipped with up to 3 complimentary car seats.
The cost of the Minnie Van airport shuttle is $155 each way; gratuity not included.
The Minnie Van airport shuttle operates from between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.
*Service can also be arranged for other local airports for other rates by calling (407) 828-3500.
How can I get to Other Destinations like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or Legoland?
As far as getting to Universal Orlando, Sea World, other destinations like Legoland Florida, and Kennedy Space Center 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.
You could use Uber or 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
- 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 Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent
Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
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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.
Any suggestions for a reliable private transfer service for 3 adults from Orlando Airport to Shades and return? The service we have used in the past now has very low ratings….
Hi Jo Anne,
It has been many years since I personally used a local limo service. I stay mostly with Disney and use the magical express. My Shades of Green stays are always in the middle of my trips.
Shades of Green is now recommending Mears:
“Mears Shuttle: This is a shared van service that you can arrange from the airport. It may make an additional stop or two at other hotels on the way to Shades of Green, and you’ll also have to have your military I.D. card ready to show at the gate. The price is typically about $20 per adult one-way or $35 for a round trip.”
They are the biggest transpo company in Orlando (and are actually the Magical Experss buses and drivers as well).
All right so it says we can take a taxi from MCO to Shades of Green, but can you take a taxi from Shades of Green BACK to MCO? What are the options for getting from Shades of Green TO MCO? Is the only way back to rent a car?
Hi Jena,
You sure can. You have all the same options to return to the airport as to get to Shades of Green