If you plan to fly into Orlando International Airport, you'll have to figure out how to get from there to your resort. In this post, I compare many good options (from free to pricey) to help you decide what makes the most sense for your trip.
Let's take a look at some good options to get from the Orlando airport to Disney World...
(FYI: meet-and-greet service means the driver meets you at the baggage claim area and offers assistance with your bags. Prices listed below reflect the average cost to go from MCO to WDW-area resorts. As with many posts on this site, some links below provide a commission if booked through this site.)
In this article
Magical Express (Disney's own buses that go from the Orlando airport to Disney World)
This motorcoach option is available to guests staying at onsite Disney World resorts.
Price: Free
Other fees: None
Tipping: $1-2/bag if you take your own luggage onto the bus
Car seats: Not needed (if you bring your own, they'll stow it in the storage compartment during the ride)
Meet-and-greet service: Not available
Grocery stops: Not available, though you can get groceries other ways
Luggage handling: Can either put Magical Express luggage tags on your bags (mailed to you ahead of time) and allow them to transport it (bags will be delivered up to 3-4 hours later), or get your own from the baggage carousel and take them on the bus with you
Transport time: Up to 2-3 hours from the time you land to the time you get to your resort, depending on lines at the airport, when the bus leaves, and when you get dropped off (buses go to multiple resorts)
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Magical Express only goes between MCO and WDW resorts
More info: get more details on how Magical Express works
Mears shuttle
A shared shuttle van that is a good option for offsite guests without their own cars.
Price: Usually around $20/person
Other fees: None
Tipping: 15-20% is typical
Car seats: Not provided, guests are encouraged to bring their own
Meet-and-greet service: Not available
Grocery stops: Not available, though you can get groceries other ways
Luggage handling: You'll handle your own bags
Transport time: Up to an hour, shuttles make multiple stops
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Most local hotels, Sanford airport, Port Canaveral, theme parks
More info: Mears shuttle info
Taxi
No reservation required and easy to find at the airport.
Price: ~$70
Other fees: None
Tipping: 15-20% is typical
Car seats: Available by request
Meet-and-greet service: Not available
Grocery stops: As requested, but you'll pay as the driver waits
Luggage handling: You'll handle your own bags
Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Just about anywhere. If your pickup spot isn't an area where taxis line up, you can call or use the app to request pickup.
More info: http://www.mearstransportation.com/taxi-services/
Uber
Although the lower levels of Uber service didn't used to be allowed, all levels are now allowed to pick up.
Price: ~$33-60, depending on the type of service you choose
Other fees: None
Tipping: $1-2/bag if the driver helps you load and unload your bags
Car seats: Available with UberFAMILY
Meet-and-greet service: Not available
Grocery stops: As requested, but you'll pay as the driver waits (or you can have the car leave and request another Uber when you're finished shopping)
Luggage handling: You'll handle your own bags
Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Just about anywhere in Central Florida, including the coasts (though that would be expensive and there are probably better options for that)
More info: Learn more about how Uber works at Disney World
Rental car
The lowest level of Orlando International Airport has rental car desks, and there are even more companies just outside of the airport accessible by shuttle.
Price: Varies by trip length, often $150-200/week for standard size car
Other fees: Tolls, gas, $20/day parking at WDW for people who aren't Annual Passholders or staying onsite
Tipping: None
Car seats: Varies by company, but often $10/day to rent
Meet-and-greet service: Not available
Grocery stops: Obviously available if you'd like
Luggage handling: You'll handle your own bags
Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Obviously if you have your own car, you can go wherever you'd like. If you want to pickup or drop off a rental car in the middle of your trip, you can do so onsite at Disney World. See this chart for locations.
More info: See the full list of rental car companies and get more info from MouseSavers
Standard for many private car companies
There are many private car service companies available to go from the Orlando airport to Disney World. Here's what they typically charge and offer.
Price: ~$70+
Other fees: Some charge $10 for arrivals after 11 p.m., $10 for international arrivals, $3 fuel surcharge
Tipping: 20% is suggested
Car seats: Some free, some up to $7-10 per seat
Meet-and-greet service: Some companies charge for this service, others provide it for free
Grocery stops: Most include a 15-20 minute stop for free
Luggage handling: The ones that provide meet-and-greet service will usually assist you in getting your bags
Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: most will pickup at resorts and theme parks as well, but many include lots of extra fees
Orlando Transportation by Mike
Though I've used car other service companies in Orlando before, the service has always been inconsistent. Orlando Transportation by Mike is a fantastic company that provides great service and gets great review from WDW Prep readers.
Price: $60-67 to WDW resorts
Other fees: None
Tipping: 20% is suggested
Car seats: Free
Meet-and-greet service: Free
Grocery stops: Available by request for an additional $20
Luggage handling: Assistance with your bags is included
Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Sanford Airport, Port Canaveral, resorts, theme parks (no hidden fees for pickups)
More info: Reservation request form
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Have any thoughts or comments on getting from the Orlando airport to Disney World? Feel free to share in the comments.
28 Comments
The more I read your posts the more I learn and make my trip easier! We are going to LEGOLAND first when we get to Orlando so we are renting a car. The original plan was to return the car to MCO and then hop on the Magical Express… after reading this post I’ve learned I can return my car rental right onsite at WDW (we are renting with Alamo) and save the time of going back to MCO and taking the ME! We will take ME at the end of our trip from WDW to MCO – so that’s another tip I got from this article, that I can take it one way only! Thanks Shannon and team, you guys are amazing!
I just booked Mike for our November 2019 trip and am already impressed with the service. I made our booking through email and Mike called me shortly after to confirm everything. I had been concerned that the website mentioned booster seats as opposed to carseats and before I could even ask, he reassured me that they had carseats. He was very pleasant and professional. Thanks for the recommendation!