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TIPS FOR USING LYFT & UBER AT DISNEY WORLD

By Tom Bricker Tips & Tricks 333 Comments

350Save

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!

WRITTEN BY TOM BRICKER



333 Responses to “Tips for Using Lyft & Uber at Disney World”
    « Older Comments
    
 1. Jen N. May 26, 2021
    
    Are there specified locations at each resort for pickup/dropoffs, or can the
    drivers get closer to their passengers’ rooms? We’re considering at stay at
    Caribbean Beach Resort; I don’t want to hike to the main building every time
    I use Uber/Lyft.
    
    Reply
    
 2. Valerie May 13, 2021
    
    I think Disney should allow Uber and Lyft to use the Disney bus lane at the
    parking booth. It would be so much faster, and they don’t have to pay
    anyway.
    
    Reply
    
 3. Doug April 13, 2021
    
    Has anyone had issues with getting an Uber to a resort for pickup, and which
    ones if any? We’re headed to Saratoga Springs, and I can recall in some
    areas (like the treehouses) there are unmanned gates that require card
    access. Not sure if we’ll have that issue staying in the main resort area.
    
    Reply
    
 4. Jennifer March 30, 2021
    
    We are heading to Disney for our first visit. I had planned on renting TWO
    EVV’s but after reading about all of the bus issues I’m unsure of what to
    do. We absolutely need TWO for our family. How do we get from here to there?
    We will also be an early morning visitor. The heat doesn’t mix will with us.
    We are heading to Disney the week before Memorial Day.
    
    Reply
    * Lisa (UK) April 1, 2021
      
      Just use Uber or Lyft and request a larger vehicle (you can specify the
      number of passengers). We used it when in Florida. It’s so convenient!
      
      
      
    
 5. Andrea March 27, 2021
    
    Are they still loading the Skyliner with one party at a time?
    
    Reply
    
 6. Hollie March 27, 2021
    
    We went March 13-19 and used Magical Express to get there and only Disney
    transportation(stayed at Yacht Club) we are a family of 6 and Uber and Lyft
    were not a great option for us. With Covid restrictions even the XL will not
    take 6 people because they don’t want anyone sitting up with the driver. We
    couldn’t get an Uber or Lyft anyway at 6:45 when we were trying to get to
    Magic Kingdom an hour before open so we ended up on the bus. We still ended
    up getting there about 30 minutes before open and went right in(there was a
    long but it moved quickly) we also took the bus to Animal Kingdom from
    Hollywood Studios the day we park hopped and it wasn’t busy at all and we
    didn’t wait all that long. They definitely weren’t as frequent as when we
    had gone before but we didn’t
    Find them to be too bad any time we took one. At least every 20 minutes with
    consistency. Of course our resort was not as busy as what we saw the lines
    were for Pop Century or Coronado Springs so maybe we would have felt
    differently had we been staying there.
    
    Reply
    
 7. Disney Mom March 26, 2021
    
    I truly hope the Minnie Vans return. I am very uncomfortable with the idea
    of using Uber or Lyft. (I realize the Minnie Vans were part of Lyft but they
    were employed by Disney. There was a standard of safety that I trusted.)
    
    Reply
    * Bear Mom March 29, 2021
      
      We truly loved the Minnie Vans also. The one time we used Lyft instead of
      a Minnie Van, the driver was not safe at all…speeding. We also loved
      talking to the Disney employees. Many of them had interesting stories to
      tell, and we liked the idea of the drivers being employed by Disney.
      
      
      
    
 8. DisneyMom March 25, 2021
    
    Thanks as always for the useful advice! You mention that ride shares are
    recommended for rope dropping HS unless staying at a Skyliner resort. I’ve
    heard mixed advice on this. Does the Skyliner consistently operate early
    enough for successful rope dropping at HS?
    
    Reply
    
    « Older Comments
    

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