Transportation at Walt Disney World

Transportation is a key component to any vacation, and the Walt Disney World Resort has made transportation easier than ever. With free modes of transportation not only to the theme parks, but also from Orlando International Airport, guests on property no longer have to worry about the extra expense of rental cars on top of already expensive vacations costs. This is just one extra way that the Walt Disney World Resort goes above and beyond in keeping their guests’ best interests in mind.

Disney’s transportation system is like no other in the world. First of all, Disney offers any guest staying at any Walt Disney World Resort hotel the opportunity to use Disney’s Magical Express Service. This is a free and complimentary air-conditioned motor coach ride to and from the Orlando International Airport for both you and your luggage. In fact, you don’t even have to worry about getting your luggage once you land – just go straight to your awaiting motor coach, and your bags will be delivered later to your hotel room within three hours of your check-in time. How does it work? Disney Magic of course! While this service is free, there are conditions to it, so it is best to book this at least 10 days in advance (call 407-WDW-INFO for more information).

Once you have arrived at the Walt Disney World Resort, there are many options you have for getting around. Most places at the Walt Disney World Resort are accessible by bus, including the four theme parks, two water parks, the Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area. Buses do travel on routes, however, and do not provide direct service between all destinations – therefore, you may have to switch buses in order to get to your final destination. The Magic Kingdom Park does not offer bus service to either Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but this park is accessible from these resorts by the resort monorail. The monorail is also one way that all guests can get to and from the Magic Kingdom Park, as you either have to take the monorail or the Disney ferryboats from the Ticket and Transportation Center to get into the theme park. The Ticket and Transportation Center also has another connecting monorail that takes guests directly to Epcot as well.

There are many waterways around the Walt Disney World Resort, and they provide additional ways to navigate the property. As we mentioned above, the Magic Kingdom Park is accessible via the Ticket and Transportation Center by ferryboats, and there are also additional water launches from Disney’s Contemporary, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Wilderness Lodge that go directly to the park’s front gates. In addition, Epcot and the Disney-MGM Studios are accessible by boat from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort, as well as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels. Or, if you are looking to get to Downtown Disney, this area is also accessible via ferryboat from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

Finally, if you are traveling via car, parking is available at all four theme parks for an extra fee (parking at Downtown Disney, the resorts, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and the two water parks is free). Once the parking is paid once, you will not have to pay it again if you park hop to another park later in the day, so be sure to keep your parking ticket. In addition, Disney Resort guests receive complimentary parking at all four theme parks for the length of their stay with valid resort identification