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Airport to Disney World | Transportation by Shuttle or Limo

Transportation options to get from the Orlando International Airport (Airport Code MCO) to Walt Disney World have changed over the past few years. There are a lot of options for families to choose from to get from the Orlando area airport to Disney, which is around a 30 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic. 

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There are a variety of transportation services, from shuttle buses to private cars. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your budget, group size, and travel preferences. When you’re ready to head to your Disney adventure, plan which of these transportation services would best fit your needs for the trip. 

Airport Transportation Highlights

  • There are several transportation services available to take you from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney World.
  • Your choice of transportation will depend on your budget, group size, and travel preferences.
  • Choose the option that best fits you’re family’s needs and trip goals. 

Transportation Services to Disney World

When it comes to getting to Disney World, there are several transportation options available. Ride share has become popular over the recent years, however there are still a number of established limo and car service companies that provide private car service, and also a strong selection of shuttle bus options.

Here are some of the most popular ways to get there:

Ride Share Services

Ride share services like Uber and Lyft are a popular choice for many travelers. They offer a convenient and affordable way to get to Disney World. UberX and UberXL are the most common options, providing transportation for up to four or six passengers respectively. Keep in mind that surge pricing may apply during peak times, so plan accordingly.

For larger groups that can split the bill between them, this may be a great option to keep costs low. You also get service that drops you off directly at your resort without having to stop at other resorts along the way. 

And if you’re planning on visiting multiple locations while you’re in Orlando, Florida – ride share options are a great way to also get to Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World, and other attractions throughout the region. 

Shuttle and Bus Options

If you prefer a service that is budget friendly and frequently runs, Mears Connect operates shuttle and bus options that have been serving the Orlando International Airport for over 40 years. Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer recently merged into one company, and Mears Connect goes out of the depot location where the now sunset “Magical Express” bus program departed from at the airport.

Mears Connect shuttles and buses run continuously throughout the day 24/7, making this a great option if you have an extremely early or extremely late flight time. Direct service is available to all Disney Resort hotels, however plan that you may have multiple stops during your shuttle service to drop off passengers at a number of resorts. 

A plus of using bus shuttle service is the affordable prices if you are a small party or headed to Disney on a solo trips. Prices for adults to ride the Mears Connect are currently priced at $16/adult and child tickets are $13/child, one way. Making it around $32 both ways for a solo adult to head to Walt Disney World, and this will be the best value for small parties.

As one of the most affordable transportation options, Mears Connect is usually what I recommend to first time visitors to book for their trip. 

Rental Car Options

For those who prefer more flexibility, rental car and private services are also available. Enterprise, National, Budget, Alamo and other car rental companies have locations at the MCO airport, making it easy to rent a car for your trip. Prices vary depending on the type of car and the rental period, but they generally range from $30 to $100 per day.

You should also take into account that Central Florida has a number of tolls roads, so you’ll either way to have the tolls added on to your rental or already have a SunPass available for use.

Keep in mind that Orlando traffic can quite busy also, so if you don’t plan on seeing a number of attractions outside of the Walt Disney World property, most times it is easiest to take transportation to Disney property and use their complimentary transportation to get to the theme parks. 

Minnie Van Service

Minnie Vans are a transportation service provided by Disney World in Orlando, Florida. These vans are operated by Disney through the Lyft app and offer a convenient and comfortable way for guests to travel around the resort and surrounding areas. The vans are driven by Disney cast members and can accommodate up to six passengers. Minnie van service is a comparable price to getting a XL or Family size ride share, and the vehicles tend to be equipped with enough seats and carseat options for families. 

Minnie vans are designed to provide a personalized and efficient transportation option for guests visiting the theme parks and resorts. This is a paid service, but it is a convenient way to get places quickly and also add a special Disney touch to the experience. We often use this service when we have a dining reservation at a Disney World hotel and want to get directly to our dining reservation without having to make multiple connections. They service not only Disney World Resorts, but they can take you to other locations throughout the Orlando region as well. 

