Disney World Transportation: Everything You Need to Know

At over 42 square miles, it’s no secret that getting around Orlando’s iconic Disney World Resort can be a journey. With visitors peaking in the summer and Florida’s scorching temperatures, you probably don’t want to try getting around entirely on foot. 

It may be tempting to try driving yourself from park to park. While this is convenient and will allow some independence, you’ll have to pay up to 50 dollars every day you use Disney World’s parking lot. 

And if you’ve never been to Disney World before (or even if you have), it’s pretty easy to get lost in a theme park that’s roughly the same size as San Francisco. 

Fortunately, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars on rental cars and parking spaces. There is public transportation throughout Disney World that travels from park to park multiple times per hour. The best part? Most of these options are entirely free! 

Whether you’re with tired children, have mobility issues, or simply don’t want to walk for hours on end, you don’t have to worry. Disney World has ways to help you get around at little to no cost. 

How to Get Around Walt Disney World: Your Options 

There are three main methods of transportation at Disney World: the buses, the monorail system, and the boat. All of these options are complimentary with your Disney World ticket. 

If you want to keep track of Disney World’s bus routes, you can download the My Disney Experience app on any smartphone. 

Due to Covid 19, all guests two years and older must wear face coverings when using Disney World’s public transportation. This rule applies even if you are fully vaccinated, so make sure to get your hands on some fun Disney-themed masks. 

The Buses at Disney World 

The bus services begin 45 minutes before the park opens, and they end an hour after closing. 

Bus routes usually run every twenty minutes, but they may be quicker or slower depending on how busy the park is. They also include air conditioning, a necessity in Florida’s humid climate! 

When traveling long distances across the resort, keep in mind that you may have to transfer buses at some point. You may have to walk quite a bit between bus stops, too. 

In general, the bus is the most common method of free transportation at Disney World. Most of the routes we’ll cover on this list will feature a bus ride at some point. 

The Monorail at Disney World 

Disney’s monorail system runs around every ten minutes, a notably shorter wait than the bus system. It can pick you up directly from your hotel and straight to a selection of Disney parks! 

While it is notably quick, the monorail does not go quite as far as the busing system. So while it can be a quick way of getting you from your hotel to the Magic Kingdom, you will likely need to use other transportation methods as well. 

One perk of Disney World’s monorail is that it provides an excellent view of the resort. Its sturdy straddle-beam track is 41 feet high! 

If it’s your first time visiting Disney World, you should definitely try and take the monorail at least once, even if it’s just for the sake of the experience. 

The Boat at Disney World 

Are you a fan of ferry rides? Disney’s water taxis are an excellent way to get to select locations throughout Disney World. 

While it is a fun option, however, it is not the most convenient one. Extreme weather conditions may require this transportation system to shut down. Also, the water taxis don’t travel to as many parks as the bus or monorail. 

Fortunately, water taxis are usually available. If you have the chance, you should certainly give it a try! 

Minnie Van Service 

Need to be somewhere ASAP? Your best bet would be the Minnie Van Service. This method is fast and convenient, and on top of that, you’ll get to ride in a cute polka-dotted van. You also won’t have to worry about transferring or walking between bus stops, either. 

Unlike the other three options, however, you will need to pay for your ride. The price will vary depending on how far you need to go. 

To get a ride in the Minnie Van, you just need the Lyft app on your smartphone. Remember, the cost can quickly add up, so you shouldn’t rely on this option as your primary method of transport. 

Traveling Between Disney World Parks 

To get the most out of your trip, we recommend you use Disney World’s transportation systems. They can help prevent you from getting lost, and aside from Minnie’s Van Service, they are all completely free. 

Because Disney World is so massive, getting around can be tricky even when you have a map. And with such a busy transportation system, it’s often difficult to determine which route to choose.  

For your convenience, we’ve narrowed it down. Here are the best ways to get from one park to the next! 

Magic Kingdom <> Animal Kingdom 

If you’re spent some time at the Magic Kingdom, and you’re ready to meet some fascinating critters, the Animal Kingdom is just one bus ride away. 

Locate the bus stop just outside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is on the eastern side of the Magic Kingdom. 

Once you’re there, find the bus that’s heading to the Animal Kingdom. Hop on, and it’ll take you straight there! 

This bus goes in both directions, so you can also use it to get to the Magic Kingdom if you’ve decided to visit the Animal Kingdom first. 

If you’d like to experience the monorail system on your way to the Animal Kingdom, here’s how you can do that. 

First, head over to the monorail station near the Magic Kingdom’s entrance. Ride the monorail to the Transportation & Ticket Center. 

Once you’re there, walk over to the Polynesian Village Resort bus stop, and get on the bus that will take you the rest of the way to the Animal Kingdom! 

Magic Kingdom <> Hollywood Studios 

You can get from the Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios in a few different ways. 

To get there quickly, head over to the bus station near the Contemporary Resort. Then, get on the bus that’s heading to Hollywood Studios. 

Their bus system goes both directions, so it can take you to the Magic Kingdom you’re already at Hollywood Studios, too. 

For a more scenic trip, you can find the bus stop outside the Kingdom’s gates and go to the Boardwalk Inn. Once you’re there, you can take a short boat trip the rest of the way. 

Finally, you can take the monorail from the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Locate the bus stop there, and it will take you the rest of the way to your destination. 

Magic Kingdom <> Epcot 

The monorail system connects the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, making it pretty easy to get from one to the other. 

All you need to do is get on the monorail at the Magic Kingdom’s monorail station, and it will take you straight to the Transportation & Ticket Center. From there, you will need to board a second monorail which will take you directly to Epcot. 

To get from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom, you just need to do the same thing but in reverse. 

Magic Kingdom <> Blizzard Beach 

The ride between the Magic Kingdom and Blizzard Beach is just one bus ride away. 

If you’re at the Magic Kingdom, head over to the Contemporary Resort. It’s within walking distance, but for your convenience, you can also take the monorail to get there. 

Once you’re there, you can get on a bus, and it will take you the rest of the distance to Blizzard Beach. 

To get from Blizzard Beach to the Magic Kingdom, do the same route but in reverse. 

Magic Kingdom <> Typhoon Lagoon 

After a hot summer day in the Magic Kingdom, what better way to cool off than to visit the Typhoon Lagoon? 

First, head over to the Contemporary Resort either on foot or by monorail. 

Once you arrive, the bus can take you directly to the stop just outside The Landing. From there, Typhoon Lagoon is only a short walk away. 

To head back to the Magic Kingdom, you can take a combination of the bus and the monorail. 

Ride the bus from The Landing to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Walk over to the monorail station, and it will take you the rest of the distance to the Magic Kingdom. 

Magic Kingdom <> Disney Springs 

Disney Springs is a long distance away from the Magic Kingdom, so getting from one to the other can be a bit of a journey. Once you’re there, though, you’ll have plenty of places to relax, shop, and enjoy a meal. 

If you plan to visit after 4 PM, getting there is pretty simple. All you need to do is head over to the bus station. Disney’s newest bus service can take you directly from the Magic Kingdom to Disney Springs! 

If you plan to go before 4 PM, you will have to take a slightly more complicated route; but it shouldn’t be too difficult even then. 

Simply take the monorail from the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Once you’re there, you can take a bus the rest of the way to Disney Springs. 

If you’d like to visit the Magic Kingdom after Disney Springs, you can take a bus straight to the Contemporary Resort. From there, you can either finish the trip on foot or ride the monorail. 

Hollywood Studios <> Animal Kingdom 

These two parks aren’t too far apart, so getting from one to another is a breeze. 

The best way to get there is to board the bus station near the entrance of Hollywood Studios. It can take you straight to the Animal Kingdom from there. 

If you’re starting at the Animal Kingdom, you can also board a direct bus to Hollywood Studios. 

On a good day, the whole trip usually won’t be longer than thirty minutes. 

Hollywood Studios <> Epcot 

Depending on your preferences, there are two different ways you can get from Hollywood Studios to Epcot. 

If you have the energy to travel on foot, you can walk north from Hollywood Studios, and you’ll be in Epcot in around twenty minutes. There is a path connecting these two parks, making this an easy way to get from one to the other — just make sure you have a good pair of walking shoes. 

If you’re not in the mood to walk, you can also take the boat located on the northwest side of Hollywood Studios. Board the boat, and you will eventually arrive at the International Gateway of Epcot. 

Keep in mind that this boat ride will have quite a few stops along the way. Because of this, using the boat may take just as long (if not longer) than walking. 

