Hiya Terri - welcome to
planDisney!
We're so glad you stopped by to ask your question for our team of panelists. We love helping Guests just like you plan your magical Walt Disney World Resort vacations! You're visiting at such a special time - the pixie dust is flying everywhere as part of the
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration! With exciting new attractions and entertainment, food, and so much more, I really hope you're ready to make some magical memories!
I'm going to assume you are asking about transportation from the Orlando International Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort, but some of my recommendations would also apply to other contexts. I've tried pretty much everything, so I can share some great options with you! One option that I have
not tried is The Sunshine Flyer, a new motorcoach service. I suggest looking for information and reviews online to see if this is a good fit for you. It seems to be a service similar to the Mears Connect Standard service, which is the option most similar to the former Magical Express experience offered by Disney and operated by Mears.
As someone who is comfortable driving around the Sunshine State, renting a car is usually my first choice. My crew really enjoys the added flexibility that having a car offers us. Sure, it's a great way to get from the airport to
your Resort, but it also makes it super convenient to pick up some additional groceries or supplies, or to avoid waiting for any complimentary transportation options if you need to get to another location more quickly during your vacation.
Renting a car isn't the right fit for everyone, and any time I decide
not to rent a car, I love to utilize Lyft for all transportation, including getting to and from the airport. I've never had a problem finding the type of vehicle, service, and driver I need and I've found their service to be reliable and affordable. Private car services are another option, but more and more I've come to think that they really aren't that much better than using a ride-share service, and the prices are definitely higher.
Mears Connect Express is a hybrid service where you're not guaranteed a vehicle all to yourself, but they do guarantee a direct trip to your Resort without additional stops. This is their premium service and it is designed to address a common complaint with other services - too many stops.
Every group has different needs when it comes to transportation, so you'll need to think about what might be the best fit for you. Overall, the best rule of thumb is that if time and privacy are important to you, spending a bit more on a service that provides direct private service will be worth the cost!
I hope this information has been helpful.
Please keep sending us any questions as they come up!
Ryan J.