One of the tremendous benefits of being a Guest at Disney World is having a vast and versatile range of complimentary modes of transportation at your disposal.
Walt Disney World Resort, based in Orlando, Florida, is an extensive operation comprising four theme parks, two water parks, the nearby Disney Springs shopping district, and over 20 on-property Resorts. So, it goes without saying that getting around Disney World by one’s own means would be both challenging and inconvenient. Thankfully, though, there are plenty of free Disney transportation options available to help you navigate back and forth between your Resort and the Parks, as well as to and from Disney Springs and even Park to Park in some instances. Here at Inside the Magic, we’re presenting you with this resource guide to help you understand more about all the complimentary transportation services available to you during your visit to Disney World.
Related: Do You Know the Best Ways to Get Around in Disney World?
Disney Bus Transportation
One of the most popular and widespread modes of transportation offered at every Disney Resort is complimentary shuttle bus transportation. Throughout the day, you will find spacious buses arriving and departing from your Resort, each one bound for a different Disney Park designation or for Disney Springs.
Related: Disney’s Bus Transportation System Leaves Guests Stranded and Confused
Disney Boat Transportation
Some Resorts and stop-off locations that border a corresponding body of water present Guests with ferryboat and water taxi options by which to navigate. For instance, within the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, water taxis run throughout the day to Magic Kingdom Park from the following Resorts: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
There are also large ferryboats that run back and forth between Magic Kingdom Park and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Boat services are also available for the EPCOT and Hollywood Studios Areas, with stop-offs at both the aforementioned Parks from the following Resorts: Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.
Likewise, accommodations comprising the Disney Springs Resort Area provide travel by boat to Disney Springs. These Resorts include Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter.
Related: Disney Suspends Water Taxi Service at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Monorail
Unlike the Disney Monorail System at Disneyland, in Anaheim, California, which serves primarily as an attraction, the Walt Disney World Monorail System operates as a source of transportation for Guests. Of course, we’re not arguing that a ride along the rails doubles as an attraction also.
The Monorail at Disney World operates three distinct lines. On the Resort Line, the Monorail makes stops at various lodging locations along its path, including Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Guests staying at all the aforementioned Resorts may use the Monorail to get them to Magic Kingdom Park or even to the Transportation and Ticket Center. From the Transportation and Ticket Center, there is another Monorail Line that runs directly to the entrance at EPCOT. A third Express Monorail Line runs directly from the Transportation and Ticket Center to both theme parks.
Related: What is Disney’s Monorail System? Here Are the Facts!
Disney Skyliner
This newer transportation mode, which has only been in operation for a few short years now, carries Guests over the water via an impressive state-of-the-art gondola system from select Resorts. The stop-off station is conveniently centered between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT’s International Gateway. Resorts that are directly on the Skyliner path include Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort. It’s also easily navigable from the following Resorts: Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Walt Disney World Railroad
Here’s another mode of complimentary Disney World transportation that often gets overlooked, primarily because it is more renowned for being a Magic Kingdom Park attraction. Be that as it may, it presents Guests with three stop-off locations throughout the Park, all of which serve as embarking and disembarking points to cut your travel time significantly as you make your rounds. Furthermore, the Walt Disney World Railroad seldom experiences those bouts of lengthier Disney Park wait times that so many other attractions do.
Minnie Van Services
Until now, we’ve solely discussed the complimentary transportation services at Walt Disney World. But it’s also worth mentioning these stylish polka-dot Minnie Mouse-themed vehicles as an alternate suggestion for navigating the surrounding Disney World Area. Provided by Lyft rideshare services, these vehicles are available to rent via the Lyft app as a way to travel that doesn’t require adhering to any fixed schedules or routes. Furthermore, they are driven by knowledgeable, committed Disney Cast Members who know their way around!
Related: Change on the Way for Disney’s Minnie Van Service
There are so many other ways to get by in Disney World, including driving your own vehicle or simply walking to and from surrounding Parks and Resorts when the opportunity is available.
Do you have a favorite way to travel through Disney World? Let us know in the comments.