The Wonderful World of Transportation

Mar 30, 2017 | Disney Info

Ellen and I have been called Disney geeks on more than one occasion. We cannot argue. So what is the depth of our geekiness? Well, we have been know to spend an entire day on property, here in Central Florida, doing nothing but riding the various modes of transportation. It’s mostly for me seeing as how I am a “planes, trains, and automobiles” kind of guy. I am constantly amazed by the logistics of it all.

Needless to say, you don’t need a car if you’re coming to Disney World and staying on property. Even if you want to take a day or two and go off-property, you can rent a car right from Disney, with free transportation between your resort and the car rental center. If you do drive in, you could leave your car parked and not use it again until you’re ready to head home.

Here is a breakdown of all the modes of transportation on Disney’s Florida property (NOTE: this doesn’t include non-Disney options, like taxis and public buses, or things that are considered attractions):

Ferry Boats – Meant to recreate the NY ferry experience of the early 20th century, three of these 600-passenger vessels carry guests between the Magic Kingdom’s (MK) Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and the entrance to the MK.

Launchers – Smaller boats, almost like water taxis, run two different routes. One travels daily in a circuit between the Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian. The other runs a continuous circuit between Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and the Contemporary.

Cruisers – Disney calls these larger boats that run between the Magic Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge/Fort Wilderness ‘cruisers’. Both resorts have dedicated routes with exclusive service.

Friendship BoatsThese boats run in the Epcot area. Two carry passengers around the World showcase, one from the front to the German pavilion, the other from the front to the Moroccan pavilion. A second set of Friendship boats runs from Epcot to the Boardwalk, then on to the Yacht & Beach Club resorts, the Swan & Dolphin, and Hollywood Studios. It follows the same route back to Epcot.

Water Taxis – Water taxis fill the waters in and around Disney Springs. One taxi route makes a continuous loop with three Disney Springs stops. Separate boats run from Disney Springs to both Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside.

Monorail – The famous monorail runs three routes. The Express Monorail runs exclusively between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom. The Resort Monorail makes a continuous circuit that includes the TTC, the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, the Magic Kingdom, and the Contemporary. The third monorail line runs between the TTC and Epcot.

Buses – Disney’s fleet of around 300 buses can carry you just about anywhere and everywhere on property. On average, buses arrive and depart every 10-20 minutes depending on time of day and destination.

NOTE: The launchers on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake ARE NOT handicap friendly. They cannot accommodate ESVs or non-collapsed wheelchairs. The cruisers are handicap accessible, but they are challenging. All other transportation options are fully accessible and easy-to-use.

 

Getting From Here to There

As previously mentioned, you don’t need a car if you plan to stay on-site. There are transportation options to get you to and from any destination on property. Below we have broken down the options by resort:

Abbreviations used: MK – Magic Kingdom, EP – EPCOT, AK – Animal Kingdom, HS – Hollywood Studios, DS – Disney Springs, BB – Blizzard Beach, and TL – Typhoon Lagoon.

NOTE: Disney transportation options are subject to change at their discretion. You will never be left stranded, but weather, breakdowns, maintenance, etc. may render some options unavailable at any time. Please confirm transportation at your resort if you are at all concerned.

Magic Kingdom Area EPCOT and Hollywood Studios Areas
Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Bus: AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Fort Wilderness Campground

Monorail: MK, EP, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Bus: MK, AK, DS, BB, TL

Boat: HS, EP, Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Boardwalk Inn

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort

Bus: EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL, Wilderness Lodge

Boat: MK (Note: MK is accessible by bus with a transfer to Wilderness Lodge.)

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Bus: MK, AK, DS, BB, TL

Boat: HS, EP, Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Yacht and Beach Club Hotel

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Bus: AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: MK

Monorail: MK, EP, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

 

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Bus: AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: MK

Monorail: MK, EP, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

Bus: MK, AK, DS, BB, TL

Boat: EP, HS, Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL, For Wilderness Campground

Boat: MK, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness Campground

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Bus: MK, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: EP, HS, Boardwalk Inn, Swan and Dolphin Hotel

Monorail: Not available

 

Animal Kingdom Area Disney Springs Area
Disney’s All-Star Resorts (Sports, Music, Movies)

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: DS

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: DS

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

 

ESPN Wide World of Sports Area

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Bus: MK, EP, AK, HS, DS, BB, TL

Boat: Not available

Monorail: Not available

Matt and Ellen Gerwitz

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