How to Get Around Disney | Transportation Options at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort spans over 40 square miles, that’s roughly the size of San Francisco! With four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 resort hotels, and the Disney Springs shopping district, knowing how to get from place to place is key.

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Disney offers a wide range of complimentary transportation options to help you navigate the magic without ever needing a rental car. Whether you’re heading to a character breakfast, rope-dropping your favorite ride, or hopping from theme park to theme park, this guide will give you an overview of how to get around Walt Disney World with ease.

We also have in-depth guides on each transportation type so you can plan using these transportation options into your itinerary. 

Disney Transportation: What’s Included?

One of the best parts of staying on Disney property is that transportation across the resort is completely free. No need to rent a car or pay for parking between parks, just hop on Disney’s various transport systems and go!

These are all the different types of transportation you’ll find at Disney World and when you’ll be most likely to use them!

Disney Buses

Buses are the most common form of transportation at Walt Disney World and are available at every Disney Resort hotel. They run regularly to all four theme parks, both water parks, and Disney Springs.

Buses typically begin running about 45 minutes before park opening and continue until about an hour after park closing. They’re a reliable option for most destinations, especially if you’re staying at a resort without access to the Skyliner, monorail, or boats.

Disney Monorail

The iconic Disney Monorail connects Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and several nearby resorts. Making it both transportation and an attraction in its own right!

There are three main monorail loops:

• Resort Monorail – stopping at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Transportation and Ticket Center, and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Express Monorail – going between the Transportation and Ticket Center directly to Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT Monorail – connecting the Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT

If you’re staying at a monorail resort or park hopping between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, this is the fastest and most scenic way to travel.

Disney Boats & Ferries

Water transportation at Disney adds a peaceful and scenic way to travel between certain destinations.

You’ll find boats running:

• Ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon from Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom
• Water taxis between Magic Kingdom and resorts like the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness
• Friendship boats from EPCOT and Hollywood Studios to the BoardWalk area resorts
• Water Taxis between Disney Springs and select resorts like Port Orleans Riverside/French Quarter and Saratoga Springs

The boats are especially lovely in the early morning or at sunset and offer a relaxing break from walking or waiting in lines.

Walking Paths

While it’s not always the most talked-about transportation method, walking can often be the fastest and most direct route, especially between resorts and parks that are close together.

Some of the most popular walking routes include:

• From the Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom
• Around Crescent Lake (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Swan & Dolphin)
• From Port Orleans – Riverside to Port Orleans – French Quarter
• If you’re up for a longer walk, you can walk between  EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Walking paths are well-lit, stroller-friendly, and a great option if you want to avoid waiting for transportation. Or just are up for some additional steps during your trip!

Minnie Vans & Ride Shares

Minnie Vans are a Disney-operated ride share service, available through the Lyft app, that offer direct transportation around the Walt Disney World Resort in adorable polka-dotted vans. They’re a pricier option than regular ride shares, but they come with the benefit of Cast Member drivers, car seats included at no extra charge, and access to areas regular ride shares can’t reach, like right at the entrance of Magic Kingdom (instead of the TTC).

If you’re trying to squeeze a lot into a short trip, Minnie Vans can be a huge time-saver. They’re especially helpful if you’re hopping between resorts for dining reservations or need reliable, timely transport to an early morning event like a character breakfast. They are considerably more expensive than regular ride shares, so we save them for special occasions. 

Regular ride shares like Uber and Lyft are still solid choices for getting around quickly and affordably. They’re ideal for park-to-park or resort-to-resort travel that Disney transportation doesn’t directly support. We often will call a ride share if we want to get to a dining reservation directly.

Transportation at Walt Disney World Overview

Transportation at Walt Disney World is an experience in itself, offering a variety of fun and convenient ways to travel between the parks, resorts, and other destinations around the property.

These convenient transportation options are a great way to get around Walt Disney World, and learning to navigate them is part of the fun! These detailed articles below will help you learn more about each transportation option!

• Navigating the Disney Skyliner
• All About the Monorail
• All About Boat Transportation at Walt Disney World
• Bus Transportation at Walt Disney World

Visiting our Guides page for more helpful tips to plan your time at Walt Disney World.