Disney's Airport Pickup Service: A Magical Start To Your Vacation

Disney's Magical Express was a free bus service that transported guests between Florida's Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Orlando International Airport. However, the service was discontinued in 2022. Now, guests travelling to Disney World have to arrange their own transport from the airport to their hotel. This can be done through rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, shuttle services, or by renting a car.

Rideshare services

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are available at Orlando International Airport and can take you directly to your Disney World hotel. This can be a simple and quick option, but you will need to consider the price to determine if it is the best option for your group.

The cost of your ride will depend on the type of car you require and the number of passengers travelling with you. UberXL, which fits up to five passengers, costs around $51.77, while an Uber Comfort, which fits up to three passengers, costs around $41.31. An UberX, which also fits up to three passengers, is priced at around $35.10. For a more luxurious option, an Uber Black is priced at around $90.27.

If you are travelling with young children, you may want to consider a car with a car seat. Uber offers a Car Seat Service in select cities, including Orlando, for an additional cost. When selecting your car in the app, scroll down to see the cars with this option. When last checked, there was an UberX Car Seat option available for $45.01, a Black Car Seat option for $99.70, and a Black SUV Car Seat option for $115.30.

Ridesharing services can be limiting depending on the number of people in your party and the amount of luggage you have. If you are travelling with a large group or have a lot of luggage, you may not all fit in a single vehicle, even a larger one. However, one benefit of this mode of transportation is that you can be dropped off directly at your hotel, without the need to stop at other hotels along the way. So, if you are in a rush or want to drop off your bags quickly so you can head straight to the parks, this can be a good option.

Shuttle bus and shuttle van

Shuttle buses and shuttle vans are a convenient way to get to your Disney hotel from the airport. This is a shared service, so it is economical for solo travellers or those travelling in small groups. Vans and buses operated by Mears, separate from the Magical Express, are available.

You can make a reservation for the shuttle service online or by phone, but it is not necessary unless it is the super-peak season, such as Christmas or spring break. You can also walk up to the Mears desk at the airport and arrange to be on the next shuttle. When returning to the airport, you will need to arrange a pickup time. You tell the shuttle service when your flight leaves, and they will assign you a pickup time.

Shuttle services can be slow, as you will have to wait for the shuttle to pick up other passengers and take them to their hotels. It can take up to 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel.

For transfers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World-area resorts, shuttle services cost about $34 round trip per adult (age 10 and up) and about $27 round trip per child (age 3-9), plus tip. One-way service is half of these rates. There may be surcharges if your hotel is south of Walt Disney World. Kids 3 and under are free.

If you are celebrating a special occasion or just want to add some style to your trip, you could opt for a limo!

Private car services

If you're looking for a private car service to pick you up from the airport and take you to Disney, there are several options available.

Quicksilver Tours & Transportation

Quicksilver Tours will transport you in style and assist with luggage at the airport. They provide car seats and include a free 30-minute grocery stop. They charge around $120 one way and $230 for a round trip. A 20% tip is suggested.

Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine

Mears Connect offers two levels of 24-hour service: a Standard shared service that uses buses or vans, and a premium Express option that provides direct service with limited to no wait times. The Standard Service costs $20.90 one way for adults and $13.80 for children aged 3-9. A round trip costs $39.90 for adults and $28.35 for children. The Express/Premium Service costs $250 round trip for up to four passengers and $55 for each additional passenger.

Minnie Vans

Minnie Vans are only available for guests staying at Club Level in a Walt Disney World Resort. They can accommodate up to six medium-sized bags and two convertible car seats are provided. The service costs $199 one-way and $398 round-trip, with a suggested tip of 20%.

Uber or Lyft

Ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft can also be used to get from the airport to Disney. The cost of an Uber from Orlando International Airport to Disney's Contemporary Resort ranges from $35.10 for an UberX to $90.27 for an Uber Black. Uber also offers a Car Seat Service in select cities, including Orlando, which provides a car equipped with a car seat.

Taxi

You can also book a taxi or hail one at the airport. The estimated taxi fare from Orlando International Airport to Disney's Contemporary Resort is around $71.72. Some taxis can carry up to nine passengers and may charge a fee for car seats.

Rental Car

If you prefer to have your own transportation, you can rent a car from one of the many rental car companies located right at Orlando International Airport. The cost of a rental car can vary depending on the size of the car and the length of your trip. For example, an economy car that fits four passengers may cost around $365 for a week, while a 7-passenger minivan may cost around $428. Keep in mind that you will also need to budget for additional costs such as tolls, gas, and parking fees at Disney World resorts.

Minnie Vans

The service is a partnership between Disney and Lyft, with the vehicles being Disney-owned and driven by Disney Cast Members. Minnie Vans are easily recognisable, with their red and white polka dot design. Each Minnie Van comes with two car seats, and they can accommodate up to six passengers.

Rental cars

If you're looking for a rental car to get to and from the airport, Walt Disney World Resort has a full-service automotive facility, the Car Care Center, which offers car rentals to guests. The Car Care Center is located near Magic Kingdom Park and offers a complimentary shuttle with door-to-door service from Disney Resort hotels to the facility.

The Car Care Center works with several car rental partners, including Enterprise, Alamo, and National. You can book your vehicle online or call (407) 824-3470 to book or schedule a shuttle pick-up appointment. The shuttle service should be scheduled at least one hour in advance. The Car Care Center is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.

In addition to car rentals, the Car Care Center also provides a range of automotive services, including auto repairs and roadside assistance. For example, Car Care One, a mobile service unit, provides basic roadside services to vehicles up to one hour after park closing. Complimentary towing services are also available to the Car Care Center or, if closed, to a destination within 3 miles of Walt Disney World Resort.

Frequently asked questions