Trip Planning 101: Understanding Disney World Transportation Options

If you are as much of a Disney fanatic as we are, chances are you would be willing to skip… run… even leap-frog your way to Disney World’s magical property! While that might sound like fun, thankfully there is a very broad array of options when it comes to navigating your way to, from, and through Disney World. Check out these points to better understanding Disney World’s transportation options.

Getting TO Walt Disney World

 1 – FLYING:

Have you decided to channel your inner Peter Pan and take to the air to reach Disney World? Perfect! Booking a ticket from the Orlando International Airport (MCO) is your first step in transportation. We recommend booking your ticket as early as possible, as ticket prices into MCO do increase the closer you get to your arrival date.

• Disney discontinued its popular Disney’s Magical Express service at the end of 2021. All guests flying into Orlando need to find their own way to Walt Disney World. Car rentals, cabs, and Uber are available from the Orlando International Airport. Multiple off-site hotels offer airport shuttles, so be sure to check with your hotel on transportation options they may have available for you. Click here to learn about alternatives to Magical Express. 

2 – DRIVING:

“Are we there yet?” has never sounded so wonderful when as Disney trip is involved!

• Disney World is situated on the southwest side of Orlando off Interstate 4, which has multiple Walt Disney World Resort exits. Depending on where you are driving from, I-95 to I-4 is a popular route, as is taking I-75 to Florida’s Turnpike to I-4.
• The major I-4 construction project known as the “I-4 Ultimate” has been completed north of Disney. However, traffic on I-4 can still be terrible because the new express lanes end before reaching the Disney exits (coming from the east). Construction has begun on extending those express lanes. If driving on I-4 just be aware you may be slowed down in getting to Disney property.

Getting AROUND Disney World

1 – BUS Transportation:

Probably one of the most popular ways to get around Disney World is by taking their complimentary bus transportation. Anyone can use Disney bus transportation as no bus cards, no money, and no tickets are needed to climb aboard a Disney bus.

• Bus transportation is especially helpful for guests staying at Disney Resorts, as buses are on routine schedules to go to and from multiple bus stops within each Disney Resort. Timetables are now conveniently available at resorts, so you know when the next bus is coming. Buses from resorts go to theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
• Disney Resort buses don’t go directly from one resort to another. You would have to go to a park or Disney Springs and then catch another bus from that location to the resort you are seeking.
• If you are visiting Disney Springs, don’t expect to park there and take a bus to one of the theme parks, as there are no buses that go to the theme parks from Disney Springs.
• If you are presently at a Theme Park, bus transportation is available to other theme parks and Disney Resorts. Taking a bus from one theme park to another is especially helpful for those with park hopping tickets.

2 – MONORAIL Transportation:

The beloved “highway in the sky” – the Disney Monorail– is a convenient but incredibly fun Disney transportation option! Just like bus transportation, the monorail can be used by anyone. The Monorail has three separate lines to navigate guests through Disney World.

• The Resort Monorail makes stops at the Magic Kingdom park, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). More about the TTC is below! **
  • Something to note when using the Resort Monorail is the path it takes. It goes in the following order making a stop at each location – from the TTC to the Polynesian, to Grand Floridian, to Magic Kingdom, to Contemporary, then back to the TTC. This means that if you are staying at the Contemporary Resort, you might want to look at using the walking path from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom instead of taking the Monorail – likely saving you 20 to 25 minutes from having to make the full Resort Monorail loop.
• The Epcot Monorail originates at the TTC and goes back and forth from the TTC to Epcot.
• The Express Monorail also originates at the TTC and goes back and forth from the TTC to Magic Kingdom.

**So, what exactly is the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)? The TTC is the most popular parking lot at Disney World! If you are driving to Magic Kingdom, this is the main Magic Kingdom parking lot. From the TTC, you park, then take a tram from your parking spot to the TTC hub. Here you can catch the Monorail as mentioned above, a ferry as mentioned below, and sometimes they even run buses from the TTC to Magic Kingdom depending on crowd size. Even if you aren’t parking for Magic Kingdom, you can still reach Epcot and the Magic Kingdom Resorts (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian) from the TTC.

3 – WATER Transportation:

Whether it’s a large ferryboat or smaller watercraft – transportation by water is another key to getting the most out of your transportation experience. Once again, water transportation is open to anyone wanting a ride and it’s free!

• Water transportation to and from the Magic Kingdom is available from the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC) as well as from some of the surrounding resorts. The TTC has a couple of beautiful and very large Ferryboats that transport guests to and from the TTC and Magic Kingdom. Multiple smaller watercraft go from the Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness.
  • Please note that water transportation at resorts begins 30 minutes before park opening. This means that if you would like to make it to Magic Kingdom before the opening show, you need to look at another transportation option instead of planning on boat travel. The time it takes to travel and get through security will likely have you missing the show!
• Epcot and Hollywood Studios are accessible by boat for the Boardwalk and BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club Resort, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin Hotels. We will say the Hollywood Studios water transportation seems almost always be super busy! A walking path will take you to and from Hollywood Studios to the Boardwalk, where you can access the above resorts and Epcot.
• Disney Springs Resorts also offers water transportation to and from the Port Orleans Resort (both French Quarter and Riverside), Old Key West Resort, and Saratoga Springs – directly to Disney Springs.

