How to get from the Orlando airport to Disney World (w/ prices)

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.)

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.

Open PDF version

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.

• 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“.

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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.

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?

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Heather Thomas

With 15+ years planning Disney World trips, Heather joined WDW Prep in 2014 to help others plan for their own families. As the WDW Prep Editor, she travels monthly to stay current and has helped propel the site to millions of views per year. Email Heather

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