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Transportation – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get around Walt Disney World Resort?

It’s fun and easy to get around Walt Disney World Resort! Our complimentary network of buses, boats and monorails can transport you between Disney Resort hotels, theme parks, water parks and shopping venues. Learn more about Walt Disney World Resort transportation .

With the Walt Disney World transportation network, you may find that you don’t need to rent a car when you visit Walt Disney World Resort. Relax and leave the driving to us!

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Related Questions

I’m not staying at a Disney Resort hotel. Can I use the monorails, buses and boats to get around Walt Disney World Resort?

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This is the BEST Way to Get Around Walt Disney World

by Leah Sikes | Feb 26, 2020 | WDW Blog

When you travel to Walt Disney World, there are so many things to decide and options to weigh. Sometimes, in the planning process, transportation is not a front-runner, but it’s still an important aspect of any Disney World trip. And with so many different ways to get around, we’re here to help you figure it out.

We’ll go through all the ways to get around WDW: buses, Monorail, Skyliner, boats, and Minnie Vans. Of course, we’ll even let you in on a little secret and tell you the very BEST way to get around Walt Disney World!

#5: Disney Buses

The Disney buses might be the most common way to get around on Disney property. They’re everywhere, and each resort has a bus stop with transportation to all four parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.

Take a bus, and you can get pretty much anywhere you want to go on property! Photo by Cliff Wang

Recently, Disney has been working on updating its buses. They’re all getting new wraps (like the Pluto one below), and are equipped with Wi-Fi and phone charging ! The Wi-Fi will not only provide a great way to surf the internet while you’re riding, but it will also help provide guests with more accurate bus schedules in the My Disney Experience app.

The Disney buses are getting cute new wraps! Photo by Mike Billick

If you want to get from one resort to another, you will often have to ride a bus from your resort to a park and then catch a bus to your final destination. The same is true for getting to places like ESPN Wide World of Sports—only a couple of the resorts have direct transportation there. You’re also stuck on the bus schedule, which is reliable, but sometimes a wait if you miss your bus or aren’t sure of the times.

Check out a Disney bus on the inside. Photo by Judd Helms

In addition to the buses around Walt Disney World Resort, guests can also opt to take a bus from Orlando International Airport to their Disney hotel of choice. The Sunshine Flyer makes it easy to get straight to the magic. Their comfy, clean buses provide phone charging, seat belts, washrooms, personal air and light controls, onboard entertainment, and friendly drivers.

#4: The Monorail

For the most iconic transportation, catch a ride on the Monorail! Photo by Laurie Sapp

Disney’s Monorail is probably the most iconic form of transportation. The Monorail was one of the opening-day attractions at Walt Disney World, and many avid Disney fans don’t just see it as a way to get around—it’s a ride, too!

Unlike the buses, you can’t just pick any resort and know you’ll be able to get around on the Monorail. I t only runs between certain resorts and parks , so if you want to have the Monorail option at your resort, you’ll need to stay at one of Disney’s Magic Kingdom area resorts: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Even if you’re not staying at one of the Monorail resorts, you should still take a ride on the Monorail. Photo by Cliff Wang

From those resorts, you can get to the Magic Kingdom or to EPCOT on the Monorail. The get to the other parks, you’ll need to take a bus (or another form of transportation). You can also get between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT on the Monorail. Plus, in order to actually get into the Magic Kingdom (even if you drive and park at the park), you have to take either the Monorail or the Ferry.

#3: The Disney Skyliner

The Disney Skyliner is the newest way to get around at Walt Disney World. It’s a gondola system that travels along cables, similar to a ski lift, but with more capacity, and enclosed. It never stops, but at stations, the gondola slows down to a speed where riders can easily walk on and off.

Check out Disney’s newest way to get around: The Skyliner! Photo by Courtney Reynolds

The gondolas on the Disney Skyliner are brightly colored and fun, and most of them are wrapped in cute character designs (like the Chip and Dale one above). You might not get to pick your character, but it can be fun to see what you’ll get every time you ride!

Inside, you get a beautiful bird’s eye view of WDW, while gently swaying with a cool breeze. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Like the Monorail, the Skyliner doesn’t go to every resort and every park. There are four Skyliner resorts: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort. The Riviera is also the newest resort at Disney World!

From those resorts, you can go to any of the other Skyliner resorts, or to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and to the World Showcase entrance at EPCOT. Likewise, you can go to and from Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Because the Skyliner station is near the World Showcase entrance, you could easily walk to the station from any of the Boardwalk area resorts.

Guests in need of assistance boarding, because of a wheelchair of ESV can use the stationary boarding area. Here, the gondola comes to a complete stop to allow extra boarding time. Want to experience the Skyliner from home? We took our readers for a Skyliner ride in our April issue of WDW Magazine .

#2: Disney Boats

If you’re looking for a scenic, relaxing way to get around at Walt Disney World, many resorts and parks offer boat transportation!

Water transportation is a relaxing, fun way to get around Walt Disney World. Photo by Laurie Sapp

Earlier, I mentioned you have to take either a ferry or the Monorail to get into the Magic Kingdom, even if you drive yourself. The Ferry to the Magic Kingdom leaves from the Transportation and Ticket Center, in the same area the Monorail departs to the Magic Kingdom. You’ll definitely want to do this during your trip— riding a ferry with the castle coming into view in front of you , all the way over to the Magic Kingdom, is a truly magical experience only Disney can provide.

Take a ferry over to the Magic Kingdom in the morning and feel like you’re being transported to a whole new world! Photo by Brett Svenson

Many of the resorts have boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

From the Magic Kingdom, you can take a boat and get to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness. The boats to and from the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian are smaller boats that travel across Seven Seas Lagoon. On these rides, you’ll feel like you’re taking a private tour on these small, adorable boats . Going to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, you’ll ride a large boat over a water bridge into Bay Lake.

You can also travel between EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, the Boardwalk, Yacht Club, or Swan and Dolphin Hotel on one of the mid-size Friendship boats across Crescent Lake.

Disney Springs also has some boat transport. From there, you can travel across Sassagoula River or Lake Buena Vista and get to Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.

And #1: Minnie Vans!

This is the creme de la creme of Disney’s transportation fleet.  If you’re looking to get somewhere quickly and easily, have truly personalized service, and look great doing it—Minnie Vans are the way to go!  Unlike the other complimentary transportation options, taking a Minnie Van is an added fee, but it’s a worthwhile splurge.

Take a Minnie Van for the fastest, most stylish way around WDW. Photo by Cliff Wang

If you’re familiar with ride sharing services like Lyft or Uber, you’ll feel right at home booking a Minnie Van. In fact, the service is powered by the Lyft app, when you want to call one you just fire up your phone and summon the next available vehicle.  The name is a little deceiving as they aren’t actual vans, but luxury SUVs, painted with Minnie Mouse’s signature red color and white polka dots.

Minnie Vans come equipped with not one, but two car seats! Photo by Brett Svenson

Riding around in a Minnie Van is so comfy it will spoil you for the other resort transportation options.  There’s climate control, space for up to 6 people (including 2 car seats!), cables to charge your devices, and friendly, knowledgeable drivers who are Disney Cast Members.  They’ll give you tips and recommendations for your trip, and best of all—they’ll get you as close to your destination as possible.

Where other ride sharing services (and Disney transportation options) have designated drop-off zones further from park entrances or at the resort main lobby, a Minnie Van will drop you practically at the security checkpoint of a park , and as close to your room in a specific resort building as possible (my aching feet were SUPER thankful for this last summer when I was in the 80’s building at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and couldn’t fathom walking another 10 mins to my room).

If someone in your party needs a scooter/wheelchair accessible Minnie Van, you can pre-arrange this about an hour in advance.  And now you can call (407) 828-3500 in advance to schedule a pickup or drop-off from Orlando International Airport or Port Canaveral (start that Disney Cruise in style!).

There are so many different ways to get around Walt Disney World, and you can’t really go wrong with any choice (you’re at Disney)! But the most convenient, easiest, and most personalized option is to take a Minnie Van —and that’s why we think it’s the best!

Thanks to Disney for hosting us on a 3-night Resort Showcase where we got to tour and experience many of Walt Disney World’s resorts and restaurants and used resort transportation including busses, Disney Skyliner, resort launches, and Minnie Vans. #wdwresorts #deliciousdisney

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

Exactly How To Use Disney World Transportation

February 1, 2020 //  by  Sarah Etinas //   2 Comments

Searching for a clear, yet comprehensive guide to Disney transportation? We’ve got you covered! This guide covers exactly how to travel around Disney using Disney World transportation.

When most visitors come to Disney World for the first time, they don’t understand the Disney transportation system, and their trip becomes a whole lot harder than it needs to be. To be fair, at first glance, the Disney transportation system looks quite confusing. Between the buses and the monorails and the boats and the Skyliner, it can seem overwhelming. But don’t be afraid! This guide is here to break it down for you.

Get a FREE printable 30/60/90 day Disney countdown by joining our private  Disney Facebook Group  and share your photos and ask for tips and tricks! 

How Do You Use Disney Transportation?  

Disney transportation can seem very complicated and confusing, but we’re here to make it as easy as possible for you! There are many perks to the Disney transportation system, as, if you use it properly, you can get just about anywhere in the Walt Disney World Resort area for free.

The Disney World transportation network consists of a myriad of transportation options, including buses, monorails, boats, and more! While that can seem a bit overwhelming, the easiest way to look at it is to figure out how to get from point A to point B, simply by referring to our Disney transportation guide below.

Forms of Disney Transportation

Bus transportation at disney.

While the Disney bus is the least exciting form of transportation on the property, it is also the most expansive. There are buses that go from every Disney resort  to every theme park and waterpark, between theme parks, to Disney Springs, and even sometimes between resorts.

Because Disney resorts, parks, activities can be bustling from the early hours of the morning to the late hours of the night, the Disney bus schedule runs from 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. At peak hours of the day (which is typically just when the parks are open), Disney buses run every 20 minutes or so.  

Monorail Transportation At Disney

The Walt Disney World Resort has three different monorail lines: the Resort line, the Epcot line, and the Express line. The monorails start running 30 minutes before the earliest park opens and stop running one hour after the last park closes. All three of these monorail lines converge at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), the hub of Disney World transportation. In other words, if you can access a monorail, you can get easily get to any monorail stop on any line.

The Resort monorail line stops at the TTC, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Magic Kingdom. If you want to skip all of the hotels, jump on the Express monorail line instead, as that line takes guests directly from the TTC to Magic Kingdom (and back). Lastly, the Epcot monorail line takes guests from the TTC to Epcot (and back), just as its name implies. If this seems a little confusing, having a Disney monorail map can help you visualize the routes a little bit better.

Skyliner Transportation At Disney  

The newest form of Disney transportation is the Disney Skyliner. This whimsical gondola form of transportation also has three different lines: the Epcot line, the Hollywood Studios line, and the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort line. All of these three lines converge at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

The Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Skyliner line takes guests from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The Hollywood Studios Skyliner line then takes guests from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Hollywood Studios. As an alternative, the Epcot Skyliner line takes guests from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Riviera Resort and Epcot.

Boat Transportation At Disney

As if buses, monorails, and Skyliners weren’t enough, Disney Transportation also includes boats. There are several boat routes, all revolving around Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, and Epcot. Disney boat transportation typically starts running 30 minutes before the first park opens and closes one hour after the last park closes.

First up, there are the Magic Kingdom boats. There are ferryboats that take guests between Magic Kingdom and the TTC. From there, you can hop on a monorail or a bus to just about anywhere in the Walt Disney World Resort. In addition to these ferry boats, there are four different flag-oriented boat routes. The Seven Seas Lagoon Gold Flag boat takes guests between Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Bay Lake Blue Flag boat transports riders between Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. For a straight shot route from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds to Magic Kingdom, hop on the Green Flag boat. Lastly, for a clear-cut route between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Magic Kingdom, take the Red Flag boat.

Because Disney Springs is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., the boats that transport guests to, from, and around the area are open during the same hours. The Yellow Flag boat takes riders between Disney Springs, Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside, and Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter. The Blue Flag boat takes guests between Disney Springs and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The Green Flag boat transports riders between Disney Springs and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Lastly, the Red Flag boat transports guests within Disney Springs from the West Side dock to The Landing dock to the Marketplace dock.

Finally, there is a set of boats that takes guests in and around the Epcot area. First, there is a route that takes guests between Epcot, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort. There is also another nearly identical route that makes all of these same stops, as well as a stop at Hollywood Studios. Lastly, there are a couple of Disney boat transportation options within Epcot, including between the Germany and Mexico pavilions and between the Morocco and Canada Pavilions.

Minnie Van Service

Disney’s Minnie Van Service is one of the most unique Disney transportation options. It is essentially Lyft with a Disney twist. You’ll actually use the Lyft app to request a Minnie Van Service ride! There are a few differences between Lyft and the Minnie Van Service. First, instead of getting picked up in a regular old car, you’ll get picked up in a vehicle decked out just like Minnie: a red background and white polka dots. Another difference is that the Minnie Van Service costs quite a bit more than a normal Lyft. Lastly, unlike Lyft which can pick you up and drop you off practically anywhere, there are designated pick-up and drop-off locations for the Minnie Van Service.  

Airport Transportation Services

Disney no longer offers free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport (MCO), but there are lots of affordable and varied options to choose from. They make it easy to fly into the airport and get to your Disney Resort in a timely manner and without any stress.

Walt Disney World Transportation Map

Below you will find an extremely detailed Disney transportation map, including the routes for buses, monorails, Skyliner, water transportation, shuttles and more. This map of Disney transportation shows you exactly where each type of transportation goes and how many stops you’ll have to pause at before reading  your final destination. This is a really fantastic printable Disney map to have with you during your visit as it is highly helpful!

*CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DISNEY TRANSPORTATION MAP*

Transportation Between Disney Deluxe Resorts And Disney Parks

One of the perks of Disney deluxe resorts is the ease of transportation. From most Disney deluxe resorts, you can get to the park of your choice by only using one form of transportation. Sometimes you can even walk directly to the parks from your Disney deluxe resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom.  

Epcot: Take the Disney bus directly from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Go on a five to ten-minute walk around the Disney Boardwalk area or take a Disney Boardwalk boat.

Hollywood Studios: Take a Disney Boardwalk boat.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus directly from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to Magic Kingdom. As an alternative, walk to the Epcot monorail station, take the Epcot monorail to the TTC, and take the Express monorail to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Boardwalk Inn to Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood Studios: Take a Disney Boardwalk boat.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus directly from Disney’s Boardwalk Inn to Magic Kingdom. As an alternative, walk to the Epcot monorail station, take the Epcot monorail to the TTC, and take the Express monorail to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Boardwalk Inn to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Resort monorail line to the TTC. From there, hop onto the Epcot monorail line.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom : Go on a five- to ten-minute walk, take the Bay Lake Blue Flag boat, or take the Resort monorail line to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Disney Spring.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Resort monorail line to the TTC. From there, hop onto the Epcot monorail line.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Hollywood Studios.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Seven Seas Lagoon Gold Flag boat or the Resort monorail line.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Disney Springs.  

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Old Key West Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney Springs Green Flag boat.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Animal Kingdom.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Seven Seas Gold Flag boat or walk to the TTC and hop on the Express monorail line.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Epcot Skyliner line from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Skyliner Disney’s Art of Animation Resort line and get off at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. From there, transfer to the Hollywood Studios Skyliner line.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney Springs Blue Flag boat.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Epcot.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Bay Lake Blue Flag boat or the Magic Kingdom Red Flag boat.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus directly from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to Magic Kingdom. As an alternative, walk to the Epcot monorail station, take the Epcot monorail to the TTC, and take the Express monorail to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to Disney Springs.

