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Guide for Getting Around Via Walt Disney World Transportation

Magic Kingdom monorail
Credit: Disney

Transportation at Walt Disney World can seem complicated, especially if you have never been before. It really is not all that hard to understand. You just need to know the basics of what the different types of transportation are, and then you’ll be able to easily get around. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, ask at the front desk if you have questions. The Cast Members will be able to help you to get where you need to go. Also, download the My Disney Experience App so that you will be able to see routes, times, stops, etc. It can be less confusing when you have that information at your fingertips.

  

1. Monorail

The monorail is the iconic Walt Disney World transportation system. It serves Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. If you’re driving to the Magic Kingdom you will park at the Transportation & Ticket Center, and then you can take the monorail to the park. A second line runs between the Transportation & Ticket Center and Epcot. There are also monorail stops for Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

2. Water Transportation

There is also a ferryboat between the Transportation & Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom. You can take a water taxi to the Magic Kingdom from Disney’s Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Fort Wilderness Resorts, as well as Wilderness Lodge. Over in the Epcot Resort Area you can take a boat known as a Friendship to either Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Friendships service Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club Resorts, as well as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels. There is also boat transportation at Disney Springs down the Sassagoula River. These ferryboats service Disney’s Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resorts, as well as the two Port Orleans Resorts.

3. Bus

Perhaps the most common type of transportation at Walt Disney World is a bus. You can take buses from most of the hotels to the theme parks and water parks. If you want to go from one resort to another, you’ll need to change buses at a theme park or Disney Springs. There are two things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to buses. First, if there is other transportation to a park from a resort, there may not be a bus that will also go to that park. Second, there are no buses that run from Disney Springs to the theme parks. There are buses from the theme parks to Disney Springs, but only late in the day.

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4. Trams

You’ll find trams at all four theme park parking lots. They are there to take you to the front of the park from your car, and then back again when you are ready to leave.

5. Minnie Vans

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel, you don’t have to wait for a bus or a boat if you don’t want to. You can order a Minnie Van. Each van seats up to six people, and there are two car seats available. Minnie Van drivers are Cast Members, and your ride will be there in a matter of minutes. You’ll use the Lyft App to order a Minnie Van, and they are exclusively for those who are staying on property. There are also Minnie Vans for those using a wheelchair or scooter. To order one of those, call 407-828-3500.

6. Walking Paths

You do not necessarily need to use transportation to get to three of the four theme parks. There is a walking path from Disney’s Contemporary  Resort to the Magic Kingdom. You can also walk from the Epcot Resort Area Resorts that are along Crescent Lake to either Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is by far the longest walk. Remember that you cannot park at a resort and then walk to a park to avoid the theme park parking fee.

7. Disney Skyliner

The newest form of transportation has arrived to Walt Disney World! Disney Skyliner features gondolas that double as transportation and a thrill. The Disney Skyliner services Disney’s Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Riviera Resorts. The two parks it transports to are Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Skyliner features colorful gondolas with Disney characters on the outside. The views are absolutely incredible!

About PaulaK

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.