What's Replacing Disney's Magical Express at Walt Disney World?

The Sunshine Flyer is Replacing Disney's Magical Express

The Sunshine Flyer launches in March 2022 and will replace Disney's Magical Express to transport Walt Disney World guests to and from Orlando International Airport. Here's everything you need to know about this new service and every question answered.

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The Sunshine Flyer is Getting Ready to Carry Guests from Orlando International Airport to Disney Hotels

This week, Transportation Management Services (TMS) announced The Sunshine Flyer as a new service from MCO to Disney resort hotels.

The Sunshine Flyer offers a themed experience featuring old-fashioned railway passenger cars and train engines.

A Theme that Walt Disney Himself Would Surely Love

The Sunshine Flyer bus service aims to alleviate the stress of airport transportation and kickstart the magic of the family vacation from the moment they board the bus:

• The buses are designed on the exterior to look like old-fashioned locomotives or passenger cars
• Staff will be dressed as 1920s rail conductors and engineers
• The buses will have entertainment throughout the trip
• Ticket pre-sales are now available and service begins on February 1, 2022

In honor of Disney’s 50th anniversary, there's even a charity component to the launch of The Sunshine Flyer:

• For the first 50 days of service, 50% of Sunshine Flyer ticket sales will be donated to Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida
• Make-A-Wish children and their families will receive complimentary service from the Sunshine Flyer for their Disney wishes indefinitely

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.

“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.” Frank Sherman, CEO of TMS

With 25 years of experience as a large events transportation company working with world-class events such as the FIFA World Cup, NBA Finals and various PGA TOUR Tournaments, TMS is primed to offer a streamlined and well-executed service through The Sunshine Flyer. 

So What's It Like Inside The Sunshine Flyer Buses?

• The buses serve all Disney resorts 
• There will be entertainment on the buses
• Complete with a bathroom
• You can attach your child car seat to the three-point harness on seats
• For wheelchairs request an ADA bus when booking
• USB chargers and 
• three-point seatbelts for the comfort and safety of all guests. 

How to Reserve a Seat on The Sunshine Flyer

You will book tickets online and receive a QR code that you will scan once you arrive at Orlando International Airport. Presumably this will be around the luggage carousel area. The goal is to ensure smooth timing and departures to the Resorts. 

Please note that there is no luggage handling option at launch, but they hope to add it at some future time. This may not be a bad thing as late-arriving luggage was a pain point of Disney's Magical Express.

The Sunshine Flyer reception area is Located in the Main Terminal Building of Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Terminal B, Level 1, in the Ground Transportation area
 
The Sunshine Flyer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will buses depart WDW four hours before flight? 

The answer is a little unclear, but here's what they say: "Your bus is scheduled based on your specific flights. We monitor both inbound and outbound flights to make sure your trip is scheduled properly. We will email/text you a more exact departure window the day before your scheduled trips."
 
How long will it take to get to your hotel? 

According to Sunshine Flyer: "We are using a dynamic routing software that customizes each day’s transfers based on specific riders. We can set the parameters to how long the ride is or how many stops the bus makes. 65 minutes is the longest anyone will be on a bus once it leaves to the final destination."

“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,” added Sherman. “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.”

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.
 
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.

Cancellations 72 hours in advance for full refund, credit if less than that.

In other Disney travel news...
 
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Will Reopen at Walt Disney World Resort in 2022

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will welcome Guests back starting March 31, 2022. Reservations are now open to book your stay.

With this announcement it means that, as of Spring 2022, all Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be operating by for the first time since Spring 2020.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic