Exploring Transportation at Walt Disney World Resort

Welcome to Walt Disney World Resort, where dreams come true and magic fills the air! One question that often comes up during the planning process is HOW to get around the 43 square mile property- when your vacation destination includes 4 Theme Parks, 2 Water Parks, a shopping center, and more than 25 resorts to choose from, you want to make traveling between destinations as easy as possible. Here we want to discuss your options when staying at the Walt Disney World Resort- there are a lot of them!

Walt Disney World Transportation caters to on-site Resort guests, although off-site guests are also welcome to use all available modes of transportation to enhance their stay. Aside from traditional parking and Minnie Vans, all options discussed below are free to use!

Monorail Magic

Photo Credit: Disney

No visit to Disney World is complete without experiencing the iconic monorail. Gliding above the ground with a futuristic flair, the monorail offers a convenient and scenic mode of transportation. As you soar above the resort, the breathtaking views of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the surrounding areas make it feel like you are riding an attraction, not to mention that the Monorail has A/C, a life saver for those Florida summers!

There are three separate lines that travel through WDW. The Resort Monorail (accessing nearby accommodations) makes extra stops and gives you access to the Magic Kingdom. The EPCOT Monorail and the Express Monorail offer express round-trip service to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom Park.

There are three Disney Monorail hotels: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. If you are staying at one of these properties, you are a quick ride away from the Magic Kingdom. Guests can transfer at the TTC to board the EPCOT Monorail easily as well. One of the perks to staying in this part of the magic!

The Monorail operates starting 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom opening and stops one hour after closing. The EPCOT Monorail begins operating 30 minutes prior to when EPCOT opens and stops 2 hours after closing.

Pro Tip: Strollers can stay open on the Monorail and your child can stay seated in them!

Magic Kingdom Ferry Boats

For a more leisurely journey across the water, hop aboard one of Disney's enchanting ferryboats. The ferryboats not only transport you to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, but they also provide a delightful experience with spacious decks, comfortable seating, and even the occasional surprise character appearance!

Two twin Magic Kingdom ferries transport guests from the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) to Magic Kingdom. The ferry typically starts operations 30 minutes prior to park opening, including Extra Magic Hours—meaning if Magic Hours are at 8:00 am, the ferry will operate at 7:30 am. Each ferryboat holds about 600 guests. Wait times are regularly between 10 and 20 minutes.

In addition to the ferries, other boat options are available in the Magic Kingdom resort area. The Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Ft. Wilderness all use water transportation to/from the Magic Kingdom. There are four routes available, each distinguished by color. Boat rides are typically between 8-13 minutes long and require a short wait time to board- wait times to return to your resort at park closing are usually longer.

Hollywood Studios/ EPCOT Friendship Boats

When using friendship boats, plan on a leisurely/slow voyage to your destination. Watercraft service is available from Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Yacht Club Resort, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. Your only options of transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios from these resorts are either Friendship Boats or walking. Walking is often a faster option, but after a long day on your feet, a relaxing boat ride can be nice!

Disney Springs Water Transportation

Disney Springs area hotels have a water transportation option daily, leaving about every 20 minutes, to access the shopping, restaurants, and activities at Disney Springs! Several routes are offered (clearly marked pick up points are easy to find) from Port Orleans Resorts, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. This is a relaxing and convenient mode of transportation for resort guests.

Bus Fleet Transportation

Disney's fleet of buses is a reliable and efficient way to navigate the vast resort. With numerous routes connecting all the theme parks, water parks, and resorts, you'll find that the buses ensure you reach your desired destination with ease. Sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving. This is one of the perks to staying on property- no long walks back to the car in the evening and no dealing with Disney traffic!

Disney buses do require you to fold your stroller to board, so plan your daily packing accordingly to make that easier for your family. It is also important to note that buses will take you from a resort to a theme park, or from theme park to theme park, but NOT from theme parks to Disney Springs or from resort to resort directly. For guests wishing to resort hop, or grab dinner at Disney Springs, they will have to take multiple buses to reach their destination (for example ride the bus from your resort to the nearest theme park, and then switch buses there to access your destination resort). This extra step can take some extra time, but it is your complimentary way of accessing everything on property!

