HiYa Pals!
Let’s talk Disney Transportation. By this I mean the transportation on Disney property. If you choose to stay on property, there are several ways to get around Disney without having to drive your own vehicle.
If you have your car with you on vacation you may prefer to use your own car to get around, which is completely understandable and sometimes it’s more convenient to do so. However, Disney does provide a few different forms of transportation for you to utilize while on your vacation.
Below I list those different forms and then we will discuss them a little more in detail.
Let’s jump into it and take a closer look!
First Things First
Alright let’s get this started. Here are forms of Disney transportation.
Buses
The Skyliner
Water Taxis
Monorail
For and additional cost: Minnie Vans
Now let’s look at these options a little closer!
Disney Buses
As soon as you arrive on Disney property there is no avoiding it, Disney buses are everywhere. And they are awesome!
At each Disney resort, park, and at Disney Springs, there are areas dedicated to the bus service.
Resorts such as Pop Century, Art of Animation, the Riveira, and the Grand Floridian have a designated location in front of the resort for bus pick up and drop off. However, some of the larger resorts such Caribbean Beach, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and Saratoga Springs have several drop off and pick up locations due to the size of the resort.
If you are staying at a resort with several bus locations, there should be a pavilion somewhere near your building with a television displaying bus arrival times. There are usually several buses running and the wait time, as far as I have experienced, should not be too long. I have heard of buses filling up fast at first few stops, so getting on the first bus of the day is not a guarantee. If this were to happen, just remember to be patient, a bus will come.
I have used the bus system several times and it has been a great experience.
Bus Location
In the front of any Disney Park and at Disney Springs you will find the bus location. Here you will find a large board. On this board you will find a number representing the pavilion you are to walk to, to find your desired bus location. Hop on and away you go!
You can transfer from bus to bus too! If you take a bus from your resort to Disney springs or one of the parks, you are free to take a different bus to your next desired location.
For example, we stayed at POP Century but had breakfast reservations at the Polynesian Resort. We first took a bus to Magic Kingdom, then hopped on the monorail and rode it over to the Poly. It worked out well and we got to where we needed to go.
When using Disney Transportation be sure to give yourself enough time to get to your location. If you have a reservation, depending on where it is, I recommend giving yourself about an hour for arrival. While Disney transportation is great, sometimes it can take a while to get where you want.
Disney buses are air conditioned; some have wifi, and hold a lot of people. Riding on a bus, especially in the morning and at park close, be aware you will be packed pretty tight into those buses.
Bus Etiquette
One thing you learn pretty quickly is there is what I would call Disney Bus etiquette. For example, if someone sees a child, a mother with kids or someone elderly, usually someone will get up and give those people a seat. If you see someone is struggling to fold up their stroller, be kind and offer some sort of help. Offer to hold something while they get situated or take a few steps to the side if there is room, so they have enough space. Everyone is fully aware most are doing their best.
It is also important to remember that everyone on the bus is tired, hot and probably hungry. You will probably pump up to someone you’re sitting next to and that’s ok. Everyone is there to have a wonderful time. And honestly, it’s a great way to meet new people and share Disney stories, so be kind and smile.
The Skyliner
The Skyliner is Disney’s newest form of transportation. This is an aerial gondola system connecting some Disney resorts to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios!
Those resorts on the Skyliner route are Art of Animation, POP Century, Caribbean Beach, and The Riveira.
Each Skyliner cabin is large and spacious. We fit my entire party of 9 into one cabin comfortably. The Skyliner is able to accommodate strollers too. You can push on a double seater. However, it needs to be a front and back stroller, not a side by side unless you can fold it down.
The Skyliner is a great way to get around. It is fast and comfortable, and the views are unique and special. If you leave Epcot at the right time, you can watch the nighttime fireworks show from your cabin!
If you are staying at a resort on the Skyliner rout, it is important to know your resort will not provide buses to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Disney will only offer buses if the weather is not permitting the Skyliner to run.
Cabins are not air conditioned. I was concerned about heat especially in the Florida, however when I rode in June there was no need to worry. It is actually quite a nice ride.
Boats/Water Taxi
Next up Disney Boats!
This is such a fun way to get around. You can take boat taxis from several resorts, parks, and Disney springs! How neat is that!
From Magic Kingdom you can take a boat ride to Fort Wilderness resort and campground, The Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge (check out a stay at Wilderness Lodge here}. It is quick, fun and lets you relax on a boat!
At Magic Kingdom, if you are walking to the monorail, instead of heading up the ramp to the monorail, walk down toward the water. There are signs directing you where to go.
From Epcot and Hollywood Studios you can take a boat between the two parks themselves or you can stop at the fallowing resorts. The Boardwalk, the Beach and Yacht Club, and the Swan and Dolphin resorts.
You have the option of sitting inside the boat cabin or out on the deck seats. Weather permitting, it can be a fun way to get around. The kids will love this.
Disney Springs is also accessible via boat taxi! You can sail over from Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and both Port Orleans Resorts Riverside and French Quarter.
The Monorail
Probably the most iconic form of Disney transportation is the Monorail! It has been around forever. The Monorail is essentially the subway, just elevated! It is air conditioned, comfortable and a nice way to get around.
Disney has two Monorail Loops. The Magic Kingdom Circle and the Epcot Circle.
As you can guess, the Magic Kingdom Loop connects Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, TTC (ticket and transportation center}, The Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort.
At the TTC you can get off of the Magic Kingdom monorail and walk 15 feet to the Epcot monorail.
The Epcot monorail takes you directly to and from Epcot. There are no stops in-between.
Minne Vans: An Extra Cost
A few years ago, Disney introduced the Minnie Van! These are cars, vans, and SUVs decorated with a Minnie Mouse print and come at an extra cost. Essentially an uber or lyft of sorts.
You can order one on your MDE from pretty much anywhere on Disney Property. They can pick you up from anywhere on property and bring you anywhere on property. Cost varies depending on distance, just like a regular uber.
They come with two car seats if you have little ones in need of one. And they can hold up to 6 passengers.
I have heard Minnie Vans are very nice, the cast members driving you around are wonderful and it’s a great way to get back to the resort if you want to avoid the busy crowds. I hope to use one in the future just to check it out.
Remember these are an extra cost. Minnie Vans are not free.
As you can see Disney has several ways to get around! It’s up to you if you want to use them or not. I highly recommend taking full advantage! You’re already paying an arm and a leg to be there! And Disney really does want to give you a magical time.
When you are ready to book a trip and want to check out what Disney transportation is like, make sure to use our friend Erica to help you plan! Her service is wonderful and free to you! Find her here!
Let us know in the comments below if you have ever utilized Disney transportation! Did you like it? Which is your favorite? We want to hear from you!
