Rent a Car
Probably one of the most popular ways to get to Walt Disney World, even now, is by renting a car. Orlando International Airport has many rental car options for you to choose from. Pricing varies depending on the company, size and length of the rental, but this is a very convenient way to go. Simply pick up your rental car and head on your way to Walt Disney World. There can be little to no waiting, and there are no stops at any other resorts since you are in control.
We suggest using your car to stop at one of the Walmart or Targets nearby to grab some groceries and snacks for your room, so you can save on food costs during your trip!
You can also decide how long you want to keep your rental car. If you want it for your full trip you can easily use it to drive to the parks (skipping Disney buses), making it easy to park hop and to take breaks during the day. Keep in mind that you will need to pay for parking at your Disney Resort (Values= $15 per night; Moderates= $20 per night; Deluxe= $25 per night) but as a Walt Disney World Resort guest you will not have to pay for regular parking at the Parks. Or you can also just grab the rental car for the day. Get it at the airport, grab some groceries and then drop everything off at your resort. With select providers you can then drop your rental car at the Disney Car Care Center and take a shuttle or rideshare back to your resort.
Pros to Rental Cars
- Flexibility in your day
- Able to stop and get some groceries for food saving costs
- Ease in getting to the parks daily
Cons to Rental Cars
- Additional fee for the rental car
- Parking fees
- Those travelling with young children will either need to bring their own or rent car seats
Uber / Lyft
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have taken off around Orlando. If you don’t want to do the driving, use one of the rideshare apps to take you to your resort. You can even schedule the pickup in advance! This can be inexpensive when compared to a rental car or a shuttle service. However, pricing can vary depending on what time of the day you are travelling and how big of a car you need. You may also need to bring your own car seats if travelling with young children. Rideshare can be a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to go!
Pros to Rideshare
- Simple to book in advance or at the time you need it
- Can be an inexpensive option
- Little to no wait to get to the magic
Cons to Rideshare
- Pricing varies depending on the time of day and the size of car you need
- If travelling with a large group it can be difficult to get a bigger car and this may cause a wait
- Those travelling with young kids will need to provide their own car seats
Shuttle Service or Car Service
If you prefer to have everything planned out in advance and know that your transportation is set and exactly what you need (I’m talking to you spreadsheet users) then booking a shuttle service or car service may be best. Someone else does the driving and you know exactly what you are getting. Companies like Mears and Orlando Shuttle Service offer different options, such as shared shuttles for a more budget friendly option, or private cars and SUVs. Often reservations can be made as a package for your roundtrip.
Pros to Shuttle Services
- Booked ahead of time and it is reliable
- Some services will provide car seats
- Little to no wait to get to the magic
Cons to Shuttle Services
- If you booked a shared shuttle you may have to wait for pick up and you may have to stop at a few resorts before you get to yours
- The cost for a family of 4 can easily be about $100 or more
Taxi Services
Regular Taxi services are available at Orlando International airport. Taking a taxi from the airport to your resort may cost you around $50-$70. There might be a wait to get a taxi, but this is a classic way that many still choose.
Pros to Taxis
- Taxis are usually around the airport so they can have good availability
- No pre-booking necessary so it is flexible
Cons to Taxis
- It may be hard to get a taxi for a large group.
- Pricing can get expensive at about $50-$70 one way.
- You will need to bring your own car seat if travelling with young children.
A Train
You probably took a plane to get to Orlando and we’ve talked about automobiles, so what’s this about a train?
Brightline is set to build an extension to their line that will bring guests from Orlando International Airport to Disney Springs. We don’t have a set opening date and we don’t know exactly what this will look like (will it be continual service or will it be hourly, or once or twice a day?). We also don’t know how much it will cost or how you will be able to get from Disney Springs to your resort with your luggage. But the idea of taking a train from MCO to Disney Springs is very exciting! This could be a fast and easy trip to get your family to the magic!
Potential Pros for a Train
- Fast and convenient
- It’s similar to a monorail, right? So it may be magical
Potential Cons for a Train
- Getting from Disney Springs to your Resort is one big extra step
- We don’t know when it will be built, the schedule or cost
So while it hurts that we are losing the Magical Express (and the tragical express that took you back to the airport), there are still many ways that you can get to and from Walt Disney World. In this case it may be more about the destination than the journey. Which option you chose depends on your family and how you want to travel. Your Dream Maker can help you make that decision!
Thank you so much for reading.
If you have any questions or would like me to help you plan your dream vacation, feel free to send me a message.
Have a magical day,
