If you have decided to visit Walt Disney World, you are probably thinking about the best ways to get there once you land at Orlando Airport.
There are different ways and different routes that will get you to the magical world of Disney, but you have to decide which one works the best for you.
So, how do you drive from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World?
There are 3 routes that will take you from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World. Each of them differentiates in length and in time of travel, however, all of them include tolls along the way. If you want to avoid them, you will have to take longer routes, and waste more time.
In this article, I have provided information related to 3 different routes that will get you to Walt Disney World from the Orlando Airport.
Here, you will read about three routes that are quite similar to one another, however, to you they might make a significant difference.
After you see your options, you will be able to decide on the route you want to take to get to Disney World and enjoy all Disney has to offer including the legendary Magic Kingdom.
How To Drive From Orlando International Airport To Walt Disney World Resort?
There are different ways and directions that will take you to Walt Disney World if you decide to rent a car from the Orlando International Airport.
However, the fastest ones include tolls, so you should expect that you will have some payments along the way.
Directions To Disney World From Airport To Theme Park
The routes that do not have pay tolls are quite long, and they might include roads that are not really convenient for driving.
Therefore, my recommendation would be to stay on the highway and get to the magic of Walt Disney World as fast as possible! After all, you want the Magic to start as soon as possible right!! Personally I think this is the best way to get from Orlando airport to Disney world
Driving after a flight can be tiresome, especially with young children desperate to see the Magic Kingdom, so choose the route that would be the most convenient, but also the simplest.
Here, I have provided three routes, so you can check the differences, and see what suits you best.
- One quick tip is to try and land during daylight hours if possible, It’s much easier to find your way around in the daylight.
Fastest directions to Orlando International Airport (Via FL-528 W/FL-528 Toll W)
This is the fastest route from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World usually takes around 19 minutes considering regular traffic on the highway. You will have to drive for 18.6 miles, and you will have to pay two tolls. This route will take you directly to Epcot Center Drive
To follow the route you will have to get on FL-528 West from Orlando International Airport which is also known as the Beach Line. You will have to drive on the highway and follow the Disney signs all the time. This will take around 16 miles.
Disney resort areas and parks are well signposted when you get in the general “Disney” area, so you shouldn’t have too many problems finding your resort
After that, you will have to take I-4 W to Epcot Center Drive and later follow Exit 67. Once you take the exit, you will arrive at the Epcot Center Drive in Disney World. Following this route will require passing two pay tolls, one of which is $1.25, while the other is $1.
Meadow Woods (Via FL-417 Toll S)
This is another one of the three options that I have provided in this article.
This is my personal favorite route as everything seems a little calmer and there is definitely less traffic around at first than the other routes.
This really helps you get used to driving the rental car. This is super important particularly for non-US “holidaymakers” for 2 reasons.
- You may never have driven an automatic car before.
- Sitting on the left of the vehicle to drive, and constantly wondering where the rear view mirror is, and just how much “car” you have on the right hand side.
I like this route for Orlando International Airport to Disney world as you can settle in and get used to everything before you head into heavier traffic.
This route will take you to Walt Disney World in approximately 21 minutes, and it is 19.7 miles. There are a few pay tolls, and they are approximately the same price as the ones I mentioned above. This route is on the opposite side of the one I described above.
- The first toll when leaving the Orlando International airport is “Staffed” so you can get plenty of change for some of the automatic tolls further along your journey.
You will have to take the FL-417 Toll S in Meadow Woods from Jeff Fuqua Boulevard.
Drive for about 5.7 miles, and then follow W Osceola Pkwy in Osceola County for 12.8 miles. Lastly, you will have to take exit 3 from the FL-417 Toll S.
Orlando airport to Disney World – Driving Tips
Make sure that you follow the Disney signs that will be quite frequent along the road, and you will arrive directly in the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios theme parks area.
Here’s my own YouTube video that shows leaving the airport and entering the FL-417 toll. It takes you to McDonald’s on the 192 which is a popular area full of hotels and restaurants.
Longest Route (Via FL-528 W/FL-528 Toll W and FL-417 Toll S)
This is the longest route and includes both FL-528 and FL-417.
These directions will take you to Walt Disney World in about 25 minutes, and you will have to drive for 23.5 miles. This route also includes pay tolls, and they are approximately the same price as the ones mentioned above.
You will have to take FL-528 and drive for about 2.2 miles. After that, you will have to take Florida’s Turnpike, and get on FL-417.
You will continue on W Osceola Pkwy in Osceola County for around 20 minutes or 20 miles. After that, you will need to take Exit 3 from FL-417. This route will also take you directly to the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios areas.
All of the routes are proven to have good, direct roads, and they do not have a lot of differences.
However, it would be smart to check on your navigation which route would be the fastest at that moment.
Some applications and navigation devices have the ability to detect crashes or other delays on the roads, so that can help you a lot in deciding which directions to follow and get to Walt Disney World quickly.
- I would definitely suggest you pay a little extra for a rental car with Satellite Navigation built-in.
Not only can you enter your destination each morning for the park you want to visit, but crucially you can enter the street address of your Villa or resort you can also simply type Magic Kingdom in as well.
- Believe me, having a Satellite Navigation System will come in very handy when you leave a park late at night in the dark and you are pretty exhausted! I honestly can’t remember how I used to manage without it!
How To Drive From Walt Disney World To Orlando International Airport
Many people overlook the fact that at the end of their vacation, they need to drive back to the airport (I hate this part) leaving the Magic Kingdom for the last time breaks my heart!
Here’s a useful video that shows how to drive from the Disney area back to the airport via the FL-417
Here’s an alternate route where you can go on Interstate 4. This is a much busier and faster road though.
Cash Or Sun Pass?
You might be wondering whether it is better to pay cash on the pay toll booths or buy a Sun Pass.
According to many drivers who have taken these routes a lot, paying cash is a better option since a Sun Pass is a little bit more expensive. For instance, a Sun Pass for one day is $6.99, while the cash lanes would charge you around $1 or $2.
If you stay on the right-hand lanes, you will be able to get on the cash lanes in a simple and quick way. However, do not forget to ask for a receipt, and make sure that you have change, or at the most $20 dollar bills.
- Another personal top tip is to keep around $20 in change in the car in case you get lost and have to pay extra tolls!
Here is a useful video for anybody that hasn’t driven in the USA before.
As you could see, there are three routes that can take you to Walt Disney World and they differ among themselves slightly.
If you want to avoid pay tolls you will have to avoid the highway as well, and by nature, that will require more time.
Be sure to open up this Google Map and have a look at the routes provided to get you onto Disney property above alongside the map. This will take any potential stress out of the journey!
I hope this guide helps you have a smooth and stress-free journey whichever Disney World Resort hotel you are staying at! It’s my dream one day to stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, or Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin! Whichever Disney Resort hotels you choose be sure to have a magical day!
FAQ
What is the distance from Orlando airport to Disney world
The distance from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World Resort is approximately 20-21 miles depending on the route taken. This equates to an estimated driving time of 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. (source: Google Maps)
