Water, Land, and Sky: Ultimate Guide to Disney Transportation
Staying at a Disney Resort has many benefits. This ultimate guide to Disney Transportation will help you navigate one of the best benefits of staying on Disney property!
Yes, a lot of Orlando area hotels offer some form of Disney shuttle, but they aren’t always free and their schedules aren’t always convenient for guests.
Resort Transportation


Credit: Disney
Every Disney Resort offers at least one form of complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
The types of transportation depend on the resorts, but can include Disney Buses, boats, the Disney Monorail, and the Disney Skyliner.
Disney Resort guests can park for free at the theme parks, and as of January 2023, can park for free at their Disney Resorts, too.
But many guests prefer the convenience of not having to navigate the roads, deal with traffic, and remember where they’ve parked their car at the end of a long day!
Disney Buses
Every Disney Resort uses bus transportation to at least some of the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
At some resorts, like the All-Star Resorts, the buses are the only transportation option.
Disney Buses run on a constant rotation, beginning before the theme parks open and running all day until after the parks have closed.
You can find estimated arrival times in the My Disney Experience app or at the bus depot of your resort. But your wait should never be too long!
Boat Transportation
Boat transportation is used at a number of resorts that are on the waterways.
In the Boardwalk Resort area, boats pick up guests from the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club. These boats take guests to Epcot’s International Gateway Entrance and Hollywood Studios.
Boats are also available for guests of Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. These boats carry guests to Disney Springs.


Photo Credit: PortOrleans.org
Boats to and from Disney Springs are also available for Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resort Guests.
Wilderness Lodge guests are able to take a boat from their resort to the Magic Kingdom. Ferry Boats also take guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom entrance.
The Monorail
Known as the Highway in the Sky, the Disney Monorail has been a favorite mode of Disney Transportation for many years.
The Disney Monorail stops at the three resorts surrounding the Seven Seas Lagoon: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.


(Kent Phillips, photographer)
These guests have the luxury of taking the Monorail directly to the Magic Kingdom, or transferring to the Epcot Monorail Line for a relaxing ride to Epcot.
This transportation method is so popular that many people ride it just for fun!
Disney Skyliner
The newest transportation at Disney World is the Disney Skyliner!
While there were some kinks to work out in the beginning, this gondola system has become a fan favorite!
This transportation system connects a number of resorts with Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
When the concept and details of the Skyliner were released, some were skeptical about the open-air system in the Florida summer heat. But the venting truly works to keep the ride comfortable, even on the hottest days.
Many who are afraid of heights are hesitant to give this one a try. I was, too! But after trying it myself and being able to handle it, I always suggest to give it a try at least once!
As with the Monorail, some people enjoy the Skyliner so much that they just ride it for fun!


Photo: Disney
Sometimes, You Can Walk.
Some Disney Resorts are so close to a theme park (or two) and even Disney Springs that walking is an option!
Some of those walks are shorter and easier than others. But it’s always a good option to keep in mind, especially at high-traffic times where lines for transportation may be a little longer.
No matter which Disney Resort you choose, you will have at least one of the modes of complimentary Disney Transportation at your disposal.
Even if this ultimate guide to Disney Transportation helps, plan your next trip with a MickeyTravels Agent and we can factor Disney Transportation options into your Disney Resort choice.
Once you’ve selected your resort, we can then help take the stress out of planning every detail of your trip, including navigating the modes of Disney Transportation!