Uber v. Rental Cars at Disney World
Considering using Uber or Lyft at Walt Disney World instead of renting a car? This post covers my recent experience of ditching the rental car and instead relying on ride sharing services for transportation to Universal, from the airport, and to the Magic Kingdom and other parks.
For those unfamiliar with Uber and Lyft, they are relatively new “ride sharing” services that are essentially nicer alternatives to taxis that allow users to request rides via robust mobile apps. These apps show drivers in your vicinity, anticipated pick-up time, and have a host of other features. Why they are called ride sharing is beyond me, as you pay for the rides, and the driver is doing this as their full or part time job. They have both exploded in popularity in the last couple of years and have proven to be market disrupters that have wrecked havoc for taxi companies and have been politically controversial in some areas. (This will be relevant later in the post.)
This was actually a bit of a last minute idea, inspired by a commenter in my recent Tips for Renting a Car at Walt Disney World post who suggested the idea. I’ve never been overly keen on renting a car at Walt Disney World, as I enjoy the “escapist” experience of simply relying on Disney transportation (especially the “cool” transportation…I’m not looking at you, articulated buses), so I immediately jumped at the idea.
I already had a quote in with AutoSlash, and they had scored me a $151 rate on an economy car for the duration of my trip, which was a pretty good price, all things considered. I wasn’t sure if I could beat this by using Uber, but I figured if it was in the same ballpark, I would rather go with Uber (or Lyft…but I never ended up using the latter) so I didn’t have to bother with driving. With my rental car reservation cancelled, I was off to MCO with both apps loaded in my phone…and READY FOR ADVENTURE! Dun dun dun!
Wondering whether this might be an economical or convenient alternative to renting a car or solely utilizing Disney transportation? Let’s take a look!
The start to my experiment was a rocky one. Before the trip, I had used a third party website to calculate the cost of some fares to make sure I wasn’t going to lose my shirt on this plan, and one of the routes I checked was the airport to my Disney Springs hotel.
It turns out Orlando is one of the hotbeds for ride sharing battles, with Uber and Mears having a very public clash. Mears makes Comcast look like an exemplary pillar of customer service, so it’s no surprise that they are making effort$ to keep Lyft and Uber out. In Mears’ defense, what fun is transportation in Orlando if you don’t pay exorbitant fees while receiving awful service?
When I landed at the airport and opened Uber, I received a message that they couldn’t do airport pickups at Orlando International Airport. I was anxious about this that message first, knowing that a cab from the airport to Walt Disney World could cost $60 or more thanks to the virtual Mearsopoly.
With the prospect of going to the parks on the table, I quickly jumped into MacGruber mode, and found a way to deactivate this ticking bomb by taking an off-site parking shuttle to some random spot outside the airport. From there, I had an Uber within 5 minutes.
For those of you who don’t want to go the parking shuttle route, my driver informed me that you can also drop your pin outside the airport, request a driver, and then immediately call and let them know you’re actually at the airport. If you go this route, the best method is to do a pickup at the departures drop-off area. From what I understand, most drivers will do this, although some won’t. YMMV.
My driver picked me up and got me to my hotel in 18 minutes for a total cost (including one toll) of $16.01. Not bad for a 14.6 mile drive from the airport, and even with the parking shuttle my total time spent on this was around 35 minutes, making it faster than a normal Disney’s Magical Express ride and comparable to getting a rental car at the airport. (Note that it would have taken about 25 minutes had I dropped the pin outside the airport and called.)
My plan for the trip was to use a hybrid approach of relying on Uber and Disney transportation depending upon the circumstances, and I employed this strategy pretty successfully. Basically, whenever it was a midday hour, which is when I feel Disney transportation is most unpredictable and least efficient or at various other strategic times when it made sense, I’d use Uber.
For these random trips, I used Uber 4 times for a grand total of $38.03. This included getting from Caribbean Beach Resort to the Contemporary at 7:30 a.m. one morning (cost of $12.57 that included the dreaded “surge pricing”) to be early for our 8 a.m. Be Our Guest breakfast ADR.
I figure this one is worth mentioning specifically because several readers have asked about the best way to get to early morning ADRs: Uber is your new answer. (Just make sure to specify the Contemporary unless you want to go through the Ticket & Transportation Center.) Other rides were more mundane, in ordinary circumstances where it felt like the bus would be a hassle.
One thing I learned over the course of these random tips is that it’s always a good practice to call your driver and let them know exactly where you are. Our time at Caribbean Beach Resort illustrates why this is important for a few reasons. Maps can be wonky sometimes, and the driver’s map might take them to the wrong place.
