food IS a theme park
There are SO many options when it comes to transporting your family from the airport to Disney World.
Mears Connect bus
Ever since Disney World canceled its complimentary Magical Express service, visitors from around the world have struggled with the decision of how to arrive and depart their hotel. But today, we’re going to make that choice easier for you with a complete guide to your airport transportation options!
Ride share services, like Uber and Lyft, have become a huge part of Disney World vacations for many guests, but there are a few things you should know before opening the app.
Rideshare sign at EPCOT
You might be heading to the parks at rope drop, bouncing between resorts, or trying to make a dining reservation on time, and ride shares can feel like the fastest and most convenient option on property. But navigating Disney World by car isn’t always as straightforward as it seems, and your Uber driver probably knows a few things that could make your trip smoother, but they might be too polite to say them out loud. Here are four things your Disney World Uber driver wants you to know and why keeping them in mind can save you time, money, and a little stress.
There are a lot of rules in Disney World, some official, some unwritten, but all of which exist to make a day at the “Most Magical Place on Earth” move along smoothly. Well, in theory anyway, as at times these tools can feel a bit past their usefulness.
If you Uber to Magic Kingdom, you’ll have to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center and take the Monorail.
For example, we have to admit we so wish Disney would do away with this transportation rule because it would make all our lives so much easier!
It’s no secret that the holiday season is a great time to visit Disney World, if you don’t mind crowds. The parks are decorated for the season, the snacks are THE BEST, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is happening, and there’s so much to see and do during this time of year.
Rideshare sign at EPCOT
But as we mentioned, crowds can be an issue this time of the year. Even Disney World transportation can get pretty full during the holidays, which means you may consider using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft during your trip. If you do plan on getting Uber or Lyft in Disney World, though, we’ve got to offer a word of warning.
Getting from the Orlando airport to Disney World should be simple, but it can actually trip up a lot of visitors.
Orlando International Airport
There are so many options that it’s easy to pick the wrong one without realizing it until you’re already stuck with the consequences. Some choices look cheaper up front but end up costing you time or money once you factor in the details. That’s why we want to share a couple of mistakes that Disney fans keep making when it comes to airport transportation so you don’t fall into the same traps.
There was a time when going back and forth between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Walt Disney World property was simple for Walt Disney World hotel guests. Included in a Disney World vacation was the Magical Express, a shuttle service for guests that took them directly from the airport to their Disney hotel, eliminating the need to pick up their bags. Of course, the service was discontinued years ago… Which brings us to the never-ending Uber vs. Mears debate.
Pop Century Resort
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, basically, there are two main ways to get to Disney World from Orlando Airport: 1. Rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, or 2. Mears Connect (a shuttle service). I’ve used Uber, Lyft, AND Mears to get to Disney World, but there are a few things I wish I had known about my Uber experience.
There used to be a time when getting from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World was as simple as taking the included Magical Express. However, Disney eliminated that service several years ago, much to our dismay.
Southwest at MCO
There are a ton of other options, and picking the wrong one could mean wasted time, extra stress, way too much money spent before your vacation even begins, and generally starting everything off on the wrong foot. Fear not, however, as we’ve tried them all, from budget-friendly to high-end luxury, and one option always comes out on top. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a group, or feeling fancy, we’ve got the best picks for every kind of Disney traveler, so let’s break it all down!
There used to be a time when traveling from Orlando’s airport to Disney World was as simple as hopping on the included Magical Express. However, since that service was discontinued several years ago, things have gotten more complicated.
Southwest at MCO
On top of that, Disney trips are expensive, and every dollar saved on something like transportation can mean the loss of an extra snack, souvenir, or ride photo. Let’s break it down so you can make the best choice for your budget and travel style.
It’s been five years since Disney World’s historic closure in 2020, but some things still haven’t returned completely to normal.
Minnie van
First, FastPass is a thing of the past, and Disney World replaced it with Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass (formerly Genie+). You still can’t have purchases made in the parks sent back to your hotel. MagicBands are no longer free. Another big change concerns Minnie vans, which are operated by Lyft. Before 2020, you could have a Minnie van pick you up at the airport. Now for many Disney World visitors, that’s still true. However, believe it or not, select Disney World hotel guests still have access to that service.
There are lots of transportation options for you to use while at Disney World.
The Walt Disney World Monorail at EPCOT
The Monorail can take you between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Resorts, and EPCOT. Buses run from all four parks, the water parks, Disney Springs, and hotels. And there’s the popular Skyliner that runs between several hotels, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. But you can also catch rideshare vehicles, including the cute Minnie Vans. While the Monorail, buses, and Skyliner are free options, sometimes paying for a ride share vehicle might be worth it. But there’s one thing about the Minnie Vans that you never knew before!
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