Disney Transportation at Walt Disney World Guide

Staying on Disney property while at Walt Disney World? One of the benefits of choosing to stay at a Walt Disney World hotel is that you get free Disney transportation while there. It can get a little confusing, so here is our quick and dirty, not too wordy guide to transportation at Walt Disney World.

Contents

1 How To Get Around at Walt Disney World
2 To and From the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World
3 To and From the Disney Parks
4 Transport by Monorail
5 Transport by Boat Service
6 Disney Skyliner Gondolas
7 Disney Walking Paths
8 Driving to Disney

How To Get Around at Walt Disney World

One of the biggest mysteries of any Disney Vacation is based on the question “Do you need a car at Walt Disney World? And while we sometimes recommend driving a car to Walt Disney World we are also big advocates for just taking the plane there and planning to be stranded at Disney for your vacation. Don’t worry, it’s actually quite liberating and not that scary. Here are all the ways you can get to and around Walt Disney World.

To and From the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World

Getting to and from the Orlando International Airport ( MCO) to Walt Disney World isn’t difficult. But, it does cost something. You can choose a ride-share service, like Uber, for a flat rate cost for whoever can fit in the car you choose in the app. Or you can pay a per-person fee for a service like Mears Connect or the Sunshine Flyer Shuttle.

To and From the Disney Parks

For clarity, Walt Disney World offers complimentary Disney transportation across the entire Walt Disney World Resort. This includes transportation to and from the following: Disney Resorts, Disney Parks, and Disney Springs.

Disney Buses

Buses are available at every Walt Disney World Resort. They are the most common type of transportation there and for many resorts, they are the only kind of transportation.

Buses are scheduled to come every 15-20 minutes, however, I will tell you from experience, this is pretty untrue much of the time, especially if you’re going during peak season. If taking the buses anywhere, allow yourself about an hour or so of travel time. Buses can be taken from the resorts to the Parks, Water Parks, and Disney Springs. Buses generally cannot be taken from one resort to get to another resort. You will have to change buses in order to do this(or take the monorail. If you’re taking the bus, be prepared to wait and be prepared to stand.

Transport by Monorail

You can travel to and from the parks and select Disney resorts via Disney Monorail. The Resorts Monorail stops at the following places which we break down below: Magic Kingdom, Transportation Ticket Center (TTC), The Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian ( and Shades of Green), The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The EPCOT Monorail stops at the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC) and EPCOT.

Resorts Monorail

First time at Walt Disney World? Then you may be asking yourself what the monorail is. As WDW states, “it’s a highway in the sky!” In all reality though, it’s kind of like a subway system but built above ground. The monorail is available to be taken at The Grand Floridian, The Contemporary, and The Polynesian, which creates one loop that will take you to Magic Kingdom. Check out our post on taking a Free Disney Day on the Monorail.

Epcot Monorail

A second loop will take you to Epcot and the TTC, or Transportation Ticket Center. If you want to go from one loop to the other, simply switch monorails at the TTC. The TTC is also where you will take the monorail to get to Magic Kingdom if you drove to the Park. While the monorail is generally faster, keep in mind that sometimes they are delayed by general maintenance and sometimes they break down. Always allow enough travel time to accommodate these possibilities.

Disney Resorts with Monorail Access

Staying at a Disney Resort with Monorail Access is pretty magical when you consider that you can technically get to both Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT via monorail. Here are the Disney Resorts with Monorail Service.

Transport by Boat Service

Depending on where you are going, you may be able to take a boat to the parks, your resort, and even other resorts.

Ferry Boat to Magic Kingdom

When visiting Walt Disney World once you park at the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC) you can take the Ferry instead of the Monorail to go to Magic Kingdom. Your choice! Check out all the Disney Resorts that offer Boat Service.

Boat Service from Magic Kingdom

There is also a boat service from Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. As well as from Magic Kingdom to the Monorail Resorts.

Boats at EPCOT

While you cannot get a boat from anywhere except Hollywood Studios to EPCOT, you can take boat service to and from one side of the World Showcase ( at the port of call shops) to the other ( America Pavillion). This is especially helpful if you have kids or can’t walk long distances, or just need a break! Just grab a boat.

Boats from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios

You can also grab a boat from the International Gateway at Epcot ( between France and the UK) to the Boardwalk Resorts (Boardwalk Inn, The Yacht Club or The Beach Club), the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Hollywood Studios.

Port Orleans Boat to and from Disney Springs

If you’re staying at Port Orleans Riverside or Port Orleans French Quarter, you can also take a boat to Disney Springs. While boats are definitely the least crowded of the options, they are also the slowest. Allow for about an hour of travel time to get to your destination.

Disney Resorts with Boat Access

Walt Disney World Resorts with Boat Access are many. From boat transport to Disney Springs, to Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, here are the resorts that can take you there by boat.

To EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

To Disney Springs

Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Port Orleans French Quarter

To Magic Kingdom

Disney Skyliner Gondolas

The Skyliner is a great way to skip the crowds and see the views while you travel across the sky. Check out our quick guide to the Disney Skyliner Gondolas. The Skyliner Travels to and From both EPCOT Park and Hollywood Studios.

Disney Resorts with Skyliner Access

The Disney Skyliner Gondolas are only accessible from certain resorts within the Walt Disney World property.

Disney Walking Paths

Walt Disney World is covered in walking paths. From helping resort guests get to the parks, to hidden spaces like the BoardWalk, you can find Disney Walking Paths at Walt Disney World of all shapes and sizes. Luckily, there are a few Disney Resorts that offers walkway into certain parks. Here’s where you can find Disney Resorts within Walking Distance of Disney World Parks.

Resorts Within Walking Distance to Magic Kingdom

Resorts Within Walking Distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Driving to Disney

In a hurry and don’t want to wait that long for a ride to get where you’re going? Here are some of your alternatives if you decide to bring a car to Walt Disney World.

Uber. Uber has gotten a lot more expensive since we first started taking it on property. And it’s a little tricky to use at WDW. But it’s a good option if you’re in a pinch.

WDW’s Minnie Vans. Yep, it’s a van dressed up like Minnie. Super cute, but also a little pricey. About $35 one way will get you anywhere on the property you’d like to go. Service from the airport is also available. It’s all accessible in the app.

Drive. Driving allows you the most freedom when you’re at Disney, but keep in mind, traffic can be stressful. You’re still in Orlando. If you’re an annual pass holder or if you’re staying on the property, the $20 parking fee will be waived.