Private Car Services

Private car services like Orlando Limo and Tiffany Town Car offer luxury SUV and town car options, providing exception service that is private and includes tolls in the pricing. You’ll find everything from luxury SUV service to party buses available for rent.

If you are in town for a special event or have other unique needs, these car service companies can tailor the experience to your group size and interests. Prices vary depending on the level of service and the number of passengers, but they generally range from $100 to $200 per ride.

Planning Your Arrival and Departure

Our family has most often used the Mears Connect service to get back and forth between MCO and Walt Disney World. It is an easy option to book ahead, and when you arrive at the airport and have collected your luggage, you just go down to the lower level where Mears Connect is located and scan your code to board the bus.

If you haven’t pre-purchased a ticket, no worries. You’re also able to purchase transportation on the spot from Mears Connect at their kiosks outside of the bus departure area.

Planning for Costs

Arranging your transportation ahead of your travels will allow you to control the cost of transportation for your trip and also will give you an idea of how much to build into the budget for transportation costs.

We like using Rideshare services like Uber or Lyft once we are on property to go from location to location, for instances like a special dining reservation or going from one resort to another. There are often many ride service providers right in the area of Walt Disney World, so you can usually get a vehicle within 5-10 minutes.

These ride share options cannot be ordered in advance of your arrival at the airport however, so if you’ll plan to use these to get back and forth from MCO to Walt Disney World – you will have to secure the service on the day of your arrival. This can be slightly risky, as it puts you at the mercy of whatever the prices are at that moment and if a driver doesn’t happen to be in the area the wait may be longer.

If this is your first choice you could always make a ride share option your plan, and if there are any issues, walking over to the Mears Connect counter to purchase on the spot tickets could be your “fallback” option. 

Selecting the Right Transportation Option

Which airport transportation option is right for your family will come down to budget, preferences, how many people are in your party, and which type of service you are most familiar with. The good news is that Orlando International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, so the private transportation service options and Orlando Airport pick-ups provided by shuttles are top notch organizations that provide reliable transportation.

If you’re unsure which option would be best for your family, I would suggest doing a price comparison between different ground transportation options for your size group. This may help you decide if price is a factor.

Don’t forget to ask if tolls will be an extra charge, and check for any hidden fees as well. After you start to narrow down your family’s preferences, the perfect choice should become obvious of what to choose! And don’t worry, you can always plan to try out different transportation methods on your next trip, if you’ll be visiting again in the future. 

Once you’ve selected the right transportation for your family, you’re ready to head off on your Disney World adventure! The magic of Disney World awaits! Check out our guides page for more helpful tips to plan your trip.

Once You Get to Disney World

Once you get to Walt Disney World, transportation becomes much eaiser! Disney offers complimentary bus, boat, Disney Skyliner service to get between Disney Resorts and the theme parks. Check out our guide to Disney Transportation to get tips on navigating transportation once you’re on property.

Their transportation to get you between the Disney Resorts, Disney Springs, and the theme parks is a great service that allows you to focus on your Walt Disney World vacation and not have to worry about how you’re going to get to where you need to go! 

If you’re staying at an Orlando hotel that is not on Disney property, check to see if they offer a complimentary shuttle to get back and forth to the parks. Many of the Disney Springs Good Neighbor hotels offer transportation and other perks that are specific to their hotels. If you’re in one of the surrounding areas around Orlando that are at a distance, using Ride Share options or having a rental car may be your best bet!

We also have a number of planning bundles to keep track of your budget, reservations, itinerary, and more. Head over to the Moms with Mouse Ears store for more information. And when you’re ready to start packing, we have tons of great outfit ideas to stay cool and comfortable at Disney too!

Disclaimer:

** All opinions are unbiased and independent. This post contains affiliate links. Moms with Mouse Ears is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

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