How to Get Around Walt Disney World
Learn about all the different forms of transportation available at the Walt Disney World Resort
Modes of transportation at the “Most Magical Place on Earth”
Photo: Clément Bardot
The Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is a lot larger than many first-time visitors realize. In fact, the property covers approximately 25,000 acres, or right around 40 square miles.
With four theme parks, two water parks, and more than 25 hotels on property, making your way to each of these Disney destinations can seem like an arduous task. Fortunately, there is an assortment of transportation options available for guests who are staying at Walt Disney World.
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Walt Disney World bus service
Photo: ManopIf you’re staying at any of the Walt Disney World hotels, you’ll have free-of-charge access to the resort’s exclusive bus service. Buses are available to take you from your hotel to any of the Disney theme parks or the Disney Springs shopping area. Guests who aren’t staying at a hotel can also utilize the buses for free to get from park to park.
Buses generally operate at 20-minute intervals. They usually start heading to the parks 45 minutes prior to park opening, with return service running until 2 hours after park close. The last bus will depart to the parks one hour prior to the park in question closing.
If you want to go resort-hopping, you can travel to any of the parks and take the bus to the hotel that you want to visit. To return to your own hotel, simply return to the parks and take the suitable bus back.
Be sure that you don’t board the Disney Magical Express if you want to stay on property. This specially-marked bus takes visitors back to the Orlando International Airport at the end of their trip.
The Walt Disney World Monorail System
Photo: Jarkko Laine
Perhaps the Walt Disney World Resort’s most famous mode of transportation, the Walt Disney World Monorail System is one of the last remaining U.S. monorail systems in operation. This complimentary monorail helps connect two of the resort’s most popular parks: Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Along the way, you’ll have to transfer monorail tracks at the Transportation and Ticket Center, situated between the two parks. The monorail also makes stops at a select number of resorts near Magic Kingdom, including the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the Polynesian Village Resort, and the Contemporary Resort. The monorails even run directly through the Contemporary Resort’s interior.
Watercraft
Photo: David Fischer
As the Walt Disney World property is dotted with lakes, another way to travel is by watercraft. Instead of boarding the monorail to reach Magic Kingdom, you can hop on a ferry.
The Seven Seas Lagoon situated outside Magic Kingdom also hosts a series of water taxis, which transport you between the different resorts in the Magic Kingdom area.
Another watercraft goes between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Along the way, it makes stops at the BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club Resort, Yacht Club Resort, and Swan and Dolphin Hotels.
Finally, select hotels have access to watercraft that travel to Disney Springs. Among these resorts are the Port Orleans Resorts, Old Key West Resort, and Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.
Walking
Photo: Chad Sparkes
While you obviously can’t walk around the Walt Disney World Resort without encountering busy intersections and roads, there are certain areas that you can walk between, thanks to designated pathways. For example, you can walk to Magic Kingdom if you’re staying at the Contemporary Resort. There is also a path that connects the Polynesian Village and the Grand Floridian Resorts.
You can also take a walking path between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That same walking path connects the Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club Resort, Yacht Club Resort, and Swan and Dolphin Resorts with those two theme parks.
Disney Springs is accessible via walking paths to the Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs Resort. Furthermore, several of the hotels are connected to each other via these walking paths, such as the Pop Century Resort and the Art of Animation Resort.
Minnie Vans
If you’d rather not bring your car to Disney World or take the bus, you can always get around using the resorts Minnie Van Service. This program was launched in partnership with Lyft. These vans are polka dot-covered Chevy Traverse vehicles, designed to look like Minnie Mouse herself. Each vehicle can seat up to six guests.
These vehicles can also be used as transportation to the Orlando International Airport. Ride prices vary, but cost somewhere around $25.
Your car
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If you’d rather rely on your own transportation to get around the Walt Disney World property, you always have that option as well. Furthermore, guests who stay at any of the Walt Disney World hotel resorts won’t have to pay the parking fee at each park.
There is an overnight parking charge at each resort, running between $13 and $24 per night. Meanwhile, standard parking at the parks starts at $25 per day, with preferred parking costing $50 per day. Once you pay the parking fee at one theme park, you will not be charged for parking if you visit any of the other parks that day.
Disney Skyliner gondola system
Walt Disney World is currently working on a new way to get around the resort: the Disney Skyliner gondola system, set to open sometime in the fall of 2019 to coincide with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The gondolas, which are decorated with different Disney characters, will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Epcot. They’ll also make stops at the Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Caribbean Resort, along with a station at the upcoming Riviera Resort.
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As you can see, there are many ways to get around the Walt Disney World Resort during your stay. Choosing the right one for you and your crew will help you make the most out of your Disney vacation.
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.