Does Disney own Mears transportation?

This may be where the mythconception that Disney owns Mears comes from. The truth is this mythconception is busted because Disney doesn't own Mears Transportation, the Mears family owns it, and they “pay the hotel companies for the right” to be the only cabs allowed at Disney resort taxi stands.



No, The Walt Disney Company does not own Mears Transportation. Mears is an independent, family-owned company based in Orlando that has been a dominant force in Central Florida transportation for decades. The confusion often stems from the fact that Mears was the long-term operator of Disney’s Magical Express, the free airport shuttle service that Disney "branded" but did not own. When Disney ended that partnership in early 2022, Mears launched its own successor service, now known as Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. While Mears remains the "preferred" transportation provider for many Disney-related services and operates most of the taxi and shuttle fleets seen around the resort, it remains a separate entity. In 2026, Disney continues to focus on its own internal "Disney Transport" network (buses, monorails, boats, and Skyliner), while leaving the profitable Orlando International Airport (MCO) transfers to independent third parties like Mears.

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Mears Connect is one of the options, and it's actually a shuttle service by the same company that operated Disney's Magical Express. In fact, Mears Connect literally uses the exact same drivers and buses, just minus the Disney-branded wraps.

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The estimated total pay for a Bus Driver at Walt Disney Company is $22 per hour. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $22 per hour.

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Along with Mears Connect, there is another replacement service for Magical Express — Sunshine Flyer. This shuttle is themed as an old-fashioned train locomotive. Sunshine Flyer's cost is $19.59 per adult and $11 per child for one-way service, and $39 per adult and $22 per child for round-trip service.

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It is owned by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses intellectual property from The Walt Disney Company. Tokyo Disneyland and its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea, are the only Disney parks in the world not owned or operated by The Walt Disney Company in any capacity.

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Get excited for 20% lower fares on Uber rides! With this price cut, uberX in Orlando will be 40% cheaper than a taxi. From UCF to the resorts and everywhere in between, uberX is the most affordable ride in town.

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Disney transportation on property: The bus/boat/monorail drivers should not be tipped. Counter service restaurants: No tipping needed here.

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Transportation, Airport Bus (e.g., Mears Connect): If you're just hopping off and on the bus, you shouldn't feel obligated. However, if the driver is helping you store luggage under the bus, go by the $2-3 dollars per bag rule.

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It's a character name, Kronk is from The Emperor's New Groove. You see buses with character names sometimes when they're not ferrying guests around, I think it's Disney's version of out of service or off duty right now.

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Magical Express, the free bus transportation between Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Orlando International Airport (MCO), was discontinued at the end of 2021 after more than 15 years in operation. Here's a roundup of your new, for-pay options when planning to get between the airport and Disney World.

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Complimentary Resort transportation begins 45 minutes prior to Disney theme park opening time and up to 1 hour after Disney theme park closing time. Additionally, buses operate until 11:00 PM from the Disney Springs area.

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Unfortunately, there isn't a free shuttle from MCO airport to Disney World. There used to be the Magical Express service, but that program was discontinued. You will have to pay for transportation between the Orlando airport and Disney World now, no matter what type you choose.

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