Walt Disney World Transportation
You’ve made it to Walt Disney World! Now, how are you going to get around?
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has several different transportation options that allow guests to travel to, from, and between the theme parks and hotels. While having so many different modes of transport can be convenient, it can also be confusing. So let's dive into each of the transportation options Walt Disney World (WDW) has to offer!
Bus:
Bus transportation is available to all Walt Disney World Hotel Guests! Buses run between WDW resort hotels and the theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT) and Disney Springs beginning 45 minutes prior to openings until 1 hour after closings each day. Buses can also be used to travel between different parks during operating hours!
Pros: Disney buses are air conditioned (a relief in the Florida heat!), run-continuously, are magically themed, and can be accessed right outside your WDW hotel!
Cons: There can often be long lines for buses, especially close to park opening/closing times. Another thing to keep in mind for families with young travelers, all strollers have to be unloaded and folded onboard Disney buses.
Monorail:
Disney’s monorail is truly iconic, and is definitely worth a ride if only for the experience! There are three monorail lines which run between Magic Kingdom Park, the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian resorts, as well as the Transportation and Ticket Center. There are additional monorail routes which run directly from the Transportation and Ticket Center to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot!
Pros: Riding the monorail is a truly magical experience! The monorail is easy to navigate, and is especially convenient for guests staying in one of the Magic Kingdom Area resorts.
Cons: The monorail is a popular way to travel for Disney guests which can sometimes cause long wait times to board. Also, if you choose to take the monorail to one of the Magic Kingdom Area resorts, you may not have a direct route, the monorail makes stops at each resort as it completes its loop.
Skyliner:
Disney’s Skyliner is one of the newest forms of transportation! Passengers board an aerial gondola and are conveniently transported between parks and resorts. The Skyliner connects EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks to Disney’s Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Riviera resorts.
Pros: The Skyliner is a quick, convenient, and unique way to travel at WDW, especially for guests staying at one of the four connecting resorts! The Skyliners gondolas are magically themed and spacious, allowing larger parties to ride together, or for strollers to roll right on board!
Cons: While Disney’s Skyliner is one of the fastest ways to travel between theme parks and resorts, it unfortunately only travels between a few select destinations.
Boat:
Walt Disney World Resort boasts three different transportation routes by water! Guests can board a water taxi or ferry boat and access the Transportation and Ticket Center, Magic Kingdom Park, and the Magic Kingdom area resorts. Want to go to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios? Hop aboard one of the Friendship Boats which run from Disney’s Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club Villas as well as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels. The third and final water transport is the Sassagoula River Cruise which sails to Disney Springs. The Sassagoula can be accessed from Disney’s Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans-Riverside, and Port Orleans-French Quarter resorts!
Pros: Who doesn't love a boat ride! The variety of water transportation options allow guests, especially of connecting resorts, to conveniently access theme parks, shopping, dining and much more. Cruising to your destination allows guests to sit back, relax, and take in some of the most beautiful parts of the Walt Disney World Resort!
Cons: You can often find long lines waiting to set sail on one of the boats at WDW, especially those traveling to and from theme parks. Additionally, all boat routes only run every 15-30 minutes and depending on your destination, and the size of the boat, this can add to wait times.
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