Step 6: Transportation
It's finally time to decide on transportation from home to
the World. Transportation at Disney World is a different story and
will have an entire post to itself at a later time.
For most people, the easiest way to get to Orlando is to fly. This is how we get there, but there is always the option to drive or even to take a train.
Which of these options to use depends on your own personal preference. If driving is cheaper or you live in Florida or even Georgia then driving is probably the best option for you. Driving is also a good option for those who have family members that are unable to fly.
Taking a train is also an option for those the that cannot or just choose not to fly. Trains, however, are more expensive than flying or driving.
If you live more than a few states away flying into Orlando International is the best bet.
Now, once you have decided how you are getting to Orlando you are then faced with the decision of how you are going to get to your Disney World or other resort. You have numerous options.
Magical Express- The first, easy, and free option is Disney's Magical Express. This is a free service through Disney that can be booked through the My Disney Experience or over the phone that will take you from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort. If you choose to use this service you will be sent luggage tags to attach to your checked bags and they will be taken directly to your resort hotel room without any work by you. This motor coach is a great option if you're not in any kind of hurry to get to your hotel or dining reservation. There is a chance that you will have to wait for the bus to fill up or that you will be on a bus servicing more than one resort. Again, this is a great option if a small wait does not affect your plans.
Private Car -This option is also available to be booked through the Disney website. It does cost extra, but if you've looking to travel in style, or want to guarantee that you arrive at your resort in a more timely manner this may be a good option for you. Limousines are also an option for a slightly higher cost, but they have the ability to carry more people.
If you're not staying at a Disney resort or are not going to be spending your first night in Florida at one you have a few options.
Cabs - Always an option, but they can be incredibly expensive.
Rental Car - A rental car will give you the option to drive for yourself, to make your own schedules, and to visit other Orlando attractions. One issue that we ran into when planning our last trip was that any time Florida was part of our driving plans on a rental car site we were going to be charged mileage.
Private Car - While you can book a private car through Disney, if you are not going to be staying on Disney property or you and not going directly to Disney their cars are not an option. You can also book a car through a company such as Execucar.
In the past we have flown into Orlando, taken the Magical Express or a car through Disney to our resort and gone to a park for part of the evening. On our last trip we wanted to have out first day at Disney be a full day at the parks, not a day of travel and maybe two hours doing Disney before crashing for the night. So, for this trip we flew into Orlando, had a private car take us to a non-Disney hotel where we spent the night. The next morning, first thing in the morning, we had another private car take us directly to our Disney resort where we were able to drop our bags off, check-in, and then arrive at our park for the day by 10am. It is a bit more money out of pocket than traveling and taking the Magical Express straight to your resort, but it is an option.
Another option, if you want your first day at the parks to be a full day, spend the additional night at your Disney resort instead of an off-site hotel. Do not buy a park ticket for the first night and take the Magical Express. I'm not sure why we haven't used this option in the past, but we are discussing doing this on our next trip.
Again, what option is right for you is entirely up to you.
There is only one step left in the planning process- fastpass+. We'll discuss that in the next post. Until then, Happy Planning!
For most people, the easiest way to get to Orlando is to fly. This is how we get there, but there is always the option to drive or even to take a train.
Which of these options to use depends on your own personal preference. If driving is cheaper or you live in Florida or even Georgia then driving is probably the best option for you. Driving is also a good option for those who have family members that are unable to fly.
Taking a train is also an option for those the that cannot or just choose not to fly. Trains, however, are more expensive than flying or driving.
If you live more than a few states away flying into Orlando International is the best bet.
Now, once you have decided how you are getting to Orlando you are then faced with the decision of how you are going to get to your Disney World or other resort. You have numerous options.
Magical Express- The first, easy, and free option is Disney's Magical Express. This is a free service through Disney that can be booked through the My Disney Experience or over the phone that will take you from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort. If you choose to use this service you will be sent luggage tags to attach to your checked bags and they will be taken directly to your resort hotel room without any work by you. This motor coach is a great option if you're not in any kind of hurry to get to your hotel or dining reservation. There is a chance that you will have to wait for the bus to fill up or that you will be on a bus servicing more than one resort. Again, this is a great option if a small wait does not affect your plans.
Private Car -This option is also available to be booked through the Disney website. It does cost extra, but if you've looking to travel in style, or want to guarantee that you arrive at your resort in a more timely manner this may be a good option for you. Limousines are also an option for a slightly higher cost, but they have the ability to carry more people.
If you're not staying at a Disney resort or are not going to be spending your first night in Florida at one you have a few options.
Cabs - Always an option, but they can be incredibly expensive.
Rental Car - A rental car will give you the option to drive for yourself, to make your own schedules, and to visit other Orlando attractions. One issue that we ran into when planning our last trip was that any time Florida was part of our driving plans on a rental car site we were going to be charged mileage.
Private Car - While you can book a private car through Disney, if you are not going to be staying on Disney property or you and not going directly to Disney their cars are not an option. You can also book a car through a company such as Execucar.
In the past we have flown into Orlando, taken the Magical Express or a car through Disney to our resort and gone to a park for part of the evening. On our last trip we wanted to have out first day at Disney be a full day at the parks, not a day of travel and maybe two hours doing Disney before crashing for the night. So, for this trip we flew into Orlando, had a private car take us to a non-Disney hotel where we spent the night. The next morning, first thing in the morning, we had another private car take us directly to our Disney resort where we were able to drop our bags off, check-in, and then arrive at our park for the day by 10am. It is a bit more money out of pocket than traveling and taking the Magical Express straight to your resort, but it is an option.
Another option, if you want your first day at the parks to be a full day, spend the additional night at your Disney resort instead of an off-site hotel. Do not buy a park ticket for the first night and take the Magical Express. I'm not sure why we haven't used this option in the past, but we are discussing doing this on our next trip.
Again, what option is right for you is entirely up to you.
There is only one step left in the planning process- fastpass+. We'll discuss that in the next post. Until then, Happy Planning!
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