Don’t be intimidated by Walt Disney World’s huge size. The resort consists of dozens of resorts and hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and an entire downtown district! Navigating all that might seem like a huge task to undertake. It may even deter people from even attempting to book a trip! However, getting around Walt Disney World resort is actually much easier than it seems. It doesn’t take much time at all, either!
Here are all the ways you can transport you and your family around Walt Disney World. The best part is that many of these options are FREE if you stay on site! The majority of these options also have wheelchair access for those guests who may need more assistance.
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Disney Bus System
My personal favorite way to get around is the Disney bus system at Walt Disney World. If you are staying on property, you have free access to this bus system during park hours. They begin running 45 hours before the parks open and run until 1 hour after the parks close. These schedules DO take in to account the Extra Magic Hours! The buses stop at the resorts and take you to all 4 theme parks, the water parks, and Disney Springs.
Looking to get to another resort via the buses? Take the bus to any of the theme parks and then head to the bus stop corresponding with the resort you’d like to go to. Each resort has their own bus line and their own bus lane, making it easy to find your bus on the way home. Most bus drivers will tell you as you’re getting off the bus which lane to head to when you come home as well.
Monorail
If you’re looking to get to Epcot from the Magic Kingdom, hop on the Monorail! This free mode of transportation is like a train in the sky, and can take you between the two parks easily. If you are looking to visit one of the Magic Kingdom area resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, this is also a great way to resort hop. Additionally, it stops at the Ticket and Transportation center, so if you’re staying at a resort that is NOT connected to the Monorail but you really want to experience it, you can hop on here!
The view as you travel along the Monorail route is amazing, and kids will have fun guessing which color Monorail they’ll get to ride!
Walking
Feeling well rested and want to take to scenic route to the parks? Then simply stroll on over! Many of the resorts have walkaways that take you to the nearby parks – or in some cases, Disney Springs. Take the Boardwalk for example. Not only can you walk between the resorts around Bay Lake, but you can also walk to Epcot AND Hollywood Studios. If you’re needing a few more steps on your Fitbit for the day, just follow the signs from the resort and soon you’ll find yourself at the park entrance!
If your resort is within walking distance of one of the parks, they will be sure to tell you when you check in at the front desk and give you a map highlighting where to head to find the walkway.
Minnie Van/Ride Sharing
If you don’t feel like waiting for the bus, you can call an Uber or a Lyft to your resort if you’re ok paying for the convenience! The Lyft app is also what allows you to call one of those fancy new Minnie Vans to your resort! Not only is this a great way to get to the other parks or resorts if you’re in a hurry, but it also allows you to travel off-property. You can use the Minnie Vans to head to MCO, or you can order an Uber to take you to Universal Orlando for a day of fun in Diagon Alley!
Of course, you need to have an account and payment on file for both of these services. Personally I like Lyft, they tend to be a little bit cheaper. If you are not a Lyft user yet but would like to be, use my referral code “LISSYLOOKINGGLAS” or just follow my link to get $5 off your first ride!
Boats
Yes, there is boat transportation available at Walt Disney World resort! If you are staying at a hotel on the water front, like the Boardwalk, you can visit other resorts and nearby parks via the boats. Magic Kingdom area resorts also offer boats to the park, as do the resorts near Disney Springs.
Don’t worry about getting sick – the boat ride is very smooth. They come about every 15 minutes, so there is a bit more of a wait than the buses. However, they’re still free and perfect for enjoying the scenic route!
Rental Cars
If you would rather just be in charge of your own transportation, you can always rent a car from MCO and transport yourself to the Walt Disney World resort. This will likely be your best option if you are not staying on property and plan to stay at a nearby chain hotel. You can park at the Disney parks for a fee, and this fee can be added directly to your bill if you stay on site! This is also a great option for families who may need to hook up car seats for little ones. If you’re driving cross country, you can just use your own car!
Looking to book a rental car? Don’t forget to shop via eBates! Many booking sites, such as Hertz and Expedia, give you cash back through eBates when you book!
And there you have it! All the ways to travel around the Walt Disney World resort property. There’s so many options that it’s easy to get around – leaving you more time to enjoy your trip!
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