No matter which route you take, you’ll be able to get a pleasant view in the meantime. 

Hollywood Studios <> Blizzard Beach 

Blizzard Beach is the perfect way to cool off after a hot summer day at Hollywood Studios. 

These two parks border each other, so it might be tempting to walk from one to another. However, there is no designated path to do this, and the map makes the journey look much shorter than it actually is. So for the sake of your convenience and safety, it is best to use the bus to get there. 

To get to Blizzard Beach, go to the Hollywood Studios bus station. Board a bus that’s going to the Coronado Springs Resort bus stop. Then, you can walk the rest of the distance to Blizzard Beach from there. 

To get to Hollywood Studios from Blizzard Beach, you can take the same route but in reverse. 

Hollywood Studios <> Typhoon Lagoon 

Despite being somewhat close together, getting from Hollywood Studios to Typhoon Lagoon can take quite a bit of time since no bus or monorail connects the two. The quickest way to get there takes around 50 minutes. 

First, you will need to exit the park and walk over to the bus stop near the Swan Hotel. 

Then, board a bus that is going to The Landing. This area is a small district located on the western end of Disney Springs. 

Once you’re there, you will need to finish your journey to Typhoon Lagoon on foot. 

While this journey will require quite a bit of walking, you’ll be able to cool down in their water park once you arrive. So in the end, it will be worth the effort! 

You can reverse the same route to get from Typhoon Lagoon to Hollywood Studios. 

Hollywood Studios <> Disney Springs 

Disney Springs is just east of the Hollywood Studios theme park. To get there will require a fair bit of walking and a pretty short bus ride. 

First, you will need to exit the park and walk east towards the Swan Hotel. 

Then, find the bus stop. Once the bus arrives, it will take you straight to The Landing. 

Once you’re at The Landing, Disney Springs will be but a short two-minute walk away! You can flip the same route to get from Disney Springs to Hollywood Studios, too. 

Animal Kingdom <> Epcot 

The Animal Kingdom and Epcot are two of Disney’s most well-known theme parks. Many Disney World guests will visit one after the other, and as a result, traveling between them is pretty straightforward. 

A single bus is all you need to get from the Animal Kingdom to Epcot. Just locate the bus station near the entrance and get on the bus that is going to Epcot. You can also flip the route if you’re going from Epcot to the Animal Kingdom instead. 

The whole trip usually takes around 20 minutes total. 

Animal Kingdom <> Blizzard Beach 

Need to cool down after experiencing the tropical jungles of the Animal Kingdom? Fortunately for you, these two parks are pretty close to each other. 

All you need to do is find the bus station right by the southern entrance. Board the bus, and it can take you directly to Blizzard Beach’s bus stop. Just a short five-minute walk from there, and you’ll be at Blizzard Beach. 

Like most of the routes so far, you can flip it to get from Blizzard Beach to the Animal Kingdom instead. 

Animal Kingdom <> Typhoon Lagoon 

To get from the Animal Kingdom to the Typhoon lagoon, you’ll need to take two buses and travel the rest of the way on foot. 

First, head toward the bus station at the southern entrance to the Animal Kingdom. Get on the next bus that’s going to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. 

Once the bus arrives there, you’ll want to transfer over to the next bus that’s heading towards The Landing. 

Finally, once you’re at The Landing, you’ll just need to walk a little bit further east, and then you’ll be ready to go for a swim! 

There is a way to get to Typhoon Lagoon without the hassle of transferring buses, but it will take a bit longer and require more walking. 

First, get on the bus at the Animal Kingdom bus station that is going to Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 

Once it arrives, you will need to walk east for around thirty minutes until you reach Typhoon Lagoon. 

If you’re starting with Typhoon Lagoon, simply flip either one of these routes to get to the Animal Kingdom. 

Animal Kingdom <> Disney Springs 

The Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs are on two opposite ends of the Disney World resort, so you definitely don’t want to try traveling there on foot. 

To get to Disney Springs, start at the bus station by the entrance of the Animal Kingdom. Board the bus that is going to Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 

Once the bus gets to its destination, walk east for around 15 minutes, and you will end up at Disney Springs! 

To get to the Animal Kingdom from Disney Springs, you can take the same bus from Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. 

Epcot <> Blizzard Beach 

To get from Epcot to Blizzard Beach, you’ll be in for a slightly longer journey, but it’ll be worth it once you’re there! 

