The Walt Disney World Resort is expansive and twice the size of Manhattan. Luckily, there is also a fleet of complimentary “public transportation” options for guests to make their way around the vast resort.
Monorail
Serves: Contemporary, Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Ticket and Transportation Center
Disney’s Highway in the sky is one of the most convenient modes of transportation at Disney World. It has the highest capacity for a single trip and doesn’t have to fight traffic…well, not usually.
Guests using strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs do NOT have to collapse or transfer from these vehicles to board the monorail.
Ferry
Serves: Magic Kingdom, Ticket and Transportation Center
Running between the TTC and Magic Kingdom, the ferries are a family favorite! There’s something magical about pulling around the islands and seeing Cinderella Castle in the distance. Guests can opt to stay on the bottom level or sail to or from the Kingdom atop the second landing.
Guests using strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs do NOT have to collapse or transfer from these vehicles to board the ferry.
Boat Launch/Water Taxi
Serves: Polynesian Village and Grand Floridian; Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness; Magic Kingdom
Guests staying at Magic Kingdom area resorts can opt to sail across the lagoon on the launches. These are smaller boats that travel between Magic Kingdom and the hotels.
Larger crafts can accommodate strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs, while the smaller boats require strollers and wheelchairs be collapsed and cannot accommodate ECVs.
FriendShip Boats
Serves: World Showcase; Epcot, Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, Hollywood Studios
There are two sets of FriendShips available to guests. One set travels the World Showcase shuttling guests from World Showcase Plaza (one dock near Canada, one near Mexico) to Morocco and Germany, respectively. These are two separate routes that travel to and fro.
The second set takes guests round trip from Epcot to Hollywood Studios stopping at three docks servicing the Epcot area resorts. The trip from park to park is about 25 minutes.
Friendships do accommodate open strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs inside the ship. The open air seats do not.
Skyliner
Serves: Art of Animation/Pop Century, Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Epcot, Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney World’s newest mode of transporation takes guests to the skies as they board aerial gondolas to their destination. All lines meet at a central hub at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort where guests can transfer to their intended park or resort.
Gondolas can comfortably seat up to eight guests (possibly more uncomfortably) and allow for open strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs.
Make note that these are “open air” vehicles and do not have air conditioning, so be aware during those warm summer months. Weather also affects the Skyliner, so keep backup transportation in mind.
Buses
Serves: All Disney owned and operated resorts, Swan/Dolphin and all parks, water parks and Disney Springs
While the buses are my least favorite mode of Disney transportation, my littles absolutely love them! I suppose because we don’t use them at home; they don’t even ride the bus to school (teacher mom). Novelty! I will say, some of the newer buses do have charging ports under the seats, and I love this addition.
Buses are available at every resort but may not be available to every location. The Epcot area resorts, for example, wouldn’t use buses to Epcot.
Some of the larger resorts have an internal bus system, so make sure to factor in time for multiple stops. In addition, some resorts will share buses and make multiple stops.
Keep in mind that strollers must be collapsed for bus rides. ECVs and wheelchairs can be accommodated on most buses.
Sassagoula River Cruise Ferries
Serves: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, Disney Spings
Guests whose resorts sit along the Sassagoula River can make their way to Disney Springs via the ferries. This is one of my favorite routes via watercraft. It’s so serene and beautiful!
Strollers should be collapsed, while wheelchairs and ECVs can be acommodated.
Minnie Vans
Serves: All resorts, all guest areas
Operated through the Lyft app (referral link), this is the only transportation option that will incur a cost.
Minnie Vans are a great option for guests with littles, as two car seats are available in each vehicle! They also accommodate larger parties with the smallest option offering six passenger seats.
Minnie Vans also offer preferred drop-off and pick-up locations at the parks, as well as resort to resort transportation.
For guests that don’t need the car seats, regular Lyft and Uber options are plentiful.
@magicmemoriesmayhem Disney transportation is part of the fun! Except maybe the buses. 😜 #DisneyWorldVACATION #DISNEYWorldTransportation, #DisneyWorldTips #DisneyTripTips #DisneyTransportation ♬ Happy and fun corporate music for advertising. – TimTaj
Bonus Tips:
- Transportation options with drivers, pilots and captains may have trading cards available. These are free and can be obtained by asking a transportation cast member.
- ECVs will be loaded first at the bus stops, so other guests will need to wait until the driver secures the vehicle before loading the bus.
- Allow up to 90 minutes from point A to point B when using Disney Transportation, especially buses. While times are typically far less, you can get caught up. If you have reservations or anything time sensitive, keep this in mind.
- Transportation is available to all resort guests and day guests at Walt Disney World.
- Don’t forget to thank your drivers, captains and pilots. 🙂