Leave for Disney
Familiarizing yourself with the airport will take a little stress off your travel day. We’ll break down what to do when you land in Orlando!
NAVIGATING THE AIRPORT
The main airport is the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Terminals A & B are a little dated….and the signage could be better - so we’ll tell you where the important stuff is so you don't stress when you land.
Taxis:
Location: Taxis are available on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal on Level 1 (Ground Transportation).
Pickup: Follow signs for Ground Transportation and head to Level 1 to find the taxi stands.
Uber/Lyft:
Location: The pickup location for Uber and Lyft is on the Arrivals curb on Level 2, both on the A and B sides of the Main Terminal.
Pickup: Follow signs for Rideshare and head to the designated pickup area on Level 2.
Mears Shuttle Services:
Location: Mears shuttle services, including Disney's Magical Express, are located on the B side of the Main Terminal on Level 1.
Pickup: Look for the signs indicating Mears and Disney's Magical Express, and proceed to the designated area on Level 1.
General Tips:
Follow airport signs for Ground Transportation, Rideshare, or specific services to reach the designated pickup areas.
If you have specific questions or need assistance, the airport's information counters and staff are available to help.
GETTING TO THE DISNEY BUBBLE
Getting to the "Disney Bubble" or the Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks from Orlando International Airport (MCO) is easy, and there are several transportation options available:
Mears Shuttle Services:
Mears Transportation offers shuttle and bus services from the airport to various destinations, including hotels in the Disney area.
You can find Mears on the B side of the Main Terminal on Level 1.
Mears Shuttle
Uber/Lyft:
Uber and Lyft are great rideshare options. Lyft also offers “Minnie Vans” adorable Minnie painted vans that seat up to 6 guests and offer 2 car seats if needed. Minnie Vans are not available to go to MCO at this time, only for Club Level Deluxe Resort Guests.
*Main Street 101 Tip: If you are traveling inside the Disney Bubble and headed to Magic Kingdom, get the Minnie Van. It will drop you off at the gate vs. the TTC (where you’d have to take a boat or monorail over.) However, Minnie Vans cannot arrive at the gate until 7:30am but will instead drop guests off at the Contemporary Resort to walk over.
Head to the designated Rideshare pickup area on Level 2 of both the A and B sides. Use the respective app to request a ride.
Minnie Van
Taxis:
Taxis are available on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal on Level 1. Follow signs for Ground Transportation to locate the taxi stands and just wait in line for the next taxi.
Rental Cars:
Rental cars are available at the airport. Follow signs for Ground Transportation to the Rental Car area on Level 1 of both the A and B sides.
* Main Street 101 Tip - we never rent a car, we find it unnecessary in the Disney Bubble. We prefer Disney transportation or Uber/Lyft.
CHECKING IN TIMES & TIPS
Check in Time:
Standard check in time is 3pm for Disney Resorts and 4pm for Disney Deluxe Villas. You can request an earlier check in though it is not guaranteed.
Check in on My Disney Experience:
We strongly recommend that you use the My Disney Experience App to check in online prior to arrival. This allows you to provide preferences, such as room location or bed configurations, and can save you lots of time from waiting in check in line upon your arrival.
Once your room is ready, you will receive a notification in My Disney Experience and you can go directly to your room.
Special Room Requests:
If you have specific requests, such as room location, connecting rooms, or amenities you can request them during the online check in process. While Disney does its best to accommodate requests, they are subject to availability.
Arrival at the Hotel:
Upon arrival, head to the hotel's front desk to complete the check in process if you haven't already done so online. You can also store your bags with Bell Services if your room isn't ready - go explore the resort or head to the Parks!
Checking in on My Disney Experience App
Concierge at All-Stars Music Resort
Room Availability:
* Main Street 101 Tip: Check-in time is 3pm for Disney Resort Hotels and 4pm for Disney Deluxe Villas. Even if your room is not ready at the official check in time, it doesn't hurt to check with the front desk. Cast Members are always trying to help - if they have room available they may be able to get you into your room a little earlier.
MagicBands:
MagicBands and MagicBand+ are amazingly convenient. They are your room key, your entry to the parks and even a payment method at stores and dining on property! AND they’re waterproof so ok to wear in pools!
*Main Street 101 Tip: We always hook it up to a credit card so we don’t have to worry about bringing our wallets to the parks!
If you do not wish to purchase a MagicBand, you can request a free Key to the World card that does the exact same things.
*You do not need to stay at a Disney resort in order to use MagicBands in the parks.
SNACKS & GROCERIES
Ordering delivery and groceries to your Disney hotel room is a convenient way to get the items you need, especially if you didn't pack certain essentials. Here's how you can go about it:
Delivery Services:
Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc: Many third-party food delivery services operate in the Orlando area. You can use apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or similar services to order meals and other necessities directly to your hotel.
Grocery Delivery Services:
Instacart, Amazon Prime, etc: Services like Instacart and Amazon Prime now allows you to order groceries, toiletries, and other essentials for delivery to your Disney hotel. Ensure that the service you choose delivers to the specific hotel you're staying at.
Delivery Address:
Provide the accurate delivery address, including your hotel name and room number, when placing orders. Disney hotels are well-versed in receiving deliveries for guests.
Hotel Handling Fees:
Some Disney hotels may charge a handling fee for receiving and holding packages on behalf of guests. Check with your hotel's front desk about their policies and any associated fees.
Markups at Hotel Stores:
While hotels often have convenience stores with basics, they may come at a markup. If you need specific items, especially if you're looking to save, ordering from outside delivery services might be more cost-effective.
Let’s recap this next phase of your Disney vacation planning!