Getting Around Disney World Property

Transportation Options

One of the biggest perks of staying at a resort that is on Disney property is the free transportation that Disney offers it’s guests. Buses run from every Disney resort on property, but there are also several other unique (and more convenient) forms of transportation. This includes the monorail, boats, the skyliner, and even walking! I am including walking as a form of transportation, because there are some resorts that are within walking distance to a park (and that can be huge convenience!). The transportation that is offered at a particular resort may be what makes or break the resort for you.

Buses

We’ll start with buses since that is the most common form of transportation. Buses to the parks and Disney Springs are offered at every resort. The only exception is at some of the resorts where there is an alternative form of transportation to a particular location (monorail, skyway, or boat). If they offer buses when their is an alternative form of transportation, it is usually on a more limited schedule. All transportation options are wheelchair accessible, so that isn’t something you need to worry about.

There are also buses that go from park to park, parks to Disney Springs (not always available, usually only offered in the evenings), and a few resorts have buses that go ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on a limited schedule.

Monorail

The monorail is probably the most popular form of transportation because of it’s uniqueness. It is so ingrained with Disney history that it is one of the things most people think of when they think of Disney World, along with Cinderella Castle. The trains run on a single beam high in the air. Many people look forward to riding the monorail, and it also serves as an efficient (and more fun) form of transportation.

Where does it take you?

There are actually three different monorail lines. The Transportation and Ticket Center acts as a central hub, as all three lines make a stop there. Two of them make a stop at Magic Kingdom (one express, and one stops at the resorts), and one of them makes a stop at Epcot. Here is a list of all three monorail lines and where each one will take you:

• The Express Monorail

• Transportation and Ticket Center

• Magic Kingdom

• The Resort Monorail

• Transportation and Ticket Center

• Polynesian Resort

• Grand Floridan Resort

• Magic Kingdom

• Contemporary Resort

• The Epcot Monorail

• Transportation and Ticket Center

• Epcot

Skyway

The Skyliner is the newest form of transportation at Walt Disney World. They opened for public use in 2019. Each gondola cabin can hold up to 10 people, or up to six if there is a wheelchair. These gondolas run on a line up to 60 feet in the air. There are more than 300 gondolas that can be used. It has become one of those most efficient forms of transportation, as well as a favorite with guests.

Where does it take you?

The skyliner connects to two parks and four resorts. There are three main lines, which all meet at the central hub (which is located at Caribbean Beach). This is similar to how all of the monorail lines meet at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Here is a list of the three skyway lines and where each one will take you:

• The Epcot Line

• Caribbean Beach

• Riviera Resort

• Epcot (International Gateway entrance, which is also within walking distance to the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin hotels).

• The Hollywood Studios Line

• Caribbean Beach

• Hollywood Studios

• Art of Animation and Pop Century Line

• Caribbean Beach

• Pop Century and Art of Animation (one stop)

Water Transportation

There are several Disney resorts and parks that offer boats or ferries to certain locations. This is a more relaxing form of transportation than the buses, and it allows you to take in the scenery around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

Where does it take you?

Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs all have water transportation that go to and from resorts. Here is a list of each main location and which resorts have boats that go to a from the location:

• Magic Kingdom

• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Transportation and Ticket Center (not a resort, but a ferry does go to and from here to Magic Kingdom)

• Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (this one is actually all one route, and you can take it in between the two parks if you don’t mind stopping at these resorts along the way)

• Disney’s Boardwalk

• Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club

• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

• Disney Springs

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Walking

Yes, walking isn’t actually a form of transportation, but it is worth noting which resorts you don’t have to even rely on transportation for to certain places.

Where can you walk to?

Here is a list of places and resorts that are close enough to each other that you can walk to them:

• Magic Kingdom

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort (the shortest walking distance by far)

• Disney’s Polynesian Resort

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf (disclaimer, there is a path to Hollywood Studios from these resorts, but it is a much further walk than Epcot)

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

• Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel (closest to Fantasia Gardens)

• Disney Springs

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (closest resort)

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• There are also several Good Neighbor Disney Springs area resorts that are within walking distance

Conclusion

Transportation is something that Disney does well, and there are multiple options. If you are having a tough time deciding where to stay, look at the transportation options. Some people love being close enough to walk. Other people find that being at a monorail or skyliner resort can make a huge difference for some people!