So your plane has just landed at the Orlando International Airport (MCO). You and your family are incredibly excited to get to Disney World and start your magical vacation.
Except now you are wondering…
How do I get from the Orlando Airport to Disney World?
Things used to be so easy before the pandemic, when you could just hop on the FREE “Magical Express” bus that took you directly to your resort. Oh well, no use looking back at the good old days. 🙂
Below, you will learn SIX ways to travel from the airport to Disney World.
You will find multiple transportation options that can take you to your Disney resort, Disney Springs, or one of the theme parks. I tried to consider all scenarios, such as whether you need car seats, have a large party, budget options, private rides, etc.
In addition, I give directions on WHERE you need to go to find each option at the Orlando airport, along with the pros and cons of each travel method. And if you need information about car seats, scroll to the bottom to see a complete breakdown.
Option #1: Take a rideshare – Uber or Lyft
My favorite way to go from the Orlando Airport to Disney World is to use Uber or Lyft. You can use a rideshare to get to your resort OR directly to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or Disney Springs!
I like this option the best for TWO reasons:
Reason #1: The price!
Unfortunately, I can’t give you the exact price from the airport to Disney World using a rideshare since the prices constantly change depending on the day and time.
But, in my experience, it usually costs less than $60! For example, on a random Friday morning, I tested the cost if you were to get a ride from MCO to Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center. You can see the results below for both Uber and Lyft.
- Please consider how LARGE of a vehicle you will need, as you may have lots of suitcases you need to fit. If so, you must book an UberXL or a Lyft XL, which costs slightly more.
Reason #2: Using a rideshare is probably the fastest way to Disney World!
The other huge advantage of taking a ride share to Disney is that you won’t have to wait long for your ride. At almost any time of day, you should wait less than 5 minutes for your driver!
Seriously, when you are ready to start doing Disney, you do not want to sit at the airport wasting time.
I love that once you collect your baggage and walk outside to the curb, you can be on your way to the parks or your resort a few minutes later. No waiting for a shuttle bus or standing in line for your rental car!
Where can I find the rideshare pickup at the Orlando Airport?
I know this part can seem a little intimidating, but don’t worry too much. With the popularity of services like Lyft and Uber, it is easy to find the location where your driver can pick you up.
First, you need to pay attention to your Terminal. MCO has three terminals; A, B, and C.
- Terminal A: The rideshare pickup is on Level 2 (Arrivals) unless it’s between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am, then it’s on Level 3.
- Terminal B: The rideshare pickup is on Level 2 (Arrivals) unless it’s between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am, then it’s on Level 3.
- Terminal C: The rideshare pickup is on Level 6.
Once you are on the correct level and outside by the curb, you should see signs showing where to stand for “Ride App Pickup.” The Lyft app even shows you which door to meet your driver based on the Terminal.
The biggest disadvantage to using a rideshare is you can’t plan it ahead of time, and the cost isn’t fixed. You have to trust that once you get to MCO, you will be able to use the app to order a vehicle and find the correct pickup location. Also, the costs can increase on rare occasions due to “surge pricing.”
If you have never used Uber or Lyft, you have to be comfortable with a stranger driving you in their car that is not part of a traditional company.
I know many people would rather take the certainty of one of the other options below and sacrifice the cost and speed that rideshares provide!
Option #2: Hire a private car service!
Do you know the people at the airport holding a sign for someone near the baggage claim? These are often private car services waiting to take their clients wherever they need to go!
Before you skip this option as a way to go from the airport to Disney World because it sounds too expensive, please keep reading. I think it’s a great solution for many families but often ignored.
First, let’s go over a few of the advantages that most private car services offer:
- You can schedule and pay for a private car service beforehand, so you have one less thing to worry about on your travel day.
- They will meet you directly at the airport, often with a sign with your name on it, ready to take you DIRECTLY to Disney World. No waiting for a bus, rental car, or taxi. And no sharing the ride with anyone else.
- Many companies include a short grocery store visit on the way!
- Help with your luggage.
- FREE car seats! You should be able to use car seats for as many children as you have included in the package.
How much does a private car service cost from MCO to Disney World?
It depends on which company you select, but the average cost is between $100 to $150 one way. Typically, you will get a discount for booking roundtrip.
I don’t think a private car service is much more expensive than the other transportation options on this list. Especially if you consider some of the other benefits you receive and factor in the time you will save and the stress you won’t have. 🙂
If you are interested in a private car service, make sure to check out Quicksilver Tours and Transportation.
