Florida Airports & Transfers for Disney World

After years of flying to Disney World from the UK - including experiences with different airports and transfer methods - I've learned that your arrival choice can significantly impact both your budget and stress levels. Flying Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick, we've used various Florida airports depending on deals and convenience.

While Orlando International is the obvious choice, Tampa and Sanford airports offer genuine alternatives that UK visitors should consider. Your transfer method from any airport can range from budget shuttles to premium services, each with different trade-offs for time, cost, and convenience.

Florida Airport Options for UK Visitors#

Understanding your choices helps you make informed decisions about flights and transfers.

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Distance to Disney World: 30-45 minutes Best for: First-time visitors, families with young children, convenience prioritizers

Advantages:

• Closest to Disney World
• Most transfer options available
• Familiar to Disney-focused travel agents
• Direct flights from major UK airports

Disadvantages:

• Often more expensive flights
• Busiest airport = longer queues
• Higher transfer costs due to popularity
• Can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors

Personal Experience: Our 2024 trip used MCO, and while convenient, the transfer costs were notably higher than alternatives we'd used previously.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Distance to Disney World: 60-75 minutes Best for: Budget-conscious families, those exploring multiple Florida destinations

Advantages:

• Often significantly cheaper flights
• Less crowded than Orlando
• Beautiful, modern airport facilities
• Good for combining Disney with beach trips

Disadvantages:

• Longer transfer times
• Fewer Disney-specific transfer options
• May require rental car for flexibility
• Less familiar to UK Disney travel agents

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Distance to Disney World: 45-60 minutes
Best for: Budget travelers, charter flight users, smaller family groups

Advantages:

• Usually cheapest flight options
• Smaller, easier to navigate
• Less tourist crowds
• Good for budget airlines

Disadvantages:

• Limited transfer options
• Fewer flights from UK
• Basic airport facilities
• May feel too basic for premium travelers

Transfer Options from Florida Airports#

Each method offers different balances of cost, convenience, and comfort.

Airport Shuttles (Most Popular)

Cost: £15-25 per person each way Travel time: 45-90 minutes depending on stops Best for: Budget-conscious families, solo travelers

Mears Connect (Official Disney Service):

• Reliable and Disney-branded
• Multiple stops at Disney resorts
• Luggage handling included
• Can book in advance

Sunshine Flyer:

• Premium shuttle service
• More comfortable vehicles
• Fewer stops than standard shuttles
• Higher cost but better experience

Rideshare Services (Uber/Lyft)

Cost: £30-50 for family of 4 Travel time: 30-60 minutes direct Best for: Flexible travelers, those with moderate luggage

Advantages:

• Door-to-door service
• No waiting for other passengers
• Available on-demand
• Transparent pricing

Considerations:

• Surge pricing during peak times
• Variable car quality
• Driver unfamiliarity with Disney resorts
• Potential wait times

Rental Cars

Cost: £40-80 per day plus fuel and parking Travel time: 30-75 minutes direct Best for: Multi-destination trips, large families, control preferrers

Benefits:

• Complete flexibility
• Direct route to destination
• Useful for grocery shopping
• No luggage restrictions

Additional costs to consider:

• Disney resort parking (£15-25 per night)
• Fuel costs
• Return journey to airport
• Insurance requirements

Private Transfer Services

Cost: £80-150 each way Travel time: 30-60 minutes direct Best for: Luxury travelers, large groups, special occasions

Premium services offer:

• Meet and greet at arrivals
• Direct transport to resort
• Professional drivers
• Luggage assistance

Practical Transfer Considerations#

Booking in Advance vs On Arrival

Pre-booking advantages:

• Guaranteed availability
• Better prices than on-spot booking
• Reduced stress after long flights
• Known costs for budgeting

Booking on arrival:

• Flexibility if flight delays occur
• Potential for last-minute deals
• No prepayment requirements
• Can assess actual weather/traffic conditions

Family Travel Considerations

With young children:

• Shuttle services can involve long waits
• Car seats required for rental cars and some rideshares
• Direct services reduce stress on tired families
• Consider arrival timing vs nap schedules

With elderly relatives:

• Door-to-door services reduce walking
• Avoid shuttles with multiple stops
• Consider comfort over cost savings
• Plan for mobility assistance needs

Luggage and Shopping Considerations

Outbound journey:

• Most services accommodate standard luggage
• Oversize items may require special arrangements
• Check weight limits for shuttle services
• Consider luggage delivery services

Return journey:

• Account for Disney souvenir purchases
• Many transfer services accommodate shopping bags
• Rental cars offer unlimited space
• Some hotels offer shipping services

Cost Comparison by Family Size#

Solo Traveler

• Shuttle: £15-25 (most economical)
• Rideshare: £30-40 (best convenience)
• Rental car: £50+ per day (only if needed for other trips)

Family of Four

• Shuttle: £60-100 (good value)
• Rideshare: £35-50 (excellent convenience-to-cost ratio)
• Rental car: £60+ per day (consider if exploring beyond Disney)

Large Groups (6+)

• Multiple rideshares: £60-80 total
• Large rental vehicle: £80+ per day
• Private transfer: £100-150 (best for luxury/convenience)

Airport-Specific Transfer Recommendations#

From Orlando International (MCO)

Best option for most families: Mears Connect or Sunshine Flyer Budget option: Standard airport shuttles Luxury option: Private car service

From Tampa (TPA)

Most practical: Rental car (enables beach trips) Budget option: Shuttle services (limited but available) Convenient option: Rideshare services

From Sanford (SFB)

Essential: Pre-book transfers (limited on-arrival options) Most economical: Rental car Simplest: Pre-arranged shuttle service

Weather and Seasonal Considerations#

Summer Travel (June-August)

• Air conditioning essential in all vehicles
• Afternoon thunderstorms can delay transfers
• Higher demand = higher prices
• Book early for guaranteed availability

Winter Travel (December-February)

• Generally pleasant transfer weather
• Peak holiday pricing
• Potential for rare cold snaps
• Less traffic outside holiday periods

Money-Saving Transfer Tips#

Advance Booking Discounts

• Most services offer 10-20% advance booking discounts
• Group bookings often receive additional savings
• Package deals with accommodation sometimes include transfers
• Off-peak travel dates offer better pricing

Alternative Airport Savings

• Tampa flights can be £100-300 cheaper per person
• Factor transfer costs into total journey cost
• Consider combining Disney with other Florida destinations
• Sanford often offers significant flight savings

Timing Strategies

• Off-peak arrival times offer lower transfer costs
• Avoiding airport rush hours reduces journey times
• Mid-week arrivals typically cost less than weekends
• Early morning flights often have cheaper transfer rates

Common Transfer Mistakes to Avoid#

Underestimating journey times: Florida traffic can be unpredictable, especially during peak tourist seasons Not confirming pickup details: Ensure you know exactly where to meet your transfer Forgetting car seat requirements: Many services require advance notice for child seats Not checking cancellation policies: Flight delays can impact transfer bookings

Making the Right Choice for Your Trip#

Consider these key factors when choosing your airport and transfer combination:

Your budget: Balance flight savings from alternative airports against transfer costs Your family composition: Young children and elderly relatives benefit from direct transfers Your itinerary: Multi-destination trips favor rental cars Your comfort priorities: Premium services cost more but reduce stress

Most important consideration: Choose the combination that reduces stress and fits your budget. The cheapest option isn't always the best value if it creates problems during your magical holiday.

For most UK families visiting Disney World, Orlando International with a pre-booked shuttle service offers the best balance of convenience, cost, and reliability. However, don't overlook Tampa for significant flight savings if you're comfortable with longer transfer times.