How to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World

Planning your Disney vacation? Discover how to get from the Orlando Airport to Disney World with this guide comparing Mears Connect, Uber, and Lyft — plus costs, tips, and travel times.

Many visitors travel from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World. To the surprise of many guests, Orlando International Airport is over 20 miles away. In addition, Walt Disney World Resort covers over 43 square miles, so arriving at one section of the resort does not mean guests have arrived at their resort hotel. Guests need to plan for transportation from the airport to their Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Once guests arrive in Orlando, they still need to find a way to get to Walt Disney World. They should plan on a 30-minute drive from Orlando International Airport to the guest’s Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Many transportation options exist, such as rental cars, taxis, limousine services, shuttle services, and ride services like Uber and Lyft. This resource focuses on the two most common ways that guests get from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort: Mears Connect and ride-share services.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Mears Connect

For solo or small groups visiting Walt Disney World, the Mears Connect shuttle service reigns as the dominant shuttle service option from MCO to Walt Disney World. It offers a standard service, usually on a larger-style bus. Mears Connect also provides express service, which costs more but offers smaller vehicles and a quicker, more direct service to the guest’s hotel.

Walt Disney World does not run the shuttle service. The former Magical Express service disappeared several years ago, Guests need to schedule their transportation on the Mears Connect website. When booking and paying for transportation, they will need to know their airline and flight number. The final price will be listed after guests indicate the hotel to which they want to be driven.

After guests complete your registration, they will receive an email with basic instructions. When they arrive at Orlando International Airport, they must follow the instructions to the shuttle loading area.

When guests arrive at the Mears Connect check-in area, they will be asked for the QR code contained within your email. The code will be scanned. After that, they will be directed to a lane for loading to their shuttle.

Mears Connect at Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Depending on when guests land at Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Mears Connect check-in process can get hectic. Staff will tell guests which shuttle lane to enter. We suggest that guests double-check the lane that was said by the Mears Connect staff against the QR code emailed to them. Guests should see their hotel listed at the entrance to the shuttle lane. Please confirm the situation with Mears  Connect staff if you do not see it.

The Mears Connect official website states that adults cost $16 one-way at the time of this writing. However, the website stresses that there is no “surge-pricing” with its shuttle service. That concept will reappear when we discuss ride-share options like Lyft and Uber.

Mears Connect is an excellent ground transportation option from MCO to Walt Disney World for a solo traveler or a small group. However, larger groups should consider other options since a group of five would be $80 one-way. Still, Mears Connect makes an excellent option for leaving the airport and heading to your hotel. Nevertheless, the standard service shuttles make several stops on the way. Guests share the same shuttle bus to reach different hotels.

Guests must also be prepared to board their Mears Connect shuttle three or more hours before their flight time. The shuttle will potentially make several stops on the way to the airport, so prepare for that. However, Mears Connect will be equipped for children who need car seats. This is not the norm with rideshare services unless you pay a higher fee.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Rideshare Services

Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare services because of their convenience and flexibility. However, the cost of these services can vary based on several factors, especially at Orlando International Airport. Guests should not face a shortage of drivers available when visiting Orlando. The section provides an overview of what guests can expect to pay when using Uber or Lyft from MCO to Walt Disney World.

Understanding the Route

The distance between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World Resort is approximately 17 miles, depending on the specific Disney destination. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive typically takes between 25 and 35 minutes. However, travel time can increase during peak hours or due to unforeseen traffic delays.? As locals say, there is no such thing as normal traffic conditions in the Orlando area.

Orlando International Airport makes it easy for guests to meet their Lyft or Uber driver after picking up their luggage from baggage claim. After guests acquire their checked bags from baggage claim, they will see the exterior doors. That area on the baggage claim level works as the rideshare pick-up area. When guests use their mobile app of choice, they will indicate where they want the driver to pick them up. The area outside baggage claim has numbered spots for pick-up. Guests should expect this area to be busy.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Uber Fare Estimates

Uber offers a range of vehicle options to cater to different needs and budgets. Below are the estimated fares for various Uber services from MCO to Walt Disney World:?

• UberX (Standard, up to 4 passengers): Approximately $35.25 to $41.07
• UberXL (Larger vehicle, up to 6 passengers): Approximately $51.72 to $58.15
• Uber Comfort: Approximately $46.08 to $51.58
• Uber Black (Luxury service): Approximately $81.34 to $91.67
• Uber Black SUV: Approximately $105.84 to $118.54
• UberX with Car Seat: Approximately $45.25 to $51.07?

