Getting to and from the Walt Disney World Resort

With over 27,520 acres of theme parks and hotels, the Walt Disney World Resort is essentially its own city. Within the resort, you’ll have transportation between the parks and hotels, but there are a number of options when it comes to getting to the Disney property.

In 2022, Disney World ended its use of the Disney Magical Express, a complimentary shuttle service that took guests to and from the Orlando airport. While shuttles are still available, they are no longer free, leaving guests with the task of figuring out which method of transportation is the most financially and logistically best for them. We can help you determine which mode of transportation will best support you and your needs when it comes to traveling to help make your Disney World Vacation a little less overwhelming.

To help give you an idea of the various methods of traveling to and from Disney World, we’ve put together a guide to the benefits and drawbacks of each.

This is one of the most popular methods of traveling to and from Disney because it is essentially the paid version of the Magical Express. Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine Flyer is a shuttle service that will bring you back and forth between the Orlando Airport and your Disney hotel. You’ll pay per person and the buses have plenty of room for your luggage from your flight.

This option is great for small parties of guests, but since you are paying per person, it can get expensive quickly. Prices may vary throughout the year, but you can expect to pay about $39.90 for a round trip for an adult and $28.35 for a child between the ages of 3-9. Children under the age of 3 travel for free.

You can also pay a higher fee for an express shuttle with limited to no waiting.

Using a rideshare service may be convenient if you’re already used to ordering Lyft or Uber. You can simply use the app on your phone to order a car that will take you straight to your hotel. A rideshare service will be faster than a shuttle that will likely need to drop off guests at multiple hotels before they get to yours.

Unfortunately, they can get expensive at airports due to surge prices so it is not clear how much you’ll be paying until you arrive at the airport. You may pay as little as $40 for a ride to the airport, but at certain times of day, you may have to pay up to $100.

If you’re traveling with a large party and need a larger vehicle, that could also make a rideshare service more expensive.

If your travel party is small and you don’t have too much luggage, this may be the perfect way to get to your hotel. Otherwise, you may want to consider a shuttle to make sure you have room for everything and everyone.

If you would prefer to have a car during your Disney World vacation, rental cars are available at the airport. All Disney World hotels offer complimentary overnight parking. If you plan on driving and parking at the theme parks, you will need to pay for a parking pass. However, all Disney hotels offer transportation to the theme parks so that may not be necessary.

This is a pricier option than a ride-share service or shuttle as you’ll need to pay per day, but the convenience may be worth it, especially if you are traveling with small children who need car seats. You’ll also be able to leave the Disney World Resort as needed if you plan to visit areas outside of the theme parks and hotels.

This is one of the most expensive options but may be worth it because it comes with a complimentary car seat. Minnie Vans work with Lyft, so if you want to start out your vacation by riding in an adorable red van with white polka dots, all you need to do is open the Lyft app to request it.

You can also request an accessible Minnie Van, which includes seating for up to 5 people, a complimentary car seat, and two spots for mobility devices.

Another option is to book a private car service such as a limo, luxury town car, or a larger van or SUV. This is similar to Lyft and Uber, though will cost you more money as you are paying for a luxury service.

However, if you are traveling with a large party, multiple small children, or pets, this may be worth the price of convenience. Blakelane Global and Mears Transportation are two fantastic private car services that can get you to the parks. To ensure you have a car to pick you up on the day of your arrival, we can help you book your reservation through a service that works best for you.

As is the case with all airports, there are a large number of taxis available to take you to your destination. A taxi at the Orlando Airport can sometimes cost more than an Uber or Lyft, though for some it may be worth it to not have to worry about booking a car through an app. You can just walk out the exit and find an available taxi to take you to your hotel.

Taxis most likely will not have a car seat unless you book one in advance, so this service is best for adults traveling alone or with older children who do not need special seating.

As mentioned above, what works best for one family may not work for another. We are here to help make sure you make it to your Disney hotel with as little stress as possible. Whether you want a shuttle or a Minnie Van, we can help you book your reservation before your flight even takes off.