PlanningThe ParksTips

Disney’s 5 FREE Transportation Options You Need to Know

Navigating your way around a new location can be stressful during a vacation. We love how Walt Disney World provides free transportation to Guests. Not having to rent a car or navigate our way around Walt Disney World helps add to the magic of the trip.

Walt Disney World has five major transportation options for Guests to use as they travel around the four Disney Parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resorts. Knowing these options and how to use them during your trip will make it much smoother.

We will look at the different transportation options at Walt Disney World so you know where you can find them and where they will take you throughout your vacation. Knowing this information can make a world of difference during your vacation.

WaltDisneyWorld Bus
credit: Disney Tips

Buses

Buses are the most prominent transportation option throughout Walt Disney World. Guests can take buses to the four Disney Parks (Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios), the two water Parks (Blizard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon), and Disney Springs.

Walt Disney World schedules buses to come around every twenty minutes. These adorable buses aren’t your typical city buses but are decorated with adorable Disney and Pixar-themed wraps, making them extra special.

Use the My Disney Experience app at your Walt Disney World Resort hotel to see approximate arrival times for your buses. This can be helpful when heading to Disney Parks in the morning.

Kids love the Disney buses as they feel a sense of freedom and can look out the window without the constraints of a car seat.

Disney buses will be the most common Disney transportation you see throughout your Walt Disney World vacation.

Ferry Boat

Water Transportation

There are select areas throughout Walt Disney World where Guests can enjoy a boat or ferry trip. The main areas where you will find this mode of transportation is over near Crescent Lake, around Seven Seas Lagoon, and down the Sassagoula River.

As Guests head to Magic Kingdom, they can enjoy a ferry ride across Seven Seas Lagoon. Guests board the ferry from the Ticket and Transportation Center and then enjoy amazing views of the monorail Resorts and Magic Kingdom as it comes into view. There is something truly magical about seeing Cinderella Castle and the train station appear as you cross the water.

Those visiting the Magic Kingdom Resorts can also enjoy boat transportation to Magic Kingdom. Water taxis are available from Bay Lake Tower, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Disney’s Polynesian, and Disney’s Grand Floridian and Spa. These rides are nice and relaxing as they provide great views of the area.

At Disney’s EPCOT area Resorts, Guests can take the Friendship Boats to and from both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk Inn Guests enjoy the nice calming boat ride on Crescent Lake. This is a beautiful view at night when all the Resorts are full of light.

Finally, by Disney Springs, Guests can use boat transportation to and from Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Disney Springs. A nice ride down the Sassagoula River shows Guests some fantastic views of these beautifully landscaped resorts. You can also enjoy seeing the lights of Disney Springs come to life as you get closer.

Taking a boat might not be the fastest way to get around Walt Disney World, but it is probably the most relaxing. The boats provide great views of Walt Disney World that you might not otherwise see.

Walt Disney World Monorail

Monorail

The most iconic mode of transportation at Walt Disney World is the monorail. The Disney monorail allows Guests to travel around to EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. One monorail line focuses on Seven Seas Lagoon with stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, as well as Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Another monorail line goes runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to EPCOT. This is a fantastic way to see EPCOT and a great way to travel between the two Disney Parks.

Take time during your Walt Disney World vacation to experience the Disney monorail. Take a loop around the Seven Seas Lagoon or check out EPCOT from above. It is truly a Disney experience that shouldn’t be missed out on.

Disney Skyliner
Credit: Disney

Disney Skyliner

One of the most popular modes of transportation at Walt Disney World is the Disney Skyliner. Guests can travel between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios using the Skyliner. For those staying at Disney’s Caribbean Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, or Disney’s Riviera, it is a fantastic way to get to and from your Resort and the two Disney Parks.

Because the Skyliner is constantly moving, even during busy times, it loads quickly, making transportation smooth and fast. The Skyliner is such a unique experience that even if you aren’t staying at one of the Skyliner Resorts, we suggest taking a ride. It is enjoyable and functional, and we hope that Disney considers expanding it in the future.

Boardwalk
Credit: Disney

Walking Paths

There are more exciting transportation options than this, but it is another way to get around specific parts of Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower both have a quick and easy path for Guests to access Magic Kingdom. With individual security, this is a less stressful way to enter Magic Kingdom for those visiting these Resorts.

Disney recently added a beautiful walking path for those staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Magic Kingdom. It provides an excellent option for those staying at this Disney Resort to get to Magic Kingdom quickly and easily.

While staying at Disney’s Boardwalk, Beach Club, or Yacht Club, you can easily walk to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Walking more during your Walt Disney World vacation might be different from what you want to do. These paths allow you to control your plans, and the views along the paths are stunning.

Those are the five main modes of transportation throughout Walt Disney World. Knowing these modes and where they are offered can help you have a less stressful trip as you navigate the magic.

Jennifer Retzlaff

Jennifer became a lifelong Disney fan during her first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of her life. She quickly started to introduce her love of Disney to her family with a Disney honeymoon and then family trips when her youngest was 18 months old. She loves the magic that Disney brings to people through theme parks, cruises, and adventures. As a teacher, she tries to bring Disney magic into her classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” She is also part of the Magic Vacation Planner team as a personal travel advisor. With this team, she can now help others plan magical vacations. She loves bringing her love to Disney to readers with How to Disney.

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