As of January 1st 2022, Disney World no longer offers free transportation (Magical Express) to and from the Orlando airport. The Magical Express was a free perk to guests staying at a Disney World Resort. This is one of the many perks that have been eliminated since COVID and the Chapek leadership.
What Now?
Mears Connect, Sunshine Flyer, Uber/Lyft and Taxis are still available for Disney World Resorts and surrounding areas for a fee. These are all great options for a family of 3 or 4 but once you start getting up to 10 family members, you might not want to consider a Limo or private shuttle.
Disney has started offering free parking to resort guests again. (see parking details and fees here) If you are planning on traveling to Universal Studios, the Kennedy Space Center or even the beach, you may want to consider renting a car.
Here are the best ways to travel to and from Orlando International Airport.
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Mears Connect
Mears Connect is your best airport transfer solution between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Disney World Resorts area. Delayed or cancelled flights? When you book Mears Connect, you’ll never be stranded at the airport late evening or early morning. We’ve got you covered & connected, always. Mears Connect services Disney World Resorts, Disney Springs Resorts and many other Disney area resorts.
Standard Service
The Standard service is a shared ride service on our Mears Connect (bus, van or small vehicle). The Connection will make a limited number of stops and will have you on your way to your resort within 20 minutes of your check-in to the Mears Connect reception area.
One-Way per person:
Adult $17.60
Children ages 3-9 years $14.85
Round Trip per person:
Adult $33.60
Children ages 3-9 years $28.35
Children under 3 years ride free.
Express Service (Round Trip Only)
The Express service is direct service to your resort and back to the airport (guaranteed first stop), with limited to no wait time. The Express service may be provided in a bus, van or a small vehicle as well. This service includes all tolls and other surcharges. NOTE: Express service is not considered private service, it may be shared service.
Up to 4 people $250.00
For 5+ people, add an extra $55.00.
The Pros to the Mears Connect shuttles
- No Surge Pricing
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Accommodates wheelchairs.
- Accommodates car seats.
- Forgot to book in advance? We’ll be happy to assist with on-the spot booking at our reception area on level 1 of Terminals B & C.
The Cons to the Mears Connect shuttles
- Shuttles leave on their own predetermined schedules; you may be waiting for 30 minutes before departing the airport.
- There are many stops on each route, if you’re staying out at the Animal Kingdom Lodge you will most likely be the last stop.
- Rides depending on how many stops are on your route can take over an hour to get to your resort.
Where do I board Mears Connect?
You will board Mears Connect on level 1, ground transportation level, in terminal B, at Orlando International Airport. Look for the Mears Connect reception area.
Disney World Resorts Serviced by Mears Connect
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Board Walk Inn
- Disney’s Board Walk Villas
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- StarWars Galactic Starcruiser Resort
What the change or cancelation policy?
Mears Connect can be changed/canceled more than 24 hours prior to scheduled arrival pick-up time with no charge. There is a full charge if the trip is canceled less than 24 hours prior to scheduled pick-up time. There is no charge for edited information within the 24 hour period. This information is included in the reservation confirmation email.
What time will Mears Connect pick me up on the day of departure?
For Standard service, your return transportation will be scheduled to meet you, at your resort, up to three hours in advance of your domestic flight’s departure time or up to four hours of your international flight’s departure time. Your confirmation email and 24 hour notification will supply you with the time of pick up.
For Express service, your transportation will be scheduled to meet you, at your resort, two hours before your domestic flight or three hours before your international flight.
Mears Taxi service
I did a quick search on Mears website for a one-way ride from the MCO to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for reference. Mears Taxi service is located outside terminals A and B on level 1, ground transportation level at the airport.
Taxi Estimated Fare: $74.35 (23.9 miles)
The Sunshine Flyer
The Sunshine Flyer’s buses will bring you and your family from Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World Resorts on a premium motorcoach with a theme centered around old-fashioned passenger cars and train locomotives.
One-Way $12.00 per person for both children and adults
Roundtrip $24.00 per person for both children and adults
Children 2 years of age and under can travel on the lap of an adult for free.
The Pros to the Sunshine Flyer shuttle:
- Reservations accepted up until 4 days before service.
- The Sunshine Flyer service starts at 4:00AM and services flights starting at 7:30AM.
- The last bus leaving the airport is at 11:00PM.
