Last year saw a lot of huge changes at Disney World, with updates to wellness and safety policies, the 50th anniversary celebration, the launch of Disney Genie, new eatery openings, and new rides debuting.

Disney's Magical Limited

2022 has also brought its share of changes, with one of the biggest being the break of Disney's Magical Express, the free transportation option that allowed Disney World guests to get to and from the Orlando International Aerodrome and their Disney World hotels. Nevertheless, in that location are TWO paid replacements services: Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer.

Although Disney Globe guests will nevertheless accept rideshare and car rental options at the drome, both Mears Connect and the Sunshine Flyer offer (paid) services similar to Magical Express. So here's what you need to know about both!

What Mears Connect Offers

Mears Connect offers two services: standard and express. Standard service is a shared ride (meaning a bus full of other guests) that has an "economical" fare that will include all tolls and surcharges. This service will make a limited number of stops on the way to your resort. Mears too promises that a standard Mears bus will have Disney World guests on their way within xx minutes of checking into the Mears Connect reception area at Orlando Airport.

Mears Jitney Bus

On the other hand,Express servicewill take guests direct to their resort, also equally dorsum to the airport, with shorter wait times. It's pricier (we'll get to that in a bit), but that price also includes all tolls and surcharges.

©Mears

However, note that Express still may exist a shared service and you may still share a vehicle with other guests going to the aforementioned hotel as y'all. Mears Connect service launched on January 1st, 2022.

How much does Mears Connect Cost?

For standard service, Mears Connect costs$16 per developed and $xiii.fifty per kid for a one-way trip. A Round Trip costs$32 per developed and $27 per kid. Express service is $250 Round Trip, which is for upwards to iv passengers. Additional passengers are$55each.

©Mears

Delight notation that the charge per unit for children only applies to kids ages 3 to 9. Children under 3 ride for free.

How Will Mears Connect Work?

You will need to volume your Mears Connect service prior to your inflow on the Mears Connect website. You'll choose whether you desire to book standard or express service, and from there, you'll fill out all data, including your drop-off location, flight number, arrival appointment and time, and how many are in your party. Fill in your payment details, and y'all're all set up — y'all'll receive an email confirmation of your reservation.

©Mears

When y'all arrive at Orlando Airport, yous volition need to become selection up your luggage. Once you have your bags in manus, you'll desire to observe the Mears Connect reception area, located on Level 1, Basis Transportation Level, in Terminal B. You lot should see signs to navigate you in that location.

Mears Connect station at Orlando Airport

From your hotel, you tin can ask forepart desk personnel where to pick up your bus — your return time will already be on your emailed ticket/receipt. And just like Magical Express, that option-upwards time is iii hours earlier your flight departs. Then be at your pick-upwards spot on time so you can catch your flight.

What Hotels Does Mears Connect Service?

Mears Connect services a wide variety of hotels in the Disney Earth area, including ALL Disney-endemic properties. However, it besides services the following hotels:

  • Shades of Greenish
  • Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs
  • JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort
  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
  • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando
  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace at Disney Springs
  • Holiday Inn Orlando at Disney Springs
  • Orlando Earth Center Marriott
  • Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs
©Four Seasons

For all other hotels, y'all tin can volume a Mears Luxe private black car or a Mears taxi. Yous also have rideshare and car rental options.

Check out Mears Connect reviews from AllEars readers here!

What The Sunshine Flyer Offers

The Sunshine Flyer simply offers 1 shared option from getting to and from Orlando Airport and Disney World hotels, which is similar to that of Mears Connect. However, The Sunshine Flyer will feature buses themed as old-fashioned rider cars and train locomotives (because we all know how much Walt Disney loved trains). The Sunshine Flyer website states that guests will not have to wait more than 20 minutes before boarding a bus at the drome, and although the motorcoach may have multiple stops, the last cease volition not take more than 65 minutes.

©The Sunshine Flyer

What makes this service even more unique is that no two vehicle designs are the same, meaning that guests who use the service more than once get a different feel every time. Note that The Sunshine Flyer service launched on Feb 1st, 2022.

How Much Does The Sunshine Flyer Cost

The Sunshine Flyer'due south cost is $17 per adult and $12.l per kid for one-way service, and$34 per developed and $25 per kid for round trip service.

©The Sunshine Flyer

However, the departure is that Mears Connect'south prices are listed equally introductory rates, while The Sunshine Flyer's is not, so it may be the cheaper selection if Mears Connect raises their rates in the hereafter.

How Will The Sunshine Flyer Work

Guests tin can make their reservations for The Sunshine Flyer online, offering upwardly much of the same information as they would for Mears Connect. When arriving at Orlando Airport, guests volition then pick upwardly their luggage and travel to the Main Terminal Building on Terminal B, Level 1, in the Basis Transportation expanse. After guests check in here, they will be directed to their motorcoach.

©The Sunshine Flyer

The day before guests check out of their Disney Globe hotel, they'll receive an email with the divergence time of their jitney, which volition be approximately iii hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights and four hours earlier scheduled departures for international flights.

What Hotels Does The Sunshine Flyer Service?

Currently, The Sunshine Flyer only has Disney World-owned resorts listed as the hotels that it currently services.

©The Sunshine Flyer

Other hotels in the surface area, including the Walt Disney Globe Swan and Dolphin, are non currently listed as function of The Sunshine Flyer'south service surface area.

Read AllEars reader reviews of The Sunshine Flyer here!

So that's everything you need to know near Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer. Keep reading AllEars for more than Disney and Orlando Airport transportation news!

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Will you be using Mears Connect or The Sunshine Flyer when visiting Disney Earth in 2022? Allow us know in the comments!