Round, round, get around, You gotta get around Walt Disney World. Imagine getting around San Francisco, CA. That’s what getting around the “Happiest Place on Earth” is like in terms of square miles. It’s huge. I mean we knew that, but SAN FRANCISCO HUGE?! And it’s not just one city or a large farm either. The property is full of lagoons and streets and pathways and bridges and designated sidewalks and attractions and resorts and on and on. With property this large, you need a variety of ways to commute. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help us explore as much of Disney as we can and that’s why we’re here today.
Welcome to Believe Vacations’ Weekly Post where today, we’re going to look at several modes of transportation that help us on our way at Walt Disney World. While we did not rank them, we will share some advice or experiences about each and throw in a few fun ones at the end. So strap in and get really to embark on our adventure as we begin with:
Disney’s Magical Express – If you are flying into Orlando, your vacation can begin and end with a wonderful journey aboard Disney’s Magical Express. Imagine landing at the airport and not having to retrieve your luggage. Sounds nice huh? Now imagine not having to rent a car or a cab to get the Disney World property. Still pretty good right? What about not having to turn in that car at the airport to return home? Or even obtain your boarding pass at the Disney resort you stayed at? I mean, those factors alone are wonderful but add the informational videos and cartoons they show you during your travel and you’ll be thankful for this first and last impression of your vacation.
“Minnie” Vans – Yes, the vans are adorable. Much like the popular Lyft rider pick-up service, these $25 rides allow upwards of 6 guests to to request a ride through an app and give you a vehicle to track to pick you up. From there, your cast member drive takes you to your choice of destination: restaurants, resorts, theme park, anywhere on property. The wait time is minimum and there is a large number available at any one time. And don’t worry because they do come with car seats. And with hours of 6:30 AM to 12:30 AM daily, you may even beat everyone to the parks or back to the resort.
Monorail – Still considered the “public transport of the future,” ride high in the sky between the Magic Kingdom, it’s neighboring resorts and Epcot. In the 80s when there was only the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, the monorail was the fastest and easiest way to connect both for the guests. With plenty of room to sit, stand, and park strollers, each cab has window views that help build the anticipation of seeing the iconic Cinderella’s Castle or Spaceship Earth structures. The monorails are a large reason why the Deluxe resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon are some of the most popular on property as they have stations on each property. For the rest, you have to commute via other mode of transportation for a ride. Try it at night during the fireworks for one of the most underrated views of the shows!
Bus – If you are staying on Disney property, more than likely, this is the mode of transportation you will use the most throughout your vacation. Conveniently located at each theme park, water park, Disney Springs and at least one at each resort, the bus stops will get you from point A to point B in no time with minimal wait. While some destinations (like resort to resort) are not available, you will be able to take the bus to the parks and return home on one designated bus. Just look for the bay number with your resort, hop on and let them do the driving. It may even allow for a nice cat nap to recharge your batteries. But avoid the peak times before and after the parks open or you may find yourself standing and getting a little too close to your neighbor.
Boat – Admittedly, the boat transportation is the one I know the least about and that’s criminal. But to my credit, most of the resorts I stay at do not offer boat transportation and my destinations hardly require it. But the thrill of coasting over the lagoons and lakes is a thrill and for some children, an actual ride. Here is a list of available water services available depending on where you depart and where you are going:
Magic Kingdom Park
Accessible by water launch (also known as water taxi) from:
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Ferryboats connect Magic Kingdom park to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Accessible by boat from:
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
Disney Springs
Accessible by ferryboat from:
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Trams – So you’ve arrived at one of the parks because you decided to drive your own vehicle. Fair enough. Now, you are noticing that the attendants keep directing you away from the main entrance to a parking space almost in the furthest point away as possible. Never fear, the tram shuttles are here. These convenient motor coaches will pick you up at designated locations and bring you in the rest of the way. Just remember your designated area to help you get back at the end of a long day.
Walt Disney Railroad – If you think about it, once you are in the parks, you’re on your own to get to where you want to go. The only mode of transportation inside the parks that carries you a significant distance is the timeless Walt Disney Railroad. With 3 stations in the Magic Kingdom, you can bypass a lot of traffic and save a few hundred steps by stopping at the Main Street Station, Frontierland Station or Fantasyland Station. Enjoy the narrations and the views you would normally not get walking in the parks and hop aboard!
Stroller – I told you we’d have some fun ones at the end and so I’ll mention the favorite mode of transportation for my children. Oh, they just love it when they get to sit or lay back in a shaded bucket of plastic on wheels and be chauffeured throughout the crowds without tiring out their feet. But I have found the stroller to be quite useful over the years. It does allow them to sit and not complain about all the walking, it acts as storage so I do not have to tote bags all day, and it gives me something to hold on to and keep me upright so I don’t fall out from the heat. Okay, the last one was a joke but a stroller is a wonderful option and whether you bring it from home, rent from the park or use a vendor locally, we highly encourage them at Disney.
Walk – And there it is. Like ripping off a Band-Aid. You’re going to have to walk some at Disney. It’s a given and you’re just going to smile and bear it. But is there anywhere else in the world you’d rather walk at? Didn’t think so. Enjoy the exercise because you’ll get plenty of it. Again, remember, San Francisco!
Did we miss anything? What is your favorite mode of transportation at Disney? Leave your comments in the section below and remember there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
