MCO to POP transportation budget

[Ashes8380]

Hi! I'm going to WDW with a friend the first week of Jan. 2005. We're both college students, so obviously we're on a pretty strict budget. I was wondering what the best way was to get from MCO to POP and vice versa. I've heard a lot of different things, and was hoping some of you might clarify. Previously, I've only gone to WDW with my family, and we took a towncar, but I don't know if that's in our price range. Any info would be appriciated! Thanks!

 

[Lucky4me]

Here you go.

Here are some transportation options:

From Wdwig website:

Taxi

Outside the baggage handling area is also the Taxi service. Cabs/vans arrive and take guests as they come in...so no telling what "company" you will get. Groups of 4 or more may get a taxi van. The price was the same for 2 adults as it was for 4; approximately $40 one way for the ride (plus gratuity) to a Disney Property Hotel.

MEARS SHUTTLE

$29/adult/roundtrip and $21/Child Ages 4-11. (Disney sometimes includes a $3-off discount coupon with your reservation confirmation.) The vehicle is either a van or bus and will take passengers to the WDW resort hotels. Your Mears transportation vehicle will in all probability contains guests headed for different "Disney" hotels - so be prepared for a non-direct journey. You will, however, be taken to the hotel you are staying at. You will need to make reservations for your return trip. Again, because the van/bus may go to several hotels, you will need to allow sufficient time to get to the airport. You can visit their website at http://www.mearstransportation.com

Mears Shuttle Booth Locations:
Baggage Claim Level *A*Terminal - Exit through the doors in front of baggage claim carousel #6
Baggage Claim Level *B* Terminal - Exit through the doors in front of baggage claim carousel #6 OR baggage claim carousel #12.
They do take credit cards. The Mears phone number is: (407) 423-5566. Be sure to make your return reservations at least 24 hours in advance!

From Mousesavers:

Public transportation from MCO to Disney


If you are traveling light (i.e. one carry-on) and you are on a really tight budget, it is possible to take a public bus from the airport to Walt Disney World and accomplish your trip for less than the cost of the tip you would pay a taxi or shuttle driver, or for less than the cost of tolls with a rental car!

The trip from the airport to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) at Walt Disney World takes about an hour and a half, with the bus leaving the airport every hour. The best route is to take Bus 51 from the airport (an alternate is Bus 11) and then transfer to Bus 50 at the downtown bus station. (There is a web site with bus schedules.) The cost is $1.25 one way. Only $1 bills and change are accepted.

Greg C. sends this information: "The link 11 is now quicker to go from the airport to the downtown bus station. There you still transfer to bus 50. Bus 11 arrives 10 minutes before Bus 50 does. The 51 bus arrives 5 minutes after the 50 bus leaves."

You need to ask for a transfer when you board the bus at the airport or you will be charged when you get on the second bus. When you get to the TTC you can take the ferry across to the Magic Kingdom and catch the bus to any of Disney's resorts. If you are staying off-site, many local hotels have buses from the TTC parking lot -- be sure to check the hotel's schedule. Or you could take a taxi from TTC to almost any local hotel for about $10.

If you have a late flight on the last day of your stay, after you check out of your hotel you can store your luggage at the lockers at the TTC and spend the day at the Magic Kingdom, then leave the Magic Kingdom a half-hour before the bus is due, which will give you time to get your luggage and be waiting for the bus.

Thank you to Deb S, who has done this several times, for the in-depth info - and to Nicole C for updated info.