Airport Shuttle Discounts for Disney Vacations

LAST UPDATE: 6/17/13

At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, transportation from the airport to your hotel is something you’ll have to arrange and pay for yourself, unless you are staying at a Disney owned-and operated resort at Walt Disney World, in which case you have the option of using Disney’s free Magical Express service.

One option is to use an airport shuttle — a shared van or bus service that runs at scheduled times between the airport and your hotel. I’ve listed shuttle information and several airport shuttle discounts and coupons below.

In addition to the fees listed below, be sure to budget for a standard tip of $1 or more for each item of baggage handled by the driver.

Prices below are subject to change at any time.

Jump to:

• Walt Disney World
• Disneyland
• Car Seats

Walt Disney World

Jump to:

• SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service
• Mears Shuttle Bus

SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service

For most people shared shuttle van service is an economical option, and it is quite convenient. A good option in Orlando is SuperShuttle. The shuttle will make multiple stops, but you will be delivered right to the door of your hotel.

Be aware that this form of transportation can be slow, since you will have to wait for the shuttle to pick up numerous passengers at multiple airport stops and then take them to their individual hotels. Allow at least 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel. (Direct driving time is 20-30 minutes.)

For parties of four or more, a towncar or limo transfer usually costs about the same or less and is more luxurious, much faster and more convenient.

You will need to make an advance reservation for shuttle van service. Payment can be in cash, traveler’s checks or by major credit card.

• Shared shuttle van service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney World-area hotels is $18 per person one way/$36 per person roundtrip, plus tip. Children under 3 are free.

Mears Shuttle Bus

Mears Shuttle is the company used by Disney to provide Disney’s free Magical Express service. If you will not be staying at a Disney-owned and -operated hotel, you can book Mears Shuttle directly.

Transfers between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World-area resorts are $34 roundtrip for adults (12 and older) and $27 for kids ages 4-11, plus tip. Kids 3 and under are free.

Unfortunately, Mears can be slow, since you will have to wait for the shuttle (which is often a big bus) to pick up numerous passengers and take them to their individual hotels. Allow about 90 minutes from the time you get off the plane until you arrive at your hotel. (Direct driving time is 20-30 minutes.)

For parties of four or more, a towncar or limo transfer usually costs about the same or less and is much more luxurious and convenient.

Disneyland

For a Disneyland trip, your shuttle selection partly depends on the airport you select.

• Between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Disneyland, the trip takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Between Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Disneyland, travel time is about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Jump to:

• SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service
• Disneyland Resort Express Bus

SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service

For most people shared shuttle van service is an economical option, and it is quite convenient. The biggest company in Southern California is SuperShuttle, which serves all of the major Los Angeles-area airports. The shuttle will make multiple stops, but you will be delivered right to the door of your hotel.

You will need to make an advance reservation for shuttle van service. Payment can be in cash, traveler’s checks or by major credit card.

• From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), shared shuttle van service is $16 per person one way/$32 per person roundtrip, plus tip. Children under 3 are free.
• From Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), shared shuttle van service is $10 per person one way/$20 per person roundtrip, plus tip. Children under 3 are free.

 MouseSavers.com reader Stephen W says that “if you book in advance and advise them, SuperShuttle has wheelchair-accessible transport vans available at no additional fee, in their shared-ride format. You can simply check a box during your Internet checkout and add wheelchair need to your reservation.”

If there are four or more people in your party and you are flying into Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), don’t bother with taking a shuttle van. It’s faster to take a taxi or taxi van, which should cost $40 or less (one way) including tip. No reservation is required: just find the taxi stand outside the terminal doors.

For the ultimate in convenience and luxury, consider using a towncar or limo transfer. In some cases it may cost about the same as using a shuttle.

Disneyland Resort Express Bus

One of the least expensive options is Disneyland Resort Express, a private bus service that serves two major airports and a host of Disneyland-area hotels on a regular schedule.

This company, operated by Gray Line/Coach America, offers large, comfortable tour buses. (There is a small company calling itself Disneyland Express that operates vans – watch out, it’s not the same company.)

No reservation is required. Payment can be in cash, traveler’s checks or by major credit card.

• From LAX, Disneyland Resort Express is $22 one way/$32 roundtrip for an adult; $19 one way/$25 roundtrip for a child (ages 3-11), plus tip; kids under 3 are FREE.
• There is also a “Family Pass” for up to 5 people roundtrip from/to LAX that costs $99.99. It must be purchased in advance online.
• From SNA, Disneyland Resort Express is $17 one way/$27 roundtrip for an adult; $14 one way/$18 roundtrip for a child (ages 3-11), plus tip; kids under 3 are FREE.
• There is also a “Family Pass” for up to 5 people roundtrip from/to SNA that costs $79.99. It must be purchased in advance online.

Disneyland Resort Express from the airport – after picking up your luggage at the airport, proceed out to the pickup location:

• At LAX, go to the center island and stand under the overhead green sign. The bus departs hourly between 7:30 am and 10:30 am; every 30 minutes between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm; and hourly between 4:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Please note that these times are subject to change.
• At SNA, go outside to the Ground Transportation Center and find the area in front of the ticket booth on your left. The bus departs hourly between 7:00 am and 11:00 am; every 30 minutes between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm; and hourly between 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Please note that these times are subject to change – check the website for current hours.

Disneyland Resort Express to the airport – The bus will pick up right from your hotel. Ask for a schedule at your hotel. Almost all hotels in Anaheim participate, with buses departing hourly starting as early as 6:00 am and as late as 8:00 pm (to SNA) or 9:00 pm (to LAX). Please note that these times are subject to change – check the website for current hours.

If there are four or more people in your party and you are flying into Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA), don’t bother with taking Disneyland Resort Express. It’s faster to take a taxi or taxi van, which should cost $40 or less (one way) including tip. No reservation is required: just find the taxi stand outside the terminal doors.

For the ultimate in convenience and luxury, consider using a towncar or limo transfer. In some cases it may cost about the same as using the bus.

Car Seats

Most shuttle vans and buses fall under mass transportation laws that do not require them to provide child safety seats, but you should request them when making your reservations anyway. Of course you can take your own car seats along, which is the safest option but can be a hassle.