Disney World Transportation Options (A Guide to Getting Around)
Learning to maneuver your way around Walt Disney World during a week’s vacation can be daunting. The difference between knowing or not knowing your transportation options at Disney can make or break your vacation.
Guests spend countless hours of their precious vacation time backtracking because they went the wrong way. I know because we’re in the parks an average of 2.5 days per week and cover transportation extensively.
During our park visits, I can guarantee that I will give at least one family member directions. I was raised with the core teaching that if you know the right thing to do, it’s wrong not to do it. I cannot pretend I know everything about Walt Disney World. But when it comes to things like the resorts, character meet-and-greets, and transportation, I can talk the talk because I walk the walk—regularly.
If we combined all of the transportation articles on Resorts Gal, we’d have an entire book. Luckily for you, you don’t need a book. You just need to know your options. So below, we’ve put together an overview of how transportation works at Walt Disney World. When an option applies to you, we recommend reading more about it.
For instance, if you’re staying on Walt Disney World property, our transportation guide specific to that resort is our most helpful resource. It’s taken us years of practice and experience to put these guides together, but they will give you an overview of how to travel from your resort to almost anywhere on the property you want to visit.
In other cases, you might want to utilize a specific form of transportation for the fun of it. For example, we love to ride the monorail through Epcot or take the Skyliner for the experience alone. So, we have specific guides for each transportation option. Each one includes photo walk-throughs of where, when, and how to use these forms of transportation.
Major Forms of Transportation at Disney World
Below, we’ll discuss each primary mode of transportation at Walt Disney World. For specifics, consult the in-depth guide for each option.
Monorail
Disney World’s monorail system transports guests to and from the following locations:
- The Express Monorail travels between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom. The Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) is the parking lot for Magic Kingdom.
- The Resort Monorail stops at all the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts, Magic Kingdom, and the TTC.
- The Epcot Monorail travels between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot. It returns the same way.
Monorail Resorts: Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
If you plan to use the monorail during your vacation, our Disney World Monorail Guide provides hours of operation, tips, and other planning information.
Related Reading for the Monorail
Disney World Monorail Transportation Guide
Disney World’s Monorail Hotels (The Complete Guide)
Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner transports guests to and from the following locations:
- Epcot’s International Gateway
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Skyliner Resorts: Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, Art of Animation
You have to use the Skyliner when staying at one of the above-listed Skyliner Resorts for travel to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Alternative transportation is only provided if the Skyliner cannot operate, e.g., inclement weather.
You can also take the Skyliner when park-hopping between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Guests are required to exit at Caribbean Beach and transfer to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, depending on their destination. From our experience, the Skyliner’s operating hours vary based on the park’s operating hours. Our best tip is to use your phone to take a photo of the Skyliner’s operating hours at the start of our vacation. They will be posted at each station.
If you want to get to the parks for early theme park entry, you’ll want to get in line early. The lines for the Skyliner are often extreme first thing in the morning and at the park’s closing times. If you do not want to deal with a massive line at the end of the night, take your time leaving the park. Most of the shops stay open until an hour after the park closes. Grab a snack, shop, or relax on a bench and give the line time to clear. To learn more, our Disney World Skyliner Guide will get you going in the right direction.
Related Reading
A Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner (With Routes and Travel Times)
Taking the Skyliner Between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot
Walt Disney World Water Transportation
The following types of boat service are available on various routes around the Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Springs.
Ferry
The Magic Kingdom Ferry is an alternative to the monorail at Magic Kingdom. Guests can take the ferryboat to and from Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticker Center. When you park at Magic Kingdom, you can walk or take a tram to the TTC. Upon arrival, you’ll go through a security clearance. From there, you can take the monorail ahead of you or the ferry to Magic Kingdom. The ferry entrance is to the left of the monorail. For specifics on this mode of transportation, you might like our Magic Kingdom Ferry Guide.
Magic Kingdom Resorts Watercraft
All the Magic Kingdom Resorts offer various watercraft options. They are as follows:
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offers boat service to the Magic Kingdom. It then continues to Grand Floridian.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa offers boat service to the Polynesian and then to Magic Kingdom.
- Disney’s Contemporary offers boat service to Fort Wilderness or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. (This service is limited to the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.)
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness offers direct boat service to Magic Kingdom. (Limited service to the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge is available between 3:00 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers direct boat service to Magic Kingdom. (Limited service to the Contemporary and Fort Wilderness is available between 3:00 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.)
The Blue Flag launch between the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness allows guests to get to and from popular dining options like the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. See How to Get to Hoop Dee Doo Revue if you need help troubleshooting.
Friendship Boats
Disney’s Friendship Boats travel between Epcot and Hollywood Studios, stopping at the resorts in between. They travel the following path:
- Epcot International Gateway
- Disney’s Boardwalk
- Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When the boat reaches Hollywood Studios, it picks up guests and returns in the opposite order. If you’re park-hopping, the entire route is approximately 25 minutes long—our Disney Friendship Boats Guide shares photos of the boats and more details.
Disney Springs Water Taxis
These water taxis run between the Disney Springs area resorts and The Marketplace boat dock at Disney Springs. The resorts that offer these boats are:
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Related Reading for Disney’s Boat Services
Walt Disney World Water Transportation (Every Boat Route You Can Take)
Taking the Magic Kingdom Ferry (With How To’s and Tips)
Disney FriendShips Boats Guide (Routes, Hours, and Tips)
These 4 Disney World Resorts Offer Boat Transportation to Magic Kingdom
Everything You Need to Know About Disney Springs Resort Water Taxi Service
Buses
Buses are the most widespread form of transportation at Walt Disney World. Every resort has bus services, and some resorts only offer bus service. For example, every resort has a bus service to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s the only complimentary form of transportation offered at the park.
