The Resorts Gal Guide to Walt Disney World Transportation
It’s not every day you visit Walt Disney World. If you did, you probably wouldn’t have landed on this guide. The truth is that learning how to get from one location to another during a week’s vacation can be daunting. Sure, complimentary transportation is offered. But you might not know that you have to change monorails to get between Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You don’t want to know how often I’ve been on the monorail with guests looping the route. They keep looking for their stop and finally realize they are back where they started.
Sure, the monorail driver announced the stops over the intercom speaker. But after a half-day at Magic Kingdom, you’re exhausted and glad to find a place to sit down and gather your bearings. Because you missed your stop, it takes about 30 minutes longer to get to Epcot than it should have. It’s not the end of the world, but had you done a little research, you would have known better.
At least you’re not in the minority. Guests spend countless hours of their precious vacation time backtracking because they went the wrong way. I know because we’re in the parks often and cover transportation extensively. During our visits, I guarantee I will give at least one person 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 only 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.
On a side note, if you’re looking for our popular transportation series, it’s on a separate page: Resorts Gal Routes: The Most Efficient Routes at Disney World. That series focuses on individual routes between popular destinations at Walt Disney World. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the transportation options below before getting into specific routes.
Transportation Options 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. Some o
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.
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. You can read a complete overview of this service in our separate guide: Magic Kingdom Resorts Boat Service.
FriendShips (Boat Service)
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
We have a separate guide that details the water taxi service that runs to and from the Disney Springs Resorts: Disney Springs Water Taxi Service Overview.
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. If you want to learn more, we have a complete overview of how the Disney Resort bus schedule works. Or you might like our Disney World Bus Guide. It offers pictures of the various buses, their interiors, and more accessibility information.
Related: Our Average Bus Times for the Disney Resorts (ALL)
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
If you elect to park at the theme parks, you’ll likely want to use the trams. 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. It’s also one of the most scenic walks on the property.
Theme Park Maps
Each theme park offers 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 the options offered and where to locate them. You can access them by clicking on the corresponding links below.
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. It’s important to note that every resort at Walt Disney World offers bus transportation to Disney Springs (even the ones where guests can walk or boat to the venue.)
Additionally, you’ll want to know a few tips about getting around Disney Springs once you arrive. Our Disney Springs Transportation Guide is our best resource for helping you familiarize yourself with these things.
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)
Find the Resort Transportation Guide for Your Disney World Resort: These guides offer an insider look at how to efficiently use transportation at your resort hotel during your vacation.
Disney Resort Transportation Pocket Guides: Make sure to get a copy of the transportation pocket guide specific to your resort. This will come in handy if you need a quick reference during your trip.
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.
More Transportation Guides
Disney Bus Travel Times (Average Times for Each Route Based on Your Hotel)
Resorts Gal Routes: The Most Efficient Routes Around Walt Disney World
