Walt Disney World's
Transportation System
 Walt Disney World is a large and vast vacation theme park
and resort complex encompassing some 47 square miles. Taking into account the
distance and travel time often found between destinations, transportation
suddenly becomes an important consideration and a subject worthy of some
discussion.
Walt Disney World offers a variety of means by which you
can commute from where you are to where you want or need to be. Overall the Walt
Disney World transportation system, which is made up of monorails, boats, buses,
and trams, does a good job of moving large numbers of guests between
destinations. Even so, if you're off for a day at a theme park or a night out in
Downtown Disney, you need to plan how you will get there.
What we are saying is that once you have taken the time to
familiarize yourself with Disney’s transportation system, chances are you can
arrive at your destination with a good measure of comfort and convenience. It is
worth mentioning that there are a couple of inherent weaknesses in the system.
At peak travel times, such as theme park opening and
closing, you will find that the system is often stretched to its limits. At
these times you may find standing room only, or occasionally having to wait for
a second bus, boat or monorail. Another shortcoming may occur when you may need
to go from one Walt Disney World resort to another. In order to accomplish this
you will often need to first travel to one of the transportation hubs or to one
of the theme parks before you can arrive at you final destination. The latter of
these two transportation hitches can be overcome with a little planning and
allowing ample travel time to reach your final destination.
| Disney Tip: After a long day of touring or at a
restaurant on the other side of "the world", and you find yourself facing a maze
of boats, buses, and/or monorails in order to get to your room and it's
comfortable bed, what do you do? A great Disney decision would be to catch a
taxi. A taxi, in Walt Disney World? You bet and for about the price of a round
of cokes you can make that quick escape back to your hotel. Example from
Disney's BoardWalk to the Wilderness Lodge or Epcot® to the Contemporary Resort
will run you about ten dollars. Taxi's are not a part of The Walt Disney World
Co., but are privately owned and operated. |
Disney’s Monorail System
Since 1971, the total miles logged by Walt Disney World monorail trains would be
equal to over 25 round trips to the moon.
The Walt Disney World monorail system has been in operation since 1971 and
initiated service with the Mark IV monorail train. The Mark IV’s were replaced
in 1990 and 1991 with the Mark VI, at a cost of six million dollars per train.
This new 12-train fleet introduced Disney guests to a higher level of comfort
with an improved air conditioning system and larger capacity. At 203.5 feet the
six car trains carry more than 360 passengers and travel over a 13.7-mile system
of elevated beam-way. The system has six stations and services the Magic
Kingdom, Epcot and the Ticket and Transportation Center. In addition the system
will also service the three premium resorts located around the Seven Sea Lagoon;
The Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian Resort and The Grand Floridian Resort &
Spa. On a typical day over 150,000 guests will be transported to one of these
destinations.
| Disney Tip: Want to sit in the front in the
monorail? Ask the cast member at the monorail station if you can sit up
front. When the monorail arrives if the front in not occupied or if they are
departing at your stop, then you get the best seat, and the greatest view in the
monorail. It's a maximum of 4 guests up there, and if you have kids, or you're
just a big kid, you can ask for a monorail co-pilot's license. But they won't
let you drive, believe us, we've asked! |
Disney’s Bus System
Nearly 165 Walt Disney World buses cover almost 9 million miles every year.
That's enough to drive around the earth (at the equator) more than six times
each week!
Disney coordinates and operates their fleet of modern air-conditioned buses out
of two main hubs. The first and largest is at the Ticket and Transportation
Center (TT&C) located between The Magic Kingdom parking lot and The Magic
Kingdom theme park. The second hub is located just outside Downtown Disney. All
of the Walt Disney World Resorts can also serve as a secondary set of hubs,
affording access via the bus system to all destinations. Bus service extends out
to all the four major and four minor theme parks as well as all of the Disney
Resorts and Downtown Disney. In general buses will take you anywhere that the
monorail and boats will not.
| Disney Tip: Got a question about
transportation, (or anything else Disney for that matter), ask your bus driver.
They know more facts, trivia, and general goings on than you can imagine.
They've even been known to lead a bus chorus of happy birthday. |
Disney’s Watercraft System
Disney owns and operates a small navy consisting of more than 750 watercraft.
This fleet includes passenger craft that range from small (20 person) boats to
large ferries capable of transporting several hundred people at a time.
There are a large number of waterways and lakes throughout Walt Disney World
property. Most of them are man made while some are natural. Generally speaking
if a destination is serviced by one of these Disney watercrafts the bus or
monorail service will be limited or nonexistent.
Disney’s Tram Service
Walt Disney World operates 28 trams with 7 cars per tram, 6 seats per car,
5-passenger capacity per seat, with a total occupancy of 210. The trams reach a
total length of 171 feet with top speeds of 14 miles per hour and at a cost of
one million dollars per tram.
