The Sunshine Flyer to Launch Themed Airport Transportation to Disney World

[Kennywood]

The Sunshine Flyer to Launch Themed Airport Transportation to Disney World
by Jackie Gailey



On Monday, Transportation Management Services (TMS) announced the launch of The Sunshine Flyer, a themed motorcoach bus experience that will transport guests from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World Resorts. The service will offer a convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation, allowing guests to start the magic of their Disney vacation from the moment they step off the plane.

With 25 years of experience as a large events transportation company, TMS is primed to offer a streamlined and well-executed service through The Sunshine Flyer.

The Sunshine Flyer’s buses are late model, premium motorcoaches with themes that center around old-fashioned passenger cars and train engines. From the bus designs to staff dressed as 1920s rail conductors and engineers, the motorcoaches effectively serve as time-machines, offering a glimpse into 1920s rail travel.

We’re incredibly excited to launch The Sunshine Flyer and give Disney guests the chance to kickstart their vacation with a fun, unique travel experience. Everyone knows the magic of Disney once they’re inside the park gates. But, through The Sunshine Flyer, we’re able to give guests the chance to start their vacation from the minute they step off the plane and turn what used to be a procedural drive into the beginning of an adventure to remember.​

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By combining our storied expertise in mass transportation management with a creative, themed experience, we have the unique opportunity to offer an experience that’s both stress-free and engaging. After all, Disney guests deserve a trip to remember, right from the start. Whether they’re young or old, travelling in a group or solo, we hope The Sunshine Flyer sparks the imagination and excitement of all of our guests from the moment they step on the bus.​

The Sunshine Flyer will begin service from Orlando International Airport on February 1, 2022.

The buses service all Disney resorts and are complete with a bathroom, USB chargers, and three-point seatbelts for the comfort and safety of all guests. Ahead of travel, guests will book their tickets online and receive a QR code they will scan once arriving at MCO which will ensure smooth timing and departures to the Resorts.



In celebration of Disney’s 50th anniversary, the Sunshine Flyer will donate 50% of all revenue from the first 50,000 passengers during the first 50 days of business to Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida to support their mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. As a part of the Sunshine Flyer’s commitment to giving back, all Make-A-Wish children and their families will receive complimentary service from the Sunshine Flyer for their Disney wishes indefinitely.

Tickets for The Sunshine Flyer must be booked at least four days ahead of arrival. Tickets are $17.00 per adult, $12.50 per child each way. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.sunshineflyer.com.

Mears Connect will also begin offering its own transportation beginning on January 1, 2022. The complimentary Disney’s Magical Express transportation service is ending on December 31, 2021.

Source: wdwinfo.com

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm glad there will be another option. However, I saw a post on another thread that said Sunshine Flyer service will stop at 10 PM (the poster's daughter's flight is arriving at 9:45 PM, and Sunshine Flyer wouldn't take the booking). I don't think Mears Connect stops at a certain time of night.

 

[hilltopper152]

I am considering booking that early Feb. I thought to give Mears a try but curious about this company. I like to support the railroad theme and effort to compete. Trusting someone with travel is hard when flights are involved and babies are inpatient. Does anyone have a opinion between the two?

 

[TioAdis78]

While losing what was once included with your resort stay is bad, this new service looks pretty neat! I loved how the MDE put you in the Disney mindframe right away, and while the theming here is different, it actually blends in with all of Disney Americana very well. We do more of less yearly September trips, so I expect all of the kinks will be ironed out by then.

 

[BrianL]

While losing what was once included with your resort stay is bad, this new service looks pretty neat! I loved how the MDE put you in the Disney mindframe right away, and while the theming here is different, it actually blends in with all of Disney Americana very well. We do more of less yearly September trips, so I expect all of the kinks will be ironed out by then.

Yeah, I love their busses at the very least - very pretty!

 

[bsmcneil]

I think I'll end up splitting and doing both (I arrive before Sunshine launches, or else I'd be with them as their arrival seems far better than Mears). So, I'll make sure to report back!

