Tips for Using Lyft & Uber at Disney World
Thinking of using Uber or Lyft instead of a taxi, rental car, or bus transportation at Walt Disney World? Ride-sharing services are the most efficient way for getting to parks, resorts, and Universal Studios Florida; these tips will help save money and improve your experience with it. (Updated March 24, 2021.)
During the phased reopening, Walt Disney World transportation options are limited and operating at reduced capacity. Fewer parties are allowed on each bus to accommodate physical distancing, and the result has been longer and more unpredictable wait times for buses. We discuss how bad this has gotten as of Spring Break 2021 in Bus Wait Times at Walt Disney World.
Consequently, our “Temporary Abnormal” Guide to Walt Disney World recommends avoiding the buses for this reason. Unfortunately, the Minnie Van private ride service has been suspended and is not returning any time soon–if ever. That essentially leaves two options: Uber or a rental car. However, the latter option comes with a couple of big downsides…
While we’re fans of the freedom having your own vehicle offers, not everyone wants to drive on vacation and there are obvious downsides in paying for parking and hassling with the car at the airport. Beyond that, there is currently a severe rental car shortage.
Last year when travel essentially stopped, the rental car industry sold off more than a half a million cars, about a third of their combined fleets, to generate cash they needed to survive the crisis. Although demand has now returned, rental car companies are unable to rebuild their inventory because of supply chain issues facing the auto industry.
Consequently, many Florida airports are now totally sold out of rental cars for peak travel dates (including Orlando International) with other dates having insane prices–like $100 to $300 per day for a rental. Suffice to say, if you didn’t book a rental car for your Walt Disney World vacation far in advance, Uber or Lyft might be your only alternative to Disney’s buses. As such, we’ll rundown the pros & cons of rideshare at Walt Disney World here…
First and foremost in terms of a post-reopening update, both ride share companies have new health safety programs. You can read about Lyft’s here and Uber’s here. Both are essentially the same, with face masks being required for drivers and riders, new cleaning procedures, and keeping the windows open when possible.
Masks are important and well-understood at this point, but we would emphasize opening the windows. Study after study has shown that ventilation is one of the keys in reducing transmission risks (check out “We Need To Talk About Ventilation,” which breaks things down in lay terms). When using taxis or ride share services, professors at Harvard’s School of Public Health suggest that you “open up the windows just a bit, even if everyone is feeling fine…doing so will dilute the concentration of viral particles in the car.”
Thankfully, even as bus transportation has gotten worse at Walt Disney World, using Uber and Lyft has actually gotten better over time! Cast Members and security have become more familiar with ride-sharing services, and Walt Disney World has introduced policies for consistent drop-off/pick-up.
As such, we highly recommend using Uber or Lyft for rope drop in the morning–especially at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where arriving in time for opening and the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance boarding pass dash is imperative. (Unless you’re staying at a Skyliner resort.) Uber and Lyft can also be incredibly useful if you’re leaving any of the parks at closing time, and there are long lines at the bus stops.
In fact, using ride-sharing at Walt Disney World has been a such a positive experience for us that we thought we’d return to offer the ins and outs of it, and why we think it’s worth the added cost for the added convenience. We’ve used Uber and Lyft extensively at Walt Disney World in the last 5+ years, and have updated this advice as of March 2021…
For most people, Uber or Lyft will be cheaper than renting a car, but some people still might prefer the perceived freedom of their own car. We also wanted to provide some new tips based on things we’ve learned with more recent experiences using Uber.
To start, although the details here are specific to Walt Disney World, the high-level advice can be applied to Disneyland and virtually anywhere else Lyft and Uber operate in the United States. In many cases throughout this post, we reference only Uber, and that’s simply because they have a larger presence. Corporate culture aside, Uber and Lyft are nearly identical in guest experience and service, and these tips apply equally to both ride-sharing services.
By way of background (you can skip all of this if you’ve ever used Uber), Uber is ride service 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. When a ride is requested, nearby drivers are pinged, and can accept or decline the riders.
