Transportation: How the heck should I get to Disney World?

So you've decided to go to Walt Disney World.  Great!

Now...How are you going to get there?

You have a few options:

1. Air
If you are like me, and you just don't live close enough to make driving reasonable and you don't have rail options, flying is usually the most convenient and time-efficient.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the closest major airport to Walt Disney World. It's served by all major airlines and even some you may not have heard of.

What's cool about flying into MCO is that if you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can take the complimentary Magical Express to your resort from the airport.  No schlepping into a taxi.  No need to rent a car unless, you are like me where I need to be in control of my transportation!

2. Rail.
Did you know there is an Autotrain that runs down the Amtrak lines down the East Coast?  You can hop on near Washington DC, have your car or motorcycle loaded up with you and ride the train down to Florida!

The cool part is meals are included with your Autotrain ticket.  A big plus to air travel where you don't get a meal unless you are flying first class, and only then if flying over a mealtime.

It does take longer than a flight ~ a little more than 17 hours.  But you have the benefit of having your own car with you and you don't have the hassles of an airport.

The Autotrain stops in Sanford, FL, which is about an hour out of Orlando.

3. Drive.

I envy those of you who can reasonably drive to Walt Disney World.  In Minnesota, it's a little over 24 hours of driving time.  Unless I want to look like death warmed over, I need to take at least two days to get there.  Three days is better so I have a little energy for my vacation.  But then I'm looking at an extra four to six days just going to and from my vacation destination.

Unless you are retired or have a very flexible schedule, that's just a little unrealistic in terms of using vacation days wisely.

I'm tempted to commando drive sometimes when I see airfare priced as high as it is. But at the same time, you have to value your time.

What is your preference?

We'll touch on transportation within Walt Disney World in a future post.

Enjoy!