Walt Disney World Resort Transportation Guide | How to Get Around from All 21 Disney Resorts

Getting around Walt Disney World is part of the magic! Staying at Disney Resort makes it even easier to get to the theme parks! With 21 Disney Resorts and several transportation systems, knowing how to travel between the theme parks and resorts can really help with planning! Use the Disney World Resort Transportation guide below to reference when planning what transportation methods to use from your Disney Resort.

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This guide may also help you choose which resort is the best fit for your family as well. It’s helpful to know in advance which resorts connect to the Disney Skyliner, monorail, or boats! And which resorts rely solely on the Disney Bus Transportation system.

To make your trip planning even easier, we’ve created a free Disney World Resort Transportation Guide you can download in this post!

It’s a great printable to keep on hand while planning your resort stay or theme park days.

Why Disney Resort Transportation Matters

Staying at a Disney Resort means you get access to Disney’s complimentary transportation options! There’s no need to drive from park to park or pay for parking! Depending on your resort, your transportation options can vary quite a bit!

You might have the option to glide to the theme park on the Disney Skyliner. Or hop aboard a scenic boat ride! You can even take the classic monorail straight to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT from some resorts.

Understanding how each resort connects to the parks can help you save time as you head out in the mornings. And it also may help you determine which resorts will fit your family’s needs the best as well!

Pair this with our guide to park hopping to create your plan on how to get around Walt Disney World!

Disney Resorts Transportation Overview

Below you’ll find a breakdown of transportation options for each of the 21 Walt Disney World Resorts. The quick reference includes whether they offer bus service only, or access to the monorail, boats, or Disney Skyliner.

We’ve also noted if the destination is within reasonable walking distance as well! If “internal bus system” is noted on our list below, that means there is also that will take you from point to point within the resort grounds. This is used at larger resorts that have multiple bus stops within them.

Magic Kingdom Area Resorts Transportation

Right at Magic Kingdom are some of the classic Disney Resorts. These resorts have special views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and location here can be a magical part of your stay. Many of these resorts can also use the monorail to easily get to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.

1. Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Transportation: Monorail or Walk to Magic Kingdom; Monorail to EPCOT; Bus to Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom
This deluxe resort is just steps away from Magic Kingdom! And you can also catch the monorail for EPCOT or visiting other monorail resorts. Arrive at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom via bus.

2. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Transportation: Monorail, Boat, Bus
Polynesian Village Resort is a tropical paradise with easy access to Magic Kingdom via monorail or boat! At the far side of the resort, you can even walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center to board the monorail. Or take a short monorail ride over to TTC to transfer to go to EPCOT. You’ll arrive at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom via bus. (Note: the walk to Magic Kingdom is quite a distance, but can be done if you have a lot of extra time!)

3. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Transportation: Monorail, Boat, Bus, Walk to Magic Kingdom
Travel in style to Magic Kingdom on the monorail or enjoy a relaxing boat ride across Seven Seas Lagoon. Head to the Transportation and Ticket Center to transfer onto a monorail to EPCOT. Arrive at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom via bus.

Other Resort Locations Near Magic Kingdom

4. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
Transportation: Boat, Bus
Take a peaceful boat ride to Magic Kingdom or grab the bus. Arrive at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom via bus.

5. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Transportation: Boat, Bus + Internal Bus System
From you can reach Magic Kingdom by boat or use the internal and park buses to get around. Arrive at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom via bus.

EPCOT & Hollywood Studios Area Resorts

Over in the EPCOT Resort Area, you’re also close to Hollywood Studios! These resorts are located on Crescent Lake and all feature boat service to get to both theme parks.

6. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Transportation: Boat, Walk, Skyliner (via EPCOT), Bus
A short walk to EPCOT and boat or Skyliner access to Hollywood Studios.

7. Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Transportation: Boat, Walk, Skyliner (via EPCOT), Bus
Enjoy a convenient stroll to EPCOT or take a scenic boat to Hollywood Studios.

8. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort
Transportation: Boat, Walk, Skyliner (via EPCOT), Bus
Perfect for park hopping between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios! We recommend just using the boat or walking to get to Hollywood Studios since you’re further away from the Skyliner at this resort.

Disney Skyliner Resorts

The Disney Skyliner system is one of the newest ways to get around Walt Disney World. If you love seeing the view from above, you may love staying at one of these resorts. They have easy access to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios using the Skyliner.

