News Disney's Magical Express to end after 2021

dreday3

Well-Known Member
Wow - Sunshine Flyer looks like a good alternative! It's not free, but not a bad price either. It's cute, themed, kitschy - just enough "magic" to give guests a fun way to start the vacation if they want.

And with all the options now - this, Mears, Uber, private car services - I bet the lines won't be too bad.

Are they not affiliated with Disney at all?
 
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ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
"Transportation Management Services (TMS) has 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 Resort.

The Sunshine Flyer’s buses are late-model, premium motorcoaches with themes that center around old-fashioned passenger cars and train engines. From the design of the buses, to the staff dressed as 1920s rail conductors and engineers, the Sunshine Flyer serves as a unique time machine, 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,” said Frank Sherman, CEO of TMS. “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.”

The buses will service all Disney resorts and are complete with a bathroom onboard, 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 that they will scan once they arrive at MCO. The Sunshine Flyer will begin service from MCO on Feb. 1, 2022."

"To celebrate 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. As part of The Sunshine Flyer’s commitment to giving back, all Make-A-Wish children and their families will receive complimentary service for their Disney wish trips indefinitely."

"Tickets for the new transportation option must be booked at least four days ahead of arrival, and are priced at $17 per adult and $12.50 per child each way."


Here's a video Sunshine flyer has released -




And their website -


You are the Magic!
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
This looks....kind of great? But the price is so low. That is of course also great, but I hope the service is as good as they are claiming. It almost seems too good to be true.
The pricing is identical to Mears for us. Adults are a dollar more and kids a dollar less. But, this does sound fun. We will try them for our April trip. The fact that this is themed, will donate to Make a Wish, has pictures of their buses at WDW, and literally uses the Magical Express Map suggests Disney had some role in encouraging this company to do this. They probably are happy this company and Mears will both send buses without Disney CMs having much role at all. Hopefully, both companies will be more efficient than DME was becoming.
 

trainplane3

Well-Known Member
While I'll continue using a town car service, this does sound quite nice. The train theming with the 1920s costumes sounds fun if they stick with it. Their operations also sound very similar to DME:
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Pricing is also pretty competitive too:
1640028795623.png
 

lewisc

Well-Known Member
Looks like sunshine and Mears are both on the B side of the terminal. Its a shame Sunshine couldn't go on the A side. SW Jetblue, Frontier..pax would benefit.

Splitting the bus pax with 2 companies suggests longer waits and or more stops.
 

Chip Chipperson

Well-Known Member
Disney has announced their own FREE! replacement for MDE. Called Walking (TM), it affords guests the option to select their own comfortable pair of shoes that they will bring with them from home and arrive at the resort by placing one foot in front of the other at their own pace. Based on guest feedback, this service allows guests to make as many or as few stops along the way as they wish (tm), providing the flexibility that guests have requested. Guests can upgrade to Walking+ (TM) for just $15 to receive a map to the resort and a list of businesses along the route that offer free cups of unfiltered Orlando tap water.
 

mikejs78

Well-Known Member
Disney has announced their own FREE! replacement for MDE. Called Walking (TM), it affords guests the option to select their own comfortable pair of shoes that they will bring with them from home and arrive at the resort by placing one foot in front of the other at their own pace. Based on guest feedback, this service allows guests to make as many or as few stops along the way as they wish (tm), providing the flexibility that guests have requested. Guests can upgrade to Walking+ (TM) for just $15 to receive a map to the resort and a list of businesses along the route that offer free cups of unfiltered Orlando tap water.
Your info is a little outdated. They've renamed this offering to Mickey's Magical Marathon, where *you* are the magic that gets you to the magic. Answer the call.
 

JoeCamel

Well-Known Member
Disney has announced their own FREE! replacement for MDE. Called Walking (TM), it affords guests the option to select their own comfortable pair of shoes that they will bring with them from home and arrive at the resort by placing one foot in front of the other at their own pace. Based on guest feedback, this service allows guests to make as many or as few stops along the way as they wish (tm), providing the flexibility that guests have requested. Guests can upgrade to Walking+ (TM) for just $15 to receive a map to the resort and a list of businesses along the route that offer free cups of unfiltered Orlando tap water.
Will there be luggage handling?
 

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Honestly, no matter what other service is available and at what cost, it all pales to DME simple because of the luggage handling. Getting transportation isn't a big deal to arrange. Dropping your luggage off at your departure airport and never seeing it until it appeared in your resort room was truly magical.
Agreed. I’ve really missed that. It definitely was some Disney Magic. If they made DME for a nominal fee and included the luggage transfer, I’d pay. I especially loved it on check-out day. Drop the bags and enjoy the park for one last morning.
 

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