How to Get from MCO to Disney World

When headed on a Disney Vacation, often the fastest and most convenient way to arrive in the sunshine state is through the Orlando Airport. Once you arrive into the hustle and bustle, the last thing you want to do is spend time you could be utilizing in the theme parks trying to figure out how to get from MCO to Disney World. 

Taking the time ahead of your next Disney vacation to figure out how to get from the airport to resort property can not only save you headaches, but also money! With so many options available, trying to figure out the best way to transport your crew can be confusing. In an effort to make things easier for you, I have created this comprehensive guide outlining the most common ways to get from MCO to Disney World.

Let’s get started planning your magical transport!

How to Get from MCO to Disney World: Transportation Options

So you are on the last leg of your travel to the Disney bubble. When it comes to completing your journey, there are really only five major ways to get you there:

• Private Car Service – Limo or private town car services that are often scheduled ahead of your arrival
• MEARS Connect – Chartered shuttled bus running from Orlando International Airport to Disney World Resort (and a select few other resorts/hotels/attractions in the area)
• Rental Car – Ok, so this one explains itself. The book it online, go stand at the counter, and walk out with the keys and drive yourself type. 
• Rideshare Services – Uber, Lyft, Minnie Vans & Taxi Services. 

Private Car Service

When you break down getting from MCO to Disney World, the easiest way is a private car service. With numerous options in the Orlando area for rental like Happy Limo and Tiffany Town Car, there is something for you no matter your travel parties size. Let’s check out the Pro’s and Con’s to this super convenient option:

Pros:

• Private transfer of your party, in a vehicle suited to your parties size. (From a town car to a limousine, these private car services have multiple options to get you where you are going.)
• These guys are going to be ready when you are. Plus, they will be prepared to transport your party round trip if you schedule them in that manner.
• Many private car services at the Orlando airport offer car seats.
• Comfortable, often spacious private transportation.

Cons:

• Price. Price is the biggest con here. Private car services can be costly. 
• Luggage space can be a concern if your transporting multiple people in your party and baggage count is high.

Tip: Don’t forget the tip! It is costmary to tip 20% on any kind of private car service. This is not often prompted through an app like it is on ride shares. 

Rental Cars

When it comes to transportation options on vacation, the first thing that comes to mind is renting a car. While this is certainly an option during your next Disney vacation, it is definitely one that is going to come with it’s own unique set of pro’s and con’s.

Pro’s:

• You will have your own vehicle available at your beck and call for any of your adventures. 
• Several rental companies at MCO to choose from
• Some car rental companies will offer car seats upon request. 
• No charge for additional passengers
• Unlimited grocery stops (You hold the keys, you decide when you are going to the grocery store.)

Con’s:

• Only half of the rental car companies are onsite at the airport. (You have to shuttle offsite to the other companies)
• Rental car company lines have been known to be monstrously long at MCO airport. (As have the TSA lines, plan accordingly)
• You may pay parking fees at some locations in the Walt Disney World Resort.
• The responsibility for finding parking anywhere you decide to visit is yours. 
• That car is likely to be hot anytime you go to jump in it (thank you Florida sunshine).
• You get to navigate that lovely Orlando traffic. (It can be done, but do you really want to?)

Tip: Many of your major rental car companies offer an “Express” check out for “Preferred” customers. This means, you go to their website and sign up for a free rewards account so they can text/email you promotions. This also means that at some airports, you get to check-in on the app ahead of time. Then, you check-in onsite at a kiosk, as opposed to waiting in a 2-hour long line to get a car. Send me some texts Hertz, let’s get that car and get on the road. 

MEARS Connect

Personally, my favorite way that I have figured out how to get from MCO to Disney World is to take the MEARS Connect. Since Disney’s Magical Express was discontinued, MEARS by Sunshine Flyer seems to be the next best thing. Plus, when it comes to shuttle services, this is hands down the best one I have ever experienced. Best part, these coach buses are big enough to accommodate your group without having to pay for a private car service OR multiple cars! Don’t just take my word though, let’s check out the pro’s and con’s:

Pro’s:

• Book your trip from the Orlando Airport to your Disney hotel AND your return trip ahead of time. (Don’t worry. If you forget you can still totally do this from their desk at the airport for a few $$$ more.)
• MEARS Connect offer luggage services, meaning an amazing MEARS employee loads and unloads your luggage for you. (Perfect for anyone like me who thinks they are moving to Disney every time they visit.)
• Ride on a comfortable, climate controlled charter bus 
• Your return trip is pre-scheduled with a pick up time and location pre-set for your whole party. 
• Super affordable rates! (My last trip was $65 round trip for two people and all of our bags)

Con’s:

• If a shuttle is not there when you arrive to the MEARS Connect pick-up area, you may be waiting for a minute. (No worries, it isn’t a long time. They have a new bus coming along about every 20 minutes!)
• MEARS stops at multiple Disney resort hotels per bus. You may be waiting a few minutes on the shuttle to get to your stop. You can avoid this if you book MEARS direct service or express service.
• Even if you bring your own car seat, you can only use it if you are utilizing a MEARS shuttle van. If you are on one of the large motor coach busses (what picks up most often from MCO airport) your car seat will be stored under the bus in the luggage area. 

Tip: MEARS Connect will text and email you your boarding pass ahead of time for you and your entire group. Open that puppy up and take a screenshot. Text it to everyone in your party. That way whoever get’s up to the counter first can get the group scanned in. 