- Now offering private, direct service to most Disney area resorts.
- Accommodates wheelchairs.
- Accommodates car seats.
- Bathrooms located on the bus.
The Cons to the Sunshine Flyer shuttle:
- Shuttles leave on their own predetermined schedules; you may be waiting for 30 minutes before departing the airport.
- There are many stops on each route, if you’re staying out at the Animal Kingdom Lodge you will most likely be the last stop.
- Rides depending on how many stops are on your route can take over an hour to get to your resort.
Where is Sunshine Flyer located in Orlando International Airport?
The Sunshine Flyer podium is located ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂat Terminal B, Level 1, Ground Transportation. Take the elevators at Terminal B to Level 1 and our team is located at the last counter against the wall past the Starbucks.
How frequently do the buses come/leave the airport?
When the guest enters the Sunshine Flyer staging area, the guest will not wait more than 30 minutes to board the bus.
Disney World Resorts Serviced by Sunshine Flyer
- All-Star Movies Resort
- All-Star Music Resort
- All-Star Sports Resort
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
- Art of Animation Resort
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Beach Club Resort
- Beach Club Villas
- Boardwalk Inn
- Boardwalk Villas
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Contemporary Resort
- Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Coronado Springs Resort
- Dolphin Resort
- Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Old Key West Resort
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Pop Century Resort
- Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Riviera Resort
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Shades of Green
- Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
- Swan Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort
- Wilderness Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Treehouse Villas
- Wilderness Lodge
- Yacht Club Resort
What is the cancellation policy?
No charge if cancelled/changed more than 72 hours prior to first scheduled pick up. 100% future credit will be applied if cancelled/changed less than 72 hours prior to pick up time. During periods of an active sales promotion, cancellations will be applied as a future credit.
What is Sunshine Flyer Direct?
The Sunshine Flyer offers direct, private transportation that will bring you and your family directly from Orlando International Airport to most Walt Disney World area resorts.
Your Direct driver will meet you at baggage claim and take you to your Walt Disney World area resort.
Sedan 3 passengers, 3 suitcases max
One-Way $120.00
Roundtrip $240.00
Luxury SUV 6 passengers, 6 suitcases max
One-Way $145.00
Roundtrip $290.00
Sprinter Van 10 passengers,18 suitcases max
One-Way $160.00
Roundtrip $320.00
What is the cancellation policy?
No charge if canceled/changed more than 72 hours prior to first scheduled pick up. No refund will be applied if canceled less than 72 hours prior to pick up time.
What time will Sunshine Flyer motorcoach will pick me up on the day of departure?
The day before you check out, you’ll receive a confirmation email advising you of the motorcoach departure time, which will be approximately 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior to your scheduled departure time for international flights.
Other Transportation available
Renting a Car
Renting a car is roughly $200.00 a week for a bottom tier basic car and of course doesn’t include gas. If you are traveling to other amusement parks, don’t forget to add the cost of parking to your rental budget.
The Pros to Renting a Car
- Freedom to travel to different amusement parks, the beach and grocery stores.
- It’s not that expensive to rent a car for a week.
The Cons to Renting a Car
- Your car can get broken into.
- Cost of parking at different amusement parks.
- Gas prices.
Rideshare Services (Uber or Lyft) $30.00-90.00
The Pros to Rideshare Services
- Most drivers are very kind and will drop you off exactly where you need.
- There are no extra costs for parking or gas.
The Cons to Rideshare Services
- You could get a bad driver with an unpleasant car.
- You are charged for each service provided.
- You have to tip your driver.
- Surge pricing during peak season or during busy times of the day.
Taxi Service $70.00
The Pros to Taxi Services
- They have vans available and are generally already at the airport.
The Cons to Taxi Services
- Taxi drivers can be unpleasant.
- Fares aren’t fixed, they can take a longer route to make the price surge.
- They usually drive very fast.
Private Vehicle Services
Private vehicles such and Limos, shuttles, SUV and Luxury Cars are available with several different companies in the area. Most of these services can be expensive. If you aren’t fond of ride shares or shuttles, this will be the best option for you. For larger groups, Limos can be fun or if you are there for a special occasion.
As you can see, there are many different options for you to choose from for transportation to and from the Orlando Airport. Even though the Magic Express has shut down, it’s nice to see all of the options available for you and your family.
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