Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation A Free Disney Day

Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation A Free Disney Day

If you’re looking for all the ways to get around at Walt Disney World, we’re covering ALL the resort options in this post that offer a boat or a ferry. As Disney Resort Transportation grows and morphs Disney Resorts with more than just a bus for transportation is always a perk. Here are all the Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation. 

We love Disney Resorts that offer the perks of alternative transportation options. Disney Skyliner Resorts, Monorail Resorts, and even Boardwalk Resorts that offer things within walking distance are all great ways to spend a Free Disney Day without the need for a Park ticket. And if you’re staying at any of these resorts, it’s nice to know there are alternatives when it comes to getting to and from your Disney Resort. 

For starters, know that Walt Disney World offers both ferries and boats. While there may not be too many differences between them, we’ve broken this up into sections regarding where you can catch the boat- whether it be from your resort or a park. Here are the boats you can grab if you’re looking for Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation.

What hours does the Walt Disney World Ferry run?

Opening: The Walt Disney World ferry that transports guests to and from the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC) begins operating 30 minutes prior to park opening. This includes 30 minutes prior to the Early Morning hours offered to Disney Resort guests.

Closing: The Disney ferries continue to run about 1.5 hours after the park closing. This includes Extra Magic Hours that may be happening as well as After Hours events.

What is the Capacity of the Walt Disney World Ferry?

Walt Disney World has 3 ferries, with a capacity of about 600 guests and 3 crew members.

How Long Does It Take to get the ferry at Walt Disney World?

About 10-20 minutes

Which Disney Resorts have Boat Transportation?

  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • The Polynesian Villiage Resort
  • The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
  • Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • The Beah Club and Villas
  • The Yacht Club
  • Boardwalk Inn
  • The Dolphin Hotel
  • The Swan Hotel
  • Port Orleans Riverside Resort
  • Port Orleans French Quarter 
  • Old Key West
  • Saratoga Springs Resort and Treehouses

Disney Water Transportation From Magic Kingdom

Water Transporation to and from Magic Kingdom consists of several options. With a Boat Launch at the Magic Kingdom Entrance, you can travel between the parking lots and resorts. 

  • Magic Kingdom to and from the Transportation Ticket Center. This is a Ferry Launch: If you have driven to Walt Disney World and parked your car at the Transportation Ticket Center you have the option of taking the tram to the Monorail Station or Grabbing the Ferry to Magic Kingdom instead. This ferry will bring you right to the entrance.

grand floridian resort at walt disney world

Magic Kingdom Boat Transportation

Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation at Walt Disney World offer that little bit of extra perk. Whether it be for the leisurely transport from one place to another or simply a way to get away from the Disney Crowds! Here are the resorts with water transportation to and from Magic Kingdom Park. 

Magic Kingdom Boat Launch- GOLD

Resorts: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and The Polynesian have a Boat Dock that allows transportation to and from the resort to Magic Kingdom. These boats do not accommodate ECV’s. Guests in wheelchairs can be accommodated if they are able to transfer out of their wheelchair and step down 2 feet into the boat.

  • Stops: Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Approx. Travel Time: 20 minutes.
  • Approx. Wait Time: 10-15 minutes.

Wilderness Lodge Christmas

Magic Kingdom Boat Launch- RED

Resorts: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Servicing all three of these resorts, separately, there are usually two boats that serve this water transportation route. Route 1: Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge (Stop 1), and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds (Stop 2). Route 2: Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Stop 1).

  • Stops: Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Approx. Travel Time: 8 minutes
  • Approx. Wait Time: 8-12 minutes

disney fort wilderness activities

Magic Kingdom Boat Launch- BLUE

Resorts: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Servicing all three of these resorts, there are usually two boats that serve this water transportation route. Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge (Stop 1), and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds (Stop 2) Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Stop 3).

  • Stops: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
  • Approx. Travel Time:
  • Approx. Wait Time: 10-20 minutes

Magic Kingdom Boat Launch- GREEN

Resorts: Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

The preferred, and most scenic, boat route from Magic Kingdom is the green launch. Providing Disney water taxi service to Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, this boat can accommodate ECV’s and wheelchairs. It is the primary way for Fort Wilderness guests to get to Magic Kingdom Park.