Riders then see that their ride has been accepted, the driver’s name, vehicle, license plate, average score, current GPS location, and arrival time. This is all virtually instantaneous: the amount of time from requesting a ride to a ride being confirmed is usually under 10 seconds. If all of that doesn’t totally make sense, think of Uber as a taxi for the modern age, with a really nice app.
Does that all sound pretty good? Well, it should, because it is. Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity, which has wrecked havoc for taxi companies that are rapidly losing business and are in danger of obsolescence in some areas. Taxi companies have fought bitter political and legal battles to keep Uber out of many areas, with the dispute boiling down to one thing: money. Taxi companies want to keep making money, and Uber makes that difficult for them.
As a consumer, the only pertinent concerns are whether Uber safe, efficient, and less expensive. Uber is obviously less expensive. That’s the whole reason taxi companies are fighting Uber tooth and nail. It’s cheaper because it’s more efficient, allocating resources via the app in a way that makes best use of them, with the app likewise providing a more efficient experience for riders.
Finally, safety. None of the above would matter if Uber isn’t safe. Uber performs background checks on its drivers (as do taxi companies), but more important is the rating system in the app. If a driver’s score falls below 4.5/5, they run the risk of being dropped by Uber. The flip side of this is that drivers also rate riders, so if you’re constantly an angry, drunken buffoon, you run the risk of not being picked up.
By contrast, ask any regular Uber rider how many negative experiences they’ve had with ride-sharing drivers. The horror stories are few and far between, with most riders instead gushing over how much better the experience is than traditional taxis. Friendly drivers who come from interesting backgrounds and will make pleasant conversation with you, or simply leave you alone if you don’t feel like chatting.
Now that we’ve established some background, let’s get into the tips…
General Tips
- Payment is automatically made via the app (and your attached credit card) at the end of the app. No cash payments.
- Tipping originally was not part of the Uber “culture” but it is becoming increasingly customary to tip drivers. You can now do so within the apps for both Uber and Lyft. (We recommend tipping.)
- A pleasant way to end each ride is by saying, “thanks for the great ride, I’ll be sure to give you 5-stars.” (Which also helps increase your chances of receiving a positive review from the driver.)
- If you have more general questions about using Uber that this post doesn’t answer, refer to the Uber Help page for FAQ.
- If you’re new to the Lyft, you can get a free or reduced-cost first ride via this link.
Disney Tips
- Average Uber/Lyft cost within Walt Disney World is $10-15 per trip. This works out to be around one-third to half the cost of a Mears taxi for the same distance.
- Average Uber cost from Walt Disney World to Universal Orlando’s drop-off point is $20-25 per trip.
- Average wait for a pick-up at Walt Disney World is 4-8 minutes.
- Security check-point and parking plaza Cast Members are familiar with the Uber service, and will allow drivers to pass (without paying for parking) if they show an ID and indicate they are there for guest drop-off.
- DO NOT show your Annual Pass or parking voucher at the parking plazas, as your driver will be directed to regular parking, which is farther away from the front entrance of parks than the guest drop-off points.
- Surge pricing is becoming less common in Orlando as more drivers flock to the area, but if there is a surge, it’s most likely to occur around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Lyft and Uber pickups are now allowed at MCO; there’s an airport surcharge added to your tab, but it’s not too bad. Uber drop-offs are also allowed at the airport. Uber and Lyft are far faster than Disney’s Magical Express.
- Drivers can see your GPS location, but sometimes the system is a bit wonky. Immediately after requesting an Uber, message the driver and indicate your exact location if it’s not the main lobby (e.g. “I’m wearing a ballin’ tie dyed EPCOT Center shirt outside Building 4 at Pop Century Resort. Turn left as soon as you pass security and follow the signs.)
- To decrease your wait time for a pickup, drop a pin for the location where you want the pickup as you walk to that location, but be sure you can beat the driver there based on the estimated arrival time.
