Sunshine Flyer Walt Disney World Airport Transportation

The Sunshine Flyer offers transportation for a fee between the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort.

Updated 14 July 2023 – Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer have merged. They are now operating as Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. The Sunshine Flyer website is still active but the content has switched over to match the Mears site

Updated 15 Jan 2023 – For addition of Sunshine Flyer Direct Service
Updated 6 Sept 2022 – For price changes (general public lower, military more) and new kid’s age range.

The Sunshine Flyer bus service began operating on 1 February 2022.

Disney’s Magical Express Service, free airport transportation service ended for Walt Disney World Resort at the end of 2021.

A couple of services have stepped in to fill the gap left by the Magical Express, the Sunshine Flyer and Mears Connect.

Check out my Sunshine Flyer review!

Military Discount

The Sunshine Flyer offers a military discount for travel to and from Shades of Green from Orlando International Airport!

The discount is automatically added to all reservations to the Disney World Military Resort.

At the Sunshine Flyer, we are dedicated to supporting and celebrating members of the armed forces and their families. It is an honor to provide a stress-free transportation service to people who have sacrificed so much for our country. We know how precious quality family time is, and our staff is committed to making sure all of our guests can leave their travel-related stress at the door as soon as they step on one of our motorcoaches.“

Tony Glibkowski, Vice President of The Sunshine Flyer

Note: The military discount is currently only offered for Shades of Green.

The Sunshine Flyer’s Unique Bus Look

You’ll find that the Sunshine Flyer has a unique look. The buses are all painted like 1920’s trains and the staff all dress in period railroad costumes.

When I asked Mr. Glibkowski why they went with the old timey train theme he replied, “The inspiration behind the Sunshine Flyer’s 20s train theme actually came out of a Disney trip with my family. My kids love the Disney monorail — every time my wife and I would wait for the monorail with our kids, they would always stare down the tracks in awe, betting on which color train would be ours. We wanted to recreate that same exciting feeling of anticipation with the Sunshine Flyer motorcoaches. That is why we went with a themed design, to capture the Walt Disney World magic before guests even step foot on the resorts.”

How the Sunshine Flyer Works

Unlike the Disney’s old Magical Express, the Sunshine Flyer does serve the Shades of Green Resort on Walt Disney World property. And offers a Military Discount to Shades of Green.

The Sunshine Flyer has a staff of very friendly conductors who will safely get you to your destination. You’ll be whisked from the airport terminal to your Disney Resort.

As of January 2023 the Sunshine Flyer now offers 2 levels of service:

• The Sunshine Flyer – a shared bus service
• The Sunshine Flyer Direct – a private car/van service 

Sunshine Flyer Bus Service

The Sunshine Flyer works exactly like riding the old Magical Express except with a fee.

You will get in line and wait for the next bus for your destination. The Sunshine Flyer states that wait time will be a max of 20 minutes to board your bus. Waits were usually about that for the Magical Express, but could stretch much longer during peak operations.

You’ll travel to your destination in a large commercial bus which offers comfortable seating.

Conductors will still stow your luggage on the bus and drive you to your resort. The Sunshine Flyer bases the number of stops at Disney World on guest load at the moment. Rather than stating the Maximum number stops at other resorts as Mears does. Your resort might not be their first stop, but they state that you will not be on the bus longer than 65 minutes. It is about 35-40 minutes from the airport to Disney World, so you could spend an additional 30 minutes dropping others off.

both round trip and one-way reservations are available.

For your return trip you will meet your bus at the front of your resort with your luggage. Your bus will pick you up about 3 hours prior to your scheduled take off.

Sunshine Flyer Bus Pricing

• Standard pricing is: $16 each way ($32 round trip) for adults, $12.50 each way ($25 round trip) for children
• Shades of Green pricing is: $14.40 each way ($28.80 round trip) for adults, $9 each way ($18 round trip) for children (age 3-12)

Update 6 Sept – Adult general public 1-way went from $17 to $16, kid’s went from $13.50 to $10. Military adult went from $13.50 to $14.40 and kid’s from 11.25 to $9. The kid’s age group increased from 3-9.

How to Use the Sunshine Flyer Bus Service

When you arrive at your airline arrival gate at the Orlando International Airport, follow the signs for baggage claim.

You’ll board an elevated subway like train which will take you to the main terminal.  Once you pass out of the secure area you’ll enter a large atrium. In this atrium there are 2  Official Disney Stores, both called Magic of Disney. Until 2022 one was called the “Earport.”

As you exit the secure area you will be on level 3 of the airport. Baggage claim is on level 2 and transportation is on level 1.

See our Guide to Orlando International Airport

There are 3 “Terminals” at the airport, A & B in the main building and C to the south. A & B are on opposite sides of the main airport building with the central atrium area in the middle. Each Terminal has its own baggage claim area and transportation areas. Continue to follow the baggage claim signs to your Baggage Claim area (either A or B). You’ll go down the escalator to level 2 to get there.

If you arrive on Jet Blue or an international airline in Terminal C, you need to get your bags there and then take the automated shuttle or bus to the Main Terminal.

The Sunshine Flyer is on the B side. So if you are picking up your bags on the A side, after getting your bags you’ll go back up to level 3 and cross the atrium to get to the B Side.

If your baggage area is on the B side or if you only have carry-on proceed to the level 1 the ground transportation level of the B side.

