DISNEY 101 is our ongoing series focused on explaining the fundamentals of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. In this installment, we’ll continue our overview of Disney transportation options and explore the remaining ways to get around Walt Disney World. If you missed it, you can find the previous article here: Part One: Buses and the Monorail
To make navigating Walt Disney World even easier, we’ve created a WDW Transportation Cheat Sheet that visually breaks down Disney’s public transportation system. This Infographic is available to our Patreon supporters for just $2 per month. If this interests you, you can go here to find out more!
Where We Left Off
Walt Disney World truly is a city unto itself… nearly the size of two Manhattans. And just like a real city, Disney provides a robust public transportation system to help guests navigate its massive entertainment complex.
In Part One, we covered:
- Disney buses, the most common form of transportation on property
- The monorail system, Disney’s iconic “highway in the sky,” which connects the Magic Kingdom area and EPCOT
In Part Two, we’ll take a closer look at boats, the Disney Skyliner, and driving within Walt Disney World.
Boat Transportation
Given the abundance of rivers, lakes, canals, and waterways across Walt Disney World, it’s no surprise that boats play an important role in Disney transportation. Not only are they functional, but they’re also relaxing and scenic. In many cases, Disney boats feel like attractions themselves.
Disney’s boat transportation is divided into three main areas:
- Magic Kingdom Area
- EPCOT Resort Area
- Disney Springs Area
Boats operate within each area and do not connect all destinations across property.
Magic Kingdom Area Boats
The Magic Kingdom area centers around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Throughout the day, boats travel back and forth across these waterways, transporting guests between resorts and the Magic Kingdom.
There are two main types of boats in this area: ferryboats and water taxis.
Ferryboats
Guests traveling to the Magic Kingdom by car park at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) rather than at the park entrance itself. From there, they must cross Seven Seas Lagoon to reach the Magic Kingdom.
In addition to the monorail, guests can take a ferryboat from the TTC directly to Magic Kingdom.
- Up to three ferryboats operate throughout the day
- Each boat has upper and lower decks and can carry hundreds of guests
- Lines usually move quickly, even during busy times
In general, the Express Monorail is faster than the ferryboat. However, the ferryboat offers a more relaxed and scenic ride. If you’re rushing to rope drop, take the monorail. If you have time to spare, the ferryboat is a great experience.
Water Taxis
Water taxis connect the resorts located around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake to the Magic Kingdom.
There are four water taxi routes:
- Gold Launch: Grand Floridian → Polynesian → Magic Kingdom
- Green Launch: Fort Wilderness → Magic Kingdom
- Red Launch: Wilderness Lodge → Magic Kingdom
- Blue Launch: Wilderness Lodge → Fort Wilderness → Contemporary
While water taxis are generally slower than other forms of transportation, they are peaceful, scenic, and serene.
The Blue Launch is also a great way to resort hop between the Bay Lake resorts.
Accessibility on the Magic Kingdom Area Boats
- Ferryboats are fully wheelchair and ECV accessible. You can roll directly on and off.
- Water taxis vary by boat type:
- Launches require stepping down and do not accommodate ECVs
- Cruisers generally accommodate wheelchairs and ECVs, depending on water levels
Current accessibility by route:
- Gold and Blue Launch: Limited accessibility
- Green and Red Launch: Wheelchair and ECV accessible
Because boat assignments can change, check with a Cast Member for the latest information regarding water taxi accessibility.
Magic Kingdom Area Boat Tips
- Boats are usually slower than other transportation options, but far more relaxing
- Ferryboats can offer excellent fireworks viewing if timed correctly
- The TTC ferry dock is also a fantastic fireworks viewing location, complete with piped-in music
- Boat service may be suspended due to weather, but Disney will provide alternate transportation if that happens
Epcot Resort Area Boats
The EPCOT Resort Area – including Beach Club, Yacht Club, BoardWalk, Swan & Dolphin, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios – is connected by Crescent Lake.
Transportation along this waterway is provided by Friendship Boats.
Friendship Boats
Friendship Boats are smaller vessels that typically carry around 100 guests. Most seating is indoors, with limited outdoor seating available.