- Uber has unveiled the Uber + Car Seat in Orlando, which will bring parents an Uber vehicle with a car seat inside, on-demand.
Magic Kingdom
- Standard pickup and drop-off location for the Magic Kingdom is the Ticket & Transportation Center; from there, you take a monorail or ferry to the Magic Kingdom.
- Instead, consider specifying the Contemporary or Grand Floridian as your destination and walking to Magic Kingdom.
- Security at the Contemporary isn’t always the easiest to pass, so don’t be surprised if you’re turned away there. Grand Floridian is the better option, but the walk is slightly longer.
Epcot
- The Uber process at Epcot has improved considerably. The only downside is that the roadway into the park and parking lot itself are both lengthy, making pickups take longer than at the other 3 parks.
- If possible, we recommend using the International Gateway entrance at Epcot, and walking to/from Beach Club for pickups and drop-offs. This is simpler, and often faster.
- The pickup and drop-off spot at the front entrance of Epcot has constantly changed, but as of now, it’s near the Preferred Parking section.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Drop-off and pickup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is right next to the Disney Skyliner gondola station (lower left corner in the photo above). This location is very convenient.
- Due to the popularity of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the drop-off line can back-up early in the morning before DHS opens. Plan accordingly and allow yourself a bit of extra time.
- If you request an Uber ride as you exit the park, your driver will often arrive within 2 minutes after you get to the taxi point at DHS. Just make sure you double-check that there isn’t a driver already near the Studios lot when you make the request, as you don’t want your driver having to wait for you!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom is another park with a long roadway leading into the park, so pickups can take a bit longer here, but it’s still pretty simple.
- The drop-off/pickup spot is also pretty simple at Animal Kingdom. You can see it as the pin on this map.
That about covers the major points, I think. If you’re new to using Uber, you can get a free ride credits by signing up via this link for Uber or a free ride on Lyft via this link. They are constantly changing their sign-up incentives, so if you don’t see any credit amount on those screens, definitely Google signup offers. There’s usually an incentive or promo code for your first ride on both Uber and Lyft.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, 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 clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Any additional experiences using Uber that you’d like to share? Do you prefer Uber, Lyft, Minnie Vans, or using Walt Disney World’s standard (bus, monorail, boat, Skyliner) transportation? If you’ve used Uber or Lyft at Walt Disney World, did you find the services efficient? Do you agree or disagree with our Uber/Lyft advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Thank you so much for this guide!
How do you UBER with kids 5 and 7? What about car seats? Disney is for kids and there is NOTHING mentioned about how do you UBER without car seats????
Lisa,
Florida law requires car/booster seats for children up to age 5 (this is easily verified via a Google search and I am a Florida resident; I am speaking from personal experience). We chose to have our child in a booster seat until 8, and if someone else is driving or we are driving long distances we choose to have him ride in it still, but it is not required by law. Uber also has Uber + Carseat that will have car/booster seats available for the ride (I believe Tom added a section to the post about this). Uber has attempted to address these concerns and make themselves more appealing to families with younger children in the Orlando area.
Disney is for more than kids; my husband and I go by ourselves all the time and Tom and Sarah (as well as many other readers of this page) are proof that Disney is for all ages.
Hope this information helps you and that you and your family have a magical Disney experience!
Disney is NOT “for kids.” Uber does have an Uber + carseat option, but if that doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for you. Just because you personally think “Disney is for kids” doesn’t mean every single service offered on/off property needs to cater to what you think your family needs.
Fantastic article! Could someone please tell me where at Beach Club the uber driver can drop off to make the shortest walk possible to the International Gateway? It looks like a large resort and the drop off location will make all the difference in making this a true “short cut” into Epcot.
Melissa,
We live in Celebration and take Uber from our home to Beach Club or Yacht Club all the time (we find it is much less wait time getting in rather than having them drop us off at the main Epcot entrance). Our Uber driver usually drops us off at the main lobby for Beach or Yacht club. One time we tried to get fancy and ended up getting in over our heads by having the Uber driver drop us off at the DVC lobby for Beach Club but quickly got lost. Hope that helps!
