Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Transportation Guide
Trying to figure out how to get around can feel overwhelming, especially at a resort as massive as Disney’s Coronado Springs. Below, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of using transportation at Disney’s Coronado Springs. We’ll also look at how to get from Coronado Springs to other popular destinations around Walt Disney World using the complimentary transportation options provided. You’ll also want to check the end of this guide for an opportunity to get our free transportation cheat sheet. It’s a great reference to use while on vacation.
Disney’s Coronado Springs Transportation Options
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers one form of transportation—Disney’s Bus Service. It is the only moderate resort at Disney World with one transportation option. On the forefront, it might seem that the lack of transportation at Coronado Springs doesn’t warrant an entire blog post. But after you arrive at the resort, you may think differently.
You see, Coronado Springs is a mammoth of a resort. It’s so extensive that the resort offers an internal bus service with four stops before it comes full circle. Below, we’ll look at the need-to-know details for transportation at Disney’s Coronado Springs. We’ll start with popular questions like how to get from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom and other Disney destinations.
Then, we’ll look at everything you need to know about the buses at Coronado Springs, including the bus stops, internal buses, and the bus schedule. Before long, those transportation worries will be soothed, and you can return your focus to having a wonderful vacation!
Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom
You’ll take a bus to Magic Kingdom from Coronado Springs. Buses for Magic Kingdom pick up guests in the following order: Casitas, Ranchos, Cabanas, and the shared bus stop between Gran Destino Tower and El Centro.
On the return trip from Magic Kingdom, the bus driver will drop guests off in the same order. So, if you need to pick up food or something from the gift shop, you’ll want to wait until the last stop. (Or you can exit at the Casitas and walk to El Centro.)
Coronado Springs to Epcot
From Coronado Springs, you’ll take a bus to Epcot. Epcot buses pick up guests in the following order: Casitas, Ranchos, Cabanas, and the shared bus stop between Gran Destino Tower and El Centro.
On the return trip from Epcot to Coronado Springs, the bus driver drops guests off in the same order. So, if you need to pick up something from the lobby, you’ll want to wait until the last stop. (Or you can exit at the Casitas and walk to El Centro.)
Coronado Springs to Hollywood Studios
You’ll take a bus from Coronado Springs to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Like the other theme parks, guests traveling to Hollywood Studios are picked up in the following order: Casitas, Ranchos, Cabanas, and the shared bus stop between Gran Destino Tower and El Centro.
On the return trip from Hollywood Studios, the bus driver will drop guests off in the same order. So, you’ll want to wait until the last stop if you need to visit the lobby or exit at the first stop (Casitas) and walk to El Centro.
Coronado Springs to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
You’ll take a bus from Coronado Springs to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Like the other parks, the bus stops in the following order: Casitas, Ranchos, Cabanas, and lastly, the shared bus stop between Gran Destino Tower and El Centro.
On the return trip from Magic Kingdom, the bus driver drops guests off in the same order. So, if you need to pick up food or something from the gift shop, you’ll want to wait until the last stop. (Or you can exit at the Casitas and walk to El Centro.)
Coronado Springs to Disney Springs
This one is different! If you’re going to Disney Springs, the bus stops at the shared bus stop between Gran Destino Tower and El Centro first. After Gran Destino, it travels to the Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas before returning to Disney Springs.
On the return trip from Disney Springs, the bus driver will first drop guests off at the shared stop between Gran Destino and El Centro. Then, it will continue to the Casitas, Ranchos, and the Cabanas.
Coronado Springs Bus Stops
It’s essential to be aware of how the bus stops at Coronado Springs work. Coronado Springs has four bus stops. When a bus arrives at the resort, it travels to a private back entrance and stops in the following order:
- Bus Stop 2 (Casitas)
- Bus Stop 3 (Ranchos)
- Bus Stop 4 (Cabanas)
- Bus Stop 1 (El Centro and Gran Destino Tower)
*Disney Springs buses are an exception to this rule. They stop at the resort’s front entrance at bus stop one and then travel to two, three, and four. This bus doubles as the internal bus from El Centro to the Casitas, Ranchos, or Cabanas.
Internal Bus at Disney’s Coronado Springs
You can take an internal bus if you do not want to walk across Coronado Springs to reach a destination. Any bus traveling from a village to a theme park will stop at Bus Stop 1, the shared stop between Gran Destino Tower and the resort’s main lobby, before it leaves for the park.
So you can use this bus to get from the villages to the main lobby or tower. If you are unsure, you can always ask the bus driver if they will drop off where you’re going. Just ensure you exit at the right stop. If you stay on, you’ll have a long ride.
There’s always an exception to the rule. If you are at Gran Destino Tower and want to return to your village, you only want to take the Disney Springs bus. The theme park buses will leave Gran Destino Tower and travel directly to the theme parks. So board the Disney Springs bus if you’re leaving Gran Destino Tower and returning to one of the villages.
