Hello again, Deborah - welcome back to
planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with another question as you continue planning for your upcoming summer vacation to
Walt Disney World Resort!
When it comes to transportation between the Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort, I've tried almost everything, so I definitely have some opinions to share with you! First, I will say that one newer option that I have
not tried is The Sunshine Flyer - perhaps you can find some reviews of their service online to have a more complete picture of your options. The service they offer seems very similar to the Mears Connect Standard service, and both of these are the closest options to the former Magical Express experience.
I'm a person who loves to drive, and as a former Floridian, I'm pretty comfortable driving in Orlando. That usually means that for me, renting a car is usually the best choice. Rates have come back down to Earth, there are always promotions going on, and with the new apps and technology upgrades, I don't even have to deal with waiting in line at the rental counter. Plus, I absolutely love the flexibility of having a car during my trips. For example, on my trip last month I was really craving a breakfast sandwich from
Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew one morning, so I just hopped in the car and drove right over at 9 a.m. when they opened! It's also convenient if you need to purchase some additional supplies or groceries - there are great options nearby.
I know that renting a car isn't an attractive or possible option for everyone, and on trips when I
don't rent a car I usually depend on Lyft for all of my transportation needs. I find that their app and services are reliable, and there are a wide variety of vehicles and services to choose from. When I used a private car service a couple of years ago, it was great, but it wasn't really worth the additional cost over using Lyft, in my opinion. Sure, it was great to be treated like Prince Charming with my name on a little sign as I came down the escalator to baggage claim. Beyond that, it was nothing special. Mears Connect Express is sort of a hybrid - you're not guaranteed a private vehicle, but you
are guaranteed a direct ride to your Resort without stopping elsewhere (a common complaint of other shuttle services and their own Standard tier of service). All of these more direct choices will be your quickest options.
While I'd like to make a specific recommendation, every crew has different needs so you'll need to make the choice that's best for you. I will say that this is one area where spending a bit more can save you time, so if that's important to you, keep that in mind!
I hope this information has been helpful. Please keep
sending us any questions as they come up!
Ryan J.