Walt Disney World Airport Transportation Options

Magical Express, the free bus transportation to/from Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport (MCO), was discontinued at the end of 2021. Here's a roundup of your new options when planning to get between the airport and Disney World. Check the MCO transportation page for links.

Mears Connect

Mears has been running shuttles from MCO to WDW for decades. While Magical Express was a Disney brand name, the actual bus service was run by Mears. And prior to the inception of Magical Express, Mears ran the WDW hotel shuttle under their own name as a fee-based service for guests. This service has returned - under the name Mears Connect.

Mears Connect has two forms of service: Standard and Express.

Standard service functions much like Magical Express did. This is a shared motor coach (bus) ride that may make a few stops at other hotels, and you may wait up to 20 minutes for your ride to depart from the airport. Rides may be reserved either one-way or round trip. Each leg will cost $16 for adults or $13.50 for children ages 3-9. Children age two and under ride free. Buses are wheelchair and ECV accessible. Wait times may be lengthy. We've clocked guests waiting more than 40 minutes for a departure from MCO to Walt Disney World.

The Express Service is much like a town car service. Your party is transported in a dedicated vehicle - though small parties may be combined. The round trip price is $250 for up to four passengers, with additional passengers transported at $55 each, round trip. Mears advertises that it will not implement surge pricing during high demand transportation windows.

There are pros and cons to each version related to cost, time commitment, interaction with other guests (important to some in the COVID era), need for car seats, and so on.

Both the standard and express services have options for handicapped guests.

Sunshine Flyer

Sunshine Flyer is brand new bus service (it launched February 1, 2022), taking guests between MCO and the Disney World resort hotels. The buses are themed to look like old-fashioned passenger cars or vintage trains. The staff are dressed as train conductors or engineers. This is a small fleet of just ten buses.

Transportation Management Services, the bus operator, says that each vehicle will be equipped with USB chargers and an onboard restroom.

Purchase tickets at sunshineflyer.com. Prices are similar to Mears, $17 per adult each way and $12.50 per child (ages 3-8) each way. Children under age three ride free.

Sunshine Flyer reports that they hope to have luggage delivery service (like the old Magical Express service) beginning in summer 2022.

Florida Tours

This is private transportation in an SUV. The maximum size group that can be accommodated is six people. You are greeted at baggage claim by your driver. The rate includes a free 15 minute stop at a grocery store on route (great for picking up snacks, a case of water/beer/soda, or bulky baby supplies).

The one-way rate for 1-4 guests is $115; round trip for 1-4 guests is $195. The one-way rate for 5-6 guests is $115; round trip for 5-6 guests is $210. Tip is customary and not included.

Free child booster seats are available.

Rent a Car

There are a number of rental car options from MCO. Rental agencies located at the airport itself include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. These services have cars that you pick up directly at the airport terminal.

Additionally, there are a few dozen vehicle rental agencies that keep their cars off-site, accessible via a shuttle service from the airport. Among these are Florida Van Rentals, Action Car Rental, Inbocars, Fox Rent A Car, and GreenMotion Car Rental.

Choosing the right rental agent for your needs will involve an assessment of price, loyalty programs/points options, party size, type of vehicle required, and so on. You should also consider whether you will be subject to parking fees at your Disney hotel. Note: Disney Vacation Club members may not be subject to the same fees as other guests.

Another significant factor in the decision to rent a car will be your overall vacation plans. Your decision might be very different if you’re just visiting Walt Disney World during your trip or if you’re planning to go to other area attractions, to the beach, or to travel to other parts of Florida.

Arrange for a Town Car or Limo Service

Town Car and Limo services typically pick you up directly at the airport. Depending on the service, you can customize your pick-up by choosing a type of vehicle, need for car seats, party size, amenities like snacks and water, and interim stops on the way to your hotel (at a grocery store, for example). There are dozens of Town Car services that work in central Florida. Popular options include Happy Limo, Quicksilver, Tiffany Town Car, and Florida Magical Tours.

Rates vary by size of vehicle, number of guests, and date. Upcharges may include fees for stops, car seats, early or late pickup and tips for the driver.

Take a Ride Share Service

Lyft is the preferred ride share service for Disney World, but Uber works just as well. Just download the app/s to get started. It never hurts to compare prices and availability between the two.

Ride share use is second nature to some folks, but if you want to guarantee that you’ll have wheelchair accommodation or car seats, a shuttle service like Mears Connect or a reserved limo may give you more peace of mind.

In addition to using Lyft or Uber to get to/from the airport to your hotel, many guests also use these services to travel from their hotel to the theme parks or to other resorts. Disney’s transportation system of buses, boats, monorails, and the Skyliner does serve these routes at no charge; however, Disney’s free options may not always be the fastest option.

Take a Taxi

You may also be able to grab a taxi at the theme parks Good old yellow cabs are still an option. If you’re at the airport and want a cab, just go to the Ground Transportation Level and look for the taxi line. You’ll be boarded in the next available vehicle. Be sure to confirm pricing before getting in the vehicle.

From your hotel, ask the bell services desk to call you a cab.

Many of the taxis in the Orlando area are operated by Mears, the same folks that run Magical Express and its replacement. Give them a call at 407-422-2222 if you have questions.

Take the Train

Some day guests may be able to take a train from MCO to WDW, but that day is not today.

Brightline is planning to build a passenger rail line from Orlando International to a station to be built somewhere near Disney World. Unfortunately that’s all we know right now. Pre-COVID estimates were that train service might be available sometime in 2023. We’ve now heard reports as late as 2026. We also have no word on potential pricing for passengers.

For most of these options, you’ll want to take a look at the Mousesavers.com Transportation Discount page, which is a great resource for codes and tips on how to save money on transportation to Walt Disney World.

Many of these forms of transportation can be booked for you by your Touring Plans travel agent. Additionally, ground transportation may also be available to/from Tampa International Airport, Sanford International Airport, Orlando Amtrak Station, Kissimmee Amtrak Station, Cape Canaveral, Vero Beach, Daytona, and Walt Disney World locations.