The Sunshine Flyer is a shuttle service that runs between Walt Disney World and the Orlando International Airport (MCO), and is a delightful and safe way to get to the parks, as it features brightly colored buses adorned with unique 1920’s era locomotive designs. This service provides guests an additional transportation option when making their way to Walt Disney World, but is it a good option?
In this article, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about using The Sunshine Flyer as your transportation option when flying into Orlando International Airport. Let’s get started!
The Sunshine Flyer Overview
The buses are air-conditioned and provide a comfortable and convenient ride for visitors. All Sunshine Flyer motorcoaches have 3-point harness seatbelts at each seat, bathrooms are available on each and every bus, and guests with wheelchairs can be accommodated when guests notify the company at the time of booking.
The Sunshine Flyer Pricing
Walt Disney World Resorts With The Sunshine Flyer Service
- 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
What To Expect When Using The Sunshine Flyer
MCO To Disney World
When booking your transportation, you will receive an email confirmation that shares all of your booking information. The day prior to arriving at MCO, you’ll get another email that shows your departure time, a link to retrieve your tickets, and instructions on how to find the podium at MCO.
Passengers of The Sunshine Flyer will need to head to Terminal B, Level 1 to check-in at the podium. This is the area of the airport where all ground transportation is located, and multiple signs will easily guide you to the location.
The typical wait-time at the podium area is about 30 minutes in order to board your bus and begin your journey to the most magical place on earth.
Disney World To MCO
The day before you are set to leave Disney World, you will receive an email that details your departure time. The Sunshine Flyer service aims to have guests at the airport approximately 2 hours before domestic flights, and 3 hours before international flights.
Sunshine Flyer Direct
The Sunshine Flyer has recently introduced a new service that provides direct transportation for you and your family from Orlando International Airport to the majority of Walt Disney World area resorts. This can be seen as an alternative to Uber, Lyft, and the Mears Express service, where you are transported in a private vehicle that is exclusive to your party.
For this service, you won’t have to wait for other passengers to board, your driver can assist you with loading your bags in and out of the vehicle, and there is one flat rate regardless of time or date.
| Sedan | Luxury SUV | Sprinter Van | |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Way | $120.00 | $145.00 | $160.00 |
| Roundtrip | $240.00 | $290.00 | $320.00 |
| * Prices listed are per vehicle. Gratuity is not included in ticket prices. Additionally, a 3% Admin Fee and a 10% Airport Fee will be added to all pick ups at MCO Airport. | |||
Sunshine Flyer Direct Vehicle Types
Sedan
Luxury SUV
Sprinter Van
Cancellation Policy
For both the motorcoach and direct services, if a guest cancels more than 72 hours before their first scheduled pickup time, there will be no charge and no fees or penalties.
For motorcoach bookings, 100% future credit will be applied if cancelled / changed less than 72 hours before pick up time.
For bookings using their direct service, no refund will be applied if canceled less than 72 hours before pick up time.
How Does It Compare To Mears Connect?
When compared to other major competitors like the Mears Connect service, The Sunshine Flyer does generally offer a savings of a few dollars per person which can add up for large parties. Each of the various bus services stop at slightly different locations within Walt Disney World, so be sure that your resort is on the list of Disney resorts that are serviced.
When comparing Sunshine Flyer’s direct services that utilize their private car service with Mears’ Express service, Sunshine Flyer is slightly cheaper for a family of 3, yet more expensive for a family of 4. Though, Mears’ Express service does limit their service to 4 adults, whereas the Sunshine Flyer’s direct services can accommodate up to 10 passengers total. So for larger parties, the Sunshine Flyer’s direct services would win by default.
How Are You Getting To Walt Disney World?
Overall, The Sunshine Flyer offers a unique and enjoyable transportation experience that’s sure to make getting to your next Disney Vacation simple and comfortable, but what is your preferred way to get from MCO to Walt Disney World? Have you used Mears or Sunshine Flyer before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog for all the latest developments for Disney theme parks and all the information you could ever need about the Disney Vacation Club resorts.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