You’ll then see signs directing you to The Sunshine Flyer Reception Area, which is located at the far end of the B side transportation level (with the exterior windows behind you and the counters in front of you head to the far right).

Once you arrive you will recognize The Sunshine Flyer staff as they will be dressed head to toe as 1920s train conductors and engineers. From there, they will be able to assist with the boarding process. You’ll need your confirmation email with QR code to check in, but if you don’t have it they can still assist you.

When you are ready to go, your driver will take your luggage and place it in the cargo area of the bus for you as you hop on the bus.

The bus has charging stations at each seat and a bathroom if needed.

Then just sit back and relax as you enjoy some video entertainment on your drive to Disney World.

Upon arrival at your hotel just hop out and the driver will get your bags for you. Tipping is encouraged.

Now you can check in to your resort if you haven’t checked in online, or you can head right to the theme parks if you are going to use your tickets that day. If not your could do one of the many free or low cost things to do at WDW and save your theme park ticket for the next day.

Return Bus Transportation on your departure day the service works essentially the same.

You’ll receive an email confirmation of your pick up time as well as a text.

You or a bell hop will bring your luggage from your room to your pickup location in time for your scheduled pickup.

Pickup locations are usually right in front of the main lobby entrance, or sometimes off to the side a short walk away.

Be on time or early. The drivers are normally very prompt and will leave on time.

The bus driver will load you bags on the bus for you.

Once at the airport the driver will get your bags off the bus for you and you’ll then take them to your airline check-in area  on the third level yourself.

 

Sunshine Flyer Direct Service

Sunshine Flyer Direct is a private service (just your family will be on board) that operates just like a limo service. Your driver will meet you at Baggage Claim, assist you with your luggage, and escort you to your car or van for an immediate ride directly to your Walt Disney World Resort.

Sunshine Flyer Direct Pricing

Sunshine Flyer Direct offers 3 levels of vehicles depending on your needs, sedan, luxury SUV or sprinter van.

Carseats (infant, toddler, and booster) are available for kids!

How to Use the Sunshine Flyer Direct Service

When you arrive at your airline arrival gate at the Orlando International Airport, follow the signs for baggage claim.

You’ll board an elevated subway like train which will take you to the main terminal.  Once you pass out of the secure area you’ll enter a large atrium.

As you exit the secure area you will be on level 3 of the airport. Baggage claim is on level 2 and transportation is on level 1.

See our Guide to Orlando International Airport

There are 2 “Terminals” at the airport A & B. They are on opposite sides of the main airport building with the central atrium area in the middle. Each Terminal has its own baggage claim area and transportation areas. Continue to follow the baggage claim signs to your Baggage Claim area (either A or B). You’ll go down the escalator to level 2 to get there.

As you descend the escalator to the second level be looking for a limo driver holding a sign or iPad with your last name. This will be your driver who will guide you to the proper baggage claim carousel. Once your bags arrive they will assist you in retrieving them. Once you have all of your luggage the driver will escort you to the first level via elevator and to your vehicle which will be parked in the indoor tunnel running between the 2 airport terminals. Once loaded, you’ll be off to Disney World!

Return Bus Transportation on your departure day the service works essentially the same.

Your driver will meet you at your Disney Resort’s lobby entrance, help load your bags and you’ll be on the way directly to the airport.

How To Reserve the Sunshine Flyer

Just go to the the Sunshine Flyer website. Once there, for the Sunshine Flyer click Book Now,  for Sunshine Flyer Direct you need to click on Direct Transfer near the top of the page, on the Direct page then click on Book Now.

You’ll then enter your details, payment options and reserve, or ask your travel agent to do it for you. When reserving you’ll be presented with the day of arrival and departure showing each hour of the day and you are asked to select the hours in which your aircraft arrives and departs on each day.

Airline flight numbers and times are optional, but a good idea to provide as they can track changes.

Note: on the Direct reservation form it asks you to enter the “Pick-Up-Airport”, just type MCO (the Orlando Intl. identifier code) and it will pull up the full airport info for you to click on.

Complete your transaction including paying for your trip.

Then a few days prior to your vacation, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to print your ticket with QR codes. Just click on Print Tickets

You should book at least 4 days in advance.

Options

With the departure of the Magical Express and a paid option replacing it, you might be searching for all options.

• Mears Connect – Offers bus service identical to the Sunshine Flyer and shared (with other parties) van service to only your resort with a short to no delay from their counter.
• There are Limo Companies in Orlando (Mears is the biggest) I like Happy Limo
• There are Taxis (many are operated by Mears)
• Uber and Lyft are an option
• And you can always rent a car

Limo Companies – There are numerous limo services available to take you to Walt Disney World. Prices are in the $200 per round trip range.

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

Disney World’s Minnie Van Service  (Restarting Sumenr 2022) – Will transport you from the airport to anywhere on WDW property and back for $150 each way.

Minnie Vans

Disney has announced that their Minnie Van Service restarted on property the Summer of 2022, but airport service has not yet resumed.

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.

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

Lyft – $5 credit towards your first ride when you sign up for Lyft using this link. This promo is for your first ride only.

Renting a car – You might be able to find a good military rate. I’m a USAA member and they have discounts negotiated with several of the major car rental companies. However, lines at the rental car counters at Orlando International Airport can be horrendous at times!

Over to You

What do you think about this new paid replacement for Disney’s Magical Express?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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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

Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:

• Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
• Dining Overview Page
• Transportation Overview Page
• Technology Overview Page
• Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort