Updated August 2026 · 7 min read

Do you actually need one?

Whether a rental car makes sense depends entirely on your itinerary. If you're staying at one resort (Disney or Universal) and not leaving property, that resort's own transportation network likely covers you without a car, and you'll avoid theme park parking fees and rental costs entirely. If your trip spans multiple resorts, off-property hotels, day trips, or independent restaurants and attractions spread across the metro area, a rental car generally saves time and money compared to piecing together ride-shares for every leg.

Picking up at MCO

Orlando International Airport consolidates most major rental brands into a single on-site rental facility connected to the terminal complex. Pickup is generally straightforward, but lines can build during peak arrival windows (weekend mornings, school holiday periods) — booking ahead and having your confirmation ready speeds things up, and it's worth budgeting extra time at both ends of your trip during busy season.

Insurance — what to actually check

Check your existing coverage before buying the rental company's

Many travellers already have some rental car coverage through their personal auto insurance policy, a travel insurance policy, or certain credit cards used to pay for the rental. Before accepting the rental counter's insurance upsell, check what you're already covered for — it can be a meaningful saving over a week-long rental, though coverage details vary enough that it's worth confirming specifics with your own provider rather than assuming.

Tolls

Orlando's expressway network includes several toll roads, and rental cars are commonly fitted with an electronic toll transponder that bills tolls automatically to your rental agreement (often with an added administrative fee per toll or per rental period). Ask the rental counter directly how tolls are handled on your specific rental — options and fee structures vary by company, and it affects whether route-planning around toll roads is worth the detour.

Parking at the theme parks

Disney, Universal and SeaWorld each charge a separate daily parking fee for standard theme park parking, on top of your ticket cost — this is usually waived for guests staying at that resort's own on-site hotels, but charged for everyone else, including day visitors and off-site hotel guests. Factor this into your daily budget if you're driving to the parks rather than staying on-site.

Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or in town?
This varies by season and demand — it's worth comparing both airport and off-airport rental locations when booking, though airport pickup is usually more convenient given MCO's consolidated rental facility.
Do I need a car if I'm splitting my trip between Disney and Universal?
Generally yes, or at minimum a reliable ride-share budget — the two resorts don't share a direct complimentary transportation link, so you'll need to arrange your own transport between them.