4 – SKYLINER Transportation:

The Disney Skyliner soars along waterways and wooded areas alike on its way to theme parks and Disney resort hotels, while wide-eyed guests are treated to views never before seen. The Disney Skyliner is open to everyone and is free, just like other Disney transportation.

• This “most magical flight on Earth” connects Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort. Each of these places has its own dedicated Skyliner Station.
• In addition to convenient theme park access, guests staying at Disney resort hotels accessible by Disney Skyliner have quick-and-easy transportation to a world of other dining and entertainment options. These include all the fun of Disney’s BoardWalk entertainment district, access to Epcot through the International Gateway station, and restaurants and recreation found at the resort hotels serviced by Disney Skyliner.
• Disney Skyliner hours vary by location. Check the MyDisneyExperience app for operation hours during your vacation.

5 – WALKING:

We’ve discovered that sometimes the fastest and easiest way to reach specific areas is by walking! While we enjoy a good walk, remember that your legs are in constant use at Disney World, so don’t hesitate to wait for a bus, monorail, or water transportation option.

• We mentioned above that it’s a brief walk from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom.
• A walkway between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Magic Kingdom is a great option, particularly at night after the evening fireworks!
• We also suggested above walking to and from the BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
• Saratoga Springs has a relaxing walk to Disney Springs!

6 – FOR HIRE Transportation:

The best way to beat the crowds is by hiring an Uber/Lyft driver or Cab/Taxi driver. Of course, this isn’t complimentary through Disney, but it is rather tempting from time to time to spend the money to travel without the crowds!

• Uber or Lyft are increasingly popular at Disney along with the usual popularity of cab/taxi drivers, which is helpful when arranging a pick up and drop off destination. May we suggest that if you are going to Magic Kingdom, you have your driver drop you off at the Contemporary Resort so you can walk. Otherwise, Uber and Cab/Taxi drivers will take you to the TTC.
• Disney’s paid Minnie Van Service is also an option. Click here for more information.

7 – SELF-DRIVING Transportation:

You have a rental car or your own vehicle, so you’ve decided to explore the roads of Disney World on your own! Sounds like a plan. Don’t forget wherever you decide to park your car, take a picture of the category and row number/letter. Disney parking lots are HUGE, and it’s easy to forget where your car is located.

• The cost of parking a standard car at one of the theme parks is $30 per day. This $30 allows you to come and go as you please and park hop to another theme park without additional charges. There is a preferred parking option that gets you closer to the park entrance that goes for $50-55 per day (depending on the day) if that is something you prefer to splurge on. Catch a tram from your car to the park entrance if you need to save your legs!
• Parking at any of the theme parks is free for Disney Resort guests and Annual Passholders.
• The water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) have free parking.
• From 2018 to early 2023, Disney instituted a resort parking fee for overnight guests. However, that policy has been dropped, and resort guests no longer pay for parking while staying at a Walt Disney World resort.

Disability Parking lots are available at all theme parks, and handicapped parking at the water parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

Disney Springs is booming in popularity. Disney planned on that with their multiple parking now available, including two massive parking garages (Lime and Orange) and three surface parking areas (Grapefruit, Watermelon, and Strawberry). The Lime and Orange parking garages give the best access to the Disney Springs action in our opinion.

8 – TOP TIPS

Here are a few top tips about getting around Disney World that you can learn from our blunders!

• Have a transportation game plan in mind the day before – if not earlier.
• Don’t hesitate to ask Cast Members and Guest Services which transportation route they would recommend, especially if you are fighting the crowds.
• Stay smart about getting to Magic Kingdom, as it’s the trickiest and most time-consuming because you can’t just drive right up to the park. Almost all transportation options are faster than driving in and parking at the TTC.
• Keep park-hopping simple by knowing what transportation reaches your destination best. For example, the monorail is super easy to catch from Magic Kingdom to Epcot with one simple transfer at the TTC. Taking the Skyliner from Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also easy and fun.
• Check transportation schedules for operating hours. This is especially important if you are arriving early for dining or a tour or staying very late in a park and need to know when the transportation stops.
• If driving, follow the road signs, as Disney is no different than driving around a city at home!
• Visiting Epcot Food and Wine Festival, for example? Plan alternatives for arriving back to your resort safely if you plan to drink.
• Take a picture of where you parked!

Going HOME from Disney World

It’s a sad day when your Disney vacation ends, and it’s time to head home.

 1 – FLYING:

• You’ll need to make your own arrangements to return to the airport. You can return your rental car to MCO, take an off-site hotel shuttle if offered, or call for Uber or a taxi/cab.

2 – DRIVING:

Typically, traffic isn’t as busy when leaving Disney World as it is getting into the property. With that being said, sit back and expect some congestion and traffic. Hopefully, you’ve stocked up on fun souvenirs and tasty Mickey treats for yourself and the family to make the trip home a little less melancholy.