Last updated: October 25, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
Disney’s free Magical Express bus is long gone, so getting from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World takes a little planning. The good news is there are plenty of options, from a $2 public bus to a private car. Below we compare the shared shuttle, rideshare, taxi, Lynx bus and driving yourself, with prices checked against official sources as of October 2026. If you haven’t booked a room yet, start with our main guide on where to stay near Walt Disney World.
Quick answer: The drive is about 20–24 miles and roughly 30 minutes without traffic. Mears Connect’s shared shuttle costs about $33.60 round trip per adult to Disney Resort hotels, plus a 3% fuel surcharge. An UberX to Magic Kingdom averages around $41 each way, and MCO lists taxis to Disney resorts at $52–$68. The cheapest route is the $2 Lynx Link 311 bus to Disney Springs.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Disney’s Pop Century Resort | on the Skyliner, with gondolas to EPCOT’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios, plus free… | Check price |
| Disney’s Art of Animation Resort | shares the Skyliner station with Pop Century and has buses to the other parks.… | Check price |
| Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort | on the Skyliner, with gondolas to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Suits travelers who want… | Check price |
| Disney’s Contemporary Resort | on the monorail to Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Best for… | Check price |
| Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort | Disney’s budget tier, with free buses to all four theme parks, both water parks… | Check price |
| Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area | 2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd, about half a mile from Disney Springs. It has a… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
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Compare live prices: See hotels near Walt Disney World.
Hotel map: live prices near Walt Disney World Resort
MCO to Disney World options at a glance
- Mears Connect (shared shuttle): Standard service is $17.60 one way per adult from the airport to a Disney Resort hotel, or $33.60 round trip. It’s $27.30 round trip for children ages 3–9. A 3% fuel surcharge has been added since spring 2026. Private Express service starts at $250 round trip. Mears merged with the Sunshine Flyer in 2023, so the Sunshine Flyer no longer runs as a separate service.
- Uber or Lyft: Uber’s own route page lists MCO to Magic Kingdom at 24 miles and about 32 minutes. It averages about $41 for UberX and $56 for UberXL. Prices rise at busy times.
- Taxi: MCO lists approximate taxi fares of $52–$68 to the Disney resorts. Fares are metered, and the price is the same for up to nine passengers.
- Lynx Link 311 bus: $2 one way, from Terminal A to the Disney Springs Transfer Center. Buses ran about every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. when the route launched in 2024, and the full trip takes about 55 minutes.
- Rental car: The most flexible option, but Disney charges $35 a day for standard theme park parking unless you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel.
Best areas to stay near Disney World
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Skyliner resorts (Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach) | Gondola ride to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios | Families who want car-free park days |
| Magic Kingdom monorail resorts | Monorail to Magic Kingdom | First-timers and Magic Kingdom fans |
| Animal Kingdom area (All-Star resorts) | Free Disney buses to all parks | Budget stays inside Disney |
| Disney Springs Resort Area | About 0.5 mile walk to Disney Springs | Off-site value with Disney perks |
Disney hotels served by Mears Connect
Mears Connect Standard service runs to Disney Resort hotels. Disney’s website says transport from these hotels to the parks is free, so you may not need a car at all.
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort – on the Skyliner, with gondolas to EPCOT’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios, plus free buses to the other parks. A strong value pick for families.
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – shares the Skyliner station with Pop Century and has buses to the other parks. Best for families with young kids.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – on the Skyliner, with gondolas to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Suits travelers who want a mid-range resort with easy park access.
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort – on the monorail to Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Best for a splurge focused on Magic Kingdom.
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort – Disney’s budget tier, with free buses to all four theme parks, both water parks and Disney Springs. Good for budget-minded groups.
Off-site with a free park shuttle
- Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area – 2000 Hotel Plaza Blvd, about half a mile from Disney Springs. It has a free hourly shuttle to all four Disney theme parks, free hot breakfast and no resort fee, though parking is $28 a night. Pair it with the $2 Lynx bus to Disney Springs, or a rideshare, for a low-cost arrival.
For more off-site hotels with park transport, see our guide to Disney World hotels with a free shuttle.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
Where to find your ride at MCO. Per the airport’s website, rideshare pickups at Terminals A and B are at the Level 2 arrivals curb. Terminal C rideshares and taxis use the Level 6 arrivals curb. Taxis at Terminal A wait on Level 1 between spaces A22–A25, and at Terminal B between B30–B34. The Lynx Link 311 leaves from Terminal A, Level 1, spaces A38–A41.
The Lynx route in detail. Link 311 stops at the Destination Parkway SuperStop, International Drive/Orange County Convention Center, the Florida Mall and the Sand Lake SunRail station before reaching Disney Springs, per Lynx. In 2025, Lynx approved extending the route to Universal’s Epic Universe area. From Disney Springs, Disney buses run free to Disney Resort hotels for registered guests. MCO lists the local bus fare to the Disney resorts at $4.
Brightline doesn’t go to Disney. Brightline’s Orlando station is next to Terminal C, and its trains run south to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. A planned Disney Springs stop was dropped in 2022, so you’ll still need one of the options above to reach the parks.
Parking at Disney. Disney’s website lists standard theme park parking at $35 a day and preferred parking at $50–$60, tax included, as of October 2026. Registered Disney Resort hotel guests get standard theme park parking included.
Tips for the MCO-to-Disney trip
- Price out a family of four. Round-trip Mears tickets for two adults and two kids come to about $122 before the surcharge, versus roughly $82 for two average UberX rides.
- Book an UberXL or a taxi if you have car seats, strollers or lots of luggage.
- Take the Lynx bus only if you’re traveling light. It’s a city bus with several stops.
- Skip the rental car if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Free Disney transport covers the parks.
- Check which terminal your airline uses. Terminal C has different pickup levels from A and B.
FAQ
How far is Orlando Airport from Disney World?
About 20–24 miles, depending on your hotel. Uber estimates about 32 minutes from MCO to Magic Kingdom, and traffic can add more.
How much is Mears Connect to Disney World?
Standard service is $33.60 round trip per adult and $27.30 per child (ages 3–9), plus a 3% fuel surcharge added in 2026. Express service starts at $250 round trip.
Is the Sunshine Flyer still running?
Not on its own. The Sunshine Flyer merged with Mears Connect in 2023, and the combined service operates as Mears Connect.
How much is an Uber from MCO to Disney World?
Uber’s route page shows an average of about $41 for UberX and $56 for UberXL to Magic Kingdom. Fares change with demand, so check the app before you ride.
Can I take Brightline to Disney World?
No. Brightline stops at the airport but doesn’t serve Disney. You’ll need a shuttle, rideshare, taxi, bus or car for the last leg.
More venue guides
- Where to stay near Walt Disney World
- Disney World hotels with a free shuttle
- Universal Orlando hotels with a free shuttle
- Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral
- Where to stay near Universal Orlando
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