We are visiting WDW during the Christmas-New Year week. We are little worried that less drivers will work during this time while more rides are in demand. Will this be a problem?
Thanks!
Anyone stay at the worldmark reunion and uber from there? So they won’t take you to the entrance of Magic Kingdom it sounds like? We will have park hopper so does that allow us to use better transportation and there is a better plan to maybe just get to the closest park to reunion resort? Hope someone can help!! Thank you!
I definitely disagree with not tipping these drivers and instead saying Thank You. Uber has SIGNIFICANTLY decreased their pay and they are usually amazing people willing to accommodate whatever at no additional charge.
I have met high school teachers, musicians, chefs, bankers and many other people driving for uber and they are excellent people trying to make extra money for a better life for their families. TIP YOUR DRIVERS! Maybe they get to go to disney world next.
Can I get picked up from the Disney resort I am staying at? We want to go to Universal for 1 day.
If anyone is using uber for first time
Feel free to use my code for a discount emmah10057ue
Thanks x
Any info on using Uber to and from Sanford airport and WDW? We can get direct flights to there and have 5 people traveling, so trying to cut transportation costs.
Hi! Any suggestions on resort to resort? And have you traveled resort to resort for early morning breakfast? Going from all star sports for chef Mickey 7:30am reservation. Nervous w Disney transportation and rather uber those early ones. Thanks!
Is there any other way to get a hold of uber besides using an app? We are one of the few that still have old fashion flip phones.
What was the wait time for an Uber on the race morning? I’m nervous about leaving it until the morning of the race to order my ride, but this blog has definitely helped ease a little of the fear.
It was not bad at all. I was worried about the same thing, but had no issues. Hopefully the idea doesn’t catch on, causing a surplus of demand next year…
I had a quick question. Can you take uber from one of the further away resorts, such as the all-star movies resort, and still go to the intersection right before the contemporary?
A question for international travellers who don’t have cell phone coverage. Hubby and I are arriving from Australia in just a weeks time. Uber has only just launched in our home town and we’ve not had a chance to use it before our trip. What do we do if we can’t text the driver (aka no international roaming)? Is there a feature inbuilt in the app where we can message the driver? Also, will the app work over just a wi-fi connection? Any help from yourself or fellow readers would be much appreciated.
Uber requires a phone number. The driver will usually text you as they are arriving to connect with you. I would look into a U.S. Sim card for the trip.
Has anyone ever used Uber from Sanford airport? We may be flying in there instead of MCO.
Hi did anyone get back to you I am flying into Sanford in September and wondered if uber can pick up there. Pam
Yes! They pick up from Sandford airport right at the front where baggage comes out. It’s less than half price of taxi cost.
Can I just say, your info & hints n tips on using UBER around Disney is brillant. I intend to use UBER throughout our 2 week stay in October rather than using taxis’s or hiring a car and this article told me everything I needed to know. The pin drops are an brill idea too. After trawling the web for snippets of info on UBER this is by far the best and most comprehensive article I have seen. Thanks very much for your help and advice 🙂
Do children need to be in car seats in uber when travelling from a park to an onsite hotel?
UBER has a 42 pound minimum to travel without a car seat.
I don’t have a smartphone, jut an iPod with WiFi. Can I rely on signals enough to use Uber in WDW?
How can you get Uber at mco?
Hi Tom, thanks for the detailed article. I have a question for you that I don’t think was answered in this blog or the others I’ve read. (however, correct me if i’m wrong!) When you took the uber at 4AM for a race, did you head into Epcot the way disney tells you to drive in? Did you experience much traffic? I am running the Princess Half & was planning to use an Uber the morning of the run. Any tips/advice are greatly appreciated!
Yeah. I specified to the drive to follow the route Disney advises for the morning of the race.