Disney buses are sizable and can accommodate guests in ECVS and wheelchairs. Strollers must be folded before boarding the bus, so it’s a good idea to have them collapsed and folded when the bus arrives.
One of the most important things you’ll want to know is that the theme park buses do not travel to Disney Springs. You also cannot take a bus from Disney Springs to the theme parks. You’ll have options if you’re at a park and want to leave for dinner at Disney Springs. Most people will catch a bus from the theme park to Disney’s Saratoga Springs and exit at the Congress Park Bus Stop. From there, you can take the walkway from Congress Park to Disney Springs. It enters the venue on the Marketplace side of Disney Springs.
Related Reading for Disney’s Bus Services
Minnie Vans
Minnie Vans are expensive but offer the option to get dropped off at the closest locations to the theme parks. You can order a Minnie Van from the My Disney Experience app. We don’t usually recommend this option unless you feel pressed for time and have the extra funds. Of course, Minnie Vans are exceptionally convenient if you do not have budget restrictions.
Parking
If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World-owned and operated resort, you don’t have to worry about parking charges unless you want to upgrade to preferred parking at the parks or use valet services at your hotel. This is a huge relief. However, if you’re staying off-property, you’ll need to consider possible parking charges at your resort hotel and the theme parks. Those charges can add up. Our parking guide lists the current rates for parking along with where and when you’ll need to pay.
Parking Trams
You’ll likely want to use the trams if you elect to park at the theme parks. Trams drop guests visiting Magic Kingdom off at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From there, you’ll take the monorail or ferry to the park. All other parks offer trams that drop guests off at the park’s entrance. We have a separate guide that details how to use the trams at Disney World.
Walking
You’ll probably walk a lot more than usual during your vacation. But many of the walks between the parks and resorts are pleasant. For instance, you can walk between Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It’s a long walk, but you can check out the Boardwalk or the Beach and Yacht Club along the way. It’s also one of the most scenic walks on the property. Here are a few of our guides related to walking at Walt Disney World.
Related Reading
Walking from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs (Both Ways)
The Grand Floridian Walkway to Magic Kingdom (Photos + Distance)
Resorts Gal Tips: Walking Between Disney’s Contemporary and Magic Kingdom
Taking the Walking Path Between Disney Springs and Old Key West (Map with Photos)
Resorts Gal Tips: How to Get Between Jambo House and Kidani Village
Take This Shortcut if You’re Walking Between Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Boardwalk
Theme Park Maps
Each theme park offers a variety of different transportation options, except for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which only offers bus service. We’ve created a transportation map for each theme park that details what options are offered and where to locate them.
Park Maps
Magic Kingdom Transportation Map, Locations, and Options
Epcot Transportation Map, Locations, and Options
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tranportation Map, Locations, and Options
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Transportation Map, Locations, and Options
Disney Springs
Disney Springs offers complimentary parking, boat service, and bus service. If you’re driving, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the best ways to get to and from the venue. Our primary guide lists all your options for getting to and around Disney Springs.
Related Reading
Disney Springs Transportation Guide (With Updates)
Everything You Need to Know About Disney Springs Resort Water Taxi Service
Want to save time and energy on your vacation? Get a copy of our 5 best transportation tips for Walt Disney World.
Disney Hotel Transportation Guides
Below, you’ll find a list of transportation options for each resort. As you may remember, we said our resort transportation guides are among our top planning tools. After you’ve decided on accommodations, we recommend reviewing our transportation guide for that resort. It will help you learn your options ahead of time. You can also save it for a quick reference during your vacation.
Deluxe Resort Transportation Options
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Bus Service Only)
- Disney’s Grand Floridian (Bus, Monorail, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Bus, Monorail, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Bus, Monorail, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Bus, Boat)
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Beach Club Transportation Options (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Yacht Club Transportation Options (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Transportation Options (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
(The Disney Skyliner is within walking distance of Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, and the Swan and Dolphin. However, it would be more for leisure or to get to a Skyliner Resort for a meal.)
Villa Resorts Transportation Options
- Disney’s Riviera Resort (Skyliner, Bus, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Old Key West (Boat, Bus, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs (Boat, Bus, Walking Paths)
Moderate Resort Transportation Guides
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort (Bus, Boat, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Skyliner, Bus, Walking Paths)
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (Bus Service Only)
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (Bus, Boat Service)
*Some of the walking paths mentioned are between one resort and another resort. For example, you can walk between Port Orleans Riverside and the French Quarter.
Value Resort Transportation Guides
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (Skyliner, Buses)
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort (Skyliner, Buses)
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort (Bus Service Only)
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (Bus Service Only)
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort (Bus Service Only)
Browse Resort Hotel Transportation Guides
Transportation Options and Tips for Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (Everything We’ve Learned)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Transportation Options (Every Route from a Practiced Pro)
Transportation Options at Disney’s Caribbean Beach (Every Way To Get Where You’re Going)
Transportation Options at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (With Helpful How To’s)
Browse All Resort Transportation Guides
We hope this guide gave you an overview of where to start when it comes to learning transportation options at Disney World. If you get confused during your trip, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of the transportation cast members will be able to get you going in the right direction. But remember that many cast members working at hotels and parks do not practice these methods regularly. So they may not always be able to give you the right or the best information.
Make sure you stay up-to-date on Disney World transportation before your trip. Things can change, and we update our guides when those changes take place. We genuinely believe that transportation is one of the most significant factors at Disney World that can make or break your vacation.