Airport ---> World

[HueyDeweyLouie]

Excuse me if I'm in the wrong section. I was thinking maybe the second question was more appropriate here.

1. What's the approximate commute time from the airport to WDW? (AKL to be specific). I will be doing the "Magical Express"; but I'm also curious if there are any differences with taxi or rental. Also, do you have any input/opinions on the Magical Express?

2. If you plan on returning to your hotel during the day or even park hopping, would you recommend getting a rental?

I've learned so much just from lurking around, you guys have been very helpful. Thanks for the knowledge!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Hello and Welcome to the DIS!

Since the Magical Express has not started yet it's anyone's guess how long it will take. A towncar can get you to your Disney resort in about 25 minutes, unless you want a grocery stop along the way. Since we want to pick up some water and snacks we will be skipping the ME and taking a towncar to our hotel.
As for your other question, if you are staying at a Disney resort it is easy to go back and forth to your resort. Disney buses are available throughout the day from all the parks to all the resorts. Some people prefer to rent and drive to the parks. As a Disney guest there is no fee to park. I prefer to let Disney take me everywhere I want to go. I find it much more relaxing not having to drive. Note that you cannot drive to the Magic Kingdom. For the MK you must park at the TTC, take the tram (depending on how far back you are) and then either the boat or monorail to the MK. Disney buses drop you off right at the entrance to the MK. If you stay at a MK resort you have the options of boats, monorail, buses, and you can walk to the MK from the Contemporary. For the Epcot resorts you can walk or boat to both Epcot and the Disney Studios.
If you are staying off-site you will definitely need a rental car.
I suggest you go over to "Transportation" for loads of info on Disney transportation as well as rental car information.

 

[safetymom]

You will get more answers and ifnormation if you post in the transportation board.

Taxi will be about $50 before tip from the airport. It takes about 30 mins from the airport. Not sure how long ME will take because it is new.

I like having a car and the only place I don't usually drive is to MK. Taking a bus is much easier for that park or we park at Epcot and use the monorail to get to MK.

 

[jckdisneybound]

We have always rented a car. We did take the AKL buses a few times and never had any problems, I just like the control of coming and going as I please.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

In Nov we rented a car. I can tell you that from getting off the plane, renting our car(very quick) and driving straight to AKL it took 1 1/2 hours from getting off plane to being in our room.
I think it is 29 miles from airport to AKL

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Dh and I used Prestige Limo Service this past fall and thought our driver was great! Our plane arrived about 1/2 an hour at MCO, but our driver already was waiting at luggage claim for us. We walked right out the door and accross the Mears/taxi lane to a lovely, new towncar. The trip to AKL took under 30 minutes. It was mid-morning on the Saturday before Halloween. Our driver anticipated some traffic, but we were able to cruise right through the pass (can't remember what they call the commuter passes in Florida) lanes at all the toll booths. I'm certain that having to stop at all of these toll booths with a rental car would have slowed us down by a good 15 minutes or more.