 

[hilltopper152]

While losing what was once included with your resort stay is bad, this new service looks pretty neat! I loved how the MDE put you in the Disney mindframe right away, and while the theming here is different, it actually blends in with all of Disney Americana very well. We do more of less yearly September trips, so I expect all of the kinks will be ironed out by then.

Yeah it has something at least and I appreciate the thought to be more than just a bus. I'll probably give it a shot in their opening weeks and hope for the best.

 

[TioAdis78]

Yeah it has something at least and I appreciate the thought to be more than just a bus. I'll probably give it a shot in their opening weeks and hope for the best.

Yeah, it's like, you took pictures of getting on the MDE, because it was exciting and they were Disney-themed buses, so they felt part of the affair, not just transportation. The theming on the Sunshine Flyer buses is very well done and you do want to pose your kid next to it, to take a picture, to send to grandma or post on social media.
Are the Mears buses photogenic? I'd say no. Even the name, "Sunshine Flyer", sounds fun!

 

[Shellyred8]

I think I'll end up splitting and doing both (I arrive before Sunshine launches, or else I'd be with them as their arrival seems far better than Mears). So, I'll make sure to report back!

I was thinking that their arrival seems better than Mears too. I like that they state that you won't wait more than 20 minutes to get on a bus and the ride to your resort won't take more than 65 minutes. I like that they set standards that we can plan for and also hold them accountable for.

 

[StageTek]

I love this!

I'm not heading back to The World until Sept '22 but I'm going to give The Sunshine Flyer a try.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm glad there will be another option. However, I saw a post on another thread that said Sunshine Flyer service will stop at 10 PM (the poster's daughter's flight is arriving at 9:45 PM, and Sunshine Flyer wouldn't take the booking). I don't think Mears Connect stops at a certain time of night.

Mears has the ability to use vans and even taxis for late flights.

Sunshine will have figure out how to handle flights delayed past 10p.

 

[HooperSnag]

It's good that Mears will have competition. Monopolies (such as what Mears had for DME) are always bad for the consumer. Promising.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I was thinking that their arrival seems better than Mears too. I like that they state that you won't wait more than 20 minutes to get on a bus and the ride to your resort won't take more than 65 minutes. I like that they set standards that we can plan for and also hold them accountable for.

Since I live in ORL. I think those goal is just that goals. WAY too many factors with the roads/ weather here in Orlando to promise ANY certain time frame.

 

[Shellyred8]

Since I live in ORL. I think those goal is just that goals. WAY too many factors with the roads/ weather here in Orlando to promise ANY certain time frame.

I totally get this. I just think by having this timing stated on their web site lets the customer know that they are at least making a concerted effort to make sure you aren't going to be on the bus for hours on end by making you ride around to all of the resorts on WDW property before being dropped off at yours. I haven't drilled into their site to see how a customer can complain about an overly long trip, so not sure how that would work if one felt like they were on the bus for longer than 65 minutes due to them going to so many resorts. I guess time will tell.

 

[TiffFromTX]

It's the loss of having someone else deal w/baggage for me. This new service doesn't appear to handle that unless I missed something. I wish someone would offer to handle bags. That way you hit the ground running and when you come back to your room, they're there.

 

[DisneyNewbie76]

I'm going to cancel my Mears reservation and go with these guys for my February trip. I will try and remember to circle back and post a review, though it looks like it will be the same type of experience as the Magical Express but without the baggage services.

 

[hsmamato2]

These look so cute! But from what I can see it's onsite resorts only(?) not the Disney Springs area unfortunately....

 

[DopeyRN]

I love this! Unfortunately, we are going in January. But I would absolutely do this over Mears just because they have held the monopoly so long.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Has anyone booked the Sunshine Flyer yet? When navigating the website I put in our info i.e. flight info with time of arrival. It lets you choose the booking time but, I am confused by it. It says that you book it within your arrival hour? So, if we arrive at 5:20 p.m. do we book the 5-6 p.m. slot. I just wonder because we still have to get our luggage and my mom won't be a sprinter. lol

 

[K_mac]

@Disneytrippin' I believe that is true. You would book 5-6