Academy Bus to Supplement Orlando's Sunshine Flyer Service

Hoboken, N.J.’s Academy Bus was retained as a supplier to Sunshine Flyer, a deluxe motorcoach transportation service of Transportation Management Services (TMS) that moves guests between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the resort hotels of Walt Disney World in Central Florida.

“When Disney made the decision to eliminate their airport transportation service on January 1, we knew there would still be demand for bus transportation from Orlando International Airport for visitors to the family vacation and entertainment mecca. Building on our experience up and down the eastern seaboard, especially in Orlando, we are pleased to be able to partner with TMS to supplement the Sunshine Flyer fleet,” said Francis Tedesco, president and CEO of Academy Bus. “We are pleased to be an integral piece to the travel puzzle for Families visiting Central Florida, and Sunshine Flyer is a testament to the quality service that can be offered when you join forces with the best in the business.”  

Sunshine Flyer, which brings the era of 1920’s rail travel to guests’ vacations, leverages TMS’ decades of experience in the major event transportation space and the depth of experience of bus operations of both Academy Bus and Empire Coach Lines.

The service’s buses transport families from Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World® Resorts on a premium motorcoaches themed around old-fashioned passenger cars and train locomotives. From unique bus designs to drivers and staff dressed as 1920’s rail conductors and engineers, the Sunshine Flyer experience starts shortly after guests step off their flights. No two vehicle designs are the same, providing a distinctiveness for each ride, giving first time passengers and returning guests a new experience and photo opportunity each time they use the service.

“Since the elimination of Disney’s own airport transfer service, Sunshine Flyer has become the most in-demand, reliable and economical airport transportation service between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World. It is proof that a collaboration between industry leaders can provide effective transportation services for Central Florida tourism,” said Tony Glibkowski, VP, transportation management services. “When we looked to create the service, we wanted to team with motorcoach companies that understood our focus on effective transportation and high levels of customer service. Academy brings these qualities to everything they do, so it was a win-win for us to include them as a major partner.”

Academy has wrapped 15 buses and is providing transportation services based on TMS’ specifications for the service. When a guest enters the Sunshine Flyer staging area, they will not wait more than 20 minutes to board a bus. All rides to the resorts are scheduled, so the last stop on the bus routes will not take more than 65 minutes from airport departure to resort drop-off. For airport return service, guests are picked up in plenty of time to make their outbound airline flights.