Cheapest way to get from disney world to port canaveral

A great way to enhance a Disney Cruise Line vacation is to add on a stay at Walt Disney World before or after sailing. These “Land and Sea” vacations can add extra magic to your cruise, but transfers between the resort and port are not included. Port Canaveral and Walt Disney World aren’t exactly close to one another, so how should you go between the two? Let’s explore the most popular options.

Disney Cruise Line Transfers

• Ground transfers by Disney bus are available between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Port Canaveral, and between your Walt Disney World Resort and Port Canaveral. These transfers are available for $39 per person, each way. 

• If you’re leaving from a Walt Disney World resort, the evening before your sailing, you’ll receive a note under your hotel room door. The note will tell you what to do with your luggage and where and when to meet the bus the next morning. 

• If you’re taking the transfer from MCO you’ll just go right downstairs to catch the shuttle like you would Disney’s Magical Express. 

• This may not be the most economical option, but it is the most convenient.

• The biggest disadvantage to this option is you may not get to the port until the afternoon. We prefer to board the ship as soon as we can, around 10:45 am, so we can kick start our cruise!

• At the end of the cruise, the shuttle buses are waiting outside of the cruise terminal and are ready to take you to MCO or Walt Disney World bright and early. 

• If you’ve booked your cruise with our friends at Key to the World Travel®, they can arrange this transfer for you or you can book online at the Disney Cruise Line website, in the Planning Center area or over the phone at (800) 951-3532.

Private Transfers/Car Service

• Guests commonly use a car or limo service to get from their Walt Disney World resort or MCO to Port Canaveral. With a car service, you arrange the pick-up time with the company and can ask them to get you as early as you want, though you generally don’t want to arrive at the port before 10:00 am. Otherwise, you’ll be standing outside while you wait for the doors to open. 

• Prices start at $168 each way for a luxury sedan and go up depending on the size of the vehicle. 

• Most car services will also make a stop at a grocery or convenience store so you can stock up on a case of bottled water, a bottle of wine, or any items you may have forgotten.

• If you have a larger party a car service may be more economical than paying Disney’s transfer fee.

• They will be ready and waiting for you at a predetermined time once the cruise is over. 

Uber/Lyft

• Both Uber and Lyft operate in the Port Canaveral and Orlando areas. These cars are private so you don’t share them with others, and several people can ride for the price charged. 

• Fares can fluctuate between $105-150 for a one-way ride from Port Canaveral to Walt Disney World depending on the demand. We recommend comparing Uber and Lyft pricing from their apps to see who is less expensive at the time you need a ride.

• The downside to this is you do have to wait for them to drive a few minutes over from the time you request a ride. This is totally fine unless you’re on a tight schedule to get back to the airport or Walt Disney World right after the cruise.

Car Rental

• There are Alamo and National car rental desks on Disney property at the Dolphin hotel and at the Disney Car Care Center near the Magic Kingdom. Other rental agencies have desks at hotels that are within walking distance of Disney Springs. When arranging your rental, be sure to specify that you want to pick up and drop off at different locations. You’ll also want to verify that your rental agency has a drop point at Port Canaveral, which most do. 

• The cost of parking is high at the cruise terminal, so you’ll want to compare all of the prices, as this is probably not the most economical option if you’re going to use a car both to and from the port.

If you need help planning your perfect vacation, contact our friends at Key to the World Travel® for a free, no-obligation quote for your next trip. Click here.

Written by Adjunct Professor Leah Furgeson, edited by Professor Jess Evans

Some Photos Courtesy Disney

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