As everything is costing more money even at the "The Most Magical Place on Earth," it’s nice when you learn about free services, especially when it comes to planning a vacation. Many exciting events are happening since it is the Walt Disney Company’s (DIS) -) 100th anniversary.
The theme park guests planning to visit Walt Disney World in part of the anniversary celebration can plan their vacations down to the last details, and Disney does its best to help guests plan. Disney websites list theme park attraction closures due to planned maintenance and refurbishments to help set expectations while at the parks.
Disney World ended its free Magical Express over a year ago, which probably added to the stress of some of its travelers. The Magical Express was a free transportation service between the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Stress of planning vacations doesn’t end with the bookings of hotels, resorts and event tickets. You still have to get there, and travel can be hectic with flight cancellations and delays. Travelers trying to reach Disney World will be happy to learn that there is one less thing to have to pay for.
Disney Travel Guests Catch a Break
Disney World guests have a multitude of choices when it comes to where to stay and how to get there, and two former competitors are teaming up to create one entity service complementary services to and from the Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
The top ways to get from the airport to the resorts according to Magic Guides is using ride share services, taxi, renting a car and using shuttle service with Quanta Service's (PWR) -) Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer. How travelers get to their resort hotel can depend on a lot pricing and timing.
Now there is a service that is finally going to ‘replace’ Disney’s Magical Express free service, and it comes with the merger of Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer to become Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine.
Mears Connect operates as a shuttle bus or shuttle van service and was actually the operator for Disney World’s Magical Express before its closure. The Sunshine Flyer is also a shuttle service but with a little bit of flare! Guests travel in themed old-fashioned passenger cars and train engines from point A to point B.
Sunshine Flyer and Mears Connect will become a single service: Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. Details here: https://t.co/g5DfrlJkzi pic.twitter.com/vhEot2a8lP
— TouringPlans (@TouringPlans) July 14, 2023
“While we have been competitors in the past, we have always shared the same goals to provide guests with safe, reliable, cost effective, stress-free travel between the airport and Walt Disney World resorts”, said Mears Transportation COO Rebecca K. Horton. “By merging operations, sharing ideas, expanding services, collaborating on what’s best for the guest, we believe we can provide an even better guest experience given the challenges and opportunities in today’s travel market.”
“As partners, we will be able to bring even more features and benefits to our guests,” said The Sunshine Flyer General Manager, Mark Sherman. “Whether it is 24/7 service, express options, or a private trip to ease guests’ minds the minute they step off the plane, together, Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine is delivering more to our guests. We are confident that our collaborative efforts will promote a creative atmosphere and will allow us to focus on the customer experience and kick off the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation the moment they touch down in Orlando.”
Moving Upward and Onward
Now that two competitors are joining forces, it brings up a lot of questions on what travelers with existing reservations should expect. The service states that any existing Mears Connect reservations will not be impacted.
The Sunshine Flyer guests who already have reservations between July 14 and July 31 will receive notification regarding their travel arrangements.
Guests who still have questions can use the 24/7 hotline, can email at mearsconnect@mears.com or use the email provided on their reservation confirmation email.
The service is ADA compliant with full wheelchair accessibility. It services arrivals and departures for terminals A, B and C at the Orlando Airport. The Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine's new services will start on Aug. 1.
