Walt Disney World is huge – so big, in fact, that people regularly run marathons right on the property. Getting around a resort this large requires several different Disney transportation options, and it can be a little confusing for families to figure out how to get where they are going. Luckily, there are several free modes of Walt Disney World transportation that are available to Disney resort hotel guests (and those off-property guests who are park hopping).
I’ve been to Walt Disney World dozens of times and have never rented a car – the available transportation really can get you wherever you are going. If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World, here’s a guide to Walt Disney World transportation, so you can be completely prepared for your visit.
Note that I’ve experienced some of these through various press trips and complimentary trips (as well as trips that were completely paid for by me). All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to me at no additional cost to you.
Save money on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by booking throughGet Away Today. They offer vacation packages as well as individual ticket sales. Disney travel agents don’t charge guests an extra commission and can help you find deals. Because you have to make park reservations now, it’s best not to wait to purchase tickets at the ticket center.
A Guide to Walt Disney World Transportation
Disney Transportation Within the Resort Area
Transportation within the parks can be a great way to get around, although you’ll sometimes have to wait in long lines and deal with crowds – especially during the peak season. You’ll generally have access to complimentary transportation to the parks whether you are arriving for park opening or leaving at park closing time. It runs pretty regularly.
You don’t have to show a ticket, a park reservation, or Genie+ to enter the transportation within the parks. Just wait in line and enter when it’s your turn. Signage at the resorts and theme parks is abundant so it’s easy to see exactly where you need to be.
Disney Bus Transportation
You’ll see Disney buses everywhere throughout the resort. All of the resorts offer bus transportation to at least one or more parks. If you are staying at a Disney value or moderate resort, in most cases, you’ll be able to take the bus service from your Walt Disney World resort hotel to all of the parks.
If you are staying at a deluxe resort, you’ll need to take buses to Animal Kingdom, and to some of the other parks (depending on the location of your resort). Other transportation like monorails, Skyliner, and boats are offered as well.
When traveling on a bus, you’ll have to fold up strollers and carry them on. There’s no storage under the bus, so everything has to be brought on board with you. You also won’t be able to use a car seat. Buses don’t follow a posted schedule, and your wait time will vary. But in general, they come every 20 minutes or so.
Some of the stops have monitors at the bus stop that you can glance at and see when the bus is coming next. In addition, if you have the My Disney Experience app, you’ll be able to see the bus wait times right on the app. This can definitely make things easier.
The Disney buses are fairly comfortable, with good air conditioning. There are some seats on the bus, although it’s possible that you may need to stand during the short trip. This is especially likely at the end of the day when lots of people are leaving the parks and the buses get crowded.
Depending on where you are staying and what your destination is, the bus is likely to make multiple stops. If you have dining reservations or virtual queue times that you need to make, it’s best to plan for about 90 minutes of transportation time from the resort to the restaurant/attraction. That way, you won’t be too stressed waiting and hoping you won’t be late for an important reservation.
Water Transportation
Walt Disney World also offers several different modes of water transportation. If you are staying at Disney’s Port Orleans, Old Key West, or Saratoga Springs, you can take a water taxi to Disney Springs.
Guests at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney Swan, and Disney Dolphin can take friendship boats to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, while guests at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Fort Wilderness, and the Wilderness Lodge can take boats to the Magic Kingdom. These boats are relatively small but still fit quite a few passengers. I find the boats to be much easier than the buses to navigate.
There’s also a large ferry boat that travels from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom. If you are parking at the Magic Kingdom, you’ll park at the TTC and take either the monorail or ferry to the front entrance of the park.
I always love taking the boat wherever possible. It’s usually a pretty short trip, and it’s always enjoyable. When visiting the Magic Kingdom, you could also take the boat in the morning and the monorail on the way back. It’s a different experience and can be nice and relaxing.
Monorail
The iconic monorails are available to guests visiting the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. There are several monorail lines – one offers direct service from Epcot to the TTC, and one is a loop around the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary, the TTC, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian.
There’s also an express monorail that goes from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom. My kids have always loved riding the monorail, so even if we aren’t at a monorail resort, we always try to ride it at least once during our trips.
The monorails do fill up during peak times. Strollers don’t have to be folded up, so that can definitely make it easier if you are traveling with little kids. When my kids were in a double stroller, I loved staying at the Magic Kingdom resorts on the monorail because it made our trips to the theme parks so much easier.
Minnie Vans: Paid Option
This relatively new option at Walt Disney World is also the cutest! Minnie Vans have arrived at Walt Disney World, and they are absolutely adorable. Unlike the other types of Disney transportation, the Minnie Van service comes with an additional fee.
They are available for all guests, and booking and payment are done through the Lyft app. If you are at a park, Minnie Vans pick you up at one of the bus pickup areas. Each one carries two car seats so they are a nice option if you are traveling with younger kids. See the sign for the specific location. Click here to learn more.
In addition to the Minnie Vans, other paid transportation options include taxi services and ride-share services.
Disney Skyliner
Walt Disney World debuted a new transportation system in recent years The Disney Skyliner, as it is called, connects select Disney resorts with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s International Gateway (at the Epcot World Showcase).
Resorts that have access to the Skyliner include the new Disney Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
Because of the location of Disney’s Beach and Yacht clubs, the Skyliner station at the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT will also be convenient for those resorts.
The Skyliner system is definitely a convenient and fun addition to the Disney transportation system.
Walt Disney World Parking
Many guests also arrive at Walt Disney World with a car – either their own car from a road trip to the parks or from a rental car. It can be a good option if you’d like the flexibility of controlling your own transportation. While Disney used to charge for parking at the hotels, this has recently changed and is once again free.
If you’d like to drive to the theme parks, there is free parking for resort guests. There is a charge for off-property guests. In addition, there’s a premium option that is available at an additional cost for both on and off-property guests.
Parking at Disney Springs and the Disney water parks is complimentary. Valet parking is also offered at Disney Springs for a fee.
Off-Property Transportation
If you are staying at an off-property resort, they may have their own, separate shuttle service transportation to Walt Disney World. You’ll want to talk to your hotel directly to find out the costs and schedule. When we stayed at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel, we took advantage of their complimentary shuttle.
Disney does not offer any transportation to any locations off Disney property. Rideshare services and taxicabs are a good option if you are planning to leave the Disney property. Guests with lots of plans to go off property may find a rental car to be a better option.
Walking
If you are staying at either Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian, you’ll have access to a walking path to take you right to the Magic Kingdom. It’s such a quick way to get to the park, and it’s worth staying in one of these resorts if you plan to spend much of your time at the Magic Kingdom.
Guests at the Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, the Swan, and the Dolphin can also walk to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you are choosing to walk to EPCOT from these resorts, you’ll enter the park from the International Gateway entrance, through the World Showcase. Even if the World Showcase hasn’t opened for the day yet, this entrance will be available.
Airport Transportation
While Disney used to offer Disney’s Magical Express, a complimentary service from Orlando Airport, that has been discontinued. There are several independent, paid options available to get from the airport to Walt Disney World, including the new Sunshine Flyer buses (decorated like trains) and Mears Connect (from the original operators of Disney’s Magical Express).