Guests should be aware that these are estimates based on checking the price periodically over the last several months in 2025.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Lyft Fare Estimates

Lyft also provides various ride options for travelers. Here are the estimated fares for Lyft services from MCO to Walt Disney World:?

• Lyft (Standard, up to 4 passengers): Approximately $35 to $42
• Lyft XL (Larger vehicle, up to 6 passengers): Approximately $49 to $56
• Lyft Lux: Approximately $60 to $65
• Lyft Lux Black: Approximately $85 to $93
• Lyft Lux Black XL: Approximately $130 to $142?

These estimates are based on data from early 2025 and can vary depending on similar factors affecting Uber fares. ?

Wait and Save Fares

When guests open their mobile app, they may see some version of a “Wait and Save” fare. In those cases, the rideshare service offers a small discount for waiting up to 20 minutes longer than usual for their driver to arrive. We see this most often with Lyft.

Factors Influencing Fare Variations

Guests should know that “surge pricing” may occur when they want a ride to Walt Disney World. The price will look much higher. We have experienced this a few times when flying into MCO. When it happened, we sat down inside the airport for 10 to 15 minutes trying again, usually finding a lower price. The high-volume surge pricing times do not last all day.

Surge pricing is a dynamic pricing strategy where ride costs increase when demand for rides is higher than the supply of available drivers. This typically happens during rush hours, bad weather, holidays, or significant events, when many people are trying to request rides at once. The goal of surge pricing is to encourage more drivers to go online and meet the increased demand while helping to allocate rides more efficiently among passengers.

For drivers, surge pricing incentivizes them to operate during busy periods, helping them earn more money. However, surge pricing can also be controversial. Uber and Lyft have occasionally modified or capped surge pricing. Overall, surge pricing helps balance supply and demand but continues to spark debate over fairness and affordability.

More Specifics About Elements That Cause Price Fluctuations with Uber and Lyft

Time of Day: Peak hours, such as early mornings, often see higher demand, leading to increased prices. Also, evening drive time leads to higher prices. Another factor that should be considered is the volume of flights recently arriving at the airport. Since flights get delayed, this can cause a massive increase in passengers arriving all at once, wanting to use Uber or Lyft.

Day of the Week: Weekends and holidays typically experience higher traffic, potentially raising fares. This happened often with rideshare fares to and from Orlando International Airport.

Special Events: Due to increased demand, events at Walt Disney World or in Orlando can lead to surge pricing. Please check the event calendar at Walt Disney World when planning your arrival time at Orlando International Airport.

Weather Conditions: Inclement weather can affect traffic flow and demand, influencing fare prices. We have seen this often with the pop-up showers common in central Florida.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Comparing Uber and Lyft

While both services offer similar ride options, there are slight differences in pricing and availability. For instance, Uber’s standard service (UberX) may be slightly cheaper than Lyft’s equivalent. However, this can vary based on real-time demand and promotions. It’s advisable to check both apps before booking to secure the best rate. ?

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Tips for a Smooth Rideshare Experience

Check Both Apps: Before booking, compare prices on both Uber and Lyft to find the best deal. Guests may be surprised by the difference, especially when going from Walt Disney World to the airport/

If you have a tight schedule, please consider scheduling your ride in advance to ensure you’re available. This will cost more, but it provides some assurance that your driver will arrive exactly when you need them.

Monitor Surge Pricing: Be aware of peak times and events that may lead to higher fares.

Consider Vehicle Size: Please ensure the selected vehicle can safely accommodate your party and luggage. Not all vehicles can handle three or more adults with a week’s worth of luggage. Sure, a larger rideshare vehicle may cost more, but you avoid the possibility of having to wait for another larger vehicle later and paying a cancellation fee due to the small standard-sized vehicle not meeting your needs.

Orlando Airport to Disney World: Conclusion

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer convenient and flexible transportation options from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World. While prices can vary based on several factors, understanding the potential costs and planning accordingly can help ensure a smooth start to your Disney adventure. Always check the latest fare estimates and consider alternative transportation methods to choose the option that best fits your needs and budget.

Ready to Plan Your Next Walt Disney World Vacation?

The “Pixies” at Pixie Vacations can help you decide on ground transportation to and from the airport. They can also help with every other step in planning your next Disney World vacation. Best of all, their services are free since Walt Disney World pays them after your vacation. If you want someone on your side in case a problem arises during your Disney vacation, Pixie Vacations can help!