How do I get from point A to point B at Disney?  There are essentially four options that Disney offers: buses, monorails, boats, and their newest addition Minnie Vans. The first three are complimentary, and the Minnie Van is $25 for one way and includes all riders.  Don’t forget to PIN THIS for reference when planning your trip!

Complimentary Transportation

According to Disney’s website, complimentary transportation from resorts to the parks begins 45 minutes prior to park openings and up to 1 hour after the park closes and buses will continue until 2am from Disney Springs.

BUSES

Buses run from all resorts to the four main parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs.

NOTE:

  • Allow up to an hour each way to get between resorts and theme parks.
  • There are no buses that run from Disney Springs to the parks. A transfer will be needed.
  • Buses run from the parks to Disney Springs after 4pm, but will not return to the parks.
  • Seating in the buses is that they face each other so there is standing room down the aisle. Car seats for younger children are not suitable for these buses. Strollers will need to be folded up before entering the bus. Those in scooters or wheelchairs can use the bus.

MONORAIL

The monorail travels to the following resorts: Grand Floridian, Polynesian/villas/bungalows, and the Contemporary. It also stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center for connections between Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

BOAT/FERRIES/WATER TAXI

  • Access Magic Kingdom from: Grand Floridian, Polynesian/villas/bungalows, Ft. Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness Resort and campground, and the Ticket and Transportation Center.
  • Access Epcot and Hollywood Studios from: Boardwalk Inn/Villas, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan Hotel and Dolphin Hotel.
  • Access Disney Springs from:  Port Orleans-French Quarter/Riverside, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs.

 MAGICAL EXPRESS

Disney’s complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport with luggage delivery by motorcoach for those staying on Disney property.

For more information: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/

DISNEY SKYLINER

This new mode of transportation will connect the Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney Riviera and Caribbean Beach resorts with Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s International Gateway area.

NOTE: The skyliner is currently under construction and not running

Other Transportation Methods

WALKING

Contemporary Resort directly to the Magic Kingdom.

Polynesian/Villas/Bungalows to the Ticket and Transportation Center

Beach Club/Yacht Club/Boardwalk/Swan and Dolphin Hotels to Epcot and Hollywood Studios

USING YOUR OWN CAR

As of 2018, parking costs $22 standard fee for non-resort guests.  Parking for resort guests is included in the overnight, self-parking fee of $13 for Value resort guests, $19 for Moderate resorts and $24 for Deluxe resorts.

Parking at all the parks is easy as the lots are located near the park itself, however, Magic Kingdom is different. With parking at MK, you will need to park, then possibly catch a tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center where you will catch either a ferry or monorail over to the Magic Kingdom park.

Parking at the resorts for meal reservations (three-hour limit), water parks and Disney Springs is complimentary.

For more information on parking:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

MINNIE VANS

A great way to get to where you want to go quickly without waiting!  Currently costing a flat rate of $25 for one way, these vans run through the Lyft app that you will need to download. This service is for resort guests only.  This service is available at all the Disney resorts except All-Star Resorts.

For more information:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/minnie-van-service/

Traveling Between Locations

RESORT TO RESORT OR RESORT TO A WATER PARK

All Resorts can use the bus system to transfer between resorts and water parks

Going from resort to resort or from your resort to a water park? You will need to catch a bus from your resort, then head to one of the Main Parks or Disney Springs where you will need to transfer to another bus that is headed to the resort or water park of your choice.

Tip: Pick one of the main parks (or Disney Springs) that is closest to the resort/water park that you want to attend. (Ex. Going to Art of Animation from Animal Kingdom Lodge? – head to Hollywood Studios first to transfer to the bus headed to Art of Animation OR Grand Floridian Resort to Blizzard Beach? – bus to Hollywood Studios and then to Blizzard Beach).

  • Value Resorts are all by bus (need to transfer between buses from a main park/Disney Springs)
  • Moderate Resorts – Can use a combination of buses and boats/ferries
  • Deluxe Resorts – Can use a combination of bus/boats/monorails

Examples:

  • All Star Music to Pop Century – take the bus from Music to Hollywood Studios and then to Pop Century.
  • All Star Music to Grand Floridian – take the bus from Music to Magic Kingdom and then the ferry/monorail to Grand Floridian.
  • Port Orleans Riverside to Polynesian – take the bus from POR to Magic Kingdom and then the ferry/monorail to Polynesian.
  • Port Orleans French Quarter to Animal Kingdom Lodge – Take the bus to POFQ by bus to Animal Kingdom Park and then a bus to AKL.
  • Old Key West to Boardwalk – take the boat to Disney Springs then a bus to the Boardwalk.

PARK TO PARK

 From the Magic Kingdom to:

  • Epcot – Take the Magic Kingdom monorail / ferry to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the Epcot monorail
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom – bus

From Epcot to:

  • Magic Kingdom –  Take the Epcot monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to either the Magic Kingdom monorail / ferry
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios – bus, boat or you can even walk
  • Animal Kingdom – bus

From Hollywood Studios to:

  • Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom – bus
  • Epcot – bus, boat or walk

From Animal Kingdom to:

  • Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios – bus

NOTE:  Allow up to an hour each way to get between resorts and theme parks.

DISNEY SPRINGS

  • Buses run from the parks to Disney Springs after 4pm, but will not return to the parks.
  • Headed to Disney Springs from the parks before 4pm, then travel to the nearest resort (Sarotoga Springs) by bus and then walk to Disney Springs. You will be on the Marketplace side.
  • No buses go directly to the parks from Disney Springs. You will need to take a bus to the closest resort and then transfer to another bus, boat, or monorail depending on which park you want to visit.

For more information regarding Disney’s transportation check here:

Disney World Transportation

We hope this helps you plan a better Disney World trip!  Want more helpful info?  We would like to invite you to become a Mouse Tutor Insider.  You'll receive access to our downloads & printables (like our Character Location Guide), private Facebook group and our e-mail newsletter.  Visit our Resource Library for more information and to get in (or use the form at the footer of our site)!  We look forward to seeing you there 🙂

Filter