9. Disney’s Riviera Resort
Transportation: Skyliner, Bus
A modern, European-inspired resort on the Skyliner route to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

10. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Transportation: Skyliner, Bus + Internal Bus System
Caribbean Beach Resort is the location of the central hub of the Disney Skyliner, making it easy to reach EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

11. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Transportation: Skyliner, Bus
The theme here will take you through the decades! This is a great value resort with quick Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

12. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Transportation: Skyliner, Bus
Families will love this resort’s themed suites! The suites feature characters from Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo. Additionally, there are standard rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid. The resort has a convenient Skyliner station shared with Pop Century.

We have noted on the sheet that some of the EPCOT area resorts have easy access to be able to walk to the EPCOT Skyliner station. Beach Club Resort has the easiest and closest access to board the Skyliner.

Note: BoardWalk Inn Resort and Yacht Club Resort are a longer walk to reach the Skyliner, so we typically recommend to just use the boat transportation to get to Hollywood Studios (or walk!) from those resorts.

Disney Springs Area Resorts

Over by Disney Springs are a number of large resorts that are connected by boat transportation! These are relaxing resorts to stay at, with a laid back atmosphere that go along with this breezy mode of transportation.

13. Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside
Transportation: Boat (to Disney Springs), Bus + Internal Bus System
A charming moderate resort with boat rides to Disney Springs and bus transporation to all parks.

14. Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter
Transportation: Boat (to Disney Springs), Bus
Small and peaceful, this resort offers an easy boat trip to Disney Springs. Bus transportation to all theme parks. 

15. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Transportation: Boat (to Disney Springs), Bus + Internal Bus System
Walk or boat over to Disney Springs, plus bus transportation to all theme parks.

16. Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Transportation: Boat (to Disney Springs), Bus + Internal Bus System
Relaxed island vibes with convenient boat transportation to Disney Springs. (Note: We don’t recommend trying to walk to Disney Springs from this resort, as the path goes THROUGH the golf course!) Bus transportation to all theme parks. 

Animal Kingdom Area Resorts Transportation

Set off to one side of the property are the Animal Kingdom area resorts. These resorts use only buses to get around. The incredible theme available at both resorts is worth the trade off in transportation options in our opinion! And we stay at both of these frequently!

17. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Transportation: Bus + Internal Bus System
This resort has bus transportation only, but you can get incredible views of animals right outside your resort room window! Making it well worth the longer travel time to stay here in our opinion!

18. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Transportation: Bus + Internal Bus System
A large moderate resort with internal bus stops and convenient bus transportation to all theme parks. Coronado Springs Resort is also home to the Gran Destino Tower and we have reviewed that separately from the main resort.

Disney’s All-Star Resorts Transportation

Buses are the main transportation method to all theme parks and Disney Springs from all of the All-Star Resorts. These three Value resorts are Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.

19. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Transportation: Bus

20. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Transportation: Bus

21. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Transportation: Bus

In recent years, they have added dedicated buses for each All-Star Resort. So these resorts no longer have to share buses during most times of year when using Disney transportation.

Transportation Changes During Inclement Weather

Florida weather can be unpredictable! Certain Disney transportation options, like the Disney Skyliner, monorail, and boats, may temporarily pause during thunderstorms, high winds, or lightning in the area. 

When this happens, Disney quickly adjusts operations to keep everyone safe. Typically bus transportation is added in at both resorts and theme parks to get guests back and forth during inclement weather if the main transportation method has been shut down. 

The Disney Skyliner will close during severe weather, with bus transportation added to cover the affected routes between resorts and parks. Boat transportation may also be suspended during storms or lightning, with buses stepping in as backups. 

While the monorail typically runs in most conditions, it can experience brief delays during nearby lightning or technical issues. While this one is the most rare to happen, buses may be added in at the Monorail Loop Deluxe Resorts to get to the theme parks.

It’s always a good idea to check the My Disney Experience app for current transportation updates and allow a little extra travel time when Florida weather rolls in!

Planning How to Get Around Disney World

Transportation is a big part of your Disney World experience! Knowing what’s available from your resort can make your vacation even smoother. Whether you’re soaring over the parks on the Skyliner, taking a boat ride at sunset, or hopping aboard the monorail, Disney makes getting around just as magical as the parks themselves.

Use our easy reference guides to know before you arrive to know how you’ll plan to get around Disney World! And check out these other helpful guides below to reference as you’re planning your trip. 

• How to Plan a Holiday Resort Tour at Walt Disney World
• Navigating the Disney Skyliner
• All About the Monorail at Disney World
• All About Boat Transportation at Disney World
• All About Bus Transportation at Disney World