Is Sunshine Flyer better than Mears?

One isn't better than the other really, but Mears is 24 hours. We were at our resort very quickly after checking in.



The choice between Sunshine Flyer and Mears Connect (now often merged/partnered as "Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine") depends on whether you value theming or frequency. Sunshine Flyer is beloved by families for its 1920s train-themed buses and "conductor" staff, providing a whimsical start to a Disney vacation. However, Mears Connect is generally considered "better" for efficiency because they have a larger fleet and operate 24/7. Mears was the original operator of Disney's "Magical Express," so they have the most experience with airport-to-resort logistics. In 2026, Mears typically has shorter wait times at Orlando International (MCO) and picks up from more terminals, including the newer Terminal C. Sunshine Flyer often requires a 3–4 day advance booking and has more limited hours. If you have young children who love trains, the Sunshine Flyer "experience" is superior; if you have a late-night flight or want the fastest possible transit to your hotel, Mears is the more reliable "workhorse" of the two services.

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Shuttle Bus Services. Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer have merged into “Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine.” This option can be cheaper than Uber and you might be more comfortable with it. But it's less convenient, and once you get to three or more riders, the price will start to be comparable to Uber.

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Do you tip Mears Drivers? Yes, it's customary to tip your driver for good service. According to Mears, most people give 10% to coach bus drivers and 20% to van, drivers.

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Taking a standard Uber vehicle from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort costs around $35. The price increases to above $40 if you request a specialty vehicle. Add to that, an Uber ride between the airport and Disney World takes less than 30 minutes.

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An estimated taxi fare from Orlando Internation Airport to Disney World is around $70 or so.

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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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24/7 Shuttle to and from MCO, Disney World, Disney Springs & nearby Resorts.

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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.

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Uber/Lyft from Orlando Airport to Disney Since the ride from the Orlando airport to Disney isn't that long, the prices for both Uber and Lyft are fairly reasonable. During the morning or middle of the day, the prices start around $30 – making this possibly the cheapest way to get from Orlando airport to Disney.

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Walt Disney World no longer provides complimentary transportation from the airport to the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and back again. This service ended at the start of this year. Luckily, there are still many ways to get to Walt Disney World that Guests are finding easy and convenient to navigate.

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Standard transportation has set ride departure times with longer waits than Express, which claims limited to no wait times and guaranteed first stops.

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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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Do drivers using Uber pick up at MCO? Yes. Go to this list of airports around the world where you can request a ride with Uber.

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Lyft's app is easier to use We have found the Lyft app to just be a lot easier to use at Walt Disney World than the Uber app. It automatically populates with ALL the approved pick-up and drop-off locations, which is very handy when you are in an unfamiliar spot. Uber doesn't always do that.

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Local bus. : The Lynx Bus, Orlando's local bus system, makes airport pick-ups and drop-offs about every 30 minutes; and about every hour on Sundays and holidays. The buses run select routes including MCO to downtown Orlando, International Drive and the Florida Mall/SeaWorld area. The cost is $2 per passenger, per ride.

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Where can't Uber and Lyft Go in Disney World? The only place Uber and Lyft drivers can't pickup and drop off directly is Magic Kingdom. Riders must be picked up and dropped off at the Ticket and Transportation Center which is where they'll then need to take a monorail or ferry to the park and vice versa.

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