Cheapest way from MCO to Disney

[nkkilala]

Hello everyone!

I have a friend who needs transportation from MCO to Disney (Can't do ME)

Would it be cheaper to rent a car, or hire a service??

Which service would you recommend? She is looking for the most value conscious trip as this is last minute (just found cheap airfare last night 85RT and decided to go!)

She is going this weekend Sat-Tue

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Hello everyone!

I have a friend who needs transportation from MCO to Disney (Can't do ME)

Would it be cheaper to rent a car, or hire a service??

Which service would you recommend? She is looking for the most value conscious trip as this is last minute (just found cheap airfare last night 85RT and decided to go!)

She is going this weekend Sat-Tue

She might want to check the auto rental deals asap. Then compare to service and taxi. Does she need to drive to grocery store or other retail stores? That might enter into the decision.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Mears Shuttle. Level One at the airport, can't be reserved in advance because Magical Express exists, $19 one way.

Or www.golynx.com public transit system - $2 one way, Route 111 stops many times but final stop is Downtown Disney. VERY important to note that friend likely wouldn't be able to bring luggage on Disney bus to resort, so cab would be required.

Curious why she can't use Magical Express, though?

 

[Lewisc]

Where is she staying? As long as she's listed on the reservation she can reserve DME. Is she staying with you? You can add her to your reservation. Are you on a package? Are you arriving a day before her? You can add her to your reservation when you check in without adding her to your package (YMMV). Then make a DME reservation. She won't get a voucher but the CM at the DME desk will print it.

One person. Just take Mears. Going to a WDW resort? You can't make a reservation. Just sign up when you get to MCO. Ask about the return. I think she'll have to pay for R/T.

Even cheaper. Take Lynx (public bus) to the TTC.

edited to add
Kay made the same point while I was composing this post. If your friend is staying offsite a rental car makes a lot of sense.

Everytime the question is asked--cheapest way to go....I'm tempted to either suggest walking or ask for a ride. I'd never do it but talk to enough people on the plane and you might find a couple who has room in their rental car or towncar for an extra passenger.

 

[goofy4tink]

If your friend is truly going to WDW proper, and hence staying at a WDW owned resort, then she can indeed use DME. You can call them the day before you leave and get a reservation. You just have to be staying in a WDW owned resort. She would have to collect her own checked bags but that's not a big deal. Then bring it with her to the DME checkin area.
If she is staying at the S/D, then I would recommend using Mears shuttle. As mentioned, it runs about $19 one way...takes between 60 and 90 mins, depending on how soon you get on the shuttle. It can be arranged before arrival or once you get to MCO. It is located on level 1, just before you get to the DME area.

If she is staying at an offsite hotel, then check with Mears and see if they go to that particular hotel/resort. Other than those options, a rental car will be the next way to go.

 

[Lewisc]

Diane--Every time a poster says a person can't use DME, and implies the person is staying at a WDW resort, I assume one of two things. That person won't be paying the additional charge for a third adult in a room. That person will be exceeding the capacity of the room.

I'm probably too cynical. There are some people who don't realize the only requirement is signing up for DME prior to arriving at MCO. I don't know if you can call from your departure airport before takeoff. You can certainly make a reservation a day or two before your trip. DME desk will print your voucher. Either pickup your bags or describe them to the CM at the DME des.

 

[NancyIL]

Mears to the Swan or Dolphin is $20 one-way/$33 round-trip. I assume it would be a similar fare to other WDW-area resorts.

P.S. to the OP - I grew up in Kalamazoo.

 

[NancyIL]

Mears Shuttle. Level One at the airport, can't be reserved in advance because Magical Express exists, $19 one way.

Mears can be reserved online in advance: https://secure.mearstransportation.com/

 

[Lewisc]

Mears can be reserved online in advance: https://secure.mearstransportation.com/

You can't reserve Mears shuttle service from MCO to a WDW resort. Try to make a reservation and this screen comes up:

Disney's Magical Express motorcoach service is available to all star music resort Guests.
A reservation is required prior to arrival at the airport.
Please call Walt Disney World Reservations at 407-934-7639 to make your reservation now.

You can purchase Mears shuttle service on a walkup basis.

 

[nkkilala]

Thank you all for the great advice.

Nancy- Nice to meet a fellow person familiar with the "Zoo!"

As Lewis stated my friend (actually boss) is a DVC member. She has 5 in her family but could only get a stdio so is not registering 1 person. I will let her know about Mears...they might do DME for most and then hubby on Mears...