Coronado Springs Bus Schedule
Buses begin running approximately one hour before the theme parks open. That one hour includes early theme park hours for resort guests.
Example: On a day that Magic Kingdom opens to the public at 9:00 a.m. (8:30 a.m. for resort guests), buses will run at approximately 7:30 a.m. (This time has been known to fluctuate anywhere from 60-90 minutes before the park opens.)
Buses continue to run up to an hour after the parks close. It has always been our experience that Disney will get you back to your resort at the end of the night. You do not have to be in a rush to leave the parks. Many gift shops stay open after the attractions cease to operate.
How long are the wait times for the buses at Coronado Springs?
Wait times for the next bus depend on various factors. Over the years, we’ve experienced anything from long waits to excellent bus service at all of Walt Disney World’s resorts. A few years ago, Disney installed signs that show the estimated wait time for the next bus. These times are based on the bus’s proximity to the resort via Wi-Fi. For example, you might see the wait for your desired location fluctuate.
That could be because the bus stopped in traffic or at a light, or other reasons. We have found that the posted arrival time is pretty accurate.
How long does it take to get to the parks?
Here are a few estimates of travel times between Coronado Springs and each park.
- Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom (Approximately 12 minutes)
- Coronado Springs to Epcot (Approximately 9 minutes)
- Coronado Springs to Hollywood Studios (Approximately 8 minutes)
- Coronado Springs to Animal Kingdom (Approximately 9 minutes)
- Coronado Springs to Disney Springs (Approximately 15 minutes)
Related: Get a Copy of Our Bus Times for Coronado Springs
Water Park Buses To and From Coronado Springs
Occasionally, Disney offers direct bus service to and from the resort to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. However, that is rare. When you reach the bus stop, the electronic sign will indicate which bus to take to which water park.
Usually, guests must take the bus to Disney Springs to travel to Typhoon Lagoon. When you reach Disney Springs, you’ll exit that bus and board a transfer bus to Disney Springs. Someone will be in the area to direct you to the correct bus stop. It’s not far.
However, when you leave Typhoon Lagoon, you’ll have to walk further to find the resort bus stop at Disney Springs. So you’ll want to make sure to have a change of clothes for the return trip.
For Blizzard Beach, you’ll take a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and then board a transfer bus to Blizzard Beach. You’ll then return in the same manner. (Often, direct service is provided from Coronado Springs to Blizzard Beach because the water park is so close to the resort.)
Coronado Springs to the Monorail Resorts
Additionally, most guests will want to visit the monorail resorts for dining or touring. You can take a bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom to do this. From there, you will have to walk through security at Magic Kingdom. Then you can walk, boat, or monorail to the following resorts:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (walk, boat, monorail)
- Disney’s Polynesian Resort (boat, monorail, technically can walk via the Grand Floridian walkway to Magic Kingdom)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (walk or monorail)
Coronado Springs to Disney’s Boardwalk
If you’re traveling from Coronado Springs to Disney’s Boardwalk or the other Epcot Resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, and the Swan and Dolphin), you can take a bus from Coronado Springs to Hollywood Studios.
From Hollywood Studios, you can walk to the Boardwalk or take a Friendship Boat. You’ll want to return to Coronado Springs in the same manner. However, if you’re staying out past theme park hours, you might have to order a car service if the buses are no longer running.
Those would be pretty late hours to keep. But the Boardwalk does have a few places geared toward adults that are open relatively late.
Coronado Springs to Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness
For Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness, you can take a bus from the resort to the Magic Kingdom. Once you arrive at Magic Kingdom, take a bus or a boat to either resort.
*During inclement weather, you’ll need to take a bus from Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness. Hopefully, you’ll get to take the boat, though. It’s a pleasant ride and part of the fun.
Coronado Springs to the Skyliner Resorts
If you want to take a ride (for leisure) on the Disney Skyliner, take a bus from Coronado Springs to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and board the Skyliner. We have a separate guide that details Disney’s Skyliner’s route. Stops include Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera Resort, and Epcot’s International Gateway.
*Remember, these tips are subject to Disney’s transportation hours of operation.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Disney’s Coronado Springs is a beautiful resort. Whether you’re staying in one of the villages or Gran Destino Tower, there should be a bus stop reasonably close to your room.
As far as getting around the resort, when Coronado Springs was last refurbished, a bridge was built across the lake. The addition of the bridge allows guests to cross the lake, making everything simple. It will save you a ton of steps since you no longer have to walk around the lake perimeter to reach your room, The Dig Site, or El Centro. For more information about staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, you might enjoy these individual articles:
- Coronado Springs Resort Review
- Gran Destino Tower Review
- Club Level Review of the Chronos Club
- Walking Distances at Disney’s Coronado Springs
- The Pools at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Coronado Springs Restaurants List
Resorts Gal Disclaimer: All of the photos and information provided (including travel times) are from our experience, time spent at the resort, and expenditures.