Orlando Airport to Disney and Universal: Family Guide

To get from Orlando Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, families usually choose between a shared shuttle, a rideshare app, a taxi, a rental car, or a pre-booked private car. Disney’s free Magical Express bus ended in January 2022, so every option now has a cost. For families with young children and luggage, a private car with child seats and a fixed price agreed in advance is often the simplest way to start the vacation.

This guide walks you through the Orlando airport to Disney and Universal trip step by step: where pickups happen at MCO’s terminals, how the options compare, and what to prepare when you travel with kids. For hotels, attractions and other routes, see our Orlando airport transfer guide.

Orlando airport to Disney: what changed

For many years, guests at Disney-owned resort hotels rode Disney’s Magical Express, a free coach from MCO with luggage delivered to the room. That service ended on January 1, 2022. Paid shared shuttles, including Mears Connect, stepped in, and families also turned to rideshare apps and private car services. If you read older blog posts or forum threads, keep this change in mind.

Know your terminal at MCO

Orlando International Airport has three terminals: A and B share the main building, and Terminal C is a separate, newer terminal on the south side of the airport. Pickup locations depend on which terminal you arrive at, so check your airline’s terminal before you fly.

Rideshare pickup locations

According to the airport, rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft pick up at:

• Terminal A: Arrivals Curb, Level 2
• Terminal B: Arrivals Curb, Level 2
• Terminal C: Arrivals Curb, Level 6

Taxis, shuttles and pre-arranged vehicles use separate ground transportation areas, so follow the signs or the instructions from your provider. With our service, the meeting point is stated in your booking confirmation.

Options compared for families

Option	Price basis	Stops	Child seats	Best for
Shared shuttle	Per person	Several hotels	Check with operator	Couples and small budgets
Rideshare app	Dynamic, shown in the app	Direct	Limited availability	Small groups without young children
Taxi	Metered	Direct	Usually not supplied	Short notice trips
Rental car	Daily rate, plus parking and fuel	Direct	Rent or bring your own	Families planning off-site trips
Pre-booked private car	Fixed, agreed before you fly	Direct to your hotel	On request	Families, groups, late arrivals

Shared shuttles

Shared shuttles charge per person and stop at several hotels along the way. They can be good value for two adults, but for a family of four or five the per-person price adds up, and the stops lengthen the trip when children are tired.

Rideshare and taxis

Rideshare apps are direct, but the price is set when you request the ride and can rise when many flights land together. Finding a car with child seats is not guaranteed. Taxis are also direct but run on the meter, so the total depends on route and traffic.

Rental car

A rental car makes sense if you plan days at the beach or the Kennedy Space Center. If you will stay inside the Disney or Universal resort areas, factor in hotel parking fees, theme park parking and the effort of driving after a long flight.

Why families choose a pre-booked private car

A private car takes you straight from the terminal to your resort lobby. With our service:

• You see a fixed price in US dollars before you book, including tolls and the airport fee. Some of the main routes from MCO toward the parks use toll roads, so this matters.
• Your driver tracks your flight and adjusts the pickup to your actual landing time.
• You receive the driver’s name and phone number before you land.
• The driver meets you at the terminal meeting point given in your confirmation.
• Child seats are available on request, so you can leave bulky seats at home.
• Rides are operated by licensed, insured local car service companies we work with.

Picking the right vehicle

Theme park trips mean strollers and big suitcases. A Sedan carries up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, which suits a couple or a parent with one child. A Minivan takes up to 6 passengers and 6 bags and is the usual choice for families. A Sprinter Van carries up to 14 passengers, ideal for grandparents, cousins and friends traveling together.

Our live table shows current fixed fares from MCO to popular Orlando destinations:

Walt Disney World vs Universal: planning the ride

Going to Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is a large resort area southwest of the airport with theme parks, water parks and many resort hotels. Give us your exact resort name when you book, because hotels in the same area can be far apart, and the driver needs the right lobby.

Going to Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort is also southwest of the airport, closer to International Drive. Its hotels are spread around the resort, so again the exact hotel name matters.

Splitting your stay

Many families spend a few nights at each resort. You can book a transfer from the airport to your first hotel, a hotel-to-hotel ride in the middle of your stay, and a ride back to MCO at the end, each with its own fixed price.

For tips on what to ask any provider before you pay, read our guide on how to choose an airport car service.

Family arrival checklist for MCO

• Confirm your terminal: A, B or C.
• Write down your exact resort hotel name and address.
• Count passengers, bags and strollers, then choose the right vehicle.
• Request child seats when you book and state your children’s ages.
• Keep snacks, water and a change of clothes for the kids in your carry-on.
• Charge your phone so you receive your driver’s details before landing.
• Read the meeting point in your confirmation before you leave the plane.
• Book the return ride to the airport at the same time so it is settled.

Family plans change. Our bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup, local time at the pickup; read the refund and cancellation policy for full details. Your card is authorized at booking and charged 24 hours before pickup. For more ideas and routes, visit our Orlando and theme park transfers page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Disney still offer a free shuttle from Orlando Airport?

No. Disney’s Magical Express, the free coach service from MCO to Disney resort hotels, ended on January 1, 2022. Since then, guests arrange their own transport, using paid shared shuttles such as Mears Connect, rideshare apps, taxis, rental cars or a pre-booked private car. Check any older advice you read online against this change.

Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Orlando Airport?

According to the airport, rideshare pickups for Terminals A and B are at the Arrivals Curb on Level 2, and for Terminal C at the Arrivals Curb on Level 6. Check your app for the exact zone. A pre-booked private car meets you at the meeting point stated in your booking confirmation instead.

Can I get child seats for the ride from MCO to Disney?

Yes. Child seats are available on request when you book with us. Tell us how many you need and your children’s ages so the right seats are provided. This means you do not have to carry car seats through the airport. Rideshare apps and taxis cannot always supply child seats on demand.

Does the private car price include tolls from Orlando Airport?

Yes. Our fixed price is shown in US dollars before you book and includes tolls and the airport fee. Several of the main routes from MCO toward the theme park areas use toll roads, so a fixed price that already covers them avoids surprises. The price depends on your destination and vehicle, not on traffic.

Which vehicle should a family of five book?

A Minivan, which carries up to 6 passengers and 6 bags, suits most families of five. If you have extra luggage, strollers or plan to travel with grandparents or friends, a Sprinter Van carries up to 14 passengers. A Sedan is limited to 3 passengers and 3 bags, so it is too small for five people.

Can I book a transfer between Disney and Universal hotels?

Yes. Enter your Disney hotel as the pickup and your Universal hotel as the destination on the home page booking form, or the other way around. You see a fixed price before you book, and the same vehicle choices and child seat options apply. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before pickup.

Book your Orlando airport transfer

Start the family vacation the easy way: book your Orlando airport to Disney or Universal transfer on our home page. Choose your vehicle, add child seats, see the fixed price before you pay, and your driver will be tracking your flight when you land at MCO.