Even if there is no issue with the route, it might be difficult for them to tell the specific spot at the resort where you’re located unless you call and tell them. Since Uber and Lyft are relatively new to the Orlando market, there are some drivers who don’t know the ins and outs of Walt Disney World’s transportation grid. This was not an issue for us as our drivers always called us if there was any potential confusion, but you might want to be proactive so they arrive as quickly as possible.
I used Uber less than once per day, and actually played it a bit conservative. I was right across the street from the Disney Springs bus stops, and actually had great luck walking over there and quickly grabbing a bus on a couple of occasions when heading to Epcot (choosing the first bus to show of the Crescent Lake Resorts).
I also tend to stay in the parks until after they have closed for the day (the shops on Main Street are open until about an hour after park closing), which means the buses are parked there waiting for me at the end of the night. I also took Disney’s Magical Express back to the airport (my 3:10 a.m. pickup had no one else on the bus!), so I only had one airport charge.
In these regards, I’m a bit of outlier because my use of Disney’s transportation in these situations isn’t exactly what the average guest will encounter. Just for the sake of discussion, let’s say an average guest would have used Uber 4 more times for a total cost of $40 more.
If you are an average guest trying to determine how much you might spend on Uber, another thing to consider is surge pricing. This is when pricing increases by a multiplier (1.5 to 2x in my experience at Walt Disney World) when demand is high to get more drivers on the road. Demand is highest at Walt Disney World right before park opening, at rush hour, and right as the parks close. If these are the primary travel times, plan to pay surge pricing on occasion. Still cheaper than a Mears taxi.
Without question, the greatest case for Uber or Lyft was in traveling from Walt Disney World to Universal Orlando Resort. Much like the early morning ADR question, this is one we get a lot. In the past, the best option we’ve found for those who don’t have rental cars the duration of their trips is either renting a car on-site for the day, or taking a pricey shuttle. Neither is cost-effective or all that appealing, especially when you add on that $17 parking fee.
The cost for Uber from Caribbean Beach Resort to Universal Orlando Resort’s guest drop-off zone in the morning was $14.31. The cost on the way back (during rush hour) heading directly to Epcot was $15.92. The trips were 19 and 26 minutes, respectively.
For the two of us, it was ~$30, and it would have easily cost $50-$100 for a 1-day rental car (including parking) or shuttle, plus either alternative would have taken longer. For those who aren’t renting a car for the duration of their trip, Uber or Lyft are the unquestionable best options for getting from Walt Disney World to Universal.
All told, I spent $84.27 on Uber, and had my best experience with transportation at Walt Disney World in ages. Even removing my special circumstances from the equation and spending another $40-60, a normal guest still would have come out ahead by using Uber rather than a rental car, and that’s before factoring in things such as gas, tolls, and parking (as applicable) to the cost of the rental car.
The additional upside for me was efficiency and convenience, as Uber beat both a rental car (no parking!) and bus transportation (sometimes it feels like taking a swan pedal boat might be faster than Disney buses) in those regards. In terms of service, Uber was characteristically impeccable. Since drivers depend upon positive ratings to remain with Uber and Lyft, they go the extra mile to make the experience positive for riders. This is a stark contrast to taxis I’ve encountered, some of whom grumble when you try to pay with credit card instead of cash.
Overall, there is no one size fits all answer in terms of the “best” means of transportation around Walt Disney World. For me, utilizing Uber and Lyft to supplement Disney transportation, or replace a rental car is a pretty ideal option (that is, until Launchpad invites me to fly on his private plane).
It allowed me to save on the cost of a rental car and not worry about driving. Even though that still meant dealing with Disney transportation some of the time, my issues and delays were minimal to non-existent. The added upside was that I never had to worry about getting lost, finding a parking spot, or driving at the end of a long day, which I definitely considered a win.
If you’re new to the Uber or Lyft scene, you can get a free ride up to $20 by signing up via this link for Uber (or use code tomb3417 if the link doesn’t work) or a free ride up to $20 on Lyft via this link (or code tom291882). You lose whatever portion of the great you don’t use on your first ride, so it’s a good option for a long ride, such as that voyage from the airport to Walt Disney Word. Don’t use it to get from the Grand Floridian to the Polynesian. (Walk between the two, you bum!)
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts…
Could you see yourself using Uber and Lyft at Walt Disney World instead of renting a car, or are you unpersuaded, still preferring the freedom of a rental car? Would you pay ~$9 in some cases to avoid a long wait at a hot bus stop? Do you have any other tips for using Uber and/or Lyft at Walt Disney World? We love to hear from readers, so if you have any thoughts or questions, post them in the comments!
