Your Complete Guide to Disney Resort & Park Transportation
Simple tips, mom advice, and everything you need to get around Walt Disney World.
Disney transportation is one of the BEST perks of staying at a Disney Resort. Whether you’re hopping on a monorail, floating on a boat, flying across the sky on the Skyliner, or catching a bus—this guide shows you exactly how to get anywhere you want to go.
Disney Transportation Options (Quick List)
Monorail – Fast, smooth, and fun. Perfect for getting to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT with ease.
Skyliner – A breezy gondola ride that glides above the parks. Best for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios travel.
Bus Service – Reliable rides from every Disney Resort to all theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
Boat Service – A scenic way to travel on the water. Great for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT resorts, and Disney Springs
Driving / Parking – Easy if you bring your own car. Disney Resort guests also enjoy free parking at all theme parks.
 DISNEY TRANSPORTATION
(A quick and easy snapshot to store in your park bag for a quick reference)
Magic Kingdom Area – Boat Resorts
These resorts use boats instead of walking paths to Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Boat to Magic Kingdom
Boat links to Contemporary & Fort Wilderness
Buses to all parks & Disney Springs
No monorail, no Skyliner
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Boats to Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, and Contemporary
Internal bus loop + golf cart rentals for exploring the Fort
Buses to all parks and Disney Springs
No monorail or Skyliner
Magic Kingdom Area – Monorail Resorts
These resorts get some of the fastest and easiest transportation at Disney
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Walk to Magic Kingdom in just 5 minutes!
Or ride the Resort Monorail Loop to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
No boats. No Skyliner.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
10-minute walk to Magic Kingdom
Monorail access to Magic Kingdom & EPCOT
Boat launch across Seven Seas Lagoon
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Walk (via Grand Floridian path) to Magic Kingdom
Monorail access to Magic Kingdom & EPCOT (via TTC transfer)
- Buses to 3 parks and Disney Springs
EPCOT / Hollywood Studios / BoardWalk Area
These resorts have incredible access — walking, boats, and Skyliner connections.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Walk 5–10 minutes to EPCOT
Walk 15 minutes to Hollywood Studios
Friendship Boats to both parks
Buses for all other destinations
Skyliner station is a short walk via EPCOT’s International Gateway
Disney’s Yacht Club & Beach Club Resorts
Walk 5–10 minutes to EPCOT
Walk 15 minutes to Hollywood Studios
Boats to both parks
Buses everywhere else
Walk to EPCOT’s Skyliner station
- Â
Disney Springs Area – Boat + Bus Resorts
Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter
No park walking paths
Sassagoula Riverboat to Disney Springs
Buses to all parks & water parks
Old Key West & Saratoga Springs
Old Key West: Bus + Boats only
Saratoga Springs: Only resort with a walking path to Disney Springs (10 minutes!)
Mom Thought: Such a good perk for families who love Disney Springs.
Skyliner Resorts
Caribbean Beach • Riviera • Art of Animation • Pop Century
Skyliner to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios
Buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, water parks & Disney Springs
No monorail, boat service, or walking paths
- Mom Tip: If you rope drop Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner is GOLD. So fast and easy.
Bus Only
Animal Kingdom Area • Value Resorts
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo & Kidani)
No walking paths
No Monorail
No Skyliner
No Boats
BUS ONLY, but direct to all parks, water parks, and Disney Springs
All-Star Movies • All-Star Music • All-Star Sports
No monorail, no Skyliner, no walking paths
Buses to all parks and Disney Springs
- Mom Note: Sometimes they share buses — leave early if you have morning plans.
Other Ways to Get Around
- Driving
FREE parking for Disney Resort Guest
$30/day for off-site guests
- Mom Tip: Keep your parking receipt visible, so it gets you back into the lot all day long.
- Minnie Vans
Disney-run rideshare
Book through Lyft app
Most direct option for early breakfasts or tired kids
- Ride Shares (Uber/Lyft)
Quick and easy when you’re in a rush
Allowed at most resort entrances & park pick-up areas
Transportation from the TTC (Ticket & Transportation Center)
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
Monorail to EPCOT
Resort Monorail loop
Ferryboat to Magic Kingdom
Parking trams to/from your car
Â
Final Mom Thoughts
Disney transportation is part of the fun, and honestly, part of the magic. Some mornings we walk, some days we ride on the Skyliner, and other days we float on a boat. It all depends on what works best for your family that day.
The trick is knowing which resorts use which transportation so you can plan smarter, save time, and keep everyone happy!
RELATED LINKS
FAQ — Disney Transportation
Is Disney transportation really free for resort guests?
Yes — buses, monorail, boats, and Skyliner are all free when you stay at a Disney resort.
Do all resorts have every transport option?
No — each resort has certain transport methods (some have monorail or boat, some have only buses, some have Skyliner). Check before booking.
What if I bring my own car?
Resort guests get free standard parking at theme parks.
Are boats or Skyliner faster than buses?
Sometimes yes — they often are less crowded and faster for getting back to the resort, especially on a packed day at a park.
What’s best for families with little kids or strollers?
Resorts near monorail, boat, or Skyliner are often easier because there is less walking than large, bus-only resorts.
Disney Transportation Hours: When Does Everything Run?
Buses start running ~ 45 minutes before the first park opens and continue until about 1 hour after park closes. Skyliner typically begin ~1 hour before earliest park opening, and run until ~1.5 hours after last park closes. Monorail schedules align with park hours and special events.
Tips for Smooth Travel
try to catch the first bus or Skyliner ride because there are fewer crowds, more seating.
Allow extra time when switching transport modes (bus → boat, bus → Skyliner).
For late-night shows or fireworks, consider ride-share or personal car as buses can get crowded or slowed down.
