There are SO many options when it comes to transporting your family from the airport to Disney World.

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!

Mears Connect

The closest thing you have to Magical Express these days is the Mears Connect service. It’s a shared shuttle service that runs between the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Disney Resorts. It’s not free, but it’s a pretty good deal compared to other options.

There are two levels for Mears Connect — Standard and Express. Standard is a shared ride that may stop at multiple resorts, while Express is a more direct route to your hotel. Pricing varies, but it’s cheaper than booking a rideshare to your resort. It starts at $32 round trip for adults and $26 round trip for children.

Car seats are not required on the motorcoaches, so that could make things easier for families traveling with small children. Booking is fairly simple as long as you know your flight information. The main con to this service is that you’re traveling with a bunch of other people, and it’s not direct if you book the Standard option. But overall, this tends to be very simple, easy, and affordable. The buses are clean, and there are even restrooms on board.

Uber/Lyft

If you’ve taken a rideshare service before, it might be an easy option to choose for airport transportation. You can book in advance or wait to order your ride until you land at the airport. Pricing varies greatly, though, depending on the time of day and how in-demand drivers are. 

It’s simple to book a private car and have direct transportation to your resort, but you may need to make specific accommodations if you have wheelchair users or children with car seats. Of the options available, this one is perhaps the most flexible and simple. 

Private Car Service

One of the more expensive options for airport transportation is a private car service. This way, you get a chauffeur and can pay a premium for transportation however you’d like. The unfortunate thing is that this one comes with a hefty price tag!

There’s something a little special about starting your Disney World vacation with a fancy car or limo ride, though, so we totally understand the appeal! This is definitely an option you need to schedule in advance if you’re interested, and there could be a bit of research involved. 

Rental Car

Need transportation throughout your whole trip? The rental car is the way to go. You can choose your car type and, in some cases, rent car seats to use. Prices vary greatly depending on the rental car brand and type of vehicle, but this one is definitely a more expensive choice because you pay for not only your arrival and departure, but also your whole trip.

This might be the best choice, though, if you’re hoping to visit more off-property locations during your Disney World trip. If you’re going to Universal Orlando or SeaWorld, you’ll need transportation to get to those spots. And these days, hotel parking is free for Disney World resort guests.

Lynx Bus

The absolute cheapest way to go (besides having a friend pick you up and drop you off for free) is the Lynx Bus. This is a Central Florida transportation network that connects many locations in the area. Unfortunately, it can be pretty complicated to use if you’re not familiar with it.

It only costs a few dollars per person, but you’ll have to navigate several transfers, and you may end up having to take Disney transportation at the end…dragging your luggage with you all the way. Is it really worth the low price?

Hotel Shuttle

Last but not least, we’ve got to talk about one of the options for off-property or non-Disney stays. Some non-Disney hotels offer airport transfer services that are either complimentary with your stay or cost a variable fee.

If you’re staying at a hotel that isn’t Disney-owned, you may want to check with the resort to see if they offer a service of this type. It could be a big perk, but you often have to reserve your spot ahead of time.

No matter which way you travel, this is definitely a subject you want to research in advance, and you’ll need to budget for whichever option you choose!

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What form of airport transportation do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!