Thank you so much for conducting this review. We’re headed to WDW in 16 days and I just installed my Uber app. We’ve never used the service, but we just may try from CBR to Universal.
So, for those who have tried Uber, are they very prompt with pickup times? Thinking of early morning ADR specifically. Thanks!
Uber tends to send drivers who are no more than fifteen minutes away from you, max.
Thanks so much for this review, I never thought of trying Uber in WDW! We always rent a car in WDW because we typically head out to Universal once or twice. But we’re doing WDW & a cruise next year, and I don’t want to drive to the port. This just may do the trick for getting to Universal!
What a GREAT and timely post Tom! We’re about to head to Disney World in a few weeks for the FIRST time!
We have an early ADR for O’Hana and were wondering how to get there from Pop Century.
Disney’s offical website says buses and the monorail don’t start running until an hour before park opening but we’ve read that in fact they run sooner for people with ADRs. But we had been thinking of taking a taxi just to be safe.
But Uber sounds like a much better (and cheaper) alternative! Thanks for the idea and link!
Also thanks for such a great site, we’ve learned a LOT about Disney from you guys, including photo tips. Wish I could have afforded the Sony RX100 you recommended for a new point and shoot but due to the cost I ended up ordering the Nikon S9700, hope it works out for us.
Thanks again!
I have a family of 5 going to WDW in December. Do you think Uber would be out of the question for a group of 5? I would only consider using them for an early ADR. Not sure if many Uber drivers are in a minivan/van.
Use UberXL.
Is Uber XL more expensive? Am I understanding correctly that you don’t tip? I have always used Mears in the past to get to Universal. You can order it in advance and you’re good to go. It is pricey at around $40 one way. Do you do the same things with Uber?
Uber XL is a little more expensive than Uber X but still cheaper than a taxi! And with Uber you don’t have to request in advance, it works on demand and your driver should arrive within 5-10 minutes.
Are they able to handle 3 people and their luggage from one resort to the other for split reservations? I need to go from Pop To BLT.
Karolyn, Disney will transfer your luggage when you are moving from one Disney resort to the other at no charge.
Call me weird, but not using any cars is actually a significant part of the fun for me when I´m at WDW. I usually do not go to the parks before 10 or 11 a.m., and I also never rush for the exit the second the last shell has exploded – which makes Disney transportation much less problematic. And nothing beats a slow boat ride back to Port Orleans after a long day…
I’m totally with you, especially when it comes to the monorails, boats, and ferries. Disney buses can be much more of a hassle, at almost any time of day. Even if you don’t have to wait for a bus, you often have to make multiple stops before your own.
I think I’m much more tolerant of the WDW buses than many people, but they are sometimes too much of a pain even for me. That’s when Uber is nice.
Has anyone used Uber for a run to the grocery store or Costco? Can you bring an order of groceries?
I don’t see why you couldn’t. I mean, I wouldn’t go overboard and buy like 24 live lobster, but with an ordinary amount of groceries, you should be fine.
I haven’t used it at WDW, but use it frequently in Chicago and people use it for grocery runs all the time. Including me. It’s really all dependent on the driver but they’re generally all very nice and accommodating. They help my with my groceries and everything.
I take people to the store (or a midnight inebriated drive thru…) pretty regularly. Just leave the fare running while you are inside, or end the ride and call another driver when you’re done. Your space is only limited to what can fit in the car along with your body.
Do you know if Uber or Lyft will take you to Sunday 7:30 AM Mass at Mary Wueen of the Unicerse Shrine from Animal Kingdom Villas? Very Helpful Article btw.
Of course not. But they will get you to the Church of Scientology of Orlando on E Colonial Dr.
Very timely post! We’re hitting WDW in a couple of days and had planned on trying Uber, which I regularly use for business. Sounds like the Contemporary is the destination if you’re going to MK? To you get any grousing at all from the folks at CR when you get out of the car and immediately walk over to MK?
I’ve had no issues with Uber or taxi. They are only concerned with people parking at the Contemporary. If the person at the gate says “no,” just have the driver do a u-turn and drop you off right there. No harm, no foul.
Dropping off at the Contemporary works, you just walk the path to the entrance of MK. Otherwise, we drop off at the TTC and you can get right on the boat or monorail.
I drive for both Uber and Lyft in the Disneyland area, and have been looking forward to trying them out as a passenger during my upcoming trip to WDW.
