Before I went to Disney World for the first time, one of my biggest worries was getting around. I have an old childhood memory of walking through a hot, shadeless, endless parking lot to get to an amusement park, and I worried that getting from my resort to the park, or from one park to another, wouldn’t be fun.
What I didn’t realize is that one of the reasons Disney is so popular is because it’s so well thought out from start to finish, especially for guests with accessibility needs and guests with children. When it comes to transportation, there are many great options, but it’s important to know which options are available where.
Here’s a quick primer on all the transportation options at Disney World.
skyline
Why not start with my favorite thing? The Disney World Skyliner is fast, convenient and free. Who doesn’t love traveling on an aerial tram? It may look and feel like its own ride, but it’s actually one of the best ways to get from here to there within Disneyland.
The most important thing to know about the Skyliner is that it is only attached to certain resorts – Disney has planned it so there is a Skyliner option for every resort at every price point:
- Riviera Resort
- caribbean beach resort
- Pop Century Resort
- Animation Arts Resort
Additionally, there is a station within walking distance to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Beach Club Resort, and the BoardWalk Inn and BoardWalk Entertainment District. Where else could the Skyliner go? Easy access to Epcot’s International Gateway and Hollywood Studios.
The best thing about the Skyliner is that it moves continuously so you have zero wait time for your ride. It also runs from 1 hour before the park opens to 90 minutes after the park closes, so they are basically ready to take you to and from the park at any time.
Monorail
My second favorite transportation option is Disney’s three monorail lines. Every time I use it, it arrives within minutes and is super easy to get in and out of, even if you’re pushing a stroller and wrangling multiple kids.
The monorail runs through Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Transportation and Ticketing Center (TTC), and like the Skyliner, it runs before and after the parks open, giving you plenty of time to get where you want to go. Yes, the cost of using this service is included in the cost of your stay.
The monorail also serves three different Disney resorts:
- disney contemporary resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
bus
I use the bus more than any other mode of transportation at Disney World—and for good reason. A free air-conditioned bus service goes to most places, although some are only easily accessible by bus or car. During my stay I never went anywhere without a bus stop, which is the biggest advantage of using this mode of transportation.
Buses run continuously, but you may have to wait a while. There have been times at Disney where I’ve waited up to 30 minutes for a ride – time usually spent dreaming about how fast and effortless the Skyliner is. Still, for a free service that works when you need it, it’s a very good option. I know from experience, though, that this can have to wait, especially when the park is open, at the end of the day, or after an event (taking the bus home after the midnight parade at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, with What) feels like the rest of the world is… not fun).
One thing I noticed during my stay was that the bus drivers were very good at assisting people with strollers, wheelchairs, and other accessible devices to get on and off safely. Everyone seemed well-trained and friendly.
Water taxis and ferries
I didn’t take the water route on this trip, and yes, I’m full of regrets. next time. But from what I can tell, there are plenty of options to set sail to the area’s three parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.
There is also the option of traveling to and from certain resorts by water. For a complete list of boat transportation options, see the Disney Water Transportation Guide.
car
I drove to Disney World, but once I got to the resort, I parked my car and didn’t move it again until I left. Parking is free if you’re staying at a hotel, and other transportation options worked perfectly for my needs without having to whip out my keys.
However, there are some situations where your car may be a good option, such as if you live near Disneyland, go home directly from the park, or want to avoid crowded buses after an event.
The only notable exception is the Magic Kingdom, where you can’t actually park – you need to go to the transportation center first. In this case, it would be more convenient to take the bus or monorail if you are staying in a hotel.
Please note that if you are not staying at the resort, parking will be between $30 and $45 per day unless you are an annual pass holder.
car service
Yes, you can call an Uber or Lyft when you’re in the most magical place on Earth. There’s even a cute-themed Minnie van service powered by Lyft, which has become extremely popular.
However, unlike the options Disney offers, this will obviously cost you. There are some advantages to this option, especially in certain situations—some Disney experts swear by bringing chauffeur service to the rope drop in the morning to avoid crowded buses, or to get them there if time is of the essence Any ticketed event or venue booking.
General traffic tips
My biggest tip is to use the My Disney Experience app. It has all transport and parking related routes and stops including waiting times for buses. This is especially important because sometimes the quickest route home isn’t the most direct one.
Second, don’t be afraid of confusion. I was used to using the bus system and then not exploring other options until later in the trip. Branch out and try new modes of transportation, and realize that one mode of transportation may be better at getting you to certain places or at certain times.
Third, if your kids (or you!) love collecting items and transportation, you can spend part of your trip collecting Disney World Transportation Collection Cards. You can get these cards from actors near different types of vehicles and try to get them all before leaving. It’s fun and it’s free!
Finally, Disney always tells you to ask the cast for more. I was shy at first, but as I became immersed in the Disney culture, I found that the vast majority of cast members genuinely want to help you have the best trip possible. They will be happy to help you get to your destination.