Stops include:
- EPCOT International Gateway
- BoardWalk Inn
- Yacht Club / Beach Club
- Swan & Dolphin
- Hollywood Studios
Once the boat reaches Hollywood Studios, it reverses direction. Depending on your destination, it may be worth waiting for a boat heading the correct way.
Accessibility
The Friendship Boats are all wheelchair and ECV accessible.
EPCOT Resort Area Boat Tips
- All destinations are also connected by walking paths and the Skyliner
- From the Beach Club, walking to EPCOT’s International Gateway is often faster than taking the boat
- You cannot access the EPCOT monorail from the International Gateway. You would need to cross through EPCOT to get to the monorail station. A bus is usually the best option to get from an EPCOT area resort to the Magic Kingdom
Disney Springs Area Boats
Disney Springs is connected to nearby resorts via the Sassagoula River.
Boat routes include:
- Disney Springs ↔ Saratoga Springs (two stops)
- Disney Springs ↔ Port Orleans (French Quarter and Riverside)
- Disney Springs ↔ Old Key West
All Disney Springs boats are wheelchair and ECV accessible.
Tip: Guests staying in the Congress Park section of Saratoga Springs may find it faster to walk to Disney Springs rather than taking the boat.
Bonus Tip: While there are no direct buses from Disney Springs to the parks, you can take a boat to a nearby resort and then transfer to a bus if needed.
Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner is Disney’s newest transportation system and another version of a “highway in the sky.” Large gondolas continuously move guests between select resorts and parks in the EPCOT and Hollywood Studios area.
Each gondola holds approximately 10 guests and loads continuously.
There are three Skyliner routes:
- Pop Century / Art of Animation ↔ Caribbean Beach
- Hollywood Studios ↔ Caribbean Beach
- EPCOT International Gateway ↔ Caribbean Beach (with a stop at Riviera Resort)
Caribbean Beach serves as the Skyliner hub, where guests can transfer between lines.
Accessibility
Both wheelchairs and ECV’s are able to roll onto a gondola without any issues.
Tips
- Lines can look long during peak times, but they move quickly
- Gondolas are not air conditioned, but airflow while moving keeps them comfortable
- Skyliner resorts rely heavily on this system, but bus transportation is provided if the Skyliner is down
Driving Within Walt Disney World
Driving is a perfectly viable option at Walt Disney World, and some guests prefer it over public transportation. Personally, due to wheelchair and ECV loading time on buses, we often choose to drive instead of taking a bus.
Parking at the Theme Parks
Each park has a dedicated parking lot
- Magic Kingdom parking is located at the TTC
- EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom lots are adjacent to the parks, allowing direct walking access
- Parking trams are available to guests who don’t want to walk from their car to the entrance, but they not wheelchair or ECV accessible
- Handicapped parking is located close to park entrances
Standard parking currently costs $35 per day, but is free for:
- Annual Passholders
- Disney resort guests
For an up-charge, you can also purchase Preferred parking. Preferred parking spots are closer to the park entrance than Standard parking.
Parking at the Resorts
- Self-parking is free
- Valet parking is available for a fee
- Guests with a handicapped parking permit may valet park for free
- Resort parking is technically limited to resort guests and guests with confirmed dining reservations (3-hour limit), though enforcement varies
Parking at Disney Springs
- Parking at Disney Springs is completely free.
- Multiple parking garages and surface lots
- Garage signage shows open spots by level
Ride Share: Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans
All parks and Disney Springs have designated ride share drop-off and pick-up locations. At Magic Kingdom, ride share services drop guests at the TTC, requiring a monorail or boat transfer.
Disney also partners with Lyft to offer Minnie Vans:
- More expensive than standard ride share, but very convenient
- Operated by Disney Cast Members
- Can drop guests directly at Magic Kingdom’s front gate, as opposed to the TTC
Conclusion
At this point, you should have a solid understanding of Disney transportation options. Disney has made it remarkably easy to navigate Walt Disney World without a car, while still accommodating guests who prefer to drive.
If you’d like a visual guide to help plan your routes, our WDW Transportation Cheat Sheet is available to Patreon supporters for just $2 per month. It’s a great reference for figuring out how to get from point A to point B.
Enjoy your travels, and have a safe journey through the Disney bubble.
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