Getting to Walt Disney World from the Orlando Airport doesn’t have to be confusing. But, if you don’t choose wisely you could end up paying more than necessary. While some Orlando hotels have shuttles, many travelers to Walt Disney World will be on their own when choosing their transportation to Walt Disney World. Here are all the ways to get to Disney World from the Airport.
Contents
Transportation Options from the Orlando Airport to Disney World
Where do we begin? Hotel shuttle, bus shuttle, private car, Uber, Lyft, Rental Car… so many options! Luckily, since Orlando International Airport sees thousands of travelers every day they know a thing or two about offering transportation to and from the Orlando theme parks.
One thing to keep in mind is that for all of these services, we’re sharing here, the price is constantly changing. Ride costs often change depending on the season, demand, and even time of day, so just be sure to check ahead of time if you’re curious about pricing. Here’s a quick glance at the
Shuttle Bus Service
Servicing Walt Disney World Resorts is the shuttle bus service Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine. Previously Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer, this newly combined service offers more comprehensive transportation options. Featuring 24/7 service, you are still at the mercy of a “pickup window” on your Disney Arrival Day and a “drop-off window” on your Disney Departure Day. We’ll go more into this and all the pros and cons in our breakdown of this service below. However, you can also read all the details about Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine to decide if booking a shuttle bus to Disney World is right for you.
Uber/Lyft/ Taxi
An easy-to-use app for both Uber and Lyft makes hailing these vehicles easy. And while rideshare isn’t for everyone, the 45-60 minute drive from Orlando Airport to WDW, couldn’t be more convenient. And of course, a taxi can get you anywhere you’re going fast.
Private Car
If you’re looking for something catered more to your personal situation, then a private car is a good option. Definitely more expensive for certain things like infant car seats, and odd-shaped luggage that may not fit in a traditional trunk, this may be your best choice. Check out the Mears Luxury Car Service for a glimpse of the services offered.
Rental Car
If you’re planning on heading over to Universal Studios Orlando or are staying at a Disney World Resort, then a rental car may work. While we never drive in Orlando traffic, if you’re doing all the things on this vacation then it’s something to consider. Disney Resort Guests get free parking at the resort and free parking at Walt Disney World theme parks. And you skip out on Orlando Hotel parking costs this way. If you’re not staying on Disney property, be sure to check your hotel parking fees. We most like hotels.com for the perk of Free Parking at many Orlando Hotels. And highly recommend booking through them when you can.
Minnie Vans
Riding in style in one of Disney World’s red and white polka-dotted minivans, to and from the Orlando International Airport ( MCO) is available to Disney World Club Level Guests ONLY! With a one-way cost of $199, this service is pricey but could be handy for families traveling with little ones. The van does come with two car seats for easy transportation. And if you’re not staying at Club Level but are bent on trying this service, you can check with Disney Signature Services, which can sometimes pull strings to get you access to the vans.
Brightline Rail Service Plus Mears Connect
If traveling to Walt Disney World from South Florida and taking the Brightline Train you can now book the Mears Connect Shuttle Bus as part of your Train service. The train to Orlando Station is available from Florida stations; Aventura, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton. You can book a combined ticket online for the Brightline Train plus Mears Connect to Walt Disney World.
Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine
This Shuttle Bus Service to Disney World is simple, and easy and occupies an area on the ground floor of the Orlando International Airport ( MCO). Check out our Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine Review for all the details. These bus motorcoaches are roomy and comfortable and sometimes offer cartoons on the little televisions onboard. They can easily transport your luggage under the coach and get you to your Disney Resort.
- Guaranteed 24/7 service
- A, B, and C terminal access
- One-way adult fares start at $16
- Child fares begin at $13
- Children aged 3 and under ride for free.
How Long Does Mears Take to Get to Disney World?
The time for Mears to get to your Disney Resort varies on a number of factors. We’ve had trips range between 50 minutes to more than 1.5 hours one way when traveling with Mears. Of course, your travel time will depend on the number of passengers, time of year, and time of day.
While this service is easy to book and fills the devastating gap left by the legacy of Disney’s Magical Express bus, it may not always be the best option. Back in the good old days when Disney ran their own service, you could count on “starting your vacation” as soon as you stepped foot on the bus. With Disney cartoons and a 45-60 minute ride, you were guaranteed magic almost as soon as you left the airport.
With Mears, the transportation time can sometimes be longer than expected. This is due to the fact that the buses take all passengers for Disney Hotels within certain areas. Add in Orlando traffic, and waiting until the bus is “full” and you could be looking at 1.5- 2 hours in travel time just to get to your resort. And that doesn’t include the 20-minute wait time while you wait in line to board the busses. Previously with Sunshine Flyer, we could easily arrive at our resort at the 40-minute or less mark. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case with this new Mears Connect service in our experience yet. So, if time is something you don’t have on your arrival day, we recommend going with another option.
