The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the closest airport to Walt Disney World. It’s an attractive, medium-sized airport that is only 25-30 minutes away from the theme parks. Here are the transportation options for reaching nearby hotels and resorts after you arrive.
Uber/Lyft
The fastest way to get from the Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World is to request a Lyft or Uber car on the baggage claim level. In addition to being fast, Uber and Lyft are great options for small groups because you’ll pay a flat fee and not pay per rider. Here are the maximum passengers per company and car type:
- 3 people (Lyft regular car)
- 4 people (Uber regular car)
- 5 people (Lyft XL)
- 6 people (UberXL and UberSUV)
- 6 people (Lyft Minnie Vans)
Tip: Rideshare rates can be higher late at night and on Friday and Saturday evenings, so you may want to schedule your ride in advance or look into a private transportation or bus option if you are arriving at MCO during these times.
Private Transportation
If you’re not comfortable with using Lyft or Uber, private transportation services are an alternate option. There are a variety of companies that provide a driver (check reviews on Tripadvisor). Pros: You can support a local business, book travel without an app and have more personal service. However, rates are variable, so you’ll have to do some research to find the option that is best for you.
Mears Connect Bus
Mears Connect replaced the Disney Magical Express buses and it is a great deal if you are traveling alone. The standard ticket option is cheaper than rideshare, though it may take 30-45 minutes longer to reach your hotel (view the list of hotels with Mears service).
However, rideshare is the better option if you are traveling with at least one other person. The cost is about the same, but you’ll reach your hotel faster. The exception is if you are arriving really early in the morning, late at night, or during weekend evenings when prices might surge due to limited cars. You’ll always have a guaranteed ride at a set price with Mears Connect.
Tip: We recommend purchasing a one-way bus ticket from the airport to Disney World. For the return, use Lyft or Uber for faster service. Especially if you have TSA pre-check, avoid taking a Mears bus to the airport unless you want to have a lot of time to hang out at MCO.
Rental Car
There are many rental car companies located inside the Orlando International Airport on level 1 of both the A and B concourses. It can be a good option if you plan to visit locations off Disney World property and are staying at a hotel/resort with no parking fees (which includes all official Disney World resort hotels).
Many hotels off-property and next to Disney Springs charge a daily fee for parking a car, so do your research before booking accommodations. You also have to pay to park at the theme parks unless you stay a Disney resort hotel… so if you plan to rent a car, we recommend staying at an official resort for waived parking fees.
We generally recommend not renting a car as Disney transportation is very robust and you can choose from many buses, boats and the Skyliner to get around. It’s great to not worry about driving and parking, and rideshare is still an option if you want to go somewhere off property.
Disney World for Adults 