All About Bus Transportation at Walt Disney World

Bus transportation at Walt Disney World is the most robust transportation option on property. With buses offered at all Disney Resorts to locations across Disney World, including theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, most guests will be on a Disney bus at some point during their trip.

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This mode of transportation is completely free, and offered by Disney to get guests around the massive Disney World property. Covering 40 square miles, Disney World is about the size of San Francisco! Guests that haven’t been to Disney before are usually amazed by the sheer size and scope of everything happening in this magical bubble. 

Here’s what you need to know about bus transportation at Walt Disney World before you arrive, including how it works, where they go, tips to save time, and what to expect.

What Is Disney Bus Transportation?

Disney’s bus system is a complimentary transportation service available to all guests visiting Walt Disney World. Whether you’re staying at a Disney Resort or just visiting for the day, it can be a helpful way to get around. The Disney buses connect all Disney Resort hotels to the four main theme parks, two water parks, and Disney Springs.

With a massive fleet operating all day, buses are one of the most accessible and frequently running transportation options at Disney. Keep in mind that buses do not go to resorts that have other primary methods of transportation running there, unless they are being substituted in because of inclement weather or service outages. 

Our quick reference guide for the Walt Disney World Bus Transportation options highlight the exceptions. Since it is the primary mode of transportation for many locations, it is the default unless there is another transportation method that takes precedent there.

So check out the list below to see which transportation method you should plan to use if you’re staying on the Disney Skyliner route or on the Monorail line. 

Where Do the Buses Go?

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and wondering how to get around, you’ve probably heard about the iconic Monorail, the scenic Disney Skyliner, and the relaxing boat transportation options.

One of the most widely used and essential forms of transportation across Walt Disney World Resort is the Disney Bus system. For most Disney Resort guests, this will be an important transportation method to know before your trip.

Walt Disney World offers complimentary bus transportation between:

• Most Disney Resort hotels and the four main theme parks
• Disney Springs and Disney Resort hotels
• The water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and select locations, that may include transfers to get you to your resort
• he water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) and select locations, that may include transfers to get you to your resort
• Beginning at 10am (or around 1 hour after theme park opening time), buses will begin running from theme park to theme park, if you’re interested in park hopping.

Buses generally pickup around every 20 minutes, though times can vary depending on the time of day and crowd levels. You’ll find bus stops near the front of each resort, and cast members are always available in the lobby to help if you have questions.

There are large signs at each of the theme parks with the bus stop number on them, indicating which number you should head to catch the bus to your resort.

Bus Stops at the Disney Resorts

Each Disney Resort has its own bus stop location, and some of the larger resorts will have multiple bus stops to service one specific area of the resort. When you check in, a Cast Member can give you a map of your resort with the bus stops highlighted, and noting if there is a bus stop closest to your room location.

At the resort bus stops, there will be digital screens that show the next time a bus will be arriving for that destination and we find these screens to be pretty accurate these days.

Make sure to build in time when you’re using the buses, to have enough time to wait for the bus to arrive and then travel time once you’re on the bus.

We like to allow at least 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to a reservation to get to our bus stop and make sure we have enough time to get to our destination.

Disney Resorts with Multiple Bus Stops

Some of the moderate and deluxe resorts are so large, there are multiple bus stops. You’ll want to make note of which bus stop is closest to your room building location in these cases.

These resorts have multiple bus stops:

• Port Orleans – Riverside (4 bus stops)
• Caribbean Beach Resort (8 bus stops)
• Coronado Springs Resort (4 bus stops)
• Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House & Kidani Village (connecting two properties)

And at the larger resorts with multiple stops, there are also internal buses that can take you from your local bus stop to the main building and around the resort area.

Knowing the Connecting Routes

At each of the four theme parks, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom,  buses provide service to many Disney Resort hotels. However if there is another primary mode of transportation (like the Skyliner or monorail), this service will replace bus service.

Check out the exceptions of the bus routes below. And download our free quick reference that has the exceptions for each of these destinations.

To or From Magic Kingdom:

• Many Disney Resort hotels 
• Exceptions: Are Resorts on the monorail loop which are walkable or use the monorail/ferry
  • Use Monorail for: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Boat Service also available for: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort

To or From EPCOT:

• Many Disney Resort hotels
• Exceptions: Are Resorts that are in walkable distance or have boat service from the International Gateway entrance and resorts that are served on the monorail or Disney Skyliner.
  • Use International Gateway Friendship Boat/Walk to: Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn Resort, Swan & Dolphin Resorts
  • Use Monorail for: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Use Disney Skyliner to: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort

To or From Hollywood Studios:

• Many Disney Resort hotels
• Exceptions: Resorts that are served by the Disney Skyliner or that can be reached by Friendship Boat via the water
  • Use Disney Skyliner to: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Use Boat Service to: Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn Resort, Swan & Dolphin Resorts
    

To or From Animal Kingdom:

• All Disney Resort hotels
• This is also a transfer station for the water park buses

Additionally, the theme parks start having park-to-park bus service starting around 10am, so if you’re planning on park hopping make sure to schedule your earliest hop time around then. 

Theme parks that can be reached via another primary method of transportation (i.e. Magic Kingdom to EPCOT using the monorail) may default to that method unless there is a service interruption of the primary mode of transportation.

Bus Transportation from Disney Springs

Disney Springs offers bus transportation to and from Disney Resort hotels only. You cannot take a bus from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

To or From Disney Springs:

• Most Disney Resort hotels
• Additional Transportation Options: A few resorts can also be reached via boat service.
  • Boat Service to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Old Key West Resort

There is no direct bus service from Disney Springs to any theme park, but you can transfer to a theme park bus at a Disney Resort if needed.

Planning How to Use the Buses at Disney

Disney’s bus transportation system is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get around Walt Disney World. Whether you’re heading to the parks, Disney Springs, or one of the water parks, the complimentary buses help you travel across the property without needing a car. 

With routes connecting resorts to major destinations and frequent pickups throughout the day, it’s a great option for guests who want a stress-free way to enjoy everything Disney has to offer. Our family uses the buses quite a bit on our trip and they are easy to learn the system quickly.

Be sure to allow a little extra time when using the buses, especially during busy times of day, and you’ll be on your way to your next adventure in no time!

Learn about all of the methods of transportation at Walt Disney World:

• Navigating the Disney Skyliner Gondola System
• Riding the Monorail at Disney World
• All About Boat Transportation at Disney World