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The Sunshine Flyer is an airport shuttle service that offers transportation from Orlando International Airport MCO to Walt Disney World Resorts. Guests can reserve both round-trip and one-way reservations between the two locations.
Since Disney's Magical Express is no longer an option for getting from the airport to Disney's Resorts, you'll need another form of transportation. Luckily, you can try several excellent alternatives on your WDW vacation.
Sunshine Flyer MotorCoach Transportation
If you're looking for a way for you and your family to get from Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World, the Sunshine Flyer is one of the best options. Sunshine Flyer brings you and your family from the Airport to Disney area resorts on a premium motorcoach with a theme centered around old-fashioned passenger cars and train locomotives from the 1920s.
Despite the old-fashioned theme, Sunshine Flyer's buses are modern and spacious. It is run by Transportation Management Services (TMS) and acts like a motor coach airport shuttle transporting guests between Disney resorts and Universal Studios.
With a quarter-century's worth of expertise in handling large-scale event logistics for globally renowned spectacles like the FIFA World Cup, NBA Finals, and PGA TOUR Tournaments, TMS confidently asserts that they are more than equipped to deliver a seamless and impeccably executed transportation service.
What does a Sunshine Flyer Bus look like?
Each Sunshine Flyer bus is wrapped as a locomotive or passenger car from the 20s, and no two vehicle designs are the same. They provide a distinctiveness for each Sunshine Flyer ride, giving first-time riders and returning guests a new experience and photo opportunity each time they ride the Sunshine Flyer.
Additionally, the unique appearance of each bus makes it easy to spot your bus when it's time to board the bus. From the bus designs to drivers and staff dressed as 1920s rail conductors and engineers, the Sunshine Flyer experience starts shortly after a 20 – 30 minute wait once you step off the plane.
To mark the momentous occasion of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, the Sunshine Flyer made a generous gesture by contributing 50% of its revenue from the first 50,000 passengers within the initial 50 days of its operation to the Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida organization. This donation aims to aid the charitable foundation in its admirable goal of fulfilling the cherished dreams of children afflicted with severe ailments, bringing a glimmer of hope and happiness into their lives.
How Does Sunshine Flyer Work?
If you plan to use the Sunshine Flyer, there are some important things you'll need to know about how it works. For example, this transportation service doesn't allow you to make last-minute reservations.
Sunshine Flyer reservations must be made at least four days before the day you'll arrive at Orlando International Airport. Because of this, it's best to make your reservation when your plan your first trip to Walt Disney World.
Additionally, the service doesn't run 24/7 like some of the other options. Therefore, if you want to use this great service, you must arrive between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM.
Where is Sunshine Flyer located at Orlando International Airport?
The service has a simple boarding process outlined in the email you receive before you arrive at the airport.
When you get off the plane at Orlando International Airport, walk across the large lobby to Terminal B (about a 3-5 minute walk). Take the elevator or escalator to Level 1, ground transportation. Turn right at the last counter against the wall past Starbucks and Hertz.
If you are coming from new Terminal C, you must take the shuttle bus to Terminal B to get to your Sunshine Flyer bus. The lobby at MCO is walking from Terminal A to Terminal B, Level 1.
There will also be a Sunshine Flyer sign to help point you in the right place. For your convenience, you can use the QR code in the confirmation email once you arrive at the airport. You are guided to the Sunshine Flyer staging area upon reaching the airport. Once guests enter the Sunshine Flyer waiting area, the wait time is not more than 20 minutes to board the bus.
When your bus arrives, the service's staff will even help you load your luggage onto the bus. Then, you'll take your seat and enjoy the fun experience.
Since there is no set number of stops the bus will make each time, the time it takes to get to your Disney resort will vary based on how many stops the bus makes. The trip might include multiple stops at Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside. After that, there might be two additional stops to Fort Wilderness and finally to Disney's Contemporary Resort.
However, you can usually expect it to take around 65 minutes to get from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort.
The service uses a technology-driven approach to ensure your shuttle ride is as short as possible so you can begin your trip.
Which WDW Hotel offers Sunshine Flyer Service?
The Sunshine Flyer service offers transportation to any of the Disney resorts. However, this does not include Good Neighbor hotels.
Do they show cartoons on Sunshine Flyer’s Buses?
Sunshine Flyers do not feature Disney cartoons like the Magical Express did, but they do feature Disney Trivia and Max Fleischer cartoons.
These funny cartoon films are from the '20s and '30s, featuring Felix cat stories, fairy tales, and trains.
What is Sunshine Flyer's cancellation policy?