Transportation Between Disney Moderate Resorts And Disney Parks

While many of the Disney deluxe resorts had a slew of transportation options, the Disney moderate resorts  don’t have that level of convenience. Most Disney transportation routes from the Disney moderate resorts rely on the Disney buses, although there are a few exceptions.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Epcot Skyliner line from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Hollywood Studios Skyliner line directly from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Disney Springs.  

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter to Epcot.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney Springs Yellow Flag boat.  

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside to Hollywood Studios.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside to Magic Kingdom.  

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Animal Kingdom.  

Epcot: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Epcot.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Hollywood Studios.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Settlement Depot. Then, from there, board the Magic Kingdom Green Flag boat or Bay Lake Blue Flag boat.  

Disney Springs: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Disney Springs.

Transportation Between Disney Value Resorts And Disney Parks

Just like Disney moderate resorts, Disney transportation options from Disney value resorts are rather limited. Thankfully, the newly-opened Disney Skyliner adds a few more options for Disney World transportation from the value resorts.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Animal Kingdom.  

Epcot: Take the Art of Animation Resort Skyliner line to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Then, from there, hop on the Epcot Skyliner line.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Art of Animation Resort Skyliner line to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Then, from there, hop on the Hollywood Studios Skyliner line.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Disney Springs.  

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Animal Kingdom.  

Epcot: Take the Art of Animation Resort Skyliner line to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Then, from there, hop on the Epcot Skyliner line.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Art of Animation Resort Skyliner line to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Then, from there, hop on the Hollywood Studios Skyliner line.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to Magic Kingdom.  

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort to Disney Springs.  

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort  

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Epcot.  

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Hollywood Studios.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Music Resort to Disney Springs.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort to Animal Kingdom

Epcot: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort to Epcot.

Hollywood Studios: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort to Hollywood Studios.  

Magic Kingdom: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs: Take the Disney bus from Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort to Disney Springs.

The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Animal Kingdom: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood Studios: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Hollywood Studios.

Magic Kingdom: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Settlement Depot. Then, from there, board the Magic Kingdom Green Flag boat or Bay Lake Blue Flag boat.

Disney Springs: Take the internal Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort bus to the Outpost Depot. Then, from there, hop on the Disney bus from Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to Disney Springs.  

Transportation Between Disney Resorts

The most straightforward way to go between Disney Resorts is by taking the easiest form of transportation from one resort to the closest theme park, and then taking another form of transportation from the theme park to the resort. As an alternative, you could always take an Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van. While these aren’t free (as they aren’t provided by Disney), it’s much quicker than taking Disney transportation and should only cost you between $10 and $15.

I hope this Disney transportation guide helped to make all of the transportation options at Disney World a little bit more understandable. As always, I’ll be happy to answer any questions that you may have!

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Reader Interactions

January 29, 2023 at 5:43 pm

Any tips for Shades of Green transportation?

January 31, 2023 at 9:30 pm

There are busses from shades of green to the parks!!! You should be good!

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo to Walt Disney World: A First Timer’s Complete Guide

February 3, 2021 by Guest

When you think of places to travel solo, destinations that come to mind might include exotic countries like Fiji or historic places such as Ireland. Today I’m going to take you on a journey into a location that’s often thought of for kids, but a place that’s truly made for adult travelers. Welcome to your complete guide to planning a solo trip to Walt Disney World!

Did I lose you? I hope not.

You see, many people think that traveling solo to any theme park, let alone a Disney Park, is weird. But I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely not weird. In fact, there’s a whole community online filled with adult solo travelers who love going to Walt Disney World by themselves.

If you're in Florida and want to do more, read Forget Disney – Music Festivals in Florida Are Where It’s At

Table of Contents

Why Is Walt Disney World a Good Place to Travel Solo?

Let’s go through a few reasons why you have to give Disney a try for a possible solo trip.

Safe Travels

One of the first reasons Disney World is a great place to travel solo is that you will feel safe there. Not only is it safe in the senses of preventing you from any harm, but Disney also has rules in place to keep you as healthy as possible.

There are many policies and protocols that Cast Members are following to keep you safe on your solo travels. We'll discuss this later in this guide.

Great Location

Walt Disney World is a great travel destination to visit alone because of its location. The Disney Parks are in the center of the beautiful state of Florida, less than an hour’s drive to many popular beaches Plus, it’s only a few hours from Miami and a little over an hour from Tampa, Florida.

Because of its Central Florida location, you have the option to enjoy other nature inspired activities outside of the theme parks such as: exploring the hiking trails, experiencing a swamp tour, kayaking through bioluminescent water, and swimming with manatees.

There are other thrilling and unique things you can do on your visit to Orlando as well, such as visiting the local wineries, skydiving, spending a day at Kennedy Space Center, exploring the local museums, and so much more!

Something for All Ages

You may think that Walt Disney World caters only to kids, but believe it or not, there’s so much for adult solo travelers to do here. From world-class dining to international festivals, there’s a path waiting just for you on your trip.

A Place to Relax

Now, you’re going to think that I’m pushing it with this reason, but Walt Disney World has many places for you to unwind and relax on your solo journey. You can do things such as visit one of the many top-rated spas, sit on the Boardwalk and people watch, or visit the park on a less crowded day and find a quiet spot to enjoy a good book and a glass of wine.

Personally, I love sitting behind the U.K. Pavilion in Epcot on a picturesque Florida day near the garden maze area with a delicious adult beverage from the Rose & Crown British Pub and a good book.

Trust me, there are so many ways to make your trip to Walt Disney World perfect for you!

Delicious Food

If you’re a true world traveler, you may be skeptical about the type of food Walt Disney World offers. Of course, there’s the traditional theme park food, such as hamburgers, fries, corn dogs, cotton candy, and the famous Mickey Mouse ice-cream bars, but you’ll be surprised at the incredible variety of food offerings you can find at this travel destination.

There’s even a whole blog dedicated to Walt Disney World food!

The Epcot theme park alone is reason enough for you to go ahead and book your solo trip. This Disney Park has an area called World Showcase which allows you to step into the culture, the architecture, and the food of 11 different countries.

The countries featured in Epcot are:

• United States of America
• United Kingdom

There’s also the AAA Five Diamond Star restaurant on property called Victoria & Albert’s , located inside the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s the best restaurant on property and if you have a little extra room in your budget, you have to give this place a visit.

What Can You Expect at Walt Disney World?

One of the first things you should know is that the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is very different from the Disneyland Resort in California. To begin with, it is much larger.

At 40 squares miles, Disney World is equal to the size of the city of San Francisco! The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida has four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs (a shopping area and entertainment area), more than 25 Disney Resort hotels, a few golf courses, and a Boardwalk where you can enjoy nighttime activities for adults.

The four parks located inside the Walt Disney World Resort are:

• Magic Kingdom Theme Park
• Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Safety Measures You Can Expect

Once everything is “back-to-normal” and you feel ready to travel, you should know that many of the safety protocols put in place during the global pandemic will most likely continue at the parks for a while, making a visit to Walt Disney World permanently different from what it was before.

Let’s now take a look at the safety precautions you can expect at Walt Disney World.

Face Masks Required

According to Disney, everyone over the age of two will be required to wear a mask or face covering throughout the day at the parks. There are also assigned locations throughout the parks where you can take your mask off if you need to have a break from wearing it.

Temperature Checks

On your solo Disney trip, you will have to go through a temperature screening check. If your temperature is greater than 100.4, a Disney Cast Member will direct you to a secondary screening location. You will not be admitted to the park with a temperature higher than this.

Theme Park Reservations Are a Must

In order to maintain proper physical distancing and crowd levels in the parks, Disney now requires that you make a reservation to the particular theme park that you want to visit on the actual day that you want to visit that park.

This means that when you get your ticket, you will have to go online to the My Disney Experience webpage or app and create your account. Once your account is created, you’ll need to sync your park ticket to it and any Disney Resort hotel reservations you may have.

Once your ticket is connected to your My Disney Experience account, you’ll be able to make your Disney theme park reservation.

More Cleaning

Another thing that Walt Disney World is doing to make sure you’re safe on your solo trip is enhanced sanitizing throughout the resort. You’ll see Cast Members cleaning doorknobs, handrails, and the actual ride vehicles more often.

There’s also plexiglass between the rows on the attractions and between you and Cast Members at kiosks that sell merchandise and food.

Physical Distancing

The limitation on how many people are allowed to enter the parks each day helps Walt Disney World carry out the 6 feet apart social distancing criteria. Also, ride vehicles that don’t have plexiglass will load you at least one row apart from the next party.

On certain modes of transportation, such as the monorail or the bus, the compartments are loaded on a per party basis. This means that if you are riding the bus back to your resort, you’ll have a whole section of the bus just for you, since you’ll be a party of one.

6 Tips for Traveling Solo to Walt Disney World for the First Time

Now that you know what to expect on your first solo trip to Walt Disney World, let’s go through a few tips to help you have a smoother visit.

1. Choose the Best Days to Visit

The best days to visit the Disney Parks are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These days tend to have a lower crowd level which helps if you’re wanting to experience all that the parks have to offer.

The best months to visit Walt Disney World, are mid-January, early February, and mid-November. Not to say that the other months of the year are bad options, but these times are better in terms of both the crowd level and the weather.

2. Visit Multiple Disney Parks in One Day

If you have a limited amount of time that you’ll be visiting Disney, then you’ll want to take advantage of Park Hopping. This ticket upgrade allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. So, you could spend your morning enjoying the charm of the Magic Kingdom, then spend your evening eating around the world at Epcot.

Just remember to have your Disney Park Reservation completed for both parks on that particular day.

3. Take Advantage of the Free Disney Transportation

The transportation system is absolutely free at Walt Disney World, even if you’re not staying at one of the Disney Resort hotels.

Below are the different ways you can get around Walt Disney World on your solo trip:

• Bus Available with transportation to the parks, Disney Resort hotels, Disney Springs and water parks.
• Water Also known as water taxis that allow guests to travel on the ferry or boats to various Disney theme parks.
• Monorail Takes guests from the Magic Kingdom parking lot around the Magic Kingdom resorts and to Epcot.
• Skyliner Connects Hollywood Studios to Epcot and the select Disney Resort hotels on its route.
• Magical Express This is a free motor coach service that Disney offers to and from the Orlando International Airport and select Disney Resort hotels for 2021 only.

4. Decide Whether To Stay On-Site Or Off-Property

There are advantages and disadvantages for both options. The advantage of staying on-site is that you’ll have the convenience of saving a lot of time when it comes to your commute.

The time saved by staying on-site at Disney will allow you to maximize your days since everything you need is in the Disney bubble. This option makes planning your solo trip a lot smoother and easier.

The main disadvantage of staying on-site is the cost. The Disney Resort hotels are some of the highest priced resorts in Orlando.

The advantage of staying off-site is that you will be saving a significant amount of money on your room. Many times the rooms off-property are much larger for the price you are paying as well.

However, if you stay off-site, you may have extra transportation costs. You'll going to have to figure out if your resort has a free shuttle option or if you will have to use a ride sharing program during your trip.

So, even though the off-site hotel rate is cheaper, you’ll spend more time and money on transportation and commuting back and forth to the parks.

5. Use a Disney Vacation Planner

There are authorized Disney Vacation Planners who will help you plan your trip from start to finish at no cost to you. Since they have a direct relationship to Disney, they can work on your behalf, add and adjust reservations, and help you out with the best discounts for your solo trip.

This is particularly important if it’s your first time visiting Disney alone. Their assistance can help reduce the feeling of overwhelm when planning your trip to the Florida resort.

6. Use Disney’s Mobile Ordering Service

Disney Mobile Ordering Service is a cool feature on the My Disney Experience app, which allows you to place a food order and pay for it ahead of time at select dining locations.

Once you arrive to your dining location, you can skip the regular line and pick your food up from the counter right away. This is a good way to save time and aggravation on your solo vacation.

Solo Travel Safety Tips for Walt Disney World

Let’s go through a few basic safety tips to make your Disney trip as magical as possible.

• Keep your hands clean.
• Wear your mask.
• Take extra masks in case one gets sweaty or dirty throughout the day.
• Stay on Disney World property for your first solo trip.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Let people close to you know where you are while on your solo trip.
• Always ask a Cast Member for help if you’re unsure about anything.

Disney For Adult Solo Travelers

Now that we have some of your top planning tips out of the way, let's go through some great activities for adult solo travelers. Do keep in mind that some of these experiences are either modified or on pause until the current global pandemic is under control.

Fun Festivals

There are incredible food centered festivals that happen at the Epcot theme park each year. No matter what time of the year you choose to come, you’ll most likely visit during one of these magnificent festivals.

Disney Food Festivals:

• Epcot International Festival of the Arts: from early January to late February
• Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: from March until July
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: from August until November
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays: from November until early January

Incredible Lounges

For adult solo travelers who like to indulge in delicious libations with a great atmosphere, Walt Disney World can satisfy your cravings at the amazing lounges on property.

The top Disney lounges I suggest you visit are:

• Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar This a cozy little wine cellar in Epcot is in the Italy Pavilion of World Showcase. Here you can enjoy some tasty Italian appetizers, dive into the extensive wine list, and just stop by to relax and reflect on your theme park day.
• Nomad Lounge Take in the travel spirit and sense of adventure at this Animal Kingdom Lounge. It’s filled with travel banners of the Disney Imagineers expeditions from around the globe. The drinks here are absolutely out of this world! They blend the flavors from various countries in Africa and Asia in both their food and drinks. Outdoor covered patio seating is also available if you are looking for a quieter corner. As you overlook a little lagoon, you’ll hear some relaxing music while you enjoy your beverages and food.
• Territory Lounge This lounge is a bit hidden inside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, which makes it perfect for a solo traveler trying to get away from the hustle and bustle. It’s themed around the great Northwest of America with an array of wine from the states of Washington and Oregon.
• Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto You have to visit this lively place inside Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It has so much rich detail and history based on 1950’s Tiki culture. The Grog Grotto offers you outstanding food, drinks, gift items, and immersive entertainment theming to make your visit spectacular. Also, every drink has his own unique song or chant complete with special effects while you are there to make you feel as if you’ve truly landed in the mysterious hidden bar of Trader Sam.

Wine Tasting

On Wednesdays at Animal Kingdom Lodge you can explore the delicious wines of South Africa in the restaurant called Jiko-The Cooking Place . A sommelier will put together the perfect wine and cheese pairing for you, along with a story about each offering presented.

World-Class Dining

As mentioned before, you can expect to enjoy some delicious top-notch dining options at Walt Disney World with familiar names attached to them such as:

• Todd English Blue Zoo
• Shula’s Steakhouse
• STK Orlando
• Wine Bar George
• Morimoto Asia

Explore the Boardwalk on Your Solo Disney Trip

Disney’s Boardwalk is a place where you can enjoy the turn-of-the-century ambience reminiscent of Americana in Atlantic City. There are places to dine, relax, and shop. You can even enjoy a lively dueling piano bar at Jelly Rolls that is only available for adults older than 21, once it reopens.

Eat and Drink Your Way Around the World

Epcot is the best Disney theme park for adult solo travelers for the mere fact that you can eat and drink your way around the world. You aren’t technically leaving Florida to do this adventure, but it will sure feel as if you’re globetrotting through the 11 countries represented in this Disney Park.

Monorail Food and Bar Crawl

Another fun adult activity to do at Walt Disney World is to hop on the Magic Kingdom monorail line and stop at each resort (3 in total) to grab a bite to eat and a drink (non-alcoholic or alcoholic).

For years this was an unofficial Disney adult traveler activity, but now Disney has their official version called the Highway in The Sky Dine Around. This dining event allows you to visit multiple restaurants on the Magic Kingdom monorail route through a progressive 4-course dining experience.

This is an example itinerary:

• 1 st Stop: Disney’s Contemporary Resort at The Wave…of American Flavors
• 2 nd Stop: Disney’s Polynesian Resort at Kona Café
• 3 rd Stop: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Citricos
• 4 th Stop: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience

During the evening hours, Disney offers a  private safari with African-inspired tapas, beverages, and more. This is one of the best tours you can experience on a visit to Animal Kingdom.

Your Solo Disney Trip 5-Day Itinerary

Now that you have all the tips and strategies needed for your solo trip to Walt Disney World, let me give you a sample itinerary that you can adjust to your liking for your vacation.

Day 1: Arrival Day

Since this is your arrival day, you’re going to take it easy. On this day, I recommend stopping by Disney Springs for some light shopping and a tasty dinner after you have checked into your hotel.

You’ll definitely want to have some sushi and sake at Morimoto Asia. If you’re not into sushi, then you must try the delicious meatballs and appetizers with a good wine pairing at Wine Bar George.

And don't forget to get this oversize half pound cookie at Gideon's Bakehouse to complete your Disney Springs adventure.

Day 2: Epcot

On day two you’ll head to Epcot, the best theme park for solo travelers. You're going to spend your day exploring all the wonderful countries represented while getting on some of the top attractions at Walt Disney World, such as Soarin’ Around The World.

Day 3: Magic Kingdom

On this day, you’ll head to the classic Magic Kingdom theme park. This is the park that most people picture when they think about Disney. It's the “castle park.”

Here you’re going to take on that childlike side of you and get lost in all the charming and magical attractions that Walt Disney World is known for.

Day 4: Animal Kingdom

On day four, you’ll voyage over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and spend your whole day relaxing, exploring the nature trails, looking at all the animals, and traveling through the land of Pandora-The World of Avatar.

You're definitely going to want to have lunch at the Tiffins restaurant while you’re here and spend some time enjoying exotic libations at the Nomad Lounge.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios and Departure Day

This is your departure date, but you can spend the first half of the day at Hollywood Studios. While there, you’ll want to explore Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. It's the newest land, themed around the Star Wars franchise with one of the top rated attractions in the country, Rise of the Resistance.

Should You Go Solo to Walt Disney World in 2021 or 2022?

The answer to this question is ultimately up to you. If you feel like things will be better by the time your trip starts and you are okay with some of the policies that Disney has in place now, then yes.

However, if your answer to any of the things I just mentioned is no, then you may want to wait a bit longer before you start your vacation at Walt Disney World.

Overall, a solo trip to Disney doesn't have to be thought of as something that is only for kids. As you can see, there’s something for everyone to do at the Disney Parks. About the Author

NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com , a wishful f ood critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She now resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast .

If you take a solo trip to Walt Disney World, consider sharing your story with us by submitting a Solo Travel Destination post .

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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Guide to Disney World Transportation

Disney World is roughly the size of San Francisco. That means, if you’re heading there, you’ll need a plan for how you’ll get around.

Here’s everything you need to know about navigating Disney transportation , including information on buses, the Disney Skyliner, the monorail, boats, and more.

(We even have a handy transportation tool that will show you the best way to get around the Walt Disney World Resort! More on that below, too.)

Let’s get started…

In this article

Forms of Disney World transportation

As you can imagine, the size of Walt Disney World makes good transportation a must.

To help you get around, Disney uses several forms of transport within its system:

• boats & water taxis (sometimes known as Friendships) and ferryboats

Minnie Vans

• gondolas (Disney Skyliner) 

And the best part?

Most of the options are free.

Another huge perk with Disney transportation is that you don’t have to be staying onsite to use any of it.

All visitors to Disney World – whether they are staying onsite or off – can use any of the transportation options listed below.

Disney World Transportation tool

Disney World has started including navigational information in the My Disney Experience app, but it’s confusing and often completely incorrect, so we made our own!

Open this tool on its own page to easily reference it anytime.

You might also consider going to that link on your phone and adding it to your home screen to pull it up easily during your trip.

Disney World Buses

Quick Facts on Disney World buses

Cost: Free Where are they available?: Nearly everywhere, including resorts, Disney Springs, water parks, and the 4 Disney theme parks. Note: if a resort is connected to a park via another form of transportation (such as monorail or Skyliner), buses won’t typically be running to that specific park unless the other form of transportation is down. For example, you can’t catch a bus from the Polynesian Resort to Magic Kingdom because that resort is connected to Magic Kingdom via the monorail. Strollers: Must fold strollers before boarding

The Walt Disney World buses will take you just about anywhere on property and are the main form of transportation throughout the entire resort.

Disney World buses are also free and typically are fairly reliable.

And as an added bonus, some of the newer buses even have charging ports and WiFi.

VIDEO: Quick Facts on Disney World Buses

Disney World Bus Schedule

Buses for different parks typically begin running at slightly different times, depending on each park’s schedule.

With every park participating in Early Theme Park Entry , expect the first bus of the day to arrive to your resort between 45 minutes to 1 hour before Early Theme Park Entry starts.

If you want to be on that first bus of the day (which we do recommend you do), aim to be at the bus stop about 90 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry begins.

According to Disney, bus service between Disney Resort hotels ends 1 hour after closing.

For Disney Springs, buses are available during operating hours and end 1 hour after closing.

You should also always give yourself at least 60 to 90 minutes for transportation . You never know if there will be delays, long lines, etc.

During peak times, buses for the parks usually arrive at least every 20 minutes or so. During non-peak times (like in the afternoon), the wait may be a bit longer.

Unfortunately, unlike a city transportation system, there is no set schedule for buses.

If you are waiting for a bus at a resort, however, you can check to see when the next one is set to arrive.

The bus stops at the resorts have handy display boards like this one:

How to see bus wait times in My Disney Experience

Or, if you’d rather, the My Disney Experience app will also show you when the next bus is scheduled to arrive to your resort.

You must have a Disney Resort hotel reservation and be logged into your Disney account in order to see bus times at your resort via the My Disney Experience app.

My Disney Experience —> Resort Hotel

Unfortunately, the parks and Disney Springs don’t have anything similar that will tell you when the next bus is scheduled to arrive. You can only find out bus arrival info at the resorts.

Park Bus stops

Bus stops for all of the parks are located outside of the main entrance.

There are giant Bus Directory signs nearby that will direct you to the correct gate for your resort.

The gate numbers can change from day-to-day, so it is a good idea to always check your resort’s location.

Resort Bus Stops

As for the resorts, the number of bus stops at each resort varies and depends upon the size of the resort itself.

The Value resorts ( Pop Century , Art of Animation , All-Star Sports , All-Star Music , All-Star Movies ) plus the Disney Deluxe Resorts all have only 1 bus stop that is located at or near the front entrance/main building.

Port Orleans-French Quarter , which is a moderate resort, also only has 1 bus stop.

Most of the Moderate Resorts ( Port Orleans-Riverside , Caribbean Beach , Coronado Springs ) all have multiple internal bus-stops, as do both Old Key West and Saratoga Springs (Deluxe Villa Resorts). 

What about bus sharing?

Some resorts share buses, meaning that 1 bus will go to multiple different resorts.

For example, it isn’t unusual for the All-Star resorts to share a bus or for Port Orleans-Riverside and Port Orleans-French Quarter to share. 

Sharing is less likely during the busy morning hours or at park closing, though. 

Quick Facts on the Monorail

Cost: Free Where is it available?: Disney’s Monorail service connects 3 resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary) and 2 parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot). Strollers: Most strollers will be able to roll right onto the monorail without folding and your child does not need to be removed from the stroller to board

We’re not sure that there is any more iconic form of Disney transportation than the monorail.

Disney’s Monorail service connects 3 resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary) and 2 parks (Magic Kingdom and Epcot) and at the center of it all is the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) , which is kind of like the main transportation hub for Walt Disney World.

Monorail Lines

There are 3 separate monorail lines: 

• Express Line which runs from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom
• Resort Line which runs between Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
• Epcot Line which runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot

Monorail Schedule

The schedule for the monorail tends to vary a lot because, unfortunately, it is prone to operating under reduced capacity due to maintenance issues.

Officially Disney states, “The Walt Disney World Monorail System operates from 30 minutes prior to earliest park opening until one hour after latest park closing,” however, we always recommend you check at your resort for the most up-to-date schedule.

Transportation and Ticket Center

The Transportation and Ticket Center (or TTC) is the transportation hub for all of Walt Disney World.

The TTC is where you park if you drive to Magic Kingdom. It is also the only place you can catch (or transfer to) the monorail to Epcot.

If you plan to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Magic Kingdom, this is the official drop-off spot for that, as well as being the place where some of the offsite buses drop off guests for Magic Kingdom. 

You can also purchase tickets here, snag the ferryboat to Magic Kingdom, and even grab a cup of coffee or snack from the Joffrey’s stand.

Boats and Water Taxis

Quick Facts on Disney Boats and Water Taxis

Cost: Free Where are they available?: Friendships are available at Epcot-area resorts (Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin) and water taxis are available at Magic Kingdom-area Resorts (Polynesian, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Ft. Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge), as well as connecting Disney Springs to Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans – French Quarter, and Port Orleans – Riverside Strollers: Ferryboats (running between the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom) do not require your stroller to be folded or for your child to be removed. All other boat and watercraft will require your child to be removed. However, larger boats may not require the stroller to be folded.

Disney World has LOTS of water, and with that comes lots of options for water transportation.

Boats and water taxis routes

You can access the parks via a boat or water taxi from the following resorts:

Magic Kingdom

• Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Gold Flag route)
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (Gold Flag route)
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Gold Flag route)
• Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (Green Flag route)
• Wilderness Lodge (Red Flag route)
• Boulder Ridge Villas (Red Flag route)

Keep in mind that some of the water taxis from the above resorts may be limited . Here’s what is open at the Disney Resort hotels right now .

Epcot and Hollywood Studios

• BoardWalk Inn
• BoardWalk Villas
• Beach Club Resort
• Beach Club Villas
• Yacht Club Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
• Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

Disney Springs is also accessible via boat from these resorts:

• Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
• Port Orleans Resort—Riverside
• Old Key West Resort
• Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Resort to Resort

• Contemporary – Fort Wilderness – Wilderness Lodge (Blue Flag route)

Boat Schedule

The schedule for the boats and water taxis can vary, and of course, the tricky weather in Florida can be an issue. We recommend you inquire at your resort upon your arrival for an updated schedule. Most routes run on 15- to 30-minute intervals.

Ferryboat (Magic Kingdom only)

Quick facts on ferryboats.

Cost: Free Where is it available?: Between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom Strollers: You do not need to fold your stroller or remove your child from the stroller to board

In addition to all the water taxis, Disney also operates ferryboats between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom.

These boats – the Richard F. Irvine, the Admiral Joe Fowler, and the General Joe Potter – are large vessels capable of transporting around 600 guests at a time.

Ferryboat Schedule

The ferry boats typically begin running around 30-45 minutes before park opening and up until about 90 minutes after the parks close.

Disney Skyliner (gondolas)

Quick Facts on the Disney Skyliner

Cost: Free Where is it Available?: The Skyliner runs between Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios Strollers: You do not need to fold your stroller or remove your child from the stroller to board

The Disney Skyliner gondola system is the newest transportation option and connects 4 different resorts to 2 theme parks:

• Art of Animation (shares station with Pop Century)
• Pop Century (shares station with Art of Animation)
• Caribbean Beach (home to the main station where you transfer if heading to Hollywood Studios)
• Riviera Resort

Theme Parks:

Hollywood Studios

• Epcot (via the International Gateway)

The gondolas are adorable and, aside from mishaps at the beginning, they have been operating smoothly.

Because of the uniqueness of this transportation option we have an entire post dedicated to explaining how the Disney Skyliner works if you would like more information.

If you’re in need of some dining ideas, be sure to also check out our dining on the Disney Skyliner post .

Skyliner Schedule

Probably the most frustrating thing about the new Skyliner is the schedule.

The schedule isn’t published ahead of time and typically you are only able to see the current day’s schedule posted on signs outside of the stations.

Generally, they start running 1 hour prior to park opening and usually go until 90 minutes after park closing.

However, keep in mind that they undergo extensive testing each morning before starting up (which can sometimes delay the opening) and that they do not operate during inclement weather.

When it comes to boarding, depending on your party size, you may have to share a gondola with other guests. Sometimes you’ll be lucky enough to score your own gondola.

Because of the possibility for long lines and the fact that the weather can force the gondolas to pause operations,  if you plan to arrive for park opening, we typically don’t recommend you use the Skyliner unless you absolutely have to .

Quick Facts on Minnie Vans

Cost: $22 plus a flat rate per mile Where are they available?: Minnie Vans are available throughout Walt Disney World and between WDW and the Orlando International Airport Strollers: You will need to fold your stroller to use a Minnie Van; car seats are provided

Minnie Vans are a premium service and are about as close to door-to-door service as you can get at a theme park.

At first, Minnie Vans charged a flat rate, but now fees are determined by a distanced-based model. Disney’s Minnie Vans charge a $22 flat rate plus additional cost per mile. 

That means they are significantly more than a regular Uber or Lyft, but they can still be a good deal for families needing carseats.

When they first went into operation, Minnie Vans were limited to only onsite guests, but that has since changed. Minnie Vans are now available across the entire Walt Disney World resort area, and anybody can use them (not just Walt Disney World Resort guests).

We really love Minnie Vans and have written an entire post all about how Minnie Vans work and what to expect if you take one.

Minnie Van Schedule

Minnie Vans are available 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.

Other ways to get around

Outside of Disney World transportation, you can obviously drive , but you can also make use of taxis/ Lyft or Uber .

When it comes to using Lyft or Uber , we encourage you to review current policies for both companies before riding, and for general information on how ride-sharing at Disney World works you can read our post on  why we prefer Lyft .

If you choose to rent a car , costs can add up between paying for the rental, gas, and  paying to park at the resorts . But the trade-off is that you’ll be in control of your arrival time to the parks. You won’t have to rely on a bus or boat or monorail or gondola.

We have found that the parking lots typically open up about an hour before the park is scheduled to open.

Disney Transportation maps

Use the handy transportation maps below to see the drop-off and pickup spots for each of the parks and Disney Springs:

Note: With all the new construction happening at this park, things have been changing frequently. Use this as a guide but double check locations when you are there!

Animal Kingdom

In love with Disney transportation?

Here’s a fantastically awesome transportation map from https://www.wdwfocus.com/map/ (click to enlarge) that you might like as a handy reference. I bought a print of it that hangs in my office.

How to get to a theme park from Disney Springs

There are no buses from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

Resort guests can get directly to theme parks or Disney Springs, and you can travel to Disney Springs from the theme parks after 4 p.m., but people wanting to park for free in Disney Springs and go to the theme parks will not be able to do that.

Disney Transportation Refurbishment Schedule

Disney transportation faqs.

Have a question about getting around Walt Disney World? We have answers!

How long does it take to get to (insert your desired location here)?

Travel times may vary, but we always recommend you allow 90 minutes for transportation, especially if you are planning to arrive in time for a reservation.

Is Disney transportation free?

Yes! The only form of Disney transportation that costs anything are Minnie Vans. All other forms of transportation (buses, monorail, boats, Skyliner) are all free to use for both guests staying onsite and off.

How do you get from the Value and Moderate Resorts to a theme park?

Until the Disney Skyliner opened up in September of 2019, guests staying at all Value and Moderate resorts only had 1 option to get to all 4 parks: bus.

But, now guests at Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, and Pop Century have the option to take the Disney Skyliner (gondolas) to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Note: Disney frequently has bus service to and from Epcot for Art of Animation guests.

Guests staying at those resorts wishing to go to any other park will have to take a bus.

And, for guests at all other Value and Moderate resorts, the only option for all 4 parks is bus.

How do you get from a Deluxe resort to one of the theme parks?

Magic Kingdom resorts can take the monorail or boats to Magic Kingdom, monorail to Epcot, and buses to the other parks (guests at The Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian can also walk to MK).

Boardwalk resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, & Dolphin) can take a Friendship or walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Buses are available to the other parks.

Guests staying at Disney’s Riviera (Deluxe Villa) have the option to take the Disney Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Note: while the Skyliner is open, bus service to Hollywood Studios and Epcot from Disney’s Rivera Resort will be reduced to once per hour.

All other Deluxe resort guests will take buses to theme parks.

How do you travel between resorts at Disney World?

Traveling from resort to resort is one of the most difficult things to figure out at Disney World.

Want to get there fast? Use Lyft/Uber or a taxi

We’ve often considered making a dining reservation at a hotel, but changed our mind once we thought about getting to and from the restaurant.

At least we would do that until we discovered just how easy it is to use a rideshare service or taxi at Disney world.

Hands down the quickest (and easiest) way to get between resorts is often by taxi or Lyft/Uber .

We don’t think this option is used enough at Disney World.

It doesn’t usually cost more than $10 or $15 for a taxi (less for a Lyft/Uber ) and can get you to your destination within a few minutes.

When operating, Disney’s Minnie Vans are also an option for a $22 flat rate plus additional cost per mile. 

Free options for traveling between resorts

If you’re using Disney’s free transportation, a good general rule is to get to the theme park closest to the destination resort and catch a bus or monorail from there to your destination resort.

For example, if you’re at Pop Century and need to get to The Grand Floridian, you’d want to take a bus to Magic Kingdom and then take the monorail to The Grand Floridian.

Another example: if you’re at Port Orleans Riverside and need to get to Animal Kingdom Lodge, you could take a bus to Animal Kingdom and then catch a bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Disney World Cast Members will likely suggest going to Disney Springs and connecting there, but going to the nearest theme park usually makes much more sense.

Does Disney provide a shuttle to and from the airport?

They used to. Until January 2022 Disney had a free airport shuttle service called Magical Express. That service has now ended, and you’ll need to make arrangements to go from the airport to your resort .

Is there transportation from Disney resorts to Universal?

While Disney (and Universal) do not provide transportation between the 2 resorts, you can arrange it on your own.

Here are some options:

• Rent a car on your Universal day(s)  – there are  a few places to rent a car at Disney World . Just be sure to consider the $26/day parking fee at Universal when determining your best options (and keep in mind that Disney now charges for parking at their resort hotels , too!).
• Take a taxi  – this is probably the most convenient option, but not the cheapest for many people. Fares run around $32-45 each way.
• Use Uber   or Lyft – if you have the Uber app installed, you can have a driver take you for about $30-50 each way, depending on where you’re starting, if surge pricing is in effect, and which type of car you request.  Get more info on how it works.
• Take a shuttle  – Mears has shuttles available for around $24 roundtrip (per person) which can be booked online . If you have more than 3 people, 1 of the other options above will be less expensive and more convenient.

How do you get from park to park?

All 4 parks have transportation available to allow you to hop to another park .

• Epcot – Take the Magic Kingdom monorail or ferry to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the Epcot monorail
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios –  bus
• Animal Kingdom – bus
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – bus, boat, Skyliner (gondola), or you can even walk
• Magic Kingdom –  Take the Epcot monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to either the Magic Kingdom monorail or take the ferry
• Magic Kingdom – bus
• Epcot – bus, boat, Skyliner (gondola), or you can even walk
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – bus
• Epcot – bus

How do you get to Ft. Wilderness?

Many people need to get to Ft. Wilderness for various activities.

Our previous advice to go to a theme park and catch a bus to your destination resort will work here, but there is also a boat from Magic Kingdom that you might want to take.

If you are short on time, we also recommend taking a Minnie Van (currently unavailable) as this service drops you off extremely close to Pioneer Hall.

How do you avoid the crowds of people heading to the buses at park close?

After the nighttime entertainment ends and crowds leave in droves, there will be long, long…..long lines at the bus stops. To avoid this, consider 1 of these options:

• Take a taxi or Uber/Lyft back to your resort
• Use a Minnie Van
• Position yourself so you’re one of the first to leave the park and one of the first to get to your bus stop
• View from outside the park so you’re not caught in the crowds at all. This mainly works at Magic Kingdom, where you can view fireworks from one of the beaches at the monorail resorts. It doesn’t work as well at the other nighttime shows.

Is there transportation from Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom?

Nope. There is no transportation to any of the parks from Disney Springs. To get to one of the parks you’ll have to go to a resort first.

Disney’s Magical Express (no longer available beginning Jan. 1, 2022)

Important:  Magical Express will no longer be offered beginning with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022 .

Guests who arrive prior to Jan. 1, 2022 will be transported back to Orlando International Airport after their stay via Magical Express until Jan. 10, 2022. After this date, Disney won’t provide complimentary transportation back to the airport.

Magical Express was one of those staples that we thought would always be around, but after the parks closed in 2020, Disney slowly began pulling back some of the features (like luggage delivery and Resort Airline Check-In) before officially announcing Magical Express would be phased out.

Magical Express was the only free airport shuttle option (it ran from the Orlando International Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort) and for many people, they felt like their vacations began as soon as they stepped on the bus.

With Magical Express ending, you’ll need to find another way to get from the airport to your resort.

Mears (the company that ran Magical Express) is offering a service called Mears Connect. Check out the links below for more information:

• Orlando Airport Pick-up Options
• How Mears Connect Works

Although Resort Airline Check-in is no longer around, luggage assistance is still available at the front of Disney Resort hotels, along with luggage storage at Bell Services and/or transport to the room.

Just make sure you allocate enough time to snag them from there before you need to head to the airport.

Disney World Transportation Links

Want to learn more about Disney World buses, boats, monorail, and more?

Check out these handy posts for even more information on how to get around Walt Disney World.

• How to Navigate with Disney World Transportation
• How to Get Anywhere on Disney World Property (WDW Prep Navigator)
• Strollers on Disney World Transportation (Buses, Skyliner, Monorail, Boats)
• Complete Guide to the Disney Skyliner
• How Minnie Vans Work
• How to use Lyft or Uber at Walt Disney World
• Renting a Car at Walt Disney World
• Everything You Need to Know About Parking at Walt Disney World
• How Mears Connect (the Magical Express replacement) works
• Mears Connect review: Is the airport transportation service worth your time and money?

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Have you tried out one of the Disney World transportation options? Leave a comments below and tell us how it went!

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10 Best Ways To Travel Around Disney World

Disney World is an absolutely massive place with tons of far-spread attractions - here are the best methods of traveling across the park.

The Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida, contains four theme parks, two water parks, 27 Disney resort hotels, nine other hotels, a giant shopping and entertainment center, golf courses, a camping destination, and various other attractions. In other words, it is huge .

All of these things and more are stretched over around 25,000 acres, which is approximately equal to 39 sq. miles. Because of this, Disney has provided many ways for guests to get around and you’re definitely going to want to consider them all on your next visit.

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Sit back and keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the moving vehicle at all time; Here are 10 of the best ways to get around Disney World.

8 Disney Skyliner

Disney’s newest form of transportation, which opened up on Sept. 27, take guests on a leisurely cruise through the air. This gondola lift system has five stations located at Epcot and Hollywood Studios as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation Resort, and Riviera Resort.

Though there is no AC inside each gondola, carefully designed windows push air from the outside into each vehicle. Additionally, you’ll get a beautiful birds-eye view of the resort from the gondolas that can’t be gotten anywhere else.

If you're looking to head to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, the Monorail may be the way to go. This train in the sky connects these parks, the Magic Kingdom's Transportation and Ticket Center, and a handful of resorts (the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary).

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The Monorail is quick and efficient, beginning operation half an hour before the Magic Kingdom opens and closing one hour after the park does. Additionally, it's completely free to use and the routes are easy to follow.

Though many people choose to take the Monorail into the Magic Kingdom from the parking lot, there is another way to cross over the Seven Sea Lagoon -- and that is the Magic Kingdom Ferry boats.

Like the Monorail, the ferry begins running half an hour before the Magic Kingdom opens, however, it runs even later into the evening, concluding service 1.5 hours after the park closes.

The ferries are also free to board and usually have around a 10- to 20-minute wait depending on the time of day. Some people choose to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and the ferry back to the parking lot or vice versa to get all the best views.

5 Friendship Boats

The Magic Kingdom Ferry isn’t the only type of water transportation to exist at Disney World. Right outside of Epcot’s hidden World Showcase entrance is what’s known as the Friendship Boats. These boats leisurely move across Crescent Lake, connecting Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Along the main route, guests are also able to get off at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin resorts. Though the boats aren't the most efficient way to park hop, they are one of the more scenic ways.

The Friendships boats can also be found in Epcot, running across the World Showcase Lagoon.

Disney has an incredible bus service that connects many of the parks, resorts, and additional entertainment destinations together. They're totally free to use and run on a constant schedule around 20-minutes apart.

Disney Resort busses that are destined for the parks begin operating around 45 minutes before park opening and end about an hour before park closing. The return buses continue until around 2 hours after the parks close their gates.

The busses are easy to use and understand, so they're one of the best options for getting around the property.

4 Minnie Van

These Minnie Vans are basically Disney's version of Lyft or Uber. In fact, they actually  are  connected to the Lyft app.

The Minnie Vans allows you to go anywhere on Disney property or to the Orlando International Airport, although choosing the latter of the two destinations will have you paying a hefty $150 fee.

Rides on-site are much cheaper, though there is still a cost based on where you're going, so it's up to you to decide whether or not the price is worth it. At the very least, your ride vehicle will look cute.

Though you'll never have to drive if you're staying on Disney property, it's probably the best way to get to the resort when you're staying a little farther away. Thankfully, Disney has parking everywhere so you won't have to worry about where to leave your car.

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It costs $25 a day to park any standard vehicle outside of one of the four major theme parks, however, there are ways to get around this. If you have an annual pass or are staying at a Disney resort, you can park at the amusement parks for free. Additionally, parking at places including Disney Springs, the waterparks, and the golf courses is always free. You might even want to consider parking at Disney Springs (since it's usually open latest) and then bussing to one of the theme parks.

2 Water Taxis

The one type of water transportation we haven't mentioned yet are the water taxis and cruises that run between the resorts, Magic Kingdom, and Disney Springs.

The Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Wilderness Lodge resorts, as well as the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, use water taxis to transport people to and from the Magic Kingdom. Additionally, the Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resort all have boats that bring guests out to The Landing at Disney Springs. These water taxis can also be boarded for free to move to the West Side and Marketplace locations.

Walt Disney World Railroad

Though its temporarily shut down for renovations, the Walt Disney World Railroad is a fabulous way to get around once you’re inside the Magic Kingdom.

The train contains three stations located on Main Street U.S.A. and in Frontierland and Fantasyland. There is on-board narration and the 20-minute loop is almost as fun as an actual ride.

Though we might not see too many major changes to the attraction as it's was primarily being rerouted around the new TRON coaster, we're still excited to see any updates the train gets.

While Disney offers many ways to get around, there’s nothing quite like tackling the parks on foot. Though park hopping will require you to jump in a car or on the monorail, moving throughout them will not.

By opting to walk when you can, you’ll notice all the small details you would have missed by zipping by. Disney has created lots of paths filled with gorgeous sceney that will make your stroll through the parks a pleasent one.

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Disney Transportation Guide for Getting Around Walt Disney World

A Vacation at Disney World includes Complimentary Transportation across the parks, resorts, water parks and Disney Springs. And if you’re visiting for a competition, you can get shuttles to the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Golf Courses too. Staying on Disney property while at Walt Disney World offers a variety of benefits, and not needing a car is one of them! However, while Disney World does provide FREE Disney transportation at Walt Disney World, it still is somewhat confusing. From when to take the Disney Bus, to the Ferry, or the Monorail, or Skyliner, we’re breaking down ALL the ways you can get around Disney World on your next vacation.

How To Get Around at Walt Disney World

One of the biggest mysteries of any Disney Vacation is based on the question “Do you need a car at Walt Disney World? And while we sometimes recommend driving a car to Walt Disney World we are also big advocates for just taking the plane there and planning to be stranded at Disney for your vacation. Don’t worry, it’s actually quite liberating and not that scary. In fact, it actually has a term; the Disney Bubble. Being in the Disney Bubble, not only means you leave the real world behind, but also most of the responsibilities too. Whether it’s making your meals, or driving from one place to another…all those things can be done for you at Disney World. Meaning that you get to sit back and relax instead. Still, you’ll will need to know which bus, monorail, or boat to hail to get where you’re going. Let’s dive into all the Transportation at Walt Disney World options. 

Getting To and From the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World

Getting to and from the Orlando International Airport ( MCO) to Walt Disney World isn’t difficult. But, it does cost something. You can choose a ride-share service, like Uber, for a flat rate cost for whoever can fit in the car you choose in the app. Or you can pay a per-person fee for a service like Mears Connect. You can also use a good old fashioned Taxi Service. No matter which you choose you will have to add this to your Disney Budget. Because Disney World DOES NOT have a free shuttle from the Orlando Airport. As such you will have to plan for one of the following. 

• Hire a Shuttle Bus from Orlando Airport to Disney World 
• Hail an Uber/ Lyft or Taxi

Buses at Disney World 

The main transportation service available at every Disney Resort are the Disney Buses. As the main mode of transportation across the entire property, there are some resorts, like the Value Resorts , for which Disney buses are their only form of transportation. 

Where do Disney Buses Go?

When staying on property at Disney World, you can catch Disney Buses to and from most places, but there are rules. Disney Buses from Disney Resorts go to the Disney Parks, Water Parks and Disney Springs. Disney Buses from Disney Springs only go to Disney Resorts, ( Not Parks). And Disney Buses from the Parks go to Disney Resorts, and sometimes, other parks. Buses generally cannot be taken from one resort to get to another resort.

Typically, Disney Buses are scheduled to  arrive every 15-20 minutes at the bus stations across Walt Disney World. However, this is pretty untrue much of the time, especially if you’re visiting during peak season. If taking the buses anywhere, allow yourself about an hour or so of travel time. Buses can be taken from the resorts to the Parks, Water Parks, and Disney Springs. Your best bet is to check the resort page within the My Disney Experience App for the Bus Times tab, so that you can see the arrival times for each bus at your home resort. Here are some general Bus rules to remember for Walt Disney World. 

Disney Bus Information

• You can get a Disney Bus from your Disney Resort to any of the four Disney Parks, two Water Parks and Disney Springs. 
• Disney Springs buses only travel to the Disney Resorts, not the parks. 
• Disney Buses do not travel between Disney Resorts. This is important to remember if you’re visiting a resort for a late dinner reservation. As you won’t be able to travel from one resort to another, you will have to get a bus to a park first, and transfer from there to your Resort Bus. 
• Sometimes you can get a Disney Bus from one park to another. For example, right now if you’re at Magic Kingdom, you would be able to catch a bus to either Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios. But would have to catch the Monorail if you wanted to visit EPCOT.
• Disney Buses typically start running about 45 minutes before a parks opening time, and about 60 minutes after a parks closing time. These times adjust accordingly for both Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Theme Park hours. 

Disney World Monorail Transportation

One of the marvels of a Disney World Vacation is being able to enjoy the monorail. This train in the sky connects two separate areas at Walt Disney World: The Disney Monorail Resorts and The Transportation and Ticket Center Line. Both monorail lines are accessible from the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC) and allow transportation by monorail from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT, with a transfer at the TTC. Here’s what you need to know about the two monorails at Disney World. 

The Disney Monorail Resorts and Magic Kingdom Line

With access just outside the Magic Kingdom front gates, the Disney Monorail Resort Line connects three resorts, and the TTC.  The Resorts Monorail stops at Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort, the Transportation Ticket Center (TTC), The Polynesian ( and Shades of Green), and The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This “highway in the sky” creates one loop that will take you to and from Magic Kingdom. 

• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• The Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The TTC and Epcot Monorail Line

Accessible from the main entrance of Magic Kingdom and the TTC, a second loop will take you to Epcot.  If you want to go from one loop to the other, simply switch monorails at the Ticket and Transportation Center stop. The TTC is also where you will take the monorail to get to Magic Kingdom, as the TTC is also Magic Kingdom’s Parking Lot. 

Disney World Boat  Transportation

Another form of transportation at Disney world is by boat. There are several kinds of boats available. Some take you from the parking lot, others take you between resorts and parks. Depending on where you are going, you may be able to take a boat to the parks, your resort, and even other resorts. While boats are definitely the least crowded of the options, they are also the slowest. Allow for about 20 minutes of travel time to get to your destination, depending on where you’re going. Check out all the Disney Resorts that offer Boat Service . 

Ferry Boat to Magic Kingdom

If you are driving to Magic Kingdom, you will have to park at the TTC; Transportation Ticket Center. Once there you can choose between taking the Magic Kingdom Ferry or the Monorail to go to Magic Kingdom. Your choice! The  Ferry to Magic Kingdom offers a panoramic view of the front of the park, as well as great views of the Monorail Resorts that surround the lagoon. It’s slower and more leisurely than the monorail. So if you’re not in a rush, take the time to take in the views of the Lagoon. You can catch a boat about 45 minutes before park opening and 45 minutes after at 15-20 minute intervals. 

Boats To and From Magic Kingdom Park

The boats leaving Magic Kingdom not only include the Ferry, but also smaller boats that go to the nearby resorts. Resorts in the Magic Kingdom Area have access to the boats to and from Magic Kingdom throughout the day. Offering an alternative mode of transportation for those who don’t want to take the monorail or buses. One boat route includes visits to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds. While the other boat route offers transportation to the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resort. 

Boats To and From EPCOT Park

The main boat station at EPCOT is located at the International Gateway, at the back of the park. If you are staying at one of the BoardWalk Resorts , or one of the Disney Marriott Hotels, then you can grab a boat at the dock to bring you to the Epcot International Gateway. 

Boats within EPCOT Park also allow you to travel from one side of the World Showcase ( at the port of call shops) to the other (America Pavilion). This is especially helpful if you have kids or can’t walk long distances, or just need a break! Just grab a boat. 

Boats To and From Hollywood Studios 

At Hollywood Studios you can also grab a boat right outside the entrance that brings you to the Boardwalk Resorts (Boardwalk Inn, The Yacht Club or The Beach Club), the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and back to the EPCOT International Gateway. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling back and forth between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, but don’t want to take the walking path. 

Boats To and From Disney Springs

Disney Springs shopping center also has boat service that could be helpful if you’re staying at Port Orleans Riverside Resort or Port Orleans French Quarter. The boats at Disney Springs run between 10:30 AM- 11:30 PM.

Disney Skyliner  Transportation

Another form of complimentary transportation at Walt Disney World is the Disney Skyliner. And it is a great way to skip the crowds and see the views while you travel across the sky. Check out our quick guide to the Disney Skyliner. This form of transportation offers seating for up to 10 people in one car and guests are often seated together. There are two Skyliner routes; one to EPCOT Park and one to Hollywood Studios Park.  Both begin at the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and if coming from the Art of Animation or Pop Century Resorts you will need to transfer to which route you need. Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort are also along the Skyliner route. 

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is the TRANSFER station for the Disney Skyliner. This means you will have to get out of the skyliner at this stop. From here you can choose several paths on the skyliner. 

• You can visit the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts
• Head to Hollywood Studios
• Or head towards the Disney’s Riviera Resort, which continues onto EPCOT. 

Disney Walking Paths 

While transportation in the travel sense, you don’t need to use transportation to take advantage of the walking paths at Walt Disney World. From helping resort guests get to the parks, to hidden spaces like the BoardWalk, you can find Disney Walking Paths at Walt Disney World of all shapes and sizes. Luckily, there are even a few Disney Resorts that are within Walking Distance of the Parks to help you avoid transportation all together. 

Resorts Within Walking Distance to Magic Kingdom

The walking path at Magic Kingdom goes in two separate directions, but does not connect like a loop. Instead, if you are leaving the park and choosing to go to the Contemporary, you turn left. Whereas if you’re headed to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts, you simply walk behind the monorail stations and turn right.  

Resorts Within Walking Distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

This area of Disney World is considered the Disney BoardWalk Area. With a large open boardwalk that surrounds the lagoon, you can walk to and from all these resorts as well as to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. If you’re staying at any of these resorts, you are in walking distance of these two parks. and won’t need to use other transportation unless you choose. 

• Dolphin Hotel
• Swan Reserve
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Other Walking Paths at Disney World

In addition to using walking paths to get to and from the parks to the resorts, you can also use them as shortcuts at Disney World parks. Plus, if you’re staying at sister resorts there are several walking path options for you to enjoy. Making it easer to access multiple resorts at once. Here are the connecting paths that help you walk from resort to resort at Disney World. 

• Animal Kingdom Lodge has a walking path that connects Kidani Village and Jambo House , making it easy to go back and forth for dining reservations, and events. 
• The All Star Resorts have walking path, or sidewalk, that connects that All Star Music, All Star Movies and All Star Sports Resorts. Making it easy to take advantage of different spaces, food courts and events.
• The Port Orleans Resorts have a walking path that connect both Riverside and French Quarter , as well as the other Disney Springs Area Resorts. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and Disney Springs are all accessible by walking path at the Port Orleans Resorts. 
• The Magic Kingdom Walking Path connects both the Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian Village Resort. 
• There is a riverside path that connects EPCOT and Hollywood Studios by walking path , allowing you to easily park hop between those two parks. 

Transportation from Disney Springs to Walt Disney World

One of the most confusing elements of the Walt Disney World Transportation Options is its bus service to and from Disney Springs. If you are staying in a Hotel Near Disney Springs , then you’re probably wondering if that gets you closer to the parks. The answer to that is NO. Staying at a Disney Springs Hotel does not get you within walking distance of Walt Disney World Theme Parks. That said, we do have a list of Disney Resorts within walking distance of Disney Springs. 

If you’re staying at a Disney Springs Hotel, how do you get to Walt Disney World Parks? If your Hotel doesn’t have a shuttle to each Disney Theme Park, this is what you can do. In order to get to a Disney World Park from Disney Springs you can take any Disney Resort Bus from the Disney Springs Bus Depot. But choose wisely. Because once you arrive at the Disney Resort, you will then have to transfer to a Disney Parks Bus, from the resort. So which Disney Resort Bus should you choose? Here’s A quick breakdown, of the resorts closest to each park, that provide you the shortest bus ride to the park you’re trying to get to. Check out our Disney Springs transportation guide for all the details. 

From Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom

Once at Disney Springs, you can grab a bus to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, OR Disney’s Contemporary Resort. All are on the Disney Monorail Line, which stops at Magic Kingdom. To get the closest you can c hoose the Grand Floridian Resort Bus and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom. OR choose the Contemporary Resort and take the walking path, about 5 minutes to the Magic Kingdom gates. 

From Disney Springs to EPCOT

If heading to EPCOT from Disney Springs, you will want to get a bus to any of the Disney BoardWalk Resorts . These include Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, and the Boardwalk Inn Resort. All of these are within walking distance of EPCOT Park’s back entrance, known as the International Gateway. The get the closest to this Epcot gate, choose the Disney Beach Club Bus, then walk through the lobby and out onto the BoardWalk.From there, you simply turn left at the beach and walk until you reach the gates of EPCOT.

From Disney Springs to Hollywood Studios

Disney Springs to Hollywood Studios means grabbing one of the buses to the Disney BoardWalk or to one of the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. Any of these resorts will get you close to the gates, but there are options. To get the closest, but without walking, you can choose the Disney Swan and Dolphin Bus. This gets close to the walking path between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios but also gets you close to the boat dock. You can then transfer from the bus to the boat heading to Hollywood Studios or walk the path. Alternatively, you can also choose the Beach Club Resort Bus, and head towards the Skyliner Gondola station just outside the EPCOT gates. Then take the Skyliner Gondola to Hollywood Studios. Both options get you to Hollywood Studios from Disney Springs. 

From Disney Springs to Animal Kingdom

By far the easiest Disney World theme park to get to from Disney Springs, Animal Kingdom Park only has one nearby resort. And that’s Animal Kingdom Lodge . This Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World is a great place to stop anyway for up-close views of animals roaming the savanna and a bite to eat at Sanaa . To get to Animal Kingdom Park from Disney Springs simply take the Animal Kingdom Lodge Bus, and then transfer to the Animal Kingdom bus once you’re at the resort. 

Driving to Disney World

In a hurry and don’t want to wait that long for a ride to get where you’re going? Here are some of your alternatives if you decide to bring a car to Walt Disney World.  Drive.  Driving allows you the most freedom when you’re at Disney, but keep in mind, traffic can be stressful. You’re still in Orlando. If you’re an annual pass holder or if you’re staying on the property, the $25 parking fee will be waived. That said, there are reasons to drive to be sure! 

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, your parking fee at the theme parks is waived, and you do not have to pay to park at the resort either. As such, you will not be charged for bringing your car. While this hasn’t always been the case, we’re so grateful that we get the freedom to have car if we need one. A car allows you the opportunity to go pick up pizza, or head to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , and other areas of Orlando. And while navigating the parking lots and trams and traffic, when you’re driving, it may be easier than navigating the buses if you have small children with strollers. 

Renting an Uber, Lyft or Taxi

Another option for getting to and from the parks, and anywhere else you want to go is by using a ride for hire service. Uber has gotten a lot more expensive since we first started taking it on property, but there are designated areas where you can catch your rideshare at each park. Note that Uber drivers are not allowed near the Magic Kingdom park gates, so you will still need to take the monorail to the TTC in order to meet your driver. Or walk to the Contemporary Resort and have them pick you up there. 

Walt Disney World Minnie Vans

This posh option in Disney transportation is available for a hefty cost, but may be your best bet if you’re in a pinch. This van dressed up like Minnie is easy to spot and Super cute. Available to book through the Lyft App, you can check out the Disney Minnie Van Guide for details on current prices, tips and services. 

Getting Around Disney World

There you have it, all the transportation options at Disney World. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, there are plenty of options to help you get to where you’re going. And it’s crucial to remember while planning. We’ve found that we’re often prioritizing resort transportation options above everything else when we book vacations. Because whether we’re staying late at a Disney After Hours Party or walking up early to rope drop our favorite rides, the transportation can make or break those plans. Standing in line for buses at 1 AM after a party, or even at 9 PM with the fireworks crowds always make us aware of how much transportation can affect our trip. Choose wisely! And let us know your favorite strategies for getting around Disney World. 

Beaches Near Disney World: Closest Beaches to Orlando

Florida’s beaches are among the world’s most beautiful. With their crystal-clear water and soft white sand, a trip to the beach seems like the perfect escape from the Disney World crowds . But how far are the beaches from Walt Disney World, and which beaches are worth visiting? Here is a list of the 13 best beaches near Disney World and some beach alternatives within the park.

1. Cocoa Beach

• Distance : 65.4 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 9 min (via FL-528 E)

Cocoa Beach is the closest beach to Disney World , less than 70 miles away via State Road 528 (a toll road). The drive time is just over an hour.

Cocoa Beach is a world-famous beach on Florida’s Space Coast. The spacious beach offers plenty of room for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing. Cocoa Beach is an excellent spot for introducing kids to bodyboarding or surfing due to its fantastic surf conditions.

The area has several restaurants and shops, and a pier offers fishing and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. There are also restrooms and playgrounds on the beach for kids to enjoy.

Lori Wilson Park is great for picnics if you prefer not to eat out. Parking fees at Lori Wilson Park and the Pier are $15 per vehicle, which includes entry to the Pier for all vehicle occupants.

2. Canaveral National Seashore (Apollo, Klondike, and Playalinda Beaches)

• Distance : 65.6 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 7 min (via FL-528 E)

Canaveral National Seashore is another excellent option for a beach day outside Disney World.

The beach is located on a barrier island between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, only about an hour’s drive from Disney World. It offers 24 miles of undeveloped coastline and is home to some of the most pristine beaches in Florida.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimming here is only recommended for strong swimmers. However, the surfing conditions are excellent, and there are plenty of opportunities to fish, bird watch, or enjoy a walk along the beach.

The Apollo Beach Visitor’s Center has restrooms, rinse-off showers, picnic areas, playgrounds, and information about the area. It’s a great place to start your day at the beach.

Playalinda Beach at the southern end of the seashore has fewer services (only chemical toilets and even cell phone service is iffy), but it’s an astounding place to view rocket launches from the nearby Kennedy Space Center. Keep an eye on the launch schedule as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA activities will have a major effect on your trip to (and day at) this beach.

Visitors must pay $20.00 per vehicle to enter the park (valid for seven days).

If you’re looking to experience a natural beach setting (minus the occasional rocket launch ), Canaveral National Seashore is the best choice.

3. New Smyrna Beach

• Distance : 71 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 13 min (via I-4 Ultimate Express Lanes, I-4 E, and FL-44 E)

New Smyrna Beach is located just over an hour from Disney World, making it an ideal option for a day trip.

The beach is situated on a barrier island between Daytona Beach to the north and Canaveral National Seashore to the south. The 17-mile beach is wide and sandy, with plenty of room to sunbathe, swim, or surf.

New Smyrna Beach is considered one of the best surfing spots in Florida, and there are several surf schools on the beach if you want to learn how to surf. On the other side of the open ocean are the Indian River backwaters, where kayaking and fishing are popular.

In addition to the beach, there are several restaurants and shops in the area. There is some free parking nearby, but beach parking lots charge $20 per vehicle. You can find restrooms and showers at the beach pavilions.

4. Daytona Beach

• Distance : 71.4 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 11 min (via I-4 Ultimate Express Lanes and I-4 E)

Daytona Beach is one of Florida’s most popular beaches, only about an hour’s drive from Disney World. The beach is famous for its hard-packed sand, which makes it ideal for driving on (driving is only allowed in certain areas).

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, Daytona Beach offers plenty of other activities. Visitors can take a walk or ride a bike on the Boardwalk and Pier, visit the Daytona International Speedway, or go shopping at the Ocean Walk Village. There are also dozens of restaurants and bars in the area.

Daytona Beach is an excellent choice if you are looking for an action-packed beach day. Although the beach is a famous party spot, it is still relatively family-friendly and low-key (as long as you avoid Spring Break and the Daytona 500 weeks).

5. Melbourne Beach

• Distance : 78.1 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 25 min (via FL-528 W)

Melbourne Beach lies on a barrier island between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, about an hour and a half from Disney World.

The beautiful beach stretches across 33 miles of undeveloped, unspoiled sand. Its waves are ideal for surfing, its reefs are great for snorkeling, and the shoreline is perfect for jogging.

Melbourne Beach, like Cape Canaveral Seashore and Cocoa Beach, is a must-see when visiting Kennedy Space Center because it’s nearby and worth the extra drive. There are several art festivals throughout the year, and the restaurants and bars often have live musical acts. It’s a charming and lively area to visit.

Melbourne Beach is also one of the most extensive nesting grounds for sea turtles, so many people visit this beach during the summer to observe them. If interested, stop by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society to learn more.

Several streets near Melbourne Beach have free parking, but you’ll probably have to pay for metered parking.

6. Clearwater Beach

• Distance : 92 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 46 min (via I-4 W)

Clearwater Beach is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, less than 2 hours from Disney World.

The white sand beaches and clear blue waters make Clearwater Beach a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.

The Promenade stretches for over a mile, and you can find many restaurants, bars, and stores along the way. Visitors can also take dolphin-watching or pirate ship cruises, rent jet skis, visit the busy marina, or tour the Clearwater Aquarium .

You can find restrooms and rinse-off stations at the beach pavilions, and most parking spots near the beach are metered.

Clearwater Beach is an excellent choice for those looking for a family-friendly and lively beach with plenty of activities for kids. If you prefer calmer waters without the crowds and touristy feel, head to Sand Key County Park, just 10 minutes south.

7. Treasure Island Beach

• Distance : 95.8 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 41 min (via I-4 W)

Treasure Island Beach is situated between St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast, about an hour and a half drive from Disney World.

There is plenty of room to sunbathe or build sandcastles on this 3-mile beach, and the turquoise water and soft white sand make Treasure Island Beach a real gem.

Many activities are available at Treasure Island Beach, including an annual sand sculpture competition, parasailing, paddleboarding, cruises, and more. There’s also a playground and pavilion, and the main street is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. The area has a few lively establishments and tiki bars, but it is still quieter than nearby Clearwater Beach.

The road has free parking, but you’ll probably have to park in a paid lot.

You can find several inexpensive beachfront motels if you decide to stay the night, but if you just want to go for the afternoon, Treasure Island Beach is a worthwhile day trip from Disney World .

8. St. Pete Beach

• Distance : 95.9 mi from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 40 min via I-4 W

The barrier island community of St. Pete Beach lies off the Pinellas County mainland of Saint Petersburg, Florida.

There are miles of pristine white sand beaches, year-round sunshine, and abundant recreational opportunities at St Pete Beach. Moreover, the beach is the longest stretch of undeveloped public beachfront in the Clearwater area.

Besides swimming, sunbathing, and fishing, St. Pete Beach offers exciting activities like boating adventures, kayak tours, and dolphin cruises. There are also many restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues within walking distance of the beach.

It’s no surprise that TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice rankings for 2021 named St. Pete Beach the best beach in the nation . We agree – this is one of the best beaches near Disney World.

9. Vero Beach (has a Disney Resort)

• Distance : 102 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 41 min (via Florida’s Turnpike and E State Rd 60 E)

Vero Beach is a small city located on Florida’s east coast, about an hour and a half drive from Disney World. It’s situated on a barrier island between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.

The beaches here are quiet and pristine, with soft white sand and clear blue waters. Visitors can find plenty of room to sunbathe, swim, fish, or build sandcastles. There are also a few restaurants and shops along the beach.

The area is home to wildlife species like pelicans and loggerhead turtles. If you love wildlife, you may want to combine your trip to Vero Beach with a visit to the nearby Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.

Vero Beach is an excellent choice for a quiet, relaxing beach vacation. Even though the city is small, it is charming and has gorgeous beaches.

You may not know, but Disney has a property in Vero Beach. For an overnight stay to complement your Walt Disney World visit, we recommend Disney’s Vero Beach Resort . Steps away from the beach, it offers spacious and elegant accommodations with the comforts of home. A highlight of each year is sea turtle nesting season. And what could be better than adding Disney magic to your beach experience?

Contact The Vacationeer to learn more about Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or help you plan a Disney World vacation .

10. Anna Maria Island

• Distance : 110 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 54 min (via I-4 W and I-75 S)

Anna Maria Island is a beautiful barrier island located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, just south of St. Petersburg. The island is seven miles long and home to three small towns: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. All three towns have their own unique character, but they all share the same gorgeous white sand beaches and clear blue waters.

The island is perfect for a relaxing beach vacation. There are plenty of restaurants and shops , especially on Pine Avenue, but it’s not as built-up as some other beach areas near Disney World. You can find plenty of room to sunbathe or take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline.

For those who prefer more active pursuits, there are also various options here. Anna Maria Island is great for fishing, boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding . There are several golf courses in the area as well.

Anna Maria Island is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing beach vacation with plenty of activities to keep you busy.

11. St Augustine Beach

• Distance : 119 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 1 hr 55 min (via I-4 E and I-95 N)

St Augustine Beach is located on Anastasia Island, just across the bridge from historic St. Augustine. The beach here is wide and flat, with soft white sand and clear blue waters. It’s an excellent place for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, or simply taking a stroll along the shoreline.

There are several restaurants and shops in the area, as well as a playground and a pavilion. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum is also nearby and makes for an interesting side trip.

Crescent Beach is another good option if you’re looking for a quiet beach vacation. It’s about 20 minutes south of St Augustine Beach and offers a similar experience.

12. Siesta Key

• Distance : 122 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 2 hr 3 min (via I-4 W and I-75 S)

Siesta Key Beach is situated on Siesta Key, a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, about an hour and a half from Disney World. The island is eight miles long and home to several small beach communities. Siesta Key Beach is the most popular beach on the island and consistently ranks as one of the best beaches in the United States.

The sand at Siesta Key Beach is unique: it’s made up of 99% quartz, making it a beautiful white color and very soft to the touch. The beach also has gentle waves, perfect for swimming, boating, and stand-up paddle boarding.

There are plenty of restaurants and shops along the beach and several resorts if you’re looking for a place to stay.

Siesta Key Beach is a must-see if you’re visiting Sarasota or simply looking for something to do on your day off at Disney World. Despite the distance, it is a lovely beach that’s worth the trip.

13. Hilton Head, SC (has a Disney Resort)

• Distance : 326 miles from Disney World
• Driving Time : 5 hr 7 min (via I-95 S)

Hilton Head is one of the most popular beach destinations in the southeastern United States. This beautiful island is about five hours away from Disney World, making it the farthest beach on this list. However, the drive is relatively easy, and there are plenty of things to do in the area.  It’s also right on the way for those driving to Disney from the U.S. Northeast, making it a great overnight stop to break up the long drive.

The beaches here are absolutely stunning, and visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking, and more. In addition to the beaches, Hilton Head is home to several championship golf courses and world-class tennis facilities. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to explore and various scenic hiking trails.

Hilton Head is an excellent option for those looking for a more upscale beach experience.

As with Vero Beach, Hilton Head Island has a magnificent Disney-owned hotel that offers beachfront access, swimming pools, dining, golf, and Disney magic. Contact The Vacationeer for more information about Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort .

Alternative to Beaches at Disney World

Water parks at disney world.

If you’re not interested in driving to the beaches near Disney World, there are several water parks located within the park. These water parks offer exciting slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and more.

The two water parks at Disney World are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon .

• Blizzard Beach is a winter-themed water park with the world’s fastest (and third-tallest) free-fall waterslide and a 3,000 lazy river encircling the entire park.
• Typhoon Lagoon boasts one of the world’s largest outdoor wave pools, several thrilling slides, and a 2,000-foot lazy river.

For those looking to cool off or escape the theme parks for a day, a visit to one of Disney’s water parks may be just what you need.

Pools at Disney World Resort Hotels

In addition to the water parks, all Disney World resort hotels have their own pools. These pools range from small wading pools to large, multi-level pools with slides and other features.

Disney’s more popular hotel pools include Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach/Yacht Club Resort (a massive water park with a lazy river), the Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and The Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. These pools are more extensive than average and offer a variety of amenities for guests to enjoy.

See our Best Pools at Disney World , Disney Hotels with Lazy Rivers , Disney World Hotel Comparison , or contact The Vacationeer for recommendations.

Note : Guests staying at a Disney World hotel can use the pool at their own hotel but generally cannot use any other Disney hotel pools.

Other Activities 

If you’re not interested in spending a day at the beach or the theme parks, there are plenty of other things at or near Disney World.

Both Disney and Orlando offer a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as a vibrant nightlife scene for adults . Several excellent golf courses, tennis courts, and biking trails are available in the area. You can also rent a boat for the day if you wish.

There are endless possibilities at Walt Disney World Resort!

Final Thoughts on Beaches Near Disney and Orlando

It’s not hard to find beaches near Disney World that offer a great day trip for those looking to escape the heat. While some of these beaches are a little further away, they are worth the drive. And, if you’re not interested in driving, several water parks and pools on Disney property offer a fun alternative.

Thanks for reading our Beaches Near Disney World articles. Have a magical trip!

Book your Disney World Vacation

Do you have questions about Florida beaches, Disney water parks,  Disney resorts with pools, or other Disney-related questions? Why not contact one of the Disney travel agents at The Vacationeer for some expert assistance?

Why use a Disney travel agent ? They’ll take care of all reservations, ensure you get the best rates, and watch for future discounts . They’re always willing to share tips and tricks to make your vacation special. Plus, you won’t pay anything extra!

Planning a visit to Anaheim? Check out the best beaches near Disneyland !

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Which beach is the cleanest/clearest for families? My kids said they won’t get in the water if they can’t see the bottom. We’ll be at WDW and want to take a trip to the ocean bc they’ve never been before and most likely gulf side as well for clearer water.

Hi MJ! On the Gulf side, I recommend Clearwater Beach for its family-friendliness and proximity to Disney World. The cleanest beaches would probably be found on Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island, both located on barrier islands surrounded by unspoiled water, and both more relaxing and low-key than the more popular Clearwater. I encourage you to reach out to The Vacationeer if you haven’t yet booked your trip. They’ll be able to help you find the best options. Have a great time!

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30 best Disney World rides ranked for 2024

With four iconic theme parks, more than five decades of history, innovation and nostalgia to consider, and over 50 rides to choose from, naming anything the "best" at Walt Disney World is no easy task ... but we gave it a try anyway.

The best rides at the Most Magical Place on Earth are the ones that deliver incredible thrills, groundbreaking technology and mind-blowingly immersive theming — so this ranking — in order starting with our top pick — is based on a combination of storytelling, thrill factor, innovation, emotional response and old-fashioned nostalgia.

So buckle up, tug on the yellow strap and enjoy your tour of the best rides at Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Height requirement: 40 inches

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — the centerpiece attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge — is such an epic, visceral experience that it feels reductive to call it merely a ride. During the nearly 20-minute adventure in a galaxy far, far away, guests become recruits, enlisted to join the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

There's no other Disney attraction that can compete with the scale of Rise of the Resistance and its four different ride systems, vast cinematic sets, upward of 65 Audio-Animatronics, original score by John Williams, and audio and visual media featuring the original "Star Wars" cast.

The queue, pre-show and ride experience blend seamlessly, forming a cohesive narrative journey that is enhanced by technology but never overpowered by it. The attraction makes you forget the real world — but not because you're stuck in a dark space staring at a screen. In fact, Disney cast members doubling as Resistance heroes or First Order captors appear at key moments during the attraction, bringing a tangible reality to the experience that deepens the immersion.

Rise of the Resistance is a fully realized attraction that also still feels aspirational — new rides have opened since, but none have been quite so ambitious or delivered as Rise does. The bar has been set, and Rise is holding strong.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• Location: World Discovery, Epcot
• Height requirement: 42 inches

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — Epcot's first-ever roller coaster and Walt Disney World's first Marvel ride — definitely wins the "most fun" award. The fact that it's still using a virtual queue nearly two years after opening is a testament to its popularity.

The galaxy's fate is at stake, and the Guardians need help. Coming to their aid, guests board a "starjumper," a 360-degree rotating ride vehicle that reverse-launches into a high-speed indoor roller coaster journey through time and space.

One of six randomized '70s and '80s pop-rock classics provides the soundtrack for the silky smooth ride that feels like a swinging, soaring dance party through space. Like Space Mountain, the ride is in near darkness but enhanced with elaborate projections and some physical set pieces.

Everyone has a favorite song, and predicting which one you'll get adds to the fun, making the ride even more repeatable.

Bonus points go to the physical queue, which winds through the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, formerly "Universe of Energy," and tells a story that feels like classic Epcot but with plenty of Guardians banter.

Ride vehicles rotate to direct attention to a mix of screens and physical set pieces, and though it's a controlled rotation, those prone to motion sickness are likely to be affected by this ride. The negative effects can be minimized by avoiding looking at the screens and keeping your eyes pointed in the direction of the track.

Avatar Flight of Passage

• Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar, Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Height requirement: 44 inches

You don't even need to see an "Avatar" film to be wowed by your first ride on Avatar — Flight of Passage.

The breathtaking 4D experience simulates a flight over Pandora's Valley of Moara. A motorcycle-like ride vehicle creates the sensations of soaring, swooping and diving on the back of a banshee, which you can feel breathing and flapping its wings beneath you.

The stunning score, gorgeous visuals and effects like scents, mist and wind combine to make this one a top must-do, but it also comes with one of the heftiest wait times — still regularly clocking in at two or more hours, nearly seven years after opening.

Luckily, the standby queue is one of Walt Disney World's best, winding through alien flora, mysterious caves, an RDA bunker and a bioluminescent forest before entering an ACE laboratory that includes a stunning full-size Avatar moving inside a tank.

Interesting though the queue is, we still only recommend waiting in it when wait times are manageable, typically at rope drop or as late as possible in the evening.

For most Walt Disney World guests, time is money, so purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane is a smart way to skip the line.

Haunted Mansion

• Location: Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom
• Height requirement: None

An opening-day attraction that never gets old, Haunted Mansion adds more fans to its cult following every year. 2023 brought the debut of a new film inspired by the ride and the announcement that the mansion's 999 happy haunts would soon be hitting the high seas in Haunted Mansion Parlor, opening when the Disney Treasure sets sail this December.

This Ghost Host-led tour aboard a Doom Buggy weaves through the cavernous mansion and its grounds. It's spooky but not too scary for most kiddos — just remind timid little ones that these grim-grinning ghosts are having a big party, and everyone's invited to the swinging wake.

You don't need a new reason to keep this one high on the list, but last November, the Walt Disney World ride did get a long-awaited addition of the legendary Hatbox Ghost, already part of Disneyland's version.

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

• Location: Asia, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney's Animal Kingdom is a great roller coaster on its own, but like the other top rides on this list, its immersive theming is as strong as its thrills.

From Serka Zong village in the Himalayan foothills, an old steam-engine tea train operated by a tour and expedition company brings climbers to Mount Everest base camp — if they're brave enough to ignore the warnings that a mysterious yeti stalks the mountain, that is.

The tallest "mountain" of any Disney park at 199 feet, this is definitely one of Walt Disney World's more intense rides. There's a sizable drop and some big surprises, but there are no inversions, and it's well paced, giving you time to catch your breath during the scenic ascent and dramatic pauses.

This is one of the better picks at Animal Kingdom if you have to do the standby line — it moves quickly, and the immersive queue sets the stage for the adventure, passing through the village tourism office, the Yeti Museum, and even an internet cafe and inn for trekkers.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Location: Frontierland, Magic Kingdom

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness combines family-friendly thrills, nostalgia and immersive theming. Hold on to your hats and glasses as you take off on a runaway mine train, weaving among the iconic towering buttes that reach 197 feet at the highest point.

The bumpy ride is laugh-inducing, sending riders sliding into each other as the train rounds tight turns. A fan favorite since it opened in 1980, the oldie-but-goodie still stands up to Disney's newer coasters in both theming and fun, and at nearly 3 1/2 minutes, it provides a much more satisfying length than many of the newbies.

Three main ascents are followed by gentle drops and thrilling turns that aren't overly stomach-churning. For the wildest ride, sit in Row 15 in the back of the train.

An enhanced backstory and new character, Barnabas T. Bullion, were introduced to the ride in 2013, along with an updated interactive queue. Owner and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company, Bullion is also a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, a fictional mythology spanning stories and attractions across Disney parks worldwide.

Pirates of the Caribbean

• Location: Adventureland, Magic Kingdom

Constructed in just 15 months after guests expressed disappointment when Magic Kingdom opened without the popular Disneyland attraction in 1971, Florida's version of the (mostly) slow-moving, dark boat ride absolutely deserves a top spot on this list.

Housed behind the facade of an old Spanish fort, El Castillo del Morro, the entrance and queue take their design inspiration from a fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Many people would argue Disneyland's version is better, but Walt Disney World's queue is far more immersive. Depending on whether you use the standby queue or Lightning Lane, you'll pass through either the soldiers' quarters or the dungeon, where a famous scene dreamed up by famed Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis shows two skeletons frozen for eternity staring at a chessboard stuck in a no-win configuration.

The ride includes one gentle but exciting plunge in the darkness, followed by some of the most iconic scenes, music and Audio-Animatronics on any Disney ride.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

• Location: Sunset Boulevard, Disney's Hollywood Studios

It's hard to imagine Disney's Hollywood Studios without the iconic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but the attraction didn't open until 1994, along with the Sunset Boulevard area of the park.

Once the site of a glamorous Tinseltown hotel, the ominous 199-foot-tall tower casts an aura of foreboding over the decaying grounds. Overgrown landscaping and eerie big-band jazzy tunes help set the stage in the immersive queue, which becomes even more impressive upon entering the abandoned, cobweb-covered lobby.

As the story goes, on a fateful night in 1939, five hotel quests disappeared when lightning struck the hotel elevator. Today, guests visit the abandoned site — riding in a still-functioning service elevator that enters the fifth dimension, launching riders on a series of dramatic drop sequences.

Not for the faint of heart (or stomach), this ride is both scary and nausea-inducing for some, but a runaway fan-favorite thrill ride for many. Even if you hate the freefall sensation, it's worth trying to experience some of Disney's best-ever ride theming and storytelling.

Tron Lightcycle / Run

• Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
• Height requirement: 48 inches

A must for thrill-seekers, Tron Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom is now the fastest roller coaster at Walt Disney World. Inspired by the 1982 "Tron" and 2010 "Tron: Legacy" films, the indoor-outdoor coaster adds more thrills and gorgeous nighttime lighting to Tomorrowland.

We love the unique body positioning that really makes you feel like you're on a bike (especially in the front row!) and the silky smooth ride.

Many Tron fans will tell you night rides are superior — and with lighting after dark, they're not wrong — but unless you're willing to pay for a timed Individual Lightning Lane after sunset or are eligible for the 6 p.m. virtual queue drop during extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests, you'll have to settle for the virtual queue return time you're assigned.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

• Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World took nearly 50 years to open its first ride starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, so it had to be good. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opened March 4, 2020, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, replacing The Great Movie Ride in the Chinese Theatre.

The innovative dark ride blends a little bit of everything — trackless ride technology, digital projections, Audio-Animatronics, a catchy original theme song and original animation based on the newest generation of Mickey Mouse shorts.

The pre-show features an original Mickey Mouse short called "Perfect Picnic," after which guests find themselves on a train ride driven by Engineer Goofy through Runnamuck Park.

The ride is packed with hidden Mickeys and Easter eggs. For example, the original whistle used in Disney's 1928 animated short film "Steamboat Willie" was used to create the train whistle sound on Runaway Railway.

Each "train" comprises four trackless ride vehicles, which split apart and shuffle positions during the attraction, with each car providing a slightly different ride experience.

Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled. In addition to a secondary storyline involving poor Pluto's desperate attempt to reunite himself — and a picnic basket — with his owners, a curious little crab appears in each scene, giving you even more to look for during repeat rides.

Spaceship Earth

• Location: World Celebration, Epcot

Housed in a geodesic sphere that's arguably as iconic to Walt Disney World as Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth opened with Epcot on Oct. 1, 1982.

Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World's must-do park

The 16-minute, slow-moving dark ride follows the development of human communication from prehistoric times to the computer age and beyond. From the invention of the alphabet to classical Greece to the Industrial Revolution, key periods and moments are represented with detailed sets, animatronic figures and narration by Dame Judi Dench.

The attraction has received a few updates through the years, but if you love the current version, thank the Phoenicians it's still around. While it might not be a physically thrilling ride, it's quite the thrill to make the "rounds" inside such a legendary structure.

Jungle Cruise

This opening-day attraction is always a good time; if you don't believe me, you're in de-Nile.

The "10-minute, 10,000-mile" boat ride down the rivers of Asia, Africa and South America first debuted on Disneyland's opening day in 1955 as a straightforward, educational attraction. It took shape as the joke-filled version we know today in 1960, when Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis stepped aboard to skipper the story in the comedic direction that made it the "World Famous Jungle Cruise" it is today.

A 2021 reimagining to address cultural insensitivities in certain scenes introduced new characters, animals and scenes to the ride and established a more elaborate backstory that deepens the ride's connections to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2024

Pro tip: We love pairing a ride on Jungle Cruise with a meal at the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen restaurant across from the ride. This Easter egg-packed restaurant serves some of the best table-service food in Magic Kingdom (along with plenty of puns courtesy of Skipper servers).

Kilimanjaro Safaris

• Location: Africa, Disney's Animal Kingdom

The next best thing to a real African safari, Kilimanjaro Safaris is in many ways the realization of Walt Disney's original vision for Jungle Cruise, which was to have wild animals in true-to-nature environments. You can spot more than 30 different animal species during the 18-minute open-air drive across 110 acres of savanna — nearly as much space as all of Magic Kingdom park.

Given the unpredictability of live animals, no two rides are the same. Through the years, we've experienced so many memorable moments, from a giraffe coming right up to our vehicle and keeping us there until he was ready to move along, to watching a 2-month-old baby elephant run around on her first day on the savanna.

Pro tip: Many of the animals are most active early in the morning and at sundown, so aim for those times. And don't shy away from a rainy ride — some animals seem to love it, and you'll stay (mostly) undercover.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

• Height requirement: 38 inches

"Star Wars" fans simply can't pass on the chance to take the controls in the cockpit of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy by joining Hondo Ohnaka's flight crew for an important smuggling mission aboard the Millennium Falcon.

For "Star Wars" fans, the queue is as bucket list-worthy as actually taking a seat at the controls. After first passing the life-size Millennium Falcon from the front as you enter the queue, you'll get to see it from additional angles and from multiple levels, getting a closer look at the iconic ship from different perspectives as you wind through the Easter egg-packed queue.

Flight crews of six are assigned the positions of pilot, gunner or engineer and get a few minutes to explore the main hold and take a seat at the centerpiece dejarik table before heading to the cockpit.

Once in your seats at the controls, it's time to work as a team to put the bucket of bolts to the test and see if you can complete your mission — and get back to Batuu with the Falcon in one piece. Pilots steer, gunners defend and engineers perform repairs, and at the end of your mission, Hondo will let you know how well you've done — and what your cut of the credits will be.

Pro tip: Young riders who just make the 38-inch flight requirement often struggle to reach all of the controls in the pilot position. If they have their heart set on piloting, consider putting the longest-armed adult in the other pilot position so they can reach over and help.

Slinky Dog Dash

• Location: Toy Story Land, Disney's Hollywood Studios

When guests enter Toy Story Land, they "shrink" to the size of one of Andy's toys from the films. It's easy to look at Slinky Dog Dash, which Andy has "built" in his backyard by combining his Slinky Dog toy with a Mega Coaster Kit, and assume it's a coaster for little kids a la Magic Kingdom's The Barnstormer.

But this coaster is tons of fun and worth the ride, even without kids. The ride vehicle mimics Slinky Dog's springy body — launching then seemingly springing along, bobbing up and down over gentle but exhilarating hills, and winding among Andy's toys. You'll also glimpse some wonderful vistas across the theme park. A second, more thrilling launch, narrated by Slinky Dog, sends riders seemingly straight up into the sky, giving a brief feeling of weightlessness.

Grown-ups will get a nostalgic kick out of the classic toy boxes used to construct portions of the queue and load area too.

Pro tip: Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane at Disney's Hollywood Studios, so make sure to grab this one first at 7 a.m. The ride also frequently goes down due to weather, so if you're opting for the standby queue and only have one day to ride it, make sure you don't save it until the end of the night if the sky looks threatening.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

• Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom

Like Slinky Dog Dash, this is another true family coaster that's not just for kids. Opened in 2014 as part of Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland expansion, this gentle but exciting coaster ups the thrill factor just enough to engage adults and bigger kids without scaring less daring littles.

The ride vehicles are modeled after mine carts and sway back and forth along the otherwise smooth track, which ventures into the diamond mine where the seven dwarfs famously whistle while they work.

Bright, reflective gemstones (look out for the Hidden Mickey !); cheerful, singing dwarf animatronics; and an earworm rendition of "Heigh-Ho" as you make your ascent up the main hill make it impossible not to smile on this ride.

One drawback — there's only one main show scene and a second brief final scene, making the ride feel over a little too quickly given its consistently long wait times.

The ride is available via standby queue (an interactive queue helps keep kids busy) or Individual Lightning Lane. The price may not be worth the cost for thrill-seekers, but it could definitely be worth it with antsy younger kids.

Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

• Location: Echo Lake, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge might get more of the attention lately, but Walt Disney World's first "Star Wars" ride has been going strong since 1989.

Opened first as Star Tours and later updated to Star Tours — The Adventures Continue in 2011, this 3D flight simulator ride takes guests on an unpredictable adventure across a galaxy far, far away in a Starspeeder 1000 ship helmed by reluctant pilot C-3PO and trusty navigator R2-D2.

Every adventure includes four randomized main scenes, introducing potential variability of characters, including classic original trilogy characters like Princess Leia and Darth Vader and destinations like the planets Tatooine and Hoth.

Updates through the years have added new characters and destinations as new "Star Wars" films have been released and ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. On April 5, 2024, Star Tours got its latest galactic glow-up — new scenes and characters from the Disney+ series "Ahsoka," "Andor" and "The Mandalorian." Now, guests could get an urgent transmission from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor or the Mandalorian and Grogu.

For a limited time, all guests will visit a new destination, the planet Seatos from "Ahsoka," where the Starspeeder joins Ahsoka's T-6 Jedi Shuttle in a dogfight amid a pod of purrgil, massive space whales first introduced in the animated series "Star Wars Rebels." After this phase of introduction to the new characters and scenes, the ride will reenter a "random play" mode, as Walt Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald called the ride's eventual fully randomized sequencing, and will increase the ride's total potential storyline variations to more than 250.

Peter Pan's Flight

One of Disney's most nostalgic and iconic dark rides, with a soundtrack that can instantly unlock childhood memories, Peter Pan's Flight opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 and to this day remains one of the park's most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions — with a correspondingly hefty standby wait.

Board a pirate ship and take off from the Darling family nursery, flying over the rooftops of London then off to Neverland. Fly past scenes like a miniature Mermaid Lagoon below and a life-size swordfight between Peter Pan and Captain Hook overhead.

If you do end up in the standby line, the interactive queue through the Darling family home helps pass the time. Look out for twinkling signs of Tinkerbell's trail of pixie dust, and you might spot her rattling around and even getting stuck in tiny places around the house.

Space Mountain

This Walt Disney World original, which opened Jan. 15, 1975, was so popular that it inspired new versions in four more parks worldwide. Fitting for Tomorrowland, it was the first roller coaster ever to be controlled by a computer.

The iconic structure encloses two almost identical tracks, Alpha and Omega, which each launch spaceship-themed ride vehicles on their ride through space. The nearly total darkness makes the coaster feel much faster as it makes sudden sharp turns and drops.

An attraction that definitely feels its age, this coaster doesn't have any inversions or extreme drops, but it's definitely one of Walt Disney World's rougher rides.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

• Location: World Showcase, Epcot

Pixar meets Paris in a whimsical extension of Epcot's France pavilion that gently transitions from the real-world architectural grandeur of the City of Light to Pixar's more playful and exaggerated animated version, setting the stage for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.

You'll shrink down to rat size and board rat-shaped trackless vehicles for a 4D dark ride that has you scurrying through Gusteau's restaurant.

The multisensory ride combines screens and physical sets, enhanced with scents and some other surprise effects we won't spoil, and makes wonderful use of the film's excellent soundtrack.

Located at the opposite end of Epcot from most of the park's other rides, Remy's is a welcome reward for kids who lose steam making their way around Epcot's World Showcase.

The ride is equally enjoyable for adults and kids, but it may bother some guests prone to motion sickness.

Frozen Ever After

A reskin of the Viking-themed Maelstrom boat ride attraction in Epcot's Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After takes guests on a cruise through Arendelle past scenes inspired by the original "Frozen" film.

Related: How Disney brought animated mega-hit 'Frozen' to life at Hong Kong Disneyland

Audio-Animatronic characters sing abridged versions of songs from the film, modified to support the ride's storyline. Light thrills include a gentle reverse drift during "Let It Go" and one thrilling drop that's not too scary to keep little kids off the ride — but just nerve-wracking enough to generate some hilarious expressions on the Disney PhotoPass ride photos.

This ride continues to be extremely popular and breaks down a lot, so if it's a top priority, try to pick up an early Genie+ Lightning Lane or rope drop it.

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania opened in 2008, long predating the opening of Toy Story Land, which better established the ride within the world of Andy's toys. The 3D carnival game-inspired attraction remains extremely popular, is endlessly rerideable (that is, until your arm gets too tired) and the game aspect of the ride even edges out newer game-focused rides like Web Slingers at Disneyland.

Ride vehicles seat two passengers side by side at spring-action shooters and whip and spin players from game to game.

Toy Story characters, including Woody and Jessie, Rex and Trixie, and the Green Army Men, host a series of five carnival-style 3D games on screens. Players ultimately compete against each other, but can also work together to unlock secret targets worth more points.

• Location: DinoLand U.S.A., Disney's Animal Kingdom

You either love or hate this rough, dark and downright terrifying (for some) blast to the past. Guests board a Time Rover with a mission to travel back to the Cretaceous period to retrieve an iguanodon and bring it back for research before the extinction-causing meteor strikes.

The fan-favorite preshow features Dr. Marsh (Phylicia Rashad), director of the Dino Institute, and Dr. Grant Seeker, a goofy, passionate scientist who briefs guests on the mission and frantically narrates during the harrowing attraction.

Loosely based on the 2000 film "Dinosaur," this attraction parallels Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure with respect to ride vehicle and layout. Unlike Indy, however, Dinosaur relies more on extreme darkness and jump scares than cinematic sets and impressive effects.

Kids who love dinosaurs and don't scare easily love this ride.

Dinosaur fans should get their rides in while they can. While no official retheme has been confirmed, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro began teasing potential rethemes of DinoLand, first in 2022 at D23 Expo, then again in 2023 at Destination D23, by playing "Indiana Jones" theme music, teasing a possible "Indiana Jones"-themed update in the area. More recently, D'Amaro confirmed that work is "well underway" for this project , with teams already going on research trips to Mexico.

Living with the Land

• Location: World Nature, Epcot

A prime example of Epcot edutainment, this "voyage of discovery and awareness" aboard slow-moving boats is part dark ride, part greenhouse tour.

Situated in Epcot's The Land pavilion, the dark ride portion showcases a variety of ecosystems — the tropical rainforest, desert and American prairie — before cruising through the pavilion's four working greenhouses.

It might sound dull, but guests of all ages will find themselves captivated by the array of different edible crops growing on display — from familiar tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens and strawberries, to the more exotic banana trees and giant melons, to cacao and peanuts. Fish farms and hydroponic and aquaponic farming methods are also showcased.

Get a taste of the end products by dining at Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill Restaurant, also in the Land pavilion. Both restaurants use produce and seafood farmed in the greenhouses in some of their dishes.

If you visit Epcot during the holiday season, be sure to wait until after dark to ride, when a holiday overlay bathes the greenhouses in the warm glow of festive colored lights.

Pro tip: Want to learn more? Book a Behind the Seeds walking tour — a one-hour tour of the fish farm and greenhouses.

Soarin' Around the World

• Height Requirement: 40 inches

This flight simulator attraction gives riders a hang gliding sensation as they "soar," feet dangling up to 40 feet above the ground, through screen-based scenes.

The ride originally debuted as "Soarin' Over California" in 2005. In 2016, it was replaced with the current "Around the World" version, which visits some of the world's most famous natural wonders and manmade landmarks, including the American Southwest, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Recognizing fans' love for the original "Over California" attraction, Disney has begun bringing it back for limited runs. At Walt Disney World, it returned during the Disney100 celebration, and at Disney California Adventure, it's been making an annual return during the park's yearly Food & Wine Festival.

Pro tip: The farther you sit from the center of the screen, the more distorted some images appear — the Eiffel Tower in particular appears dramatically curved for guests sitting on the far sides. The best section and row for the least distorted image and no feet hanging in your view is B1.

Navi River Journey

• Location: Pandora — The World of Avatar, Disney's Animal Kingdom

Navi River Journey can't compete with Flight of Passage in the thrill department, but it does fully immerse guests in a beautiful, tangible Pandoran setting.

During the slow-moving (indoor) nighttime journey in Pandora's bioluminescent rainforest, boats float through the lush jungle, seemingly alive with the glowing sights and sounds of the planet's otherworldly creatures. Screens and projections are combined with physical sets, motion and sound to create impressively realistic effects, like alien creatures hopping from giant leaf to leaf overhead.

Ethereal music swells during the journey, reaching a crescendo as the boat approaches the massive Navi Shaman of Songs, a lifelike animatronic that is the most advanced Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created.

Navi River Journey gives those who don't meet the height requirement or are unable to ride Flight of Passage a great opportunity to experience Pandora's beautiful theming and detail.

"It's a small world"

Who wouldn't want to hop aboard "the happiest cruise that ever sailed"? An opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom following a successful debut at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, then at Disneyland in 1966, this nostalgic classic celebrates a message of peace, understanding and friendship by sharing a look at the world through the eyes of a child.

Different countries and cultures worldwide are represented by costumed Audio-Animatronic dolls designed to look as though they've been created by a child using papier-mache and other craft materials.

The lyrics to the timeless theme song by Robert and Richard Sherman, sung in the native languages of the represented regions, have become synonymous with calls for peace, empathy and acceptance. In an ongoing effort to honor the ride's message of inclusivity, a doll in a wheelchair was added to the ride last March.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

An oldie but goodie that's enjoyed a new wave of appreciation and popularity in recent years, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover takes guests on an elevated, narrated tour of Tomorrowland.

The magnetically powered tram takes passengers behind the scenes for a different perspective of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and travels right through Space Mountain. The ride also provides stunning views of Cinderella Castle, the canopy of Tron Lightcycle / Run and an overhead look at Tomorrowland Speedway.

There's no Lightning Lane but the standby queue moves quickly and is rarely longer than 20 minutes.

The current iteration of Test Track gets high marks for thrills but lands this low spot for seriously lackluster theming, especially when compared to a sister ride at Disney California Adventure Park. Radiator Springs Racers uses the same ride vehicles and mechanisms but adds the stunning backdrop of Ornament Valley, a heartwarming dark ride component, and a head-to-head race at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour to the finish for extra fun.

With the right theming, this could be a top-tier ride like Radiator Springs Racers — and the good news is, a retheme is in the works. Test Track will close June 17, 2024, for its reimagining, which will take inspiration from the original World of Motion. We can't wait to see how it turns out!

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a high-speed roller coaster ride in the near darkness, save for neon signs, with Aerosmith music blasting the whole time.

The premise: After meeting Aerosmith in the recording studio, guests are invited to the band's concert on the other side of town and have to get through LA traffic in a super-stretch limo to get there.

This ride can be rough, but that doesn't stop it from being perpetually popular.

Note: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is currently closed for refurbishment, with plans to reopen in summer 2024.

Related reading:

• 'For the first time in forever,' Disney World feels like the good old days
• The 17 best Disney World hotels for your 2024 stay
• Save big bucks on Disney World tickets, hotel stays and dining with these discounts
• Tips for visiting Disney World in 2024: 19 ways to save money and have more fun

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This New Disney World Tour Takes You To All 12 Theme Parks In Less Than A Month

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Disney has put together the ultimate travel package for fans of the company’s parks and attractions, but it comes at a hefty price.

Adventures by Disney will take 75 people on a 24-day adventure around the world, stopping at 12 Disney attractions and some of the most iconic landmarks on the globe. 

Hotels, 68 meals, private air travel, and admission to all the attractions are included in the cost, which begins at an eye-popping $109,995 for double-occupancy accommodations. Single rooms can be added for an additional $11,000.

Adventures by Disney has put together an extensive list of trip tips and FAQs , covering everything from health and safety protocols to documentation and travel information.

The trip begins in Southern California on July 9, 2022, and works its way around the globe to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe before finishing in Florida on August 1.

The trip includes adventure guides and local experts at every stop, exclusive access to the parks and exhibits, and a promise of adventure for everybody on the trip.

“On this ultimate Disney experience, all activities will be fun, engaging and specially tailored to appeal to all sorts of adventurers, whether you’re exploring a new destination, on the jet or, of course, amid the magic of a Disney theme park,” Disney promises.

Highlights of the itinerary include:

Southern California

The first 3 days begin in Anaheim, with a welcome dinner in Disneyland and a check-in to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Day two includes a Walt Disney Studios tour and World of Color viewing, with day three spent at Disneyland and California Adventure.

San Francisco

Days four and five are spent in the Bay Area, with visits to the Walt Disney Family Museum, LucasFilm Campus, and Summit Skywalker Ranch. There will also be wine tasting, a gala dinner, and a Star Wars and Disney trivia night.

After a full day of travel to Japan, guests will have 3 days in Tokyo to visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, or experience Walt Disney Imagineering. Guests can also have the option of taking half-day or full-day Kamakura Zen tours.

Next, it’s on to 2 days in China , with guests visiting Shanghai Disneyland and any of a number of other activities in the city, including tours, cooking classes, painting classes, and acrobat shows.

Two days in Hong Kong include visits to Hong Kong Disneyland, tours of the city and region, junk boat cruises, private cooking classes, and more.

Two days are then spent in India , with Agra Fort tours and nature walks available on the first day. The highlight of the second day is sunrise at the Taj Mahal, followed by tours or visits to various tombs or shopping.

Just one day is spent in Egypt , but it is spent visiting the Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx of Giza.

It’s on to France for 3 days, with VIP tours at Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Paris. Guests can also peel off for visits to Paris and the Eiffel Tower, an escape to the Champagne countryside, or tours of the city or region.

The trip finishes in Orlando , with 4 days at Walt Disney World Resort. Visits include the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, the Tri-Circle D Ranch, and more.

Greg Robertson has worked as an editor and writer for some of the top newspapers and websites in the country, leading him to live all across the country. He now calls Las Vegas home, but has journeyed from the sunshine of California and the rain in Seattle, to the humidity of Arkansas and the snow of Minnesota. His travels have taken him to Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, but he's happiest at home with his wife, two daughters, and dog.

10 Mom-Tested Hacks For Visiting Disney World With Kids

Stressing over your trip already? I’ve got you.

Here’s some time-tested Disney trivia for you: There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it — going to Disney World is one of the most magical trips you can take with your little ones. But I’m going to hit you with some real talk, because we all know that any big excursion or trip with kids means toeing a fine line between dream-come-true and disaster. While there are countless things that contribute to making Disney a once-in-a-lifetime memory, there are likewise countless things that could potentially lead to a once-in-a-lifetime meltdown.

Realistically, it might be you who cracks before the kids. Between the pressure to provide a perfect vacation (spoiler alert: there’s no such thing), the lines, the heat (not to mention the occasional torrential downpours ) the cost of Disney magic … it can feel overwhelming if you aren’t prepared, to say the least.

And you know what ? You deserve a break. You deserve to go have fun with your family. I hope pixie dust falls from the skies during your visit like manna from heaven. In fact, let’s start that magical journey now. Here are some of the best hacks for visiting Disney with kids, from a card-carrying Disney mom.

1. Meet Your Mobile BFF

Before you get to Disney, do yourself a favor and download the My Disney Experience app . Get familiar with it. If you were heading to the parks without your kids, you might be able to just wing it, but with kids, this app proves invaluable. It lets you instantly see your reservations and scan wait times. You can order food, see park opening and closing times, find out when parades and shows take place, join virtual queues, and access Genie services.

It’s a huge time-saver and potential meltdown-thwarter. Got an overheated, hangry little? Find the closest quick-service eatery in a minute flat.

2. Ask, and You Shall Receive

Disney CMs, or cast members, are wildly helpful. And friendly. They’re pretty much what makes Disney the happiest place on earth because they’re more than willing to try to meet any need you may have for your little one. Do you have a kiddo with dietary issues? Don’t be afraid to let them know. Need bed rails in your resort room for a restless sleeper? They’ll hook you up. Tired of toting around every single souvenir your kid wants? When you make your next purchase, ask to have it sent to the front of the park. This service is free, and they’ll hold your souvenirs at guest relations for you to pick up on your way out. ‘

Also, if your little one is celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday or first trip, stop by guest relations and ask for a “celebration button.” It’ll have your little one’s name and the occasion for celebration on it, which will get them lots of extra love from CMs around the park.

3. Kick Hunger to the Curb

Speaking of eating, it deserves its own section. Outside of rides and general merriment, perhaps the biggest Disney draw is food, right? And even if you don’t indulge in food at the parks for the novelty of it, you’ll need to nosh on something for fuel. There’s a lot of ground to cover! So, it’s helpful to have a few foodie hacks in your pocket when hitting up Disney with your kids.

Remember the My Disney Experience app you downloaded? It comes in highly handy for ordering food. Arguably, the best feature is the ability to order quick-service food and effectively skip waiting. If you think kids dislike waiting in line for rides, try having them wait in line for food. It's no fun.

The app will pull up food options near you, indicating which spots offer mobile ordering. Once yo place your order, the app will let you know when it’s ready. Then you simply walk to the mobile ordering pick-up window and get your grub, fuss-free.

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Another tip for eating in the parks is to find out if the sit-down restaurant you made reservations for offers advance ordering. Some allow you to pre-order 30 days in advance, which, again, cuts down the time you have to spend waiting to place your order at the park.

If you’re on a budget but want to make sure your littles are getting enough nourishment for all the trekking around their little legs are doing, bring your own food. Disney is surprisingly lenient about bringing food and drinks into the park as long as it isn’t alcoholic or in a glass container. Whether you just shove things into your backpack or bring a soft cooler, things like fruit snacks, trail mix, fruit, pretzels, bottled water, and the like are perfect on-the-go sustenance.

4. Keep Track of Everything

You probably imagine Disney as a massive, busy place and, honestly, it’s probably even bigger and busier than the picture in your head. There are a few things you can do to give you peace of mind when navigating the chaos with your kids, though.

To keep tabs on your little ones, you could opt to get them smartwatches or fitness trackers that have a coordinating GPS location app. But don’t stress if that’s not in the budget. Some families get temporary tattoos made for their kids that have the parents’ names and phone numbers (you can get supplies for this on Amazon). I met a mom once who went this genius route — she went to Wal-Mart and got a dog tag from the machine near the entrance that had her information on it. She then clipped it right onto the loop on her daughter’s shorts.

Taking a few photos at the start of each day can be a helpful organizing and safety hack, too. Snapping a quick photo of your kids could prove invaluable in describing their outfits to security if they go missing while you’re at the park. While you’re at it, take a quick photo of the back of your MagicBand in case you lose it. It should be linked to your My Disney Experience app, but it doesn’t hurt to have backup documentation. And since we’re talking about magic bands, get the clips that help secure them for little ones. We lost two before we got smart and started using these.

Finally, on the organization front, consider buying a humble fanny pack. Yes, we know, you’ve spent half of your adult life poking fun at this circa ‘80s and ‘90s fad. They’re back in style, though, so there are some really cute options. And they’re possibly the most convenient option for toting around your cards, kids’ meds, keys, or anything else you need to keep close.

5. Make Your Stroller Stand Out

Should you need or decide to bring a stroller to the park with you (either one you already purchased or one you rent), you’ll quickly realize there are a lot of strollers at Disney. And when they’re all parked in designated areas in giant clusters, they pretty much all look the same. This can make for unfortunate mix-ups and misplacements.

The solution? Bedazzle your stroller. OK, don’t literally bedazzle it (unless that’s your thing), but you can attach all sorts of things to make yours easy to spot: bike lights, glow sticks, neon sports bandage wrap, bike flags. Get creative!

6. Be a Strategic Rider

Hard truth: You will have to wait in line at some point during your Disney vacation. Probably lots of points, TBH. If your kid has their heart set on certain rides , there’s almost no way around it.

Some parents swear by “rope dropping,” or arriving at the park an hour before opening in the morning. As soon as you’re allowed in, you rush to the ride that you’d typically spend 40+ minutes waiting in line to ride. You can also use this strategy to *hopefully* ride back-to-back rides with little to no lines by bypassing the most popular pick and heading for another section of the park.

Another tactic for shortening a popular ride wait is to research which in-park restaurants offer early reservations. For instance, Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Magic Kingdom happens to be very close to the Be Our Guest restaurant (aka Beast’s Castle). If you book an early breakfast reservation and time it right, you can finish your food and make it to Seven Dwarves Mine Train when the crowds have barely started to trickle into the park.

If mornings aren’t your thing and you don’t want to storm the castle (see what we did there?) in the early hours, try being a late-night rider. My family has gotten onto Slinky Dog Dash, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and other popular rides with minimal wait by sticking around until half an hour or so before closing.

7. Prepare for the Weather

Disneyland isn’t quite as complicated when it comes to weather as Disney World. Florida’s weather is — how shall we say? — unpredictable. One minute it’s 67, sunny, and pure perfection. The next minute you’re huddled under a food cart umbrella with a family of strangers during a torrential downpour. And, well, there are many days where it’s just plain hot and muggy.

Let’s start with rain since chances are you’ll experience it at least once during your trip. If you plan to bring a stroller for your littles, don’t forget to bring a rain cover for it. Buy a pack of cheap ponchos and stash them in your bag. If the weather forecast calls for rain but no lightning, lean into it! Slap some rain boots on those babies and hit the park. Rides usually don’t close for long, and you could end up hitting some major rides with little to no wait (this is how our family walked onto the always-busy Avatar Flight of Passage with no wait!).

To handle the heat, think light. Pack dry-fit, moisture-wicking clothes for your kids. On nearly 100-degree, 100-percent humidity days, you’ll all be grateful. Cooling towels , which you can order from Amazon , are like a gift straight from the cooling gods on hot days. Toss one around your little ones’ necks when the temps start to rise. Another cooling hack that kids love is a spray fan.

8. Take a Break

You and your little ones will need to take a break from trekking around, the heat, the overstimulation, or all of the above. Pleasantly, Disney has thought of this. For starters, there are baby centers located inside each park that are quiet and air-conditioned.

If your little one has outgrown the baby center stage of life, there are plenty of spots to decompress elsewhere on the grounds. At Disney World, a few