First, walk to the Epcot Bus Station and take the bus heading toward Coronado Springs. 

Once you’re there, you can get on a bus that will take you the rest of the distance to Blizzard Beach. 

To get back to Epcot from Blizzard Beach, you’ll just need to reverse the route. 

Epcot <> Typhoon Lagoon 

After enjoying a day at Epcot, getting to Typhoon Lagoon is just a little walking and a single bus ride away. 

First, go to the Boardwalk Inn bus stop. It’s just an eight-minute walk away from Epcot. 

Then, take the bus that’s going to The Landing. From there, Typhoon Lagoon is just a 20-minute walk away! 

If you’d like to go back to Epcot, you can flip the same route to get there. 

Epcot <> Disney Springs 

Epcot and Disney Springs are on the same side of the map but still not close enough that you should attempt to walk the whole distance. The best way to get to Disney Springs, like most destinations, is to utilize the bus system. 

When you’re ready to leave Epcot, head over to the Epcot Bus Station, then board the bus that’s going to the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa bus stop. 

After that, it’s just another 15-minute walk until you’ve arrived at Disney Springs. 

If you’ve wanted to try the monorail system, you can also use it here, but it will take a little bit longer. 

Board the Epcot Monorail. It will depart to Disney’s Polynesian Resort Monorail Station. Then, leave the monorail station and walk over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort Bus Stop. 

Board the bus that is going to The Landing. Once you arrive, walk the rest of the distance to Disney Springs. 

You will need to take a slightly different route if you’re going to Epcot from Disney Springs via the monorail system. 

Start at The Landing bus stop, but go to Disney’s Contemporary Resort instead. Once you’re there, you can take the monorail the rest of the way to Epcot. 

Blizzard Beach <> Typhoon Lagoon 

Are you planning to visit two water parks in one day? Here’s how to easily travel from one to the other. 

First, walk to the bus stop just outside the Blizzard Beach water park. Get on the bus that’s headed toward the Coronado Springs Resort; this trip will be pretty short, usually under 10 minutes. 

Once you’re done, transfer to the bus that is going to The Landing. This trip will be a little longer than the previous one (around 25 minutes). Once you’ve arrived, simply walk a reasonable distance east, and you’ll be at the Typhoon Lagoon! 

If you’re starting at Typhoon Lagoon and going to Blizzard Beach, you can use the same route but in reverse. 

Blizzard Beach <> Disney Springs 

To get from Blizzard Beach to Disney Springs, you’ll need to take two buses and do a little bit of walking. 

Once you’re done with your stay at Blizzard Beach, make your way toward the nearby bus stop. 

Board the bus that is heading toward Coronado Springs. Once you arrive, you’ll need to transfer to a bus that’s going to The Landing. 

After that, you’ll be within walking distance of the fun and relaxing Disney Springs! 

If you’re starting at Disney Springs and going to Blizzard Beach instead, you can simply reverse the same route. 

Typhoon Lagoon <> Disney Springs 

The best way to get to Disney Springs from Typhoon Lagoon is by taking the bus. 

While they are close together, walking there on foot isn’t a good idea since they currently don’t have a designated path for you to walk on. 

To get from one park to another, all you’ll need is a single bus trip. 

If you’re starting at Typhoon Lagoon, walk to The Landing bus stop and take the bus that’s going to Saratoga Springs. 

If you’re starting at Disney Springs, start at Saratoga Springs and take the bus to The Landing instead. 

Transportation from Walt Disney Resort Hotels to the Parks 

If you’re staying in one of the on-site hotels at Walt Disney Resort, you’ve got a number of options to get to the parks.

If you have a car, you are free to drive to the parks at your leisure. Just remember that you will need to pay for your parking spot. Designated parking areas are available to visitors who have disabilities. 

For your convenience, there is a bus station located just outside the hotels. These buses can take you just about anywhere in the Disney Resort. 

If you’d like your first stop to be either the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Epcot, or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, then you can take the monorail straight from your hotel to one of those parks. 

The monorail can also take you from your hotel to the Transportation & Ticket Center. From here, you can go just about anywhere in the Disney World Resort. 

Despite its massive size, navigating the Walt Disney Parks can be easy. You may still get stuck every now and then, but having a map and this handy guide will make it easier!