For Walt Disney World guests who drive a rental car that must be returned to the Orlando airport area, filling up the tank before returning the vehicle may be often a cheaper alternative than letting the agency charge for a full tank of gas. That is, assuming they find reasonably-priced gas near the airport, which is not always the case.
Unlike the gas station at Pittsburgh International Airport, whose prices are regulated to be in line with the local area, some Orlando gas stations charge well above the market rate for fuel. The practice takes advantage of tourists flying from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Here are suggestions and brief directions for to help rental-car drivers refuel at reasonably-priced gas at stations near the airport before returning their car to its rental agency. Directions should be adapted to take into account specific starting points.
Directions from Walt Disney World Property
- Follow Disney’s signs to I-4 / 192-All Guest Areas
- Exit Epcot / Downtown Disney
- Exit I-4 / East Orlando
- Continue on I-4 to Exit 72 / International Airport/Cape Canaveral
- Merge onto Bee Line Exwy / FL-528 (partial toll road)
- Follow airport signs
- Exit 436 N / Semoran Boulevard (left)
After about one mile, 436 N/Semoran Boulevard crosses Butler National Drive. There is a Suncoast Energys gas station on the right and a new Shell gas station on the left. Drive PAST these locations, as Suncoast Energys regularly charges between $1.50 and $2.00 more per gallon than market value, a practice being followed by the new Shell station.
Suncoast Energys has a longstanding practice of not displaying prominent signs noting its fuel prices, although the station is required by law to display prices on fuel pumps to avoid charges of price gouging. Because these prices are in effect all the time and do list prices on their pumps, these stations are not violating Florida law. They do take advantage, however, of their location and travelers being unaware of nearby alternatives.
Update, May 17, 2010: See this Orlando Sentinel article on high prices at gas stations near MCO and a proposed ordinance to require gas stations to post prominent signage so consumer can comparison shop.
Drive three (3) lights north, past LeeVista Blvd and Bent Pine Drive to Hoffner Avenue. There is a 7-Eleven gas station and a Mobil gas station across the street from one another. They do charge market value for fuel. There is also Kwik Stop-Modem west on Hoffner or a RaceTrac further north on Semoran Boulevard.
View Orlando Airport Area Gas Stations in a larger map
Gas stations near the Orlando International Airport
7-Eleven
5703 South Semoran Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32822-4813
(407) 275-1310
Mobil Oil Corporation
5630 Hoffner Avenue
Orlando, FL 32812-2503
(407) 382-6082
Kwik Stop-Modem
5600 Hoffner Avenue
Orlando, FL 32812-2503
(407) 658-7544
RaceTrac Petroleum
5405 South Semoran Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32822-1734
(407) 207-8888
Gas Stations on Walt Disney World Property
There are also three Hess gas stations on Walt Disney World property for guests that need to refuel mid-trip. They charge market value for fuel and have reasonable prices for snacks and beverages.
- Hess – Magic Kingdom area, World Drive
- Hess – Disney's Hollywood Studios/Boardwalk area
- Hess – Downtown Disney area, Buena Vista Drive
Be warned about gas stations off-property and near the Downtown Disney area though, as some located on State Road 535/Apopka-Vineland Road do charge a premium for their locations.
Visit Orlando Gas Prices to determine local market value for gas and to locate other gas stations.
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