If you plan to fly to Orlando on your next Disney World vacation, you’ll have to figure out how to get from the Orlando International Airport to your Disney World resort.
To help with that, we’ve put together a handy comparison with your best options, including costs and info on car seats, tipping, and luggage handling.
Let’s take a look at the different ways you’ll have 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
Chart: Comparing Orlando Airport Pickup Options
We go into a lot more detail on each of your options down below, but we know it is easier to understand the big picture when you can see your options side-by-side.
Here’s how your top choices for getting from the Orlando International Airport stack up against each other.
Mears Connect
(started January 1, 2022)
A pay-to-use replacement for Magical Express.
Mears Connect offers 2 different levels of 24-hour service: a Standard shared service that utilizes buses or vans and will operate much like Magical Express, and a premium Express option that provides direct service with limited to no wait.
- Price (Standard Service)
One Way – $16/adult and $13.50/child (ages 3-9)
Round Trip – $32/adult and $27 per child (ages 3-9) - Price (Express/Premium Service)
Round Trip – $250 (up to 4 passengers); $55 each additional passenger - Other fees: None
- Tipping: $1-2/bag if you take your own luggage onto the bus
- Car seats: Not needed on motor coaches however there is no guarantee that you will be on a motor coach. Some transfers may occur in a van and car seats are not provided or required. If you want to guarantee a car seat, you will need to bring your own (if you bring your own and are placed on a motor coach, 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: Not available
- Transport time (Standard): 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)
- Transport time (Express): 45-90 minutes from when you land to the time you get to your resort, depending on lines at the airport and how long luggage takes.
- Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Mears Connect operates between all of Walt Disney World, plus select other resorts (check their website for current resorts being serviced)
More info: get additional details on how Mears Connect works and be sure to also check out our review of the service
The Sunshine Flyer
(starts February 1, 2022)
Another transportation option for Walt Disney World guests between the Orlando International Airport is The Sunshine Flyer.
It will offer both One-Way and Round-Trip reservations for adults and children. Children rates apply to children between the ages of 3 and 8. Children 2 and under ride free.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a 24-hour service. The earliest time slot operations begins is between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. The latest time slot is from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Price
One Way – $17/adult and $12.50/child (ages 3-8)
Round Trip – $34/adult and $25/child (ages 3-8) - Other fees: None
- Tipping: $1-2/bag if you take your own luggage onto the bus
- Car seats: Can be secured with the 3-point harness seat belt at each seat; children can also sit on an adult’s lap or occupy their own seat; 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: Not available at launch (hope to have luggage handling by summer 2022)
- 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: The Sunshine Flyer operates between all of Walt Disney World Resort hotels, plus select other resorts (check their website for current resorts being serviced)
More info: get additional details on how The Sunshine Flyer works
Taxi
No reservation required and easy to find at the airport.
- Price: ~$70 (one way)
- Other fees: None
- Tipping: $1-2/bag if the driver helps you load and unload your bags
- 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: Mears taxi info
Uber/Lyft
Both of these rideshare services can pick up at the Orlando International Airport. This is one of our three preferred methods for transportation from the airport.
- Price: ~$35-$140, 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 some levels of Uber including UberX, Uber Black, and UberXL
- 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 rideshare services works at Disney World
Rental car
Another one of our other preferred method of airport transportation right now is by rental car.
The lowest level of Orlando International Airport has rental car desks, and there are even more companies just outside of the airport that are accessible by shuttle.
- Price: Varies by trip length, often $150-300/week for standard size car
- Other fees: Tolls, gas, $25/day parking at WDW parks for people who aren’t Annual Passholders or staying onsite, and $15-$25 at Disney World resorts for guests 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 our tips on Renting a Car at Disney World
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation
Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style. They assist with luggage at the airport, provide car seats, and include a free grocery stop. They are our recommended and preferred private car service.
Here’s what they typically charge and offer.
