Getting Around Walt Disney World
Understanding the Disney Transportation System
The Disney transportation system between resorts and Disney parks is one of the most valuable perks of staying at an on-site resort.
The overall design of the Disney transportation system is a hub and spoke arrangement, with the parks and the Downtown Disney area serving as hubs that connect to every resort. There is no transportation directly from one resort to the other except when it is a byproduct of shared boat or monorail lines. To accommodate flexible vacationing, Disney transportation does not run on a set schedule, but rather operates continuously from early in the morning until late at night, so there is no need to keep track of departure times.
There are three primary forms of transportation that make up the Disney system: buses, monorail, and ferries. The combination of these forms available varies from resort to resort based upon location, and by one method or another, each resort is connected to all of the parks and attractions.
Monorail
The monorail connects the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian resorts to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Offering a smooth, air conditioned ride, the monorail is one of the most enjoyable ways to get from one place to another within Disney World. Families riding the monorail can ask to ride in the cab with the conductor. The first family to ask on each trip is allowed to ride in the front car and gets an up close look at how the monorail operates!
The monorail system is made up of three loops. One stops at all three resorts and the Magic Kingdom. Another offers non-stop service between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom, while the third connects the Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot. Traveling from a resort on the monorail line to Epcot requires a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center. All lines begin running one and a half hours prior to park opening times, until two hours after the parks close.
Boats
There are several different boat lines on the various waterways that run throughout Disney World. While it might seem like these canals and lakes are all interconnected, boat transportation is only available within the immediate vicinity of the resorts that are served. Most boats depart at roughly 20 minute intervals from any given location. One consideration unique to boat transportation is that it is the only part of the Disney transportation system that suspends operation during stormy weather.
The Friendship boat connects the Epcot area resorts with Disney’s Boardwalk and the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. The stops along this route are The Yacht & Beach Club resorts, the Swan & Dolphin, the Boardwalk, and the International Gateway, which serves as a back entrance to Epcot located between England and France in the World Showcase section of the park.
Several different boats travel the Seven Seas Lagoon outside of the Magic Kingdom. One launch crosses to the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian, while another ferries guests to and from the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. A third, larger boat carries guests from the park to the Transportation and Ticket Center, which serves as the gateway to the Magic Kingdom parking areas as well as the monorail hub.
Four resorts in the Downtown Disney area enjoy a boat ride to Disney’s shopping & nightlife district. Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter share a boat that operates continuously between 11 AM and 11 PM. Likewise, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs also share boat service to Downtown Disney, with the same operating hours.
Buses
The heart of the Disney transportation system is the fleet of buses in continuous movement around the resort from early morning until late into the night. Service generally begins about two hours before the parks open and continues until two hours after the parks close. Because the bus service is based partially on demand, the wait time between buses can vary, but is usually about 20 minutes. More buses are in operation at busy times, such as first thing in the morning or at park closing in the evening.
Direct service is available from each resort to all four major parks and to Downtown Disney. Depending upon the season, the waterparks may be served by a direct bus or may be a stop on another bus route. For example, Typhoon Lagoon is served by the Downtown Disney bus in the off season. In addition, buses connect the four major theme parks to one another to facilitate park hopping. Traveling from one resort to another by bus requires transferring at one of the parks, and can be time consuming. Bus stops at the resorts are clearly marked, and marquees on each bus display that vehicle’s destination for easy navigation.
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Character Dining at Epcot ~ Character Dining at Magic Kingdom ~ Walt Disney World Touring Plans
