Disney Partners With Google, Raises Concerns Over Guest Location Tracking

Did you know that Google Maps is actually tracking your every move when you are using Disney World transportation?

Well, they are, but it will actually help enhance your Disney World vacation.

Visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a dream come true for many, and with the sprawling size of the property—nearly 25,000 acres—getting around can feel daunting. Luckily, Disney provides a variety of transportation options to help guests easily move between its theme parks, hotels, water parks, and other attractions. From buses and monorails to boats and gondolas, Disney’s transportation system is designed to make your trip convenient and hassle-free.

Disney Buses

Disney’s bus service is the backbone of the resort’s transportation system, offering complimentary rides to guests staying at Disney resorts and anyone visiting the parks.

These buses run frequently, making stops at all four major theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—as well as Disney Springs, the water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and Disney’s resort hotels. Buses are marked with their destination, making it easy for guests to find the right ride.

Buses typically begin running about 45 minutes before park opening and continue until about an hour after park closing, providing transportation even for those who want to stay late for fireworks or special events.

Monorails

One of the most iconic and beloved transportation systems at Walt Disney World is the monorail. The sleek, futuristic train system connects several key locations, providing easy access to and from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and select resorts. The three monorail lines include:

Magic Kingdom Resort Line: Stops at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).

Magic Kingdom Express Line: Directly connects the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT Line: Connects the Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT.
For guests staying at resorts on the monorail loop, it’s a quick and scenic way to reach the parks.

Disney Skyliner

Introduced in 2019, the Disney Skyliner is a gondola system that transports guests between certain Disney resorts and two theme parks—EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Skyliner provides a bird’s-eye view of the resort and has quickly become a favorite for its unique experience and efficiency.

Skyliner stations are located at:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (hub station)
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• EPCOT (International Gateway)
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests love the quick travel time, as well as the ability to skip the more crowded transportation options during busy times.

Boats and Ferries

Walt Disney World also offers several watercraft transportation options. Guests can enjoy scenic boat rides between certain resorts, parks, and Disney Springs. The boat routes include:

Ferryboats: Transport guests between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom.

Friendship Boats: Provide service between EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and resorts like Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Resort Boats: Serve areas like Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, offering transport to and from Magic Kingdom.
These boat rides offer a peaceful break and a unique way to reach your destination.

Minnie Vans

For a more private and direct transportation option, Disney offers Minnie Van Service, which operates through the Lyft app. These Minnie-themed vehicles can be requested like a regular ride-share service, offering door-to-door service across the entire resort. Though it is an extra cost, Minnie Vans are a popular choice for guests who want to travel quickly and conveniently, especially when in a rush to reach a reservation or event.

Walking Paths

For guests staying at certain Disney resorts, walking to the parks can be a great option. Resorts such as Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offer walking paths to Magic Kingdom. Similarly, guests at Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort can walk to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Parking

For those driving to Walt Disney World, parking is available at all parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Disney Resort guests receive complimentary standard parking at the theme parks, while non-resort guests will need to pay a parking fee. Disney also offers preferred parking at an additional cost for those who want closer access to park entrances.

Walt Disney World’s robust and varied transportation system makes exploring the vast resort easy and enjoyable. Whether you prefer the classic monorail, the unique Disney Skyliner, or a relaxing boat ride, there are many ways to move around the parks without ever needing a car. The convenient transportation options are just one of the many ways Disney ensures a magical, stress-free experience for its guests.

New Tracking Changes Via Google Maps

Planning a Disney World vacation can be stressful, but with this handy Google Maps trick, you can significantly reduce your stress levels. Did you know you can use Google Maps to track Disney buses and view their schedules? This invaluable feature allows you to avoid the frustration of arriving at a bus stop only to find that the next bus is 20 minutes away.

As someone who has been in this position time and time again, I know that being stuck baking in the Florida sun for too long before you have even made it to the parks while waiting in a bus line is less than ideal, and not a good way to start your magical vacation. So, now that Google Maps can actually give you updates bus schedules from your phone, without having you walk to the bus stop to see the arrival time, is priceless.

To access this feature, open the Google Maps app and enter your starting and destination locations. For example, if you’re staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and want to go to Magic Kingdom, enter those locations. Then, tap on the public transportation icon (a train car).

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a list of options. Tap on the bus icon to view detailed journey information from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom.

To access the bus schedules, tap on the bus section of the directions. This will display a list of upcoming buses and their estimated arrival times at your destination.

You can even plan your day ahead by setting your desired departure or arrival time in Google Maps. This will allow you to see the corresponding bus schedules and plan your trip accordingly.

By utilizing this Google Maps hack, you can save time and better plan your Disney World vacation.

Below, you can see how Diservations shared a photo of how you can track the busses through the app.

“Today I leaned that you can track a Disney bus traveling through your resort in the Google Maps app”

Today I leaned that you can track a Disney bus traveling through your resort in the Google Maps app. pic.twitter.com/llCN8CGDzp

— Diservations (@diservations) September 7, 2024

While this does mean that Disney is able to track your every move, and with the recent privacy concerns that guests have shared due to the in-room “Hey Disney” Amazon Echos that can listen into private conversations, it may not be a fan-favorite to all, but as for convenience, it is a total win.

Will you be utilizing this new Google Maps feature?