With the end of Disney’s Magical Express, many vacationers are going to start asking how they can get from MCO to Disney World. You can get to Walt Disney World via Mears Connect, Lyft/Uber, taxi, or by renting a car. We have a breakdown of what to expect with each method of transportation, how much it’ll cost, and how you can get from MCO to Disney World if you’re driving yourself.
How Far is MCO From Disney World?
The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 18.6 miles away from Walt Disney World. If you’re getting transportation from the airport directly to the parks, it should take you about thirty minutes. MCO is the closest airport to Disney World and also one of the busiest.
Read more: Tips for Flying to Disney World
Transportation Options From MCO to Disney World
As mentioned above, there are several transportation methods to get MCO to Disney World, including a rideshare service such as Lyft, Uber, Curb, and Via, as well as a traditional taxi.
Visitors can also rent a vehicle at the airport, or if utilizing one of the car rental properties off property, take a shuttle to their destination. And finally, guests have the option of using Disney’s Magical Express replacement, Mears Connect.
Let’s take a look at what to expect with each option below:
Rideshare Services to Disney
If you’re looking for one of the quickest and inexpensive methods of getting to Disney World, your best bet is to probably use a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber. While these can get costly depending on the time of day and how many people are in your party, the average cost of a Lyft from MCO to Disney costs anywhere from $30-$35.
Lyft rates will increase depending on the size of your requested vehicle:
- Supersized (XL) rides: $42-$49
- High-end (Lux) rides: $50-$60
- Luxury (Lux Black) rides: $74-$86
- Spacious luxury (Lux Black XL) rides: $105-$120
The same thing pretty much applies to Uber. The average cost of an Uber ride from MCO to Disney World costs about $35. Like Lyft, Uber’s rates will change depending on the time of day and vehicle you select. These prices ranges include:
- Connect: $32.40
- Comfort: $43.23
- Uber X with a car seat: $44.70
- Uber XL and Uber XL with a car seat: $50.58-$60.58
Pros and Cons of Using a Lyft or Uber to Get to Disney
The pros: it’s usually cost-effective. Plus, it’s easy to secure a rideshare lift since many drivers are already near the airport and Disney since they’re such high-traffic areas. You also don’t have to share it with another family.
The cons: The price is dependent on surge pricing, so it may cost more during certain times of the year or if the weather is bad. You may have a bad experience with a driver. You also may have to wait to be picked up.
Taking a Taxi to Disney World
If you’re not a fan of Lyft or Uber, you can always opt for a traditional taxi to take you to your resort. In most cases, a taxi ride will cost you between $55-$65 to transport you from MCO to the airport.
Pros and Cons of Taking a Taxi to Disney
On one hand, taxi drivers know the fastest routes in Orlando, so they’ll be able to get you to your destination quickly. Furthermore, you usually get friendly service in a taxi. However, the drawbacks to using a taxi are many. First, you’re limited in regards to options if you’re with a large party. Whereas you can rent a large vehicle with a Lyft or Uber, you may have to opt for taking two taxis if you’re traveling with a large group or pay extra for a van.
Second, taxis don’t usually come equipped with a car seat, so you’ll have to lug one around with you if you choose to go with this option. This could be problematic if let’s say you wanted to hang out at Disney Springs after flying into MCO.
Taking Mears Connect to Disney World
Ah, yes, Mears Connect – the new transportation service that replaced Disney’s Magical Express. As of publication, here are the rates for Mears Connect transportation to and from Orlando International Airport and Disney World:
- $32 per adult
- $27.00 per child
For one-way service, you will be paying either $16.00 per adult or $13.50 per child. Furthermore, guests can opt for Mears Connect’s express option, which will take you directly to your Disney resort with no wait time. This costs $200 for a family of four.
Pros and Cons of Taking Mears Connect to Disney World
The benefit of using Mears Connect is that you’re pretty much having the same experience as you would Disney’s Magical Express, only now it costs money and you won’t have any magical elements on board. However, it’s still accessible on Level 1 where ground transportation is at the airport, and will still offer luggage handling.
The con is, of course, paying for a service that’s been free since 2005.
Renting a Car to Go to Disney
Renting a car to go to Disney is a good idea if you plan on visiting places outside of Disney, as the cost of using a Lyft or an Uber can quickly add up if you’re visiting multiple places such as the outlets, beach, or the Kennedy Space Center. Not to mention, if you’re parking at Disney, you’ll be paying at both your resort and each park you visit.
Read more: Can I Park At A Disney Resort Without Staying There?
If you’re picking a car up at MCO, head down to Level 1 where ground transportation is. Car rentals are available on this level on both the A and B sides of the terminal. This includes Alamo or National Car Rental, in which you have the option of dropping your rental off at the Car Care Center on Disney property when you’re done using it.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Car
Honestly, the biggest con of renting a car is that you’re always going to be paying more than what you initially signed up for. On my last visit, for example, we ended up paying nearly $400 extra when we got to our car rental facility because there were things they didn’t include in their fine print.
While many websites say that you can rent a car for cheap, many of them will come with hidden fees such as airport fees and fuel charges. Though this will depend on the company you go through, you should always expect to pay more for your car than you think.
The pro of having a rental car, however, is the freedom to come and go as you please without paying extra. So, if you are in the mood for a certain meal or want to visit a park, you can do so without having to wait for a bus to roll around and adhere to their schedule.
Directions to Disney World From MCO
If you do rent a car at MCO, here are some directions to get to Walt Disney World:
- Head north on Jeff Fuqua Blvd
- Continue to stay on Jeff Fuqua Blvd
- Take the ramp onto FL-528 and merge
- Take exit I-4 toward Tampa
- Take exit 68 toward Lake Buena Vista
- Turn right onto S. Apopka Vineland Road
- Turn left onto Hotel Plaza Blvd
- Say hello to Walt Disney World!
What’s Your Preferred Method of Transporation to Walt Disney World?
What method of transportation do you take to Disney World? With Disney’s Magical Express no longer being an option, will your method of transportation change? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for all the latest Disney tips and tricks.
As a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer, Courtney Dercqu is a fan of all things Disney. Between decorating her desk with souvenirs from the park, to making unique mouse ears and having a dedicated Disney Instagram, Courtney is a true believer in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. Having had more than 200 articles published on various content, Courtney’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with everyone! Be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the Disney magic.