Is it Cheaper to Book Mears Connect or Uber?
At between $26- $32 round trip for kids and adults respectively, adding up the costs to get to Walt Disney World from the Airport can be a shock for families. At about $120 for two adults and two children, this could be a deal breaker. Especially when none of the rideshare services charge a per-person rate. That said a lot of this depends on WHEN you’re traveling. Costs for Uber/ Lyft/ Taxis go up during certain times of day, the holiday season, and during special event times. In order to book Mears Connect Transportation to Disney World you can check out the Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine website.
Uber/Lyft/ Taxi
Probably the cheapest way to get to Disney World from Orlando Airport is by using a ride-share service like Uber and Lyft. This is of course also the easiest way to get to Walt Disney World. If you do choose a ride-hailing service, there are a few things to keep in mind. Safety first, always. If you’re a single person arriving late at night, just be smart about using a service like this.
Another thing to keep in mind is the price. The price for rideshare services is generally the highest when a plane is deboarding. Many people are on the app looking for a ride at that moment and prices can quickly double.
If you have checked your luggage, we recommend waiting until you actually have your luggage and then requesting your ride in the app. The last time we did this, it actually saved us over $25! There are usually so many Uber and Lyft drivers just waiting near the airport, and we’ve never had to wait more than five minutes for our driver to show up.
Ride prices vary a lot depending on demand and time of day, so keep that in mind when using Uber or Lyft to get to Walt Disney World. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend planning to pay at least $40 one way for Uber and Lyft to get to Walt Disney World. On average, we’ve paid around $50 one way, but again there are a lot of things that can influence this price. We’ve used Uber many times when traveling to the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Hotels and it’s always been very convenient!
Taxis are also always an option, and even though they’re not really the standard in transportation anymore, they’re still available! They can get you to and from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World quickly and easily. Just go to the ground level of the airport and look for the taxi line. A lot of the taxis are run by Mears as well, so you can count on a reliable, trusted service.
Hire a Private Car
Guests can hire a town car or limo to get to Walt Disney World. The cost of these varies based on the provider and there are many to choose from. If you choose to hire a car, many providers offer the ability to customize the trip to your needs. The ability to add a car seat, or make a quick stop to get groceries are options available to guests choosing this more personalized service. A quick Google search can help you find cars for hire in the Central Florida area. Happy Limo is one of the most popular and often has very good reviews. And of course, Mears Black Car Service offers a variety of transportation options to your Orlando Hotel. You’ll want to reserve this ahead of time!
Rental Car for Walt Disney World
We’ve rented a car many times from Orlando International Airport. It’s the priciest of the options, but also very convenient. Having a Car at Walt Disney World allows you a little more flexibility, and we’ve found in the past that it has also saved us a lot of time. Especially when we want to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the same time. That said, it may also cost you the most. Especially if you’re not staying at a Disney World Resort where you get free parking.
However, if you are staying at a Disney resort for your trip, you do not have to pay for resort parking or theme park parking if you choose to drive to the parks.
If you do choose to rent a car, there are many car rental desks available right at Orlando International Airport. However, we recommend booking a rental car ahead of time, on a website like carrentals.com or checking your credit cards for their rental car partners so you can get a deal!
Minnie Van Rental
If you’re set on renting a Minnie Van to drive to Disney World from the Airport in style, you have to be staying at Club Level at Disney World to get access to the service. Although, we have heard some guests have had success booking Minnie Vans through Disney Signature Services. A Minnie Van comes with two car seats and a cast member as your driver. Offering a truly tailored service for your trip. You can use the 45 minutes in the car to connect and ask questions about Disney. And really take advantage of this elevated service. Minnie Van service to and from Orlando Airport is $199 each way.
Brightline Railway Train
While the Brightline Railway Train DOES NOT travel from Walt Disney World to the Airport, it does travel from southern Florida to the Airport. So if you’re in the areas of Boca Raton, Miami, Aventura, West Palm Beach, or Fort Lauderdale using the train, and adding the Mears Connect Shuttle for the last leg of your trip to transport you to Disney World is an easy option. You can check out the connection options of these two services on the Brightline Train Orlando Station website.
What is the Best Way to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World?
The best way to get from the Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World depends on your budget and needs! Not everyone will feel comfortable using a ride-hailing service or will be able to find one that meets their needs. Renting a car might not make sense for everyone’s budget. Mears Connect can sometimes be a little expensive, especially if you’re traveling with a large party.
Whatever you choose, know that transportation doesn’t have to be difficult. Do the math, and weigh the amount you have to spend traveling, to help you make your decision. Hopefully one of these options works for your next Walt Disney World vacation!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
You must be logged in to post a comment.