A Walt Disney World Resort vacation can be a stressful and complicated thing when Guests take into account Disney Park reservations, Genie +, Advanced Dining Reservations, and more, but there is one aspect that is as easy as can be. Disney transportation is a complimentary service throughout the Walt Disney World Resort that allows Guests easy access to all areas of the property without having to worry about hiring a car service or other inconveniences.
In fact, there are so many Disney transportation options available that Guests might not even know about all of them! Let’s take a tour of all the unique, entertaining, and functional Disney transportation options available to Guests at no cost throughout the Walt Disney World Resort!
Monorail
The most iconic form of complimentary Disney transportation available to Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort is the monorail. This innovative and efficient highway in the sky features a sleek and futuristic white design with unique colorful stripes running down each side that give each train its own identity (for example – Monorail Lime, etc.).
The monorail has been thrilling Guests since the Walt Disney World Resort first opened in 1971 and featured one of the most iconic safety spiels known to Guests in both English and Spanish.
Not only is the monorail entertaining to ride, but it is also extremely functional, with three distinct lines to service Guests. The Express Monorail runs around Seven Seas Lagoon directly between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom, and the Resort Monorail follows the same path with additional stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Finally, the EPCOT Monorail is a lengthier route that directly connects the Transportation and Ticket Center and EPCOT, including a scenic loop through World Celebration with unique views of the Disney Park.
Disney Skyliner
One of the newest forms of complimentary Disney transportation is the Disney Skyliner which debuted in September 2019 and features a gondola-like system that whisks Guests between locations while offering scenic views from above.
Guests have the opportunity to board individual gondolas that are either brightly colored or wrapped in special designs displaying favorite Disney characters and set off on a breezy and smooth ride.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the main hub of the Disney Skyliner, and there, Guests can pick up three separate lines with one running to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort, another connecting to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the final line stopping at both Disney’s Riviera Resort and EPCOT.
With scenic views and comfortable seating, the Disney Skyliner is the perfect way to get from any of the aforementioned Disney Resorts to either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Buses
Disney buses are the most tried and true form of complimentary Disney transportation available at the Walt Disney World Resort, and they effectively run between every single location on average every twenty minutes. Each Disney Resort features a complimentary bus route between each of the four Disney Parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney Water Parks, and they can be the fastest and most efficient way to get from one location to another at any time of the day.
Guests can also utilize Disney buses to visit other Disney Resorts or to Park Hop directly from one Disney Park to another after 2 pm each afternoon. While some still feature the old-school red and white design, many of the Disney buses regularly running throughout the Walt Disney World Resort feature special wraps that showcase favorite Disney characters, including Figment, Elsa, Mickey, and more.
Friendship Boats
The Walt Disney World Resort is home to several different types of water-based transportation, including the popular Friendship Boats, which have two distinct locations. These cheerful white boats with colorful awning tops and stripes on the sides can be found in EPCOT, whisking Guests from World Celebration to a small dock in the Morocco Pavilion of World Showcase with unique scenic views along the way.
While this route of the Friendship Boats does not run later in the day as World Showcase Lagoon preps for Harmonious, the ride is a wonderful way to relax for a save and save some steps during the day.
Friendship Boats can also be found not far away, just outside of the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT’s World Showcase. The same fleet of boats can be found there running down to Crescent Lake with stops at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel before continuing on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Ferryboats
Another form of water transportation that many Guests regularly notice but don’t necessarily utilize can be found on Seven Seas Lagoon near the Magic Kingdom. The large Ferryboats are beautifully restored vessels named the Richard F. Irvine, Admiral Joe Fowler, and General Joe Potter that run directly between the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center, whisking hundreds of Guests at a time throughout each day.
Each Ferryboat offers up stunning views of Seven Seas Lagoon and the surrounding Disney Resorts and also features historical artwork and details throughout two decks that Guests can check out throughout the ride.
Water Launches
Another convenient way of crossing Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake on a much smaller scale is the Water Launch boats which feature comfortable bench seating and cheerfully colored awnings. These small crafts have several different routes and run continuously throughout each day between the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
The Water Launch boats are a relaxing way to get to and from the Magic Kingdom, offer up cooling breezes, and also feature some of the most unique and stunning views of Disney Enchantment both in the skies over the Magic Kingdom and reflected in the water.
Sassagoula River Cruises
The final form of complimentary Disney transportation available to Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort is the Sassagoula River Cruise Boats which operate chiefly on the Sassagoula River. This serene and beautiful stretch of river can be found connecting Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Disney Springs.
Each individual boat features a charming blue and white color scheme and plays music themed to each specific Disney Resort before switching over to more contemporary hits while crossing Lake Buena Vista to the Marketplace dock in Disney Springs. Often overlooked by Guests who are not staying at one of the connecting Disney Resorts, the Sassagoula River Cruises are some of the most relaxing and convenient transportation options at the Walt Disney World Resort.