Quicksilver offers a number of incredible benefits and are highly recommended. If you book with them, you can expect your driver to be waiting at baggage claim with your name on a sign. They even monitor if your flight is late. 🙂
They offer the following vehicles, depending on your specific needs:
- Town Car or Luxury Sedan – Holds up to 4 passengers and is the least expensive option.
- Vans – Up to 10 passengers! Great for big groups as everyone can split the cost.
- Luxury SUVs that hold up to 6 passengers.
In addition, if you want, they offer a FREE 20-minute grocery stop on the way to your resort. Not to mention a FREE car seat.
This is the view as you check out with Quicksilver Transportation.
You can take a look at their rates for transportation to Disney World HERE.
If you decide to use Quicksilver, please mention Resort Rat as you check out. It helps support my site, along with helping Quicksilver keep track of how their customers find them. Thank you. 🙂
Option #3: Take a Shuttle Bus from MCO to Disney World Resorts!
Another way to get from the airport to Disney World is to take a bus. These shuttles are located at MCO near the baggage area.
Taking a shuttle bus offers many advantages:
- You can book, plan, and pay for your bus beforehand. Then, all you need to do is arrive, show them your ticket, and get on the appropriate shuttle to your Disney resort.
- The bus can also pick you up at your Disney resort to take you back to the airport when your vacation is over.
- There are large, comfortable seats to relax in while you drive. And all of your luggage is stored underneath the bus until you arrive at the resort, where the driver unloads it for you.
Please note that shuttle buses can ONLY take you to Disney World Resorts. If you are trying to go directly from MCO to one of the theme parks or Disney Springs, you must use one of the other options on this list.
If you are interested in this option, you will need to use Mears Connect:
This is the company that used to offer the “Magical Express” service. They have locations to board their buses in Terminals A and B, which are located at the far end of each Terminal. You will see multiple signs that point you exactly where you need to go!
How much does using Mears Connect cost to go to Disney World?
There are actually two different services you can select with Mears Connect.
Standard Service: At the time of this writing, a one-way trip costs $16 per adult and $13 per child. Double this cost if you need Mears to take you back to the airport at the end of your trip.
The Standard Service bus will have a limited amount of waiting at the airport before your bus leaves. When you arrive at Mears at the airport, someone will direct you to the correct line and bus that will take you to your resort.
Just a warning that there is a good chance your bus will make stops at multiple resorts. For example, on a recent trip, our resort ended up being the third stop, which meant about 20 minutes of additional waiting on the bus as we had to go to the other resorts first.
Express Service: At the time of this writing, the cost was $250 ROUNDTRIP for up to 4 passengers. Add $55 for each additional passenger.
The advantage of the Express Service is that it takes you directly to your hotel. In addition, you should not have to wait to leave for Disney World when you arrive at the airport.
If you want to check current prices or book with Mears Connect, click HERE.
Option #4: Take a traditional taxi from MCO to Disney World
Yes, it is still possible to take a normal taxi! Some people like this option because they trust a taxi more than a driver from Uber or Lyft since the taxicab is associated with a local company. And as you can see above, there are A LOT of taxis waiting for you at the Orlando Airport!
To take a taxi from MCO to Disney World, you will need to head to the following area, depending on your Terminal. You can find the most up-to-date information on the airport’s website.
- Terminal A: Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) in spaces A22-A25
- Terminal B: Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) in spaces B30-B34
- Terminal C: Arrivals Curb (Level 6)
Just so you know, the taxi driver can’t tell you the exact price to get to Disney World, as flat fares are prohibited by law. All fares are determined by the meter inside the taxi, which depends on the total length of the trip. And the rate is the same, regardless of how many passengers you have (up to 9).
However, it’s estimated that a one-way taxi ride from the airport to the Disney World resorts or theme parks will cost $50 to $70.
A taxi will typically cost a bit more than Uber or Lyft. But many taxis have car seats available, especially some of the bigger vans, so this is a great option if you have toddlers.
Here are a few taxi companies that operate from the Orlando Airport. There should be plenty of taxis available when you arrive, but you can also try to schedule ahead of time if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Option #5: Rent a car
For one reason or another, if you don’t like any of the options above, you can always rent a car to get to Disney World!
The advantages are that you have complete freedom for your vacation to go wherever you want. Renting a car might be a great option if you plan to visit other places other than Disney World, such as Universal, Sea World, or other areas in Orlando.
I would not recommend renting a car if you ONLY need it to get from the airport to Disney World and back again. This would be a crazy amount of money just for a few trips. Any of the other options on this list would be a better solution.
But if you decide to rent a car, there is one really nice perk. If you are staying at a Disney World resort, you get FREE PARKING at any of the theme parks and water parks. Seriously, it’s rare for anything to be free at Disney World. 🙂
Getting FREE parking at the theme parks is an incredible benefit, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Also, if you rent a car, you don’t have to stop at your resort to drop off your bags. You can go directly from the airport to the theme parks or Disney Springs!
