If you’re headed to Disney and wondering how you’re going to get around, then no need to worry. There are many different options for transportation in Disney World. Most of which are free! Whether you are staying in Disney or not, you can take advantage of it once you arrive on property . Of course, you can always use ride share, Uber, or Lyft, but there really is no need.
One you’ve arrived in the Disney bubble, Disney tries to make your experience as magical as possible. Worrying about how to get from place to place is something you can check of your list. Whether you want to travel in the sky, water, or land, you have the option.
This post is primarily going to talk about the free Disney travel on property, but it is worth mentioning that if you want to get around a bit quicker, then you can always pay to use Disney’s Minnie Van Service connected by Lyft. They even offer an accessibility van service and complimentary car seats. You need to use the Lyft app to book a Minnie Van Service. All Minnie Vans are owned and operated by Disney with a Disney cast member as the driver.
Free Transportation in Disney World
Disney Bus Service
Get to any of the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, or Disney Resorts with Disney’s Bus Service. Please note that you may need to connect buses to get to your final destination. Check your My Disney Experience App “Get Directions” section to find the best route for your destination.
Disney’s buses run continuously and have the following operation hours:
- Disney Springs: Buses transport guests to Disney Springs from Disney Resort Hotels from when it opens until an hour after closing.
- Disney Theme Parks: Buses transport guests to the theme parks from Disney Resort Hotels 45 minutes before opening and one hour after closing for each park.
Disney Skyliner
Fly high in the sky on Disney’s newest transportation system. This gondola system is a magical way to travel around Disney World. Travel between Epcot’s International Gateway, Hollywood Studios, and select Disney World Resort Hotels. The Skyliner begins transporting guests one hour before early theme park entry begins. It stops transporting guests 90 minutes after park closing. Please note that you may need to stop and transfer Skyliners at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort depending on where you are going.
The following resort’s have a Disney Skyliner station:
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Water Transportation in Disney World
There are a variety of different forms of water transport on Disney property. All rotate in 15 to 30 minute intervals. Travel between Resorts and Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs. Weather and water conditions affect hours of operation, so check your My Disney Experience App for hours on the day(s) of your trip.
Magic Kingdom Water Transportation:
Water Launches/ Water Taxis are available to Magic Kingdom from the following resorts:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Campground
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Ferryboats transport guests to Magic Kingdom from the Ticket and Transportation Center
Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios Water Transportation:
Friendship Boats transfer guests between the parks and the following resorts:
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas
- Disney’s Yacht Club
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Disney Springs Water Transportation:
Take the Sassagoula River Cruise to Disney Springs from the following resorts:
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Spring’s Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter
Disney’s Monorail
Disney’s monorail is Disney’s “highway in the sky.” There are three lines on property. The Epcot line, the Express monorail line, and the Resort’s line.
Epcot Monorail Line:
- Travels to Epcot from the Transportation and Ticket Center
- Begins transporting guests 30 minutes prior to when Epcot opens and stops 2 hours after Epcot closes.
Express Monorail Line:
- Travels to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- Begins transporting guests 30 minutes prior to when Magic Kingdom opens and stops one hour after Magic Kingdom closes.
Resort Monorail Line:
- Travels to Magic Kingdom, the Ticket and Transportation Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Begins transporting guests 30 minutes prior to when Magic Kingdom opens and stops one hour after Magic Kingdom closes.
Things to Consider about Transportation in Disney World
- There is no way to gauge how long it will take you to get from one place to another, so if you have a reservation, lightning lane, or virtual queue you need to make, then I recommend leaving an hour before you need to be somewhere.
- Before park opening and at park closing, there are lots of crowds using transportation in Disney World. Expect longer wait times and standing room only for the buses and monorails.
- You will need to fold up your strollers if you are taking a bus or Skyliner. If the boats or monorail are extra full, it is highly suggested that you fold up your strollers as well.
- Not every destination on Disney property has a direct route, so you may need to make a couple of stops or transfer to another monorail, bus, or skyliner.
Resort Transportation in Disney World
All of the Disney World Resort Hotels offer the Disney Bus Service. Some Resorts in the Magic Kingdom Resort area offer monorail transportation and water transportation. Some Resorts in the Epcot area offer Skyliner and water transportation. Check your resort section of your My Disney Experience App to see what is available for transportation at your resort as well as bus times.
