The Sunshine Flyer

[WEDWDW]

Anybody else try it?

We tried it this trip and liked it OK.

The concerning thing was there were only 9 Guests on the bus going to WDW and only 10 Guests going back to MCO.

If that is the norm I don't see how they can survive.

We will probably go back to Mears next trip-like having the check-in location where Magical Express was located and not outside and all the way to the end of the bus pickup slots.

 

[CarolynFH]

Anybody else try it?

We tried it this trip and liked it OK.

The concerning thing was there were only 9 Guests on the bus going to WDW and only 10 Guests going back to MCO.

If that is the norm I don't see how they can survive.

We will probably go back to Mears next trip-like having the check-in location where Magical Express was located and not outside and all the way to the end of the bus pickup slots.

Many people have used it. The most recent reports of experiences are here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-do-mears-connect-and-sunshine-flyer-compare-lately.3886898/.

 

[Lehuaann]

We will probably go back to Mears next trip-like having the check-in location where Magical Express was located and not outside and all the way to the end of the bus pickup slots.

While standing in line for Sunshine Flyer this past May, we canceled and switched to Mears. Checkin was unorganized.

 

[MinnieMSue]

We had a great experience recently but the busses we were in only had a few families. They weee fast and efficient. Way better than mears for us.

 

[DisneyFive]

Pretty much the same experience as Magical Express. We boarded very quickly after showing up at the pickup location.

They had an incorrect pickup time for us to head back to the airport, but a simple email fixed it and all was well.

We would do Sunshine Flyer again.

Still peeved with Disney that we have to pay for something like this now. Takes some of the magic away.

Dan

 

[ShannyMcB]

We used it just over a week ago. Bus was about a quarter full both times. Quite a few people/buses were being loaded at the same time when we were headed to WDW. The checkin people kindly explained the process of splitting up by resort to keep transport time down. Our bus had us (contemporary), wilderness lodge, and the two port Orleans resorts.
All the staff was friendly, the buses were clean and we felt quite safe.
My only "complaint" if you can call it that was the cartoons were the same on both to and from trips which was kind of boring. But I would book with them again. The price was more than reasonable and much easier for us than a ride share being a family of 5 with all our bags.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

Anybody else try it?

We tried it this trip and liked it OK.

The concerning thing was there were only 9 Guests on the bus going to WDW and only 10 Guests going back to MCO.

If that is the norm I don't see how they can survive.

We will probably go back to Mears next trip-like having the check-in location where Magical Express was located and not outside and all the way to the end of the bus pickup slots.

We arrived on Saturday, Aug. 13 around 4 pm. There were four Sunshine Flyer busses at MCO. They were all being used to transport guests to hotels. I'm not sure how many the other busses carried, but ours was half full. Our return trip was about a third full. The service was great, and I would certainly use again.

 

[deedubb]

I was wondering the same thing. From MCO, there was our family of 4 plus one other family of 4, both going to different resorts. On the way back to MCO, there were 4 parties, all at different resorts. We were the first, so we stopped at 3 more resorts before heading to MCO. I would definitely use them again, if they survive.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We used it the first week it opened. Personally we would choose it over Mears and will book with them again.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

do you have to have a reservation for the resort you’re traveling to? I am staying at one of the All Star hotels and plan to meet up with friends staying elsewhere. Rather than getting to hotel, getting situated, and then taking an Uber over to the other resort, I’d prefer to just go straight there (travel light with bags)

 

[FCDub]

do you have to have a reservation for the resort you’re traveling to? I am staying at one of the All Star hotels and plan to meet up with friends staying elsewhere. Rather than getting to hotel, getting situated, and then taking an Uber over to the other resort, I’d prefer to just go straight there (travel light with bags)

This is allowed. It’s one of the big benefits over DME.

 

[Figment Mom]

Three years ago I was the only person on my Magical Express bus from my resort to MCO.

 

[emily nicole]

Three years ago I was the only person on my Magical Express bus from my resort to MCO.

That was us too in August of last year! We got our own personal ride to All Star Movies.

 

[WEDWDW]

While standing in line for Sunshine Flyer this past May, we canceled and switched to Mears. Checkin was unorganized.

We noticed that as well.

We had our QR Code all ready to scan at the Check-in podium,but they didn't have anything to scan it with!lol

They asked for a name and couldn't find it that way and then said did we have our Reservation # so we had to look for it and read it off to them and that worked-they checked us off of a list.

The Check-in area was a little "depressing" being outside all the way at the end of the bus slots and everybody just kind of "huddles" together waiting.

But all the employees were really nice,the train attire some employees were wearing was a nice touch,the train themed buses were nice and the paper "Train Conducter hats" they gave to children was fun.

 

[WEDWDW]

I was wondering the same thing. From MCO, there was our family of 4 plus one other family of 4, both going to different resorts. On the way back to MCO, there were 4 parties, all at different resorts. We were the first, so we stopped at 3 more resorts before heading to MCO. I would definitely use them again, if they survive.

I was actually really shocked to see so few Guests on their buses.

I would not have a problem using them again-they are trying hard to deliver something different with the Train Theme-I just like the Boarding area/process better with Mears.

Maybe word just hasn't completely spread yet and they will take more business from Mears as time goes on.

 

[deedubb]

I would also add to my last post that they were very quick to respond via email. We had a split stay, so they took us to Beach Club but we had to be picked up at Bay Lake Tower. We got the email indicating the pick-up time a couple of days before the end of our trip. I emailed back asking whether we would be picked up at the Contemporary or in front of Bay Lake Tower and they responded very quickly. I would definitely use them again in the future.

 

[WEDWDW]

Pretty much the same experience as Magical Express. We boarded very quickly after showing up at the pickup location.

They had an incorrect pickup time for us to head back to the airport, but a simple email fixed it and all was well.

We would do Sunshine Flyer again.

Still peeved with Disney that we have to pay for something like this now. Takes some of the magic away.

Dan

No doubt-really makes The Mouse look like a "penny-pincher"!!!!

And with Magical Express,it always felt like the Vacation started at MCO with the Check-in being staffed by Disney Cast Members,the welcome video on the bus,etc.

Not so much anymore.

 

[The Mayor]

Pretty much the same experience as Magical Express. We boarded very quickly after showing up at the pickup location.

They had an incorrect pickup time for us to head back to the airport, but a simple email fixed it and all was well.

We would do Sunshine Flyer again.

Still peeved with Disney that we have to pay for something like this now. Takes some of the magic away.

Dan

Just bend over and ask for another. Chapek is going to is going to keep cutting guest experiences and raising prices.