(I don't agree with her practice, however when she bought into DVC she stressed the importance of allowing 5 in a room and they said studios would allow 5 and then changed it a few years after she bought in, her story)

Thanks again

 

[NancyIL]

You can't reserve Mears shuttle service from MCO to a WDW resort. Try to make a reservation and this screen comes up:

Disney's Magical Express motorcoach service is available to all star music resort Guests.
A reservation is required prior to arrival at the airport.
Please call Walt Disney World Reservations at 407-934-7639 to make your reservation now.

You can purchase Mears shuttle service on a walkup basis.

The OP hasn't said where the friend is staying, but did say the friend can't use Magical Express.

ETA - since the OP has updated...never mind!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thank you all for the great advice.

Nancy- Nice to meet a fellow person familiar with the "Zoo!"

As Lewis stated my friend (actually boss) is a DVC member. She has 5 in her family but could only get a stdio so is not registering 1 person. I will let her know about Mears...they might do DME for most and then hubby on Mears...

(I don't agree with her practice, however when she bought into DVC she stressed the importance of allowing 5 in a room and they said studios would allow 5 and then changed it a few years after she bought in, her story)

Thanks again

Realize your not condoning the action, but your friend does realize they cannot use any of the perks associated with staying on property if the "extra" person is not registered. They will not have a keycard and would be unable to pool hop (DVC members can do this) and would not be able to take advantage of any extra magic hours.

In regards to 5 in a studio, I do not think this has ever been allowed with the exception that they do allow 4 plus a child under 3. It may be the case where you friend bought in when a child was under 3 and failed to understand that once the child turned 3 that neither a studio or one bedroom would be sufficient in size.

 

[nkkilala]

If she uses Mears (non ME), do they take directly to a Disney resort? Her husband would be the only one taking it. They are staying at SSR so if they don't go to any Disney Resorts he could just get off at one of the DTD resorts.

Thank you all for your help, again I don't condone this but she is my boss and I have "other" obligations...

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If she uses Mears (non ME), do they take directly to a Disney resort? Her husband would be the only one taking it. They are staying at SSR so if they don't go to any Disney Resorts he could just get off at one of the DTD resorts.

If they walk up to the Mears counter and buy their transportation, they will most likely board a ME bus in the end and if their travel companions wait, may be even on the same bus. They will get dropped off at their resort just like other guests.

The benefit of ME is that it's free and you do not need to buy the transportation voucher, but ME is run by Mears (Disney pays for the service) so all the services beyond are pretty much the same.

 

[Lewisc]

If she uses Mears (non ME), do they take directly to a Disney resort? Her husband would be the only one taking it. They are staying at SSR so if they don't go to any Disney Resorts he could just get off at one of the DTD resorts.

Thank you all for your help, again I don't condone this but she is my boss and I have "other" obligations...

There are 2 Mears desks on each side of the airport. He should walk with the family to the DME area. Go over to the Mears desk next to the DME area. Buy the voucher. He can ask, Mears will probably let him take a DME bus. Buy round trip transportation. He should ask if he can be picked up at a Disney resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well. since lewisc is taking every word right out of my mouth, I will say just this...you have never been allowed to have 5 in a studio, unless that 5th was under 3. Yes, there are studios that you can do that but I believe it is only at AKL.
But, since we can understand your 'position' I wouldn't be making a big issue of that with your boss!!!
I agree that whoever is taking the Mears bus should walk down with those riding DME...the Mears counter is just before the DME counter. They may very well be put on the same DME bus. The Mears buses go right to different resorts. No need to get off at a DTD resort and walk to SSR.

 

[nkkilala]

Thanks Gretchen for being so understanding! I've semi-voiced my opinion of the 5 in a studio in the past but don't dare bring it up again!

I'll make sure to let the know they can designate their Disney Resort!

Again thank you all for helping me with this sticky situation!

 

[SPBendersky]

Last time I was down about a year ago pool hopping was frowned upon at the Boardwalk and the Yacht Club two pools with which we wanted to use be careful. It is usually pretty cheap to rent a car for the one day and dropped it off at the onsite car rental I think Alamo.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Last time I was down about a year ago pool hopping was frowned upon at the Boardwalk and the Yacht Club two pools with which we wanted to use be careful.

Pool hopping is a perk provided to DVC members staying on points (all other Disney guests are restricted to the pools at their resort). However DVC members cannot pool hop to pools at Bay Lake Tower/Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge/Animal Kingdom Villas and the Yatch & Beach Club Resorts. These pools are for guest of the specific resorts only. Additionally pool hopping can be restricted due to capacity issues at resorts that do allow it.

 

[neil8hardy]

Opting between service or taxi will depend on the distance you have to cover.
But I will suggest to choose service, as it is more beneficial and comfortable.