Since Orlando is one of the biggest markets for rental cars in the world, every major rental car company operates here.
In addition, Enterprise, Hertz, and the other big carriers are located right at the airport on Level 1 in Terminals A and B and Level 4 in Terminal C. This means you don’t have to deal with an additional shuttle to get your rental car! 🙂
Option #6: Ride in a party bus or limo from the airport to Disney World!
Are you coming to Disney World for a bachelorette party, wedding, or other celebration?
If so, why not start your trip the BEST possible way by taking a party bus or limousine? 🙂
You can have one of these vehicles pick you up right at MCO. And if you have a large party, it’s not even that expensive if everyone splits the cost! Seriously, check out rates with a local company HERE.
It’s not even a problem if toddlers are in your group, as you can request car seats when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long is the drive from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World?
The distance between MCO and Disney World is approximately 24 miles (38.6 km). The drive should take about 30 minutes, assuming there is not much traffic.
Please note that the answer to this question varies slightly depending on which Disney World resort you are going to. It also changes a bit if you are going straight to Disney Springs, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios.
As you can see on the map below, there are a few different ways you can make the drive. Please note that if you take FL-417, there are tolls to pay.
What is the CHEAPEST way to get from the Orlando Airport to Disney World?
It’s hard to say which option is the least expensive. It depends on the number of people in your party. Also, it depends on the current costs of taking a rideshare service (Uber/Lyft). Their prices constantly change depending on availability and “surge pricing.”
But in general, the least cheapest option is typically either taking the Mears Shuttle or an Uber.
Another option that is less money than anything else on this list is the Lynx bus service, which provides public transportation in Orlando. It would only cost a few dollars per person!
But you have to figure out their route map. Basically, you can use the Lynx bus service to get to Disney Springs and then take the free Disney bus transportation to your resort or theme park.
In addition, the approximate time it would take is roughly 2 hours from MCO to most places within Disney World.
But if you are on a strict budget, you will LOVE the rates.
What is the BEST way to get from the Orlando Airport to Disney World?
The best option depends on your unique circumstances.
- Shuttle service: Cheapest option for solo travelers or small groups. It gets more expensive as you add more people. You also share your ride with other people, and this is probably the option that takes the longest. You have to wait for the bus to fill up at the airport and potentially stop at other resorts before arriving at yours.
- Private car service: Best for people who want a private ride that is waiting for you.
- Uber/Lyft: Best for procrastinators who didn’t line up any other options. It’s also one of the least expensive options. 🙂
- Taxis: Best for people who don’t like Uber and Lyft!
- Car rentals: Best for people who want to visit other areas in Orlando outside Disney.
- Party bus or limo: Best for celebrations or large groups!
What is the best way to travel from the Orlando Airport to Disney World if I need a car seat?
If you have toddlers that require a car seat, I know it can be slightly frustrating to find transportation to Disney World that includes a car seat. So here is a brief rundown of everything the above options can provide:
Private Car Service:
- Car seats should be no problem if you hire a private car service. Just make sure to let the company know what you need prior to arrival.
Uber:
- Luckily, it’s super easy to request a vehicle with Uber that has a car seat you can use. While in the Uber app, look for the Uber X Car Seat option.
- UberX Car Seat vehicles only provide ONE car seat. Also, there may be limited availability for an UberX Car Seat vehicle, so it’s possible you will have to wait for one at MCO.
- It’s also very easy to bring an inflatable car seat, so you don’t have to carry your large, heavy one from home. Check out some of the best options here on Amazon.
Lyft:
- As of this writing, Lyft does not have the option to request a vehicle with a car seat. Therefore, you must bring your own car seat to travel with Lyft.
Shuttle Bus – Mears Connect:
- Car seats are not required as you ride on a large motor coach bus.
- However, if you take one of their shuttle vans, you can request to have as many car seats as you need.
Taxi:
- Many taxi vans have a car seat if needed, but it’s not guaranteed.
Rental Car:
- If you decide to rent a car, you can also rent car seats or boosters from your provider for an additional daily cost.
- To save some money, you can also bring your own. It’s also very easy to bring an inflatable car seat, so you don’t have to carry your large, heavy one from home. Check out some of the best options here on Amazon.
Just so you know, rideshares and taxis are exempt from child passenger laws in Florida.
So it is completely up to you to determine if you require a car seat. Below is what the current law states:
(6) The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.”
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What is your favorite way to travel from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World?
Please leave a comment below!
