So, you’ve booked your home away from home at a Disney Resort, your tickets and park reservations are all squared away – but now you’re left figuring out how to get to and from the Resorts, Parks & Disney Springs and possibly even the airport. We know there is a lot of configuring your itinerary and planning out the best times to get to where you’re going but the one thing Disney does well – is providing guests with an abundance of ways to get around. Let’s break down the main transportation options you will see around Walt Disney World and what may suit you and your travel party the best during your stay.
The Monorail
Located at Seven Seas Lagoon, the iconic Monorail provides visitors a fun way to get from the “Transportation & Ticket Center” to the 3 main Resorts in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, & Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It also offers round-trip service to 2 theme parks, Magic Kingdom & EPCOT. You also can roll wheelchairs, strollers, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles right onto the monorail without having to transfer or break anything down which is great when you’re maneuvering through opening and closing crowds. The Monorail starts operating 30 minutes before the first park opens and closes an hour after the last park closes.
Ferry Boats
All Aboard! Operating only out of the “Transportation & Ticket Center” is the three Magic Kingdom ferries, the Admiral Joe Fowler, Richard F. Irvine and the General Joe Potter. These ferries hold up to 600 guests with an average wait time of 15 to 30 minutes. The wonderful thing about riding the ferries is that you get to see the 3 Seven Seas Lagoon resorts as well as the Magic Kingdom all in one ride. Again, I love the ability to roll wheelchairs, strollers, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles right onto the ferry boats quickly and you’re usually arriving to the Magic Kingdom Park within minutes. Ferry boats typically run 45 minutes before park opening to 45 minutes after Magic Kingdom closes.
Boats & Cruisers
In tandem with the ferryboats, there is a broad fleet of water taxies and boats that sail the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Lake Hollywood, and Crescent Lake. These also operate off a 15–30-minute wait time but are quite smaller than the ferryboats. All isles and walkways must be clear so in specific cases, strollers will have to be folded up and moved out of the isle. Wheelchairs and Electric Conveyance Vehicles has designated areas for parking. Boats & Cruisers typically run 45 minutes before park opening to 45 minutes after closing.
These run to a variety of Disney Resorts such as:
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’ Saratoga Spring Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside & French Quarter.
SkyLiner
Sail through the sky in Disney’s latest addition of transportation in the whimsically themed Gondolas that connects a handful of resorts to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios & Epcot. From characters like Woody & Buzz of Toy Story to the Hitchhiking Ghost of the Haunted Mansion, you can travel with some of the Disney characters that you love and adore on your trip to your next departure location! What’s wonderful about these, is that you can also just roll your wheelchairs, strollers, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles right onto your gondola and take off on your trip to the International Gateway at EPCOT or the Hollywood Studio entrance. The Disney SkyLiner begins operating 60-90 minutes before parks open to 60-90 minutes after park close.
Only 4 Disney Properties have private entrance to the SkyLiner – those being:
Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, & Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Bus
The most common way to getting around Walt Disney World is of course the magically themed air-conditioned buses which are available at every resort. These run continuously between 45 minutes prior to park opening and 1 hours after closing. Wheelchairs and Electric Conveyance Vehicles are allowed to be rolled onto the buses themselves but are required to be secured with an additional seatbelt while strollers must be broken down in its entirety. Also, available at each resort and on your “My Disney Experience” app – you can see what time each bus will arrive for its next transfer! Buses begin running 45 minutes prior to the park opening and runs until one hour after the parks close.
Minnie Vans
Powered by Lyft – Disney’s latest Minnie Van™ Service provides guest a fun and easy to get around Disney Resorts with just a request through the Lyft App. This service is treated as any taxi request as it is not included within your vacation package but non the less – it still is a wonderful option for you and the family. Plus, accessible Minnie Vans include seating for 4, space for 2 wheelchairs and 1 car seat – possible 2 complimentary children’s seats if needed. A child seat will be required for all children under the age of 6. Hours of operations are about the same when compared to your traditional resort transportations as it services between 6:30 AM & 12:30 AM daily.
Your Personal Car
Did you drive to Disney in your personal car or rental? Well – you are allowed to drive them directly into the Theme Park parking lots for no additional charge if you’re staying on Disney Property. I love this feature especially when traveling with larger strollers, groups or if you plan to do a little more shopping then normal! Having access to your car onsite maybe the best choice if waiting in a transportation line at the end of the day doesn’t seem like the best option for you and your party.
Want to learn more about how to choose what transportation is best for you on your next trip? Feel free to request a quote and we will put you in touch with one of our Travel Experts to help you plan your most magical vacation yet!
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