Everything you need to know about The Genie Transportation Services, offering private transportation from MCO to Disney World:
When I travel to Disney World, I (almost) always fly in. It’s just over 2 hours from the Philadelphia airport, which sure beats driving! That means once I arrive, I do need to find a way to get to MCO (Orlando airport) to my Disney resort. They are about half an hour apart, so not super close by.
In the past, Magical Express was a great, included option provided by Disney. But that service was discontinued in early 2022, so for the last 5 years or so we’ve had to find other ways to get there.
You do have options, of course – there’s a shuttle bus run by Mears, or plenty of Uber and Lyft drivers. You’ll also find a number of private transportation companies. I used to think that private transport was just for the fancy rich people. But once I started looking into it and the pricing, I realized it actually wasn’t that bad! And might be worth it for the convenience you get. So on my last trip, I decided to test it out some private transportation from MCO to Disney World. I picked The Genie Transportation Services because of their great reviews and background.
In this post I’ll share a bit about how private transportation works, how to book, and what my experience was like!
What is private transportation from MCO to Disney World?
Let’s start here, since I figured not everyone might know what exactly we mean when we say “private transportation!” It’s not just super-stretch limos for celebrities.
When we say private transportation, we mean that some sort of outside transportation is being provided for just your family. You won’t be with other people except your driver. Most private transportation companies use SUV vehicles, luxury cars, limos, vans, or even small motorcoaches for large groups. You typically can book a category of vehicle based on the size of your family/group and your budget.
The vehicle will pick you up at the airport terminal where your flight arrives and drop you off directly at your Disney resort.
There are many, many different private transportation options available from MCO, but I can strongly recommend The Genie Transportation Services!
About The Genie Transportation Services
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide. For me, reading about the founder Simone Cerasa’s experience and background gave me a lot of confidence in this company. Simone has experience in a variety of transportation fields, including 20 years in aviation. He has traveled extensively and seen how transportation should be.
But the key point for me? Learning that he worked as a cast member as part of the Disney World college program! I figured not only did that mean the company would have the high level of customer service we expect from Disney, but also that they would know the Orlando area very well.
When it comes to booking transportation from the airport to Disney World, there are a number of factors that I’m looking for. I would rank safety, convenience, reliability, friendliness, and budget as my top priorities.
Of course, a private car service is (probably) going to be a higher cost than many other options. Though depending on the size of your family, it can be more affordable than you might expect. But what you get for your money is well worth it, as my trip with the Genie was honestly the most convenient, enjoyable, and safe ride I’ve had!
Things to consider with private transportation
Safety
Especially with Uber and Lyft, I’ve experienced some driving I haven’t been thrilled with. Safety is really emphasized with The Genie. I felt completely safe during my trip, and I had peace of mind going into booking because they have several licenses and certifications. The vehicles go through regular safety inspections and drivers are vetted and have background checks.
Car seats are provided upon request, and there are both front and back-facing options depending on your needs.
Convenience
This one is huge! There are so many ways that private transport is just incredibly convenient. For me, one of the biggest selling points is how quickly I can get from the airport to my Disney resort. My vacation time is valuable, and spending 3+ hours trying to get to my hotel isn’t really how I want to spend my time. With a private service I was able to get to my resort in less than an hour from the moment my flight touched down, and that included deplaning and waiting for my suitcase at baggage claim. Plus, if you’re at a bigger resort (like Port Orleans Riverside), they can bring you directly to your building instead of going through the lobby.
As a solo traveler it’s a nice convenience, but I really think you see even more benefits when you’re traveling with a family. The Genie offers complimentary car seats, so you don’t have to worry about bringing those with you. Another great option? You can opt to add on a stroller rental. It’s the easiest stroller rental experience ever. Most people don’t like to rent the parks strollers because they are not great quality. But with an outside rental company, you typically have to meet someone at your resort for pick-up and drop-off, taking more time out of your vacation. If you add on strollers with The Genie, they have them with the vehicle when they drop you off, and will take them back on the return trip.
Also, at the time of booking, you can specify how many people are coming and how many pieces of luggage you’ve had. If you book Uber or Lyft (even at XL), you don’t really know what size vehicle you’ll get. I’ve actually seen people book a ride and then the driver refuses to take them when they see the number of people and/or luggage. The Genie will make sure to match you to the right vehicle ahead of time. Want to add on a grocery stop? You can do that too.
Reliability
I am a bit of a paranoid traveler at times. While I trust that any transportation I take from the airport will ultimately get me to my destination, there are some other unknowns. How long will it take for the shuttle/uber/etc. to get here? What happens if my flight is delayed?
I didn’t have to worry about any of that this time around. You provide your flight information at booking, and they monitor your flight and can adjust pickup timing based on that. They will also communicate with you through text message once you are there, and provide you with directions and instructions.
And believe it or not, Disney can be a confusing place to drive around if you don’t know it well. Having a driver who knows all the ins and outs of not only Orlando and MCO but the Disney property is great. They know how the security procedures work at the gate, where to drop your luggage, and exactly where to take you.
Friendliness
I don’t need my driver to be my best friend, but if you’re spending 30 minutes in the car with someone you want to hope they’re at least friendly and courteous! Because The Genie was founded by former cast members, they know about the Disney service. My driver was both very professional and personable.