Price: ~$70+
Other fees: No hidden fees, which we love
Tipping: 20% is suggested
- Car seats: Booster and car seats included at no additional charge
- Meet-and-greet service: included in cost of service
- Grocery stops: 30 minute grocery stop included for free, just make sure to request this ahead of time to guarantee your driver will have time to stop
- Luggage handling: Included
- Transport time: Direct, so transport time is as minimal as possible
- Other locations for pickup/dropoff: several options available, contact directly if you do not see desired location on list of rates
More Info: Reservation request form
Private car service
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, etc.
- 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 extra fees
Is Magical Express still available?
(ended January 1, 2022)
Unfortunately, it isn’t. Magical Express (which was the only free shuttle service available to onsite Walt Disney World Guests) ended on January 1, 2022.
Fans of this transportation option were very sad to see it go because not only was it free, but it also provided a luggage service that transported your bags from the airport to your room – without you having to pick them up at the airport. You could simply step off the plane and get on the Magical Express bus to be shuttled to the Disney bubble.
When the parks reopened in 2020 Magical Express returned, but without the luggage service and although losing that complimentary add-on made it slightly convenient, at least the service itself was still free.
But, then on January 11, 2021, Disney shocked the entire fandom by announcing the end to Magical Express.
In its place, Mears Transportation (the company that ran Magical Express for Disney) has started their own service called “Mears Connect“.
Historical Magical Express Information
Although this service is no longer around, we are keeping the Magical Express information below available for reference purposes only.
- Historical Magical Express Price: Free
- Other fees: None
- Tipping: $1-2/bag if you took your own luggage onto the bus
- Car seats: Car seats were not needed on Magical Express (if you brought your own, they’d 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: Originally (pre-Covid shutdown), your luggage was picked up at the airport and delivered to your room as long as you used the yellow Magical Express tags provided by Disney. After Walt Disney World reopened, however, luggage service was suspended, and you had to pick it up yourself at the luggage carousel and carry it with you to the bus.
- Transport time: It could take 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 left, and when you get dropped off (buses would go to multiple resorts)
- Other locations for pickup/dropoff: Magical Express only went between MCO and WDW resorts
More info: get additional details on how Magical Express worked
**************************
Have any thoughts or comments on getting from the Orlando airport to Disney World? Feel free to share in the comments.
Disney World Transportation Links
Want to learn more about Disney World buses, boats, monorail, and more?
Check out these handy posts for even more information on how to get around Walt Disney World.
- How to Navigate with Disney World Transportation
- How to Get Anywhere on Disney World Property (WDW Prep Navigator)
- Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner
- How Minnie Vans Work
- How to use Lyft or Uber at Walt Disney World
- Renting a Car at Walt Disney World
- Everything You Need to Know About Parking at Walt Disney World
- How Mears Connect (the Magical Express replacement) works
- Mears Connect review: Is the airport transportation service worth your time and money?
- Don’t Miss Small World Vacations’ New Year’s 2022 Walt Disney World Offer
- Disney World Adding Mobile Order To Main Street Confectionery & More
- Polynesian Village Resort Reopens July 19 At Walt Disney World
- Traditional Character Meet & Greets Are Returning To Disney World & Disneyland
- New Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Offer Available For Disney+ Subscribers
Roger
Wednesday 9th of June 2021
The Magical Express definitely should not be discontinued. As a party of 13 making plans to go to Disneyworld next year, the elimination of the Magical Express will add an additional $1000 plus just to get back and forth to the airport. I would like to know what other alternatives there are to reduce this expense to an already expensive vacation
Bonnie
Thursday 27th of May 2021
They shouldn't get rid of the Disney Magical Express bus because the Disney Magical Express bus makes it easy for families with children to get from the Orlando International airport to their Disney Resort. Everyone should sign a petition to keep the Disney Magical Express bus.
Natalie
Thursday 3rd of December 2020
We used Orlando transportation by mike on our past 2 trips and liked them but our trip two weeks ago we arrived at mco and the driver was a no show...we waited and called but ended up having to take a cab and am still waiting for a refund . I have to now dispute the charge probably won’t use them again
Kelly
Thursday 9th of May 2019
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!
Carly H.
Thursday 28th of February 2019
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!
Ana
Wednesday 3rd of July 2019
Hi! Are the OTBM rates per person or per car (we are a party of 4)? Many thanks"