One other note: expect to experience long lines first thing in the morning, as well as at park closing time. Morning buses are usually efficient, with one bus coming as soon as another one leaves, but evening buses take a little bit longer. We have noticed that value resorts tend to have longer return lines than other resorts- partially due to the fact that those resorts hold a larger number of guests.

Pro tip: Consider using the My Disney Experience app to track bus arrival times, making your journey even more convenient.

Disney Skyliner

Prepare to be transported to new heights with the Disney Skyliner, an aerial gondola system connecting Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and select resort hotels. Whether you're cruising above vibrant landscapes or catching a glimpse of beloved Disney characters adorning the gondolas, the Skyliner offers an unforgettable transportation experience, and can feel a lot like its own attraction!

Resorts that can access Hollywood Studios and EPCOT using the Skyliner include Art of Animation, POP Century Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and the new Riviera Resort. Caribbean Beach is the hub of all the action- Art of Animation and POP Century will take a separate gondola from their resort to the hub, and then switch lines to access the Theme Parks. Riviera guests will access the hub to visit Hollywood Studios. All boarding points are well organized and managed, and things move quickly! Sometimes you will end up in your own gondola, while during busier times you will share with other parties.

This is one of our favorite ways to access Disney resorts. It is fun to ride!

Pro tip: The Skyliner drops guests at the back of EPCOT, not at the front gates. This makes access to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure during Early Magic Hours an easy way to experience this attraction with very little wait!

Driving/Parking

Of course, you are always able to use your own vehicle/rental car to more around town! Enjoy complimentary overnight self-parking when staying at Disney Resort Hotels. Standard self-parking is also complimentary for day guests while they enjoy select dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences at Disney Resort hotels. Valet services at Deluxe Resorts is offered at $33 a night. Standard theme park parking is INCLUDED for registered guests of Disney Resort hotels and select Annual Passholders. These guests can also choose preferred parking by paying the difference ($20-25 per day).

Non-Resort Guest Theme Park Parking: Guests pay one fee for a daily parking pass that is good all day at all 4 theme parks. Once you pay to enter in the morning, you can park hop and move your vehicle for no extra cost. Standard parking is $25 per day, while Preferred parking is $45-50 per day.

At Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, you will park and then walk directly to the front gates of the Park. For Magic Kingdom, you will park at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). From here you will take either the Monorail or a Ferryboat across the water to the front gates. Leave yourself a little bit more time at the Magic Kingdom, knowing you have an extra step before you officially hit the magic. Disney buses go directly to the Magic Kingdom gates.

Pro Tip: Use the Car Locator! This is a complimentary feature in the My Disney Experience App. It uses Location Services to find and save your parking details, so you don’t have to stress about it!

Minnie Vans

These adorable, Minnie Mouse themed vehicles are a quick and convenient way to access anywhere at the Walt Disney World Resort. Each van is Disney owned and operated and driven by a Cast Member. This can be a great option when on a time crunch, when you are too tired to wait in line for the bus at the end of the night, or when visiting a different resort for dining reservations. Minnie Vans are connected by Lyft- to use, simply open the app, confirm your pick up location/ destination, and then tap “Select Minnie Van.” We were thrilled when this option returned after a hiatus during COVID- it is nice to always have a transportation option that is quick and more immediate.

Pro Tip: You can request a Minnie Van that accommodates wheelchairs and car seats.

Conclusion

As you can see, transportation at Walt Disney World Resort is not just a means to an end but an integral part of the enchanting experience. Whether you choose to glide through the air on the monorail, set sail on a ferryboat, or embark on a sky-high adventure with the Disney Skyliner, each mode of transportation adds a touch of magic to your journey. Want us to help you strategize the best ways to get around for your Disney vacation? That is included in your pre-vacation consultation when you book with us!