Sunshine Flyer does not charge if your reservation is canceled/changed more than 72 hours before the first scheduled pick-up. However, 100% future credit will be applied if it is canceled/changed less than 72 hours before pick-up time. During periods of an active sales promotion, cancellations will be applied as a future credit.
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Which destinations does the service go to?
The Sunshine Flyer provides an effortless and comfortable transportation service for guests arriving at Orlando International Airport and looking to stay at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. It's comparable to Disney's Magical Express but with a twist of its own. The Sunshine Flyer provides a new experience to customers by going above and beyond their limits and for not only guests of deluxe resorts but also moderate and value resorts.
Following are the Resort Hotels that Sunshine Flyers travels to:
- 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
- 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
The unpredictability of the Sunshine Flyer service gives a good experience to guests. They can never be too sure which resort they'll end up at next.
How much money does Sunshine Flyer Ride Cost?
Sunshine Flyer prices changed from $16 to $19.50 per adult and $10 to $12 per child for 4 years or older. There is no charge for children ages three and under.
When paying for a round trip, the cost is $39 per adult and $24 for each child older than 3 years old.
Do You Tip the Sunshine Flyer Driver?
It is not required to tip the Sunshine Flyer bus driver. However, you should consider the idea because they help you load your luggage at the airport and upon departure when you reach the resort. Also, they have courteous drivers and clean buses, making it a valid opportunity to tip them.
How to book the Sunshine Flyer Bus?
You can book your Sunshine Flyer reservation by going to their website and clicking Book Now. Then, three options will be at the top of the page. Depending on the type of reservation you need to make, you will select a round trip, one way to the resort, or one way to get to the airport.
After that, the website will ask for some more info to book your trip. Before paying for your reservation, you’ll enter your flight information, including your arrival or departure time, flight number, and other important details.
Is There a Free Shuttle from Airport to Disney World?
There is currently no free shuttle from Airport to Disney World. Since Disney's Magical Express ended, guests must pay for transportation from the airport to their resorts.
Additionally, many other hotels are listed on the website as “Walking Distance” to park for a fee of $14 per night. All of the resorts in Walt Disney World have shuttles available from their properties to various locations around that property and out into town.
What Time Does Sunshine Flyer pick me up for my return flight?
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 before your scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours before your scheduled departure time for international flights. The email will include your return trip details, such as pickup time.
Other Transportation Options
There are a few other good options to get to your resort hotel from the airport. Some of these options include other bus shuttles or using reputable ride-share lines, and you can use any of these services on your vacation.
Mears Transportation Services
Mears Connect offers shuttle services and private transportation options to your hotel at Walt Disney World. The ride may be slightly longer with their shuttle service, but reservations can be made closer to your arrival.
If you wish to use the shuttle service, you must reserve your tickets at least 3 hours in advance. Private transportation options may differ.
Additionally, you can also choose one of Mears' private transportation options. The company offers SUVs, Limos, and more.
Ride Share Lines
Smaller parties of 4 or fewer also can use the available ride-sharing service. One option is Uber.
An Uber ride from the airport to Walt Disney World is more expensive than using one of the bus services. However, if you prefer more comfort and convenience after flying to Orlando, Florida, private transportation could be worth the extra money.
You can also get transportation with Lyft, which works like Uber, and the prices are very close.
An Uber from Airport to Walt Disney World will cost between $30 and $40. On the other hand, a Lyft ride will cost between $35 and $45. These prices may vary based on the date and time of your vacation and do not include the driver's tip.
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Sunshine Flyer Direct
On January 10th, 2023, Sunshine Flyer announced the launch of Sunshine Flyer Direct. It is a private transportation service. The service driver will handle all luggage, including meeting guests at the baggage claim to assist with bags.
They have modern, clean, and spacious motorcoaches staff to help with bags at the airport & your destination easy-to-find location, and a simple boarding process.
Like the company's regular bus transportation, the Sunshine Flyer Direct is well-equipped for kids, including three-point harness seat belts for safety. So if you want to bring your car seats, feel free to secure them once onboard.
Plus, there are a variety of fun offerings to start the trip off on a well-themed foot, with free conductor hats, stickers, and coloring/activity books for kids.
Conclusion
If you're looking to get from Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World resorts, the Sunshine Flyer may be the affordable option since then Magical Express ended. However, there are other bus transportation options, including Mears.
You can also opt for a private transport option. These options are usually more comfortable. However, the prices can be significantly higher, and most cannot transport larger groups.However, if you prefer more comfort and convenience after flying to Orlando, Florida, private transportation could be worth the extra money
