For the first time in many, many years, I flew into the Orlando International Airport (MCO) for a trip to Walt Disney World. The last time this happened, Disney’s Magical Express took care of my luggage at my home airport, and I didn’t have to deal with it again until it showed up in my hotel room. The other thing I didn’t have to worry about was how I’d get from the airport to my Disney Resort. For this trip, I decided to give MEARS Connect a try since they are the same company Disney hired way back in the day to run Disney’s Magical Express. Of course, the service was complimentary to guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, but the current one-way price is $16 (plus tax) per person for adults and $13 (plus tax) per person for kids. That’s not too bad when it’s just one person compared to what a taxi or rideshare would cost, but when you’ve got a group, it can add up fast. I should also mention that MEARS Connect merged last year with Sunshine Flyer, and they are the only 24-hour shuttle that services the A, B, and C terminals at MCO.
Since I’d be handling my own luggage this time, I decided to pack everything I needed in a carry-on bag. No sense in bringing a million things with me only to have to stop at baggage claim on the way to the magic, right? Since you’re allowed to have a carry-on bag plus a personal item, I brought the bag I usually tote my laptop around in since it’s really roomy, and I threw my wallet into that bag instead of bringing a purse.
When I made my reservation online with MEARS, they collected my flight details so they’d be ready for me when I arrived. My email included very clear instructions letting me know that I’d need to collect my luggage from baggage claim and then proceed to Terminal B, Level 1. In case you’re not familiar with MCO, there are three terminals: A, B, and C. You don’t want to end up in the wrong one, so be sure to keep an eye on the overhead signs.
Once I made my way down to the first level, I saw the MEARS Connect blue sign at the very end, past all the rental car companies. Standing there, it almost felt as though I was not in the right place, but alas, I was. It was so strange to see the entire area looking like a ghost town. Every time I’d ever been to that same spot in the past, it was full of excited guests getting ready to board their bus to The Most Magical Place on Earth. Maybe it was just the time of day that I landed; it’s hard to say, but it was a little odd seeing it so empty nonetheless.
Checking in was very easy, despite the confirmation email I had pulled up on my phone, deciding that it didn’t want to display. It was strange that nothing I did would pull up the contents of that email, but the MEARS employee took my first and last name and was able to find it in a split second. I was on my way to the next waiting area in a matter of minutes. Before I knew it, another employee came over to verify which hotel I was heading to and escorted me outside to an awaiting shuttle. I do want to point out that when you use MEARS, you won’t always be on a big bus like you might expect. In my case, I boarded a shuttle van with another family who was heading to one of the Disney Springs Resorts.
The drive over to Walt Disney World property took around 35 minutes, give or take. My flight landed at 5:15 pm local time, and traffic was heavy. Once we dropped off the other family at their resort, we were off to mine. I have to say, it was so wonderful to be able to look around at all of the familiar spots that I know and love instead of having to keep my eyes on the road and follow directions. We even saw a deer in the grass near the monorail – he wasn’t wearing Mickey Ears, though.
All in all, my experience using MEARS Connect was great, and I’d recommend it to any family looking for transportation to and from Orlando International Airport!
Senior Editor for the DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a '13/'14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº
