Disney World is huge; with four theme parks, two water parks, multiple golf courses, a shopping and dining district, and over 25 resort hotels, it can be easy to get lost.
Welcome to Disney World!
But don’t worry! That is why Disney World offers free transportation all around the property in the form of buses, monorails, the Skyliner, and watercraft! We go to Disney World every day, and we know how important it is to be efficient and make the most of your vacation days. We have tried every transportation hack, but these eight are our favorites.
We won’t sugarcoat it — transportation can be a real pain around Disney World, so make sure to remember these eight tips to help make your experience a bit easier!
Disney Bus
Anyone Can Use Disney World Transportation
While the free Disney World transportation options are often marketed as a perk for Disney World hotel guests, anyone can actually ride aboard the monorail, Skyliner, buses, and watercraft! Our reporters use Disney World transportation all the time to get from park to park or resort to resort, so feel free to hop on, even if you are not staying at a Disney World hotel!
Disney World Monorail
Park at Disney Springs to Resort Hop
It can be so much fun to check out other Disney World resorts on an off day from the parks. Some resorts have specialty food offerings, and it can just be fun to explore the theming of another resort.
Orange Parking Garage
In order to park at a resort, you must either be a guest or have a dining reservation. If you want to spend a day exploring other resorts, you can take either a bus or park for free at Disney Springs. From there you can catch a bus to go to another resort. It is important to note that this is not a hack to get free parking at the theme parks, as no busses from Disney Springs go to the four parks.
Disney Springs Buses
Your Ultimate One-Day Plan for Resort Hopping in Disney World
Stroller Friendly Travel
If you are traveling with a stroller, it can be a pain to have to fold up your stroller to be able to fit on transportation. If you do not want to have to deal with the hassle, you may want to consider taking the Skyliner or monorail, as you do not have to fold up your stroller.
You don’t have to worry about folding your stroller if you take the monorail or Skyliner!
Save Your Parking Receipt
If you choose to take your car to the park and pay to park, make sure to keep your receipt as your parking is valid at all four parks for the day, meaning you don’t have to pay twice if you park hop!
Save your parking receipt!
Disney World hotel guests, along with Annual Passholders, do not have to worry about paying for parking as it is included in your stay/pass. If you want to upgrade to preferred parking, you just have to pay the difference between preferred and standard!
EPCOT parking
Take the Friendship Boats
While there are Friendship Boats that go through EPCOT’s World Showcase, there are also Friendship Boats outside of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios! These Friendship Boats go between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and make stops at the BoardWalk, Yacht and Beach Club, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. This is a great transportation option in addition to the Skyliner.
Friendship Boat
Sometimes, when the Skyliner is down for technical difficulties, the Friendship Boats will take a direct route between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and skip out on the hotels to catch up transporting those who may have been waiting for the Skyliner.
Friendship Boat
Check the Address When Using a Rideshare
If you choose to take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, it is wise to double-check your destination’s address, as it needs to be the exact location where you want to be dropped off.
Rideshare
If you are staying at a hotel with multiple buildings like Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, you need to put your building number in addition to the resort’s address. Otherwise, your driver will drop you off at the main building.
Rideshare sign at EPCOT
The same goes for the theme parks, as one of our reporters has been dropped off near backstage Animal Kingdom due to the address not specifying the drop-off area at the front of the park.
Disney World Rideshare sign
Hop Aboard the Resort Monorail
At the start of the day or the end of the night, it can be a madhouse trying to get to and from the Magic Kingdom. If you are parked at the Transportation and Ticket Center, you will have to take either a ferryboat, monorail or sometimes even a bus back to where your car is parked.
Resort Monorail
Oftentimes, the express monorail line can have a longer wait than the resort monorail line. While the express monorail line usually runs more monorails, it can be a good idea to get on the resort monorail if you do not want to wait as long as the resort monorail stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center in addition to the three monorail hotels.
Hop on the Resort Monorail line!
Bring Your Own Car
If you do not want to deal with Disney World transportation, it can be a good idea to bring your own car or rent a car. While you can’t avoid all Disney World Transportation (we are looking at you, Transportation and Ticket Center!), taking your own vehicle can help you avoid having to wait for transportation and can be more efficient.
Rental Cars at Orlando International Airport
We are always on the lookout for new ways to make your Disney World vacation easier, so make sure to continue to follow along with the Disney Food Blog!
If Your Day Is Going To Be Ruined at Disney World, It’s Gonna Happen at the Transportation and Ticket Center
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So what is your favorite?
Great tips! Three questions, if you happen to know, please:
1) Do the buses run from Disney Springs to the resorts all day, or is it only after a certain time (I believe the park buses only run from DS after 4:00)?
2) Do preferred parking upgrades transfer park-to-park, or only standard parking?
3) Do you have a resource or tip that you recommend for identifying the correct address for a park or a resort for ride share? We too have wound up with the wrong address for Hollywood Studios and had to book another trip before we were even there ?
Love DFB!!!! Thanks so much for what you do (book pre-ordered ?) – NDG
Hi! The buses from Disney Springs to Disney resorts do not run all day. They run during Disney Springs’ operating hours and end one hour after closing.
Yes, preferred parking upgrades at Walt Disney World Resort are transferable between the four theme parks on the same day. You can use your preferred parking pass at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The address for Disney’s Hollywood Studios is 351 South Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 and I would just do a bit of research first to make sure the address I’m inputting is the correct one.
Thanks Gigi! You are so awesome ?