I just wanted to note on your comment about the airport go-around: due to the current political battles between ride sharing and taxis, a driver can actually be fired for picking up a passenger at the airport, even if the pin is dropped elsewhere. If the company catches the driver’s GPS going into the airport pick up, they will get one warning and then potentially fired the second time. So while it is more convenient, please think of the driver and their livelihood and just take a shuttle a short distance away and have them pick you up from there.
Other than that, I am so happy the system works so well! Thank you for the notes and tips (and well done using those promotional codes!)
Thanks for the note on the airport rules–I’ll edit that portion of the post when I have a chance.
Odd that my driver would’ve recommended it. Maybe he just hasn’t been caught yet?
There’s no way he could have not been aware, as both Uber and Lyft have sent preemptive email warnings to all drivers, even including “don’t even try this work around” at the end. Maybe he just thinks the fares are worth the risk?
Taxis do not require a car seat for young children. Does Uber or Lyft? I know you can pay extra for care seat but is it required?
I’ve never driven a child small enough to require a car seat, but I would assume they are required, since to any passing policeman the vehicle looks no different than any other one that has to adhere to the law.
Great article. I take Uber all the time at home and tried it in the world for the first time last week. One additional note that my driver mentioned when picking me up from the Poly – because the service is new, drivers sometimes have trouble getting past security to make pickups. This was not an issue in my case because the driver had an AP, but might add a few minutes or require an additional phone call sometimes.
I didn’t have any issue with this, but wouldn’t be surprised if Walt Disney World creates a policy if Uber becomes really popular. I also found that some drivers are also Cast Members.
Same–I used Uber to get to/from Universal last month, but when we asked our driver to drop us off at Epcot, she said we might have to cough up the parking fee if the WDW lot attendant had an issue with it. I asked her to drop us off at the Beach Club instead, and we walked over to Epcot via the International Gateway entrance. Still easier & cheaper than going with a regular cab or a shuttle, though!
Great article! Although what I got most out of it was jealous, because you have a picture with Launchpad!
I’ll be honest: I’ve been wanting to use that photo for a while and finally just thought, “screw it, I’ll drop some lame joke so I can shoehorn it into this post.”
If I’m ever able to get a photo with Darkwing Duck, you can be sure I’ll find an excuse to put it in 50% of the posts on this blog.
I am ready to start using Uber at WDW… I was on a business trip, staying on Hotel Plaza Boulevard. I ended up at the TTC after visiting the monorail resorts and had just missed the hotel shuttle. I took a taxi, and it ended up being almost $30 including tip! Thank goodness I was on business!
While I am generally happy with the bus transportation if staying onsite at WDW, I am ready to start using Uber for those occasional trips.
(I just checked and the Uber estimate for that trip is $10…)
Thanks for this article! So glad using Uber to get from Disney to Universal worked so well!
How long will your code be valid for? Going in December. Slightly concerned about how to hail a cab back from Universal as I’m from outside the UK so will be able to get on WiFi but not sure about data charges.
However long Uber keeps their referral program going. The safe bet is probably to sign up now so the $20 posts to your account, as once that happens I don’t think it expires anytime soon.
I don’t how long the referral program will last BUT, the free ride expires 3 months after you sign up. So keep that in mind if you are planning on using it for a specific trip. Here is what I copied from my welcome email…
Offer Details:
Up to $20 value each
Free ride expires in 3 months
Use anywhere in your country
Good on all ride options
This post is most timely- thanks Tom!
We’ve been trying to figure out how to get from Boardwalk to the Poly for some pulled pork hash before MK opens during our trip (priorities!). I’d heard of Uber but am feeling more confident about using it now. So many of the WDW resorts have great dining but getting from one to the other is such a hassle…
By sale shopping early, I usually get a rental car for $20/day. But Uber still appeals it would enable my party to have a couple drinks at Epcot without worrying about a driver.
My husband and I used Uber to get from Port Orleans Riverside to Universal last September, and it worked great! No waiting for shuttles, pulled right up to the main building of Port Orleans, I got there right at opening, and was in Diagon Alley before 10am. 🙂
I was a bit skeptical of Uber, but it worked great for us. Less than $50 total (we had a code from a friend for the first $25 free).
Interesting that your roundtrip cost for Universal was around $50, when mine was around $30. Was that surge pricing…or perhaps Uber getting more competitive with rates as of late (as they are known to do) to put the squeeze on taxis and Lyft.
Tom, thanks for this very detailed review. I usually rely on Disney transportation when I stay on site but using Uber makes so much more sense when trying to save time, especially if you’re going from resort to resort.
Here’s a link where you can get a taxi fare estimate for different car services. I hope this helps your readers!
http://www.taxifarefinder.com