  • Stops: Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
  • Approx. Travel Time: 13 minutes
  • Approx. Wait Time: 10-20 minutes

disney board walk from the swan and dolphin hotel

Disney Water Transportation From Disney’s Boardwalk

Friendship Launch at EPCOT International Gateway

The Disney Boardwalk Resorts have access to Disney Water Transportation that transports guests to and from the other resorts, EPCOT’s International Gateway, and Hollywood Studios. Resorts on the EPCOT International Gateway Boat Launch are as follows

Resort: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas

The Disney Boardwalk Villas Boat Launch gets you close to the Boardwalk Inn Disney Resort and the Disney Boardwalk nearby with gift shops, restaurants, and the Disney Boardwalk Resorts. This would also be the boat stop if you were heading to Trattoria al Forno. 

Resort: Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort

Disney’s Yacht and Beah Club Resorts have a boat dock close by Hurricane Hanna’s quick-service restaurant, and Ale and Compass inside the Yacht Club Resort.

Resort: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels

The Friendship Boat Launch at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels is a stop that gets you close to the Disney walking path that leads from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios if you were hoping to walk between parks. And if you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay at a Disney deluxe resort then check out our reviews of both the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and The Swan Hotel.

boat at the disney boardwalk

Disney Boat Transportation To & From EPCOT

If you’re visiting EPCOT Park, you have the option to taking the boat from various docks through the World Showcase to other EPCOT locations, the Boardwalk Resorts, and even Hollywood Studios. Here is the list of where you can find the Friendship Launch at EPCOT Park. 

  • Epcot International Gateway: This stop can bring you to the Disney Boardwalk Resorts, shared above and onward to Hollywood Studios

Friendship Boats at Port of Entry in EPCOT

  • Mexico to Germany: The Friendship Boat in EPCOT that launches from the Mexico dock brings guests to and from the dock in Germany.
  • Canada to Morocco: If you’re catching the Friendship Boat in EPCOT at the Canada dock you can go to and from Morocco. 

Water Transportation at Hollywood Studios

Disney Boat Transportation To and From Hollywood Studios

Friendship Launch at Hollywood Studios: 

Hollywood Studios has multiple transportation options. A nearby parking lot for people who drive to Disney, a Disney Skyliner station, buses, and a boat launch. The Boat Launch is part of the EPCOT to Hollywood Studios boat route. This water transportation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the following stops.

  • Disney Boardwalk Resorts: Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Disney Yacht and Beach Club, Disney Boardwalk Inn and Villas 
  • EPCOT International Gateway: This boat launch gets you nearby EPCOT’s back entrance as well as the Disney Skyliner. 

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Disney Water Transportation To and From Disney Springs

One of our favorite Free Disney Day strategies is to head to Disney Springs, where parking is free to enjoy the shopping, and head to the local resorts connected by boat! Disney Springs has three Boat Launches that get you some breezy time on the waterway to some of Disney’s Moderate Resorts. 

Disney Springs Water Transportation Boat Docks

  • Marketplace
  • Westside
  • The Landing

Disney Resorts Accessible from Disney Springs

Know that you can also take a Walking Path from Disney Springs to all of these resorts if you’re looking for a stroll or a little exercise. 

Resort: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Treehouses

Saratoga springs is a DVC resort that is home to the Artist’s Palette restaurant and a wide array of seasonal snacks. 

Resort: Disney’s Port Orleans Resort  Riverside and French Quarter

Disney’s New Orleans resorts consist of Port Orleans Riverside Resort, which is wonderful for a stroll, and Port Orleans French Quarter which has some of the best beignets on Disney Property! 

Resort: Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Old Key West Resort is most known for Olivia’s Cafe, serving their famous banana bread french toast. Perfect for a brunch or breakfast at Walt Disney World. 

Water Transportation at Disney's Port Orleans Disney Springs

Disney Resorts with Boat Transportation

Disney Resorts with boat transportation

Co-Founder and Director at Polka Dot Pixie Co LLC | Website | + posts

Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.