These trams service the four major theme park parking lots transporting guests
from their cars to theme park entrances and back. A general rule of thumb when
considering whether to wait for the next tram or whether to set out on foot is
look to the horizon. That is to say if you can see your destination and
depending upon your groups stamina you may not want to wait, but if your goal
has slipped off the horizon then hold your position and a tram will be along
shortly.
Follow the links below to see transportation tips for each of the Disney
Resorts
GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT and SPA Disney's Flagship
Resort
The Magic Kingdom® - Board the Monorail to the park. Direct
service.
EPCOT® - Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC (Ticket &
Transportation Center).
At the T&TC, transfer to EPCOT Monorail.
Disney-MGM Studios- Board the bus marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon- Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports
Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island- Board the Monorail
disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
|
Disney Tip: When returning to this resort from the
Magic Kingdom® many people often
utilize the monorail service. While this is nothing wrong with
this another great option would
be to take advantage of the water transportation. This is
sometimes quicker, due to the fact the
Grand Floridian is the last stop on the monorail service and tends
to be a little crowded,
especially at park closing. |
CONTEMPORARY RESORT
The Magic Kingdom® - Board the Monorail to the park. Direct
service.
EPCOT® - Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC (Ticket &
Transportation Center.
At the T&TC, transfer to EPCOT Monorail.
Disney-MGM Studios- Board the bus marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked
Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon- Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island- Board the Monorail
disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
|
Disney Tip: During the busier times of the year
Disney will often run a shuttle
boat from this resort's boat dock to the Wilderness Lodge. Feel
like a real break from the
crowds? Try a relaxing dinner at the Wilderness Lodges Artist
Point, an inexpensive and relaxing
bike ride through Fort Wilderness, or low key but interesting
guided tour of that
resorts majestic architecture and artifacts (9:00am & 3:00pm
daily). |
POLYNESIAN RESORT
The Magic Kingdom® - Board the Monorail to the park. Direct
service.
EPCOT® - Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC (Ticket &
Transportation Center.
At the T&TC, transfer to EPCOT Monorail.
Disney-MGM Studios- Board the bus marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked
Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon- Board the Monorail disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island- Board the Monorail
disembark at the T&TC.
At the T&TC transfer
to the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the Monorail disembark
at the T&TC. At the T&TC transfer to
the bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board bus marked
Downtown Disney at resort.
|
Disney Tip: It's only a short walk to the Ticket &
Transportation Center from the
Polynesian Resort. Just follow the path from the ground level
entrance of the resort which leads
away towards the east. From the Ticket & Transportation Center you
get to just about anywhere in
"The World". |
WILDERNESS LODGE. The Disneys Favorite Premium
Resort
The Magic Kingdom® - Board the boat to the park. Direct
service.
Epcot® - Board the Bus marked Epcot®.
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked
Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal Kingdom/Blizzard
Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Crockett to the
Transportation & Ticket Center, (T&TC).
At T&TC, transfer to bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm board
bus marked Downtown Disney
at the resort.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked Crockett to
the
Transportation & Ticket Center, (T&TC).
At the T&TC, transfer to bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm
broad bus marked Downtown Disney
at the resort.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Crocket to the
Transportation & Ticket
Center, (T&TC). At the T&TC transfer to the bus marked Downtown
Disney. After 4pm board the bus
marked Downtown Disney at the resort.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Crockett to the
Transportation & Ticket Center, (T&TC).
At the T&TC, transfer to bus marked Downtown Disney. After 4pm
broad bus marked Downtown Disney
at the resort.
|
Disney Tip: When heading to the Ticket &
Transportation Center make sure to jump on
the Crockett Bus and not the Boone Bus. Although both go to the
T&TC the Crockett will go there
directly while the Boone will take you on a 20 minute tour of Fort
Wilderness as it winds through
and stops at every bus stop there. Now on the return trip from
T&TC to the Wilderness lodge the
reverse will hold true having you jump on the Boone Bus. |
CARIBBEAN BEACH
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®.
Epcot® - Board the bus marked Epcot®.
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus Marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: The Caribbean Beach Resort has multiple bus
stops be sure to utilize the one closet to your room, as the
resort is
spread out and you could end up with a substantial walk. |
PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE (formerly Dixie Landings)
The Disneys Favorite Moderate Resort
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot®- Board the bus marked Epcot®.
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus Marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked
Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: The Dixie Landing unlike Port Orleans
Resort has multiple bus stop areas.
Be sure to utilize the one most convenient to your room. To get to
Disney's Downtown Marketplace
(formerly the Village Marketplace) try the watercraft
transportation. It may take a few minutes
longer but is very enjoyable. |
PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER RESORT
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®.
Epcot® - Board the bus marked Epcot®.
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus Marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: Motor coach is the main means of getting
to the magic here. To get to Disney's Downtown Marketplace
(formerly the Village Marketplace)
try the watercraft transportation. It may take a few minutes
longer but is very enjoyable. |
CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®.
Epcot® - Board the bus marked Epcot®.
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus Marked Studios.
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney.
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: With the addition of Walt Disney World's
Animal Kingdom this
resort offers easy access and a great opportunity to explore
this the newest of Disney theme parks. |
DISNEY'S ALL-STAR RESORTS
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot® - Board the bus marked Epcot®
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus marked Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: The All-Star Resorts (Sports & Music) are a
large resort complex made up
of 20 three story buildings. The Sports & The Music are both
serviced by a central lobby and the
buses depart from this location. As you walk around these resorts,
the key word here is walk, you
will notice where your are matters. Any request you have for
getting a room close to the center
of activities will be best made by arriving early for check-in and
making a personal appeal. My
tip to you would be to book your room then as you check-in ask in
your best gee-wheez our family
has been looking so forward to this trip…., and let Disney do what
they do best accommodate people. |
OLD KEY WEST RESORT
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot® - Board the bus marked Epcot®
Disney MGM Studios - Board the bus Marked Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom- Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the bus marked
Disney
MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked Sports Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: Boasts the best transportation service of
any resort (this was told to us by a Vacation Club bus driver who
was formerly a Disney bus
driver), although despite this proclamation I found myself
electing to use my car to get around.
To get to Downtown Disneys try the watercraft transportation. It
may take a
few minutes longer but is very enjoyable. |
BOARDWALK RESORT
Magic Kingdom® - Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot® - Walk (Enter through The International Gate)
Disney MGM Studios - Direct Boat transportation to
Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the board
the boat to Disney MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus
marked Sports
Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: Here you have a less than 10 minute walk
to Epcot®, a motor coach to
the Magic Kingdom®, and a boat ride to MGM Studios. The only
trouble you may encounter is a delay
at park closing at MGM, at the busier times of the year. I have
encountered as much as a forty
minute delay waiting for boat service back. |
YACHT AND BEACH CLUB RESORTS
Magic Kingdom®- Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot® - Walk (Enter through The International Gate)
Disney MGM Studios - Direct Boat transportation
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the boat
to Disney MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked
Sports
Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: 15 minute walk to Epcot®, a motor coach
to the Magic Kingdom®, and a
boat ride to MGM Studios. The only trouble you may encounter is a
delay at park closing at MGM at
the busier times of the year. I have encountered as much as a
forty minute delay waiting for
boat service back. |
WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN AND DOLPHIN RESORT
Magic Kingdom®- Board the bus marked Magic Kingdom®
Epcot® - Walk (Enter through The International Gate)
Disney MGM Studios - Direct Boat Transportation
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Board the bus marked Animal
Kingdom
Blizzard Beach - Board the bus marked Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the bus marked Disney Village
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex- Board the boat
to Disney MGM Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus marked
Sports
Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the bus marked
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: 15 minute walk to Epcot®, a motor coach
to the Magic Kingdom®, and a
boat ride to MGM Studios. The only trouble you may encounter is a
delay at park closing at
the Disney-MGM Studios at the busier times of the year. I have
encountered as much as a forty
minute delay waiting for boat service back. |
DISNEY'S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT AND CAMPGROUND
Magic Kingdom®- Direct Boat Transportation
Epcot® - Board the Crockett or Boone Bus to T&TC, board
monorail
Disney MGM Studios - Board the Crockett or Boone Bus to
T&TC, board bus marked Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom- At the settlement depot
board the bus marked Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach - Board the Crockett or Boone bus to T&TC
board the bus marked Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon - Board the Crockett or Boone bus to T&TC,
board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex - Board the Crockett
or Boone Bus to
T&TC, board bus marked Studios. At MGM Studios transfer to bus
marked Sports
Complex
Downtown Disney Pleasure Island - Board the Crockett or
Boone bus to T&TC ,
board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney Marketplace - Board the Crockett or Boone
bus to T&TC, board the bus marked Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney West Side - Board the bus marked Downtown
Disney.
|
Disney Tip: Where you are really matter at this
Disney Resort. Although the buses
move throughout all the campsites, Wilderness Homes, and Cabins
getting from your "Home Away
From Home" to the magic or simply some supplies and civilization
can take some doing. Now, as
that may be the intent of camping you can smooth over this, if you
want by getting a "preferred
site" or renting a golf cart for use within the resort
convenience. |
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