Walt Disney World Resort’s
Transportation System

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’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.

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’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.

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.