Uber, Lyft, and Taxi’s at MCO

When it comes to finding an Uber, Lyft or even a taxi at the MCO airport, you are in luck. These dudes are everywhere and in great numbers! They even have their own designated pick up bay’s at each terminal at Orlando Airport making it easier to find. 

Now, whether or not using one of them is the best option for your family? That may be a different question all together depending on your own unique wants and needs from a transportation service. Let’s see how they add up to what your looking for:

Pro’s:

• As mentioned before, ride share services are plentiful. If you are ever in doubt about how to get from MCO to Disney World, there will always be a ride share option available. 
• If you are staying at Club Level or above on Disney property, you can order a special “Minnie Van” that is driven by a vetted Disney cast member adding extra peace of mind to your ride. (This can be ordered up to 60 days in advance and is ONLY available for those staying Club level and above)
• Great option to cut travel times between the Orlando airport and Walt Disney World. 
• Different options available at different price points
• While you will pay a little more to do so, you can book your ride ahead.
• Most ride shares now offer a car seat option
• Different size options depending on your seating and luggage needs

Con’s:

• Surge pricing can drive up the cost of ride-share’s at the drop of pair of Minnie Ears. 
• While ride share options are plentiful, there may be a wait time if you are traveling at peak times which can vary depending on the time of day. Pay attention to estimated arrival times when you go to book!
• While there is a car seat option for most ride shares, it is based on availability and does tack on an added cost
• Ride Share app’s can be a little bit tricky, especially if the services are busy and the app servers are overloaded 
• If you are traveling with a larger group, you will likely need multiple cars
• You don’t know what you are getting until it pulls up (I have had some cars that needed canceled once they pulled up to the curb. Just because the app says Mark is driving a BMW doesn’t mean that BMV isn’t missing a front fender and 2 hub caps.)

Tip: If you choose to order a ride share service, make sure that you are arranging pickup from the terminal you are in! Ride share can pick up from any of the terminals at MCO, and arranging yourself a pick-up from Terminal A when you are in Terminal C is going to cause headaches. 

Cost vs Convenience: Who Reins Supreme

When it comes to choosing how to get from MCO to Disney World your choice is likely going to come down to two main factors: cost vs. convenience. After breaking down the pro’s and con’s of the different transportation options, the biggest choice for most people is going boil down to these two. So which of our options reins supreme for each category?

The Queen of Convenience: The Private Transport

Hands down, having a private town car or limousine service waiting for you upon arrival to the Orlando airport is going to make your trip more convenient.

Best Return on Investment for your Mickey Money: MEARS Connect

All research indicates that the most popular companies serving MCO actually monitor your incoming flight and will be aware if you have delays ahead of time. You are going to pay a little more for the extra magic on this one, but if you are willing to spring the extra money in this area, it is totally worth it. 

I don’t know that you are ever going to convince me that taking MEARS Connect services are not the way to go when you are trying to get the best bang for your buck.

You can dig further into MEARS pricing on their website here, but expect to pay $17 round trip per adult, $14 round trip per child, or you can look at booking their express services starting at $250 for four people. Be on the look out for sales on the MEARS website throughout the year to save a couple extra bucks on these already low prices! 

Pro Tips for a Magic Transfer

Regardless of your chosen method of transport, I wanted to throw a couple quick tips in here to make your transfer a bit less stressful.

Take a bathroom break BEFORE finding your transport

 The trip from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort Property is 30 minutes on a good day.

Without traffic.

Without additional resort stops.

If a member of your party already had the slightest inkling of needing to use the bathroom at the time the plane deboarded, by the time you get halfway to Disney you are going to be in a 9-1-1 moment.

I know everyone wants to get to Disney, but take the time to tinkle. 

Once collecting luggage, redistribute based on size

I know everyone in your party likely has their own individual luggage sets. For your sanities sake, allow that method of delegation to go out the window and take a minute to redistribute luggage based on size.

Big kids are getting bigger backpacks and suitcases. Smaller kids are getting the pieces they can comfortably handle.

MCO is HUGE.

The less you have to stop to redistribute in the middle of the crowded walkway, the happier your vacation will start. Trust me here. 

Know where you are headed BEFORE you start in that direction

Maps are your friend, and they are all over the internet.

I DO NOT want you to be solely relying on signage in the airport to find your transport option. Get familiar with where your chosen transport is picking up, and how you need to get their from your gate.

All it is going to take is one child meltdown for you to miss the airport sign you needed, or something being posted smaller than you thought it would be for your whole family to be turned around.

Grumpy, tired, sarcastic family comments when mom is already stressed does NOT make for a magic vacation. 

Getting on the Road Already

We have broken down how to get from MCO to Disney World. The pro’s and con’s of each method were discussed and laid on the table. We dove in and highlighted which options would reign supreme if they were battling it out, and then added in some additional tips for travel regardless of which option you choose. 

So. Much. Information!

At the end of the day, the method of transportation that you choose to use to get from MCO to Disney following your flight will need to be the one best crafted to your groups individual needs. Considering price, group size, luggage needs, wait times, once you lay the factors on the table, the information in this post should help to make your decision much easier. 

How to Get From MCO to Disney World: Your Experience 

Now that I have shared all of the things about getting from Orlando Airport to Disney property, I want to hear from you!

What is your experience with getting from MCO to Walt Disney World Resort Property? Do you use one of these options, or have you found another travel method that you absolutely love? Let me know below who you use to travel and why!

Ready to book your own magical Disney Vacation? Reach out to Charming Getaways by Kameron here to have your entire vacation curated with faith, trust and pixie dust!