Budget
All of these things are worth paying for, in my opinion, but you also don’t want to pay an arm and a leg, or feel like you’re being ripped off. I felt like The Genie pricing was very reasonable for what you get. Something else I appreciated is that they use flat rate pricing. When you get your price at booking, that’s the cost (including taxes and fees). It doesn’t change based on the time of day or potential demand, like you get with uber/lyft. Keep in mind that with any transportation company, tips are not included in your cost and are optional but appreciated.
My personal experience with The Genie transportation
I booked The Genie for a recent trip when I was looking for private transportation from MCO to Disney World. I was solo at the time (my parents were arriving later). As a solo female I’m always a bit hesitant with rideshares. Mears gets the job done, but I’ve had some really longgg experiences with them lately, so I was ready to try a new option.
It was quick and easy to book. I also received emails with good information and instructions so I knew what to expect. My booking was for a Genie Comfort vehicle with the meet and greet add-on. I also got an additional confirmation email 24 hours before my trip. That was nice to have at the top of my inbox.
My flight from Philadelphia to Orlando went smoothly, and landed about ten minutes early. I immediately had a text from Simone once I landed, telling me exactly where he would be. I was able to let him know I was still waiting to get off the plane, and I would text him when I was headed to baggage claim.
Sure enough, as I came down the escalator I saw someone with a sign that had my name! That’s a pretty fancy feeling, I’m not gonna lie haha. We had to wait a bit for my luggage, but once it arrived Simone took it for me and showed me exactly where we were going. It was an indoor parking area that wasn’t crowded at all, so we were able to easily just get in and go.
The car itself was super nice and clean. Bottled water was provided and I could adjust the temperature to my liking. He knew the roads of Orlando incredibly well and was a safe driver. Though I didn’t need to use them, there were car seats in the vehicle.
One thing I really appreciated about Simone as well – he was friendly and we had some great conversations on the way there, but he wasn’t annoying about it. I don’t know how to explain it other than that, but I’ve had times where I didn’t want to talk and my uber driver kept asking me questions. There’s also been times where it felt like incredibly awkward silence and I was uncomfortable on the ride. But this was perfect. I have a feeling if I had given off the vibe that I didn’t really want to talk, the silence wouldn’t be a problem. But I was happy to chat, especially since he knew a lot about Disney and Universal. It made the trip go by really quickly.
Before I knew it we were there. He dropped me off right at the lobby of Wilderness Lodge and helped me with my luggage. Then I was ready to begin my vacation! It was so fast and convenient. My plane touched down at 1:22pm, and I was at Wilderness Lodge by 2:28pm. That includes deplaning and waiting for baggage! And at Rock n Roller Coaster around 3:30pm. It was so great to be able to have a safe, reliable trip, and make the most use of my time.
Booking private transportation with The Genie
When it comes to booking, the process is very straightforward and simple. You can do it online right from their website, and opt for round-trip or just one way. You provide all of the information they need, including contact info, flight arrival times, resort, etc., and you’ll be good to go!
At the time of booking you can specify the type of ride you’d like to book, and you can provide your information so they can make a recommendation for you. Their options include:
- Genie Express (up to 2 passengers in a Volkswagen Atlas or similar)
- Genie Comfort (up to 6 passengers in a GMC Yukon XL)
- Genie VIP (up to 5 passengers in a Cadillac Escalade ESV)
- Genie XL (up to 12 passengers in a Mercedes Sprinter Van)
The Genie transportation pricing
So, how much does private transportation cost? The pricing between MCO and Disney World ranges from $105-200 each way, depending on the type of vehicle you book.
Arrival at airport
How to find your private transportation
Standard service includes curbside pickup, though the VIP option includes a personal meet and greet at baggage claim. You can also add it on to any of the other bookings.
Your driver will text you updates about where they are and how to find them. At terminals A and B there is an express pickup location which is a lot less crowded (not the same place as where you’d get an uber, for example!).
If you choose the meet and greet, your driver will be at baggage claim with a sign for your family. They will assist you with luggage and then escort you to the vehicle. Either way, your driver will keep you updated through text message.
How long does it take to get from MCO to Disney World?
This can vary depending on traffic and what time your vehicle is on the roads, but typically the ride is about half an hour from the airport to the gates of Disney World. One huge benefit of booking private transportation over Mears is that you go directly to your resort. You don’t have to wait for other passengers or stop at multiple resorts. I’ve had some nightmare situations with Mears where it took me over 2 hours from when I arrived at the Mears pick-up spot to when I got to my hotel!
When will the Genie pick me up to go back to the airport?
Due to TSA lines and travel to MCO, your return to the airport will typically be scheduled about 2.5 to 3 hours before your flight time.
Where do I leave from?
Your Genie driver will pick you up right from your resort, usually just outside the lobby.
Not sure where to start when planning your Disney World trip? Feeling overwhelmed with all of the information and how to keep track of everything?
Consider vacation planning printables – over 60 pages of trip planning, including a budget worksheet, guide to characters, trip comparison worksheet, a look at the dining plans, info about Disney Lightning Lane passes, daily itineraries, packing checklist, and much more.
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Have you tried private transportation from MCO to Disney World? What’s your favored way to get to and from the airport?
This sounds like a great alternative to a bus or Uber. You never know whether your Uber driver is a safe driver and if I was a female alone, I would definitely prefer this to an Uber!
Ooh, interesting! I might try this on my next trip with Pat; he doesn’t have the patience for Mears and rideshare can be so unpredictable. Heck, I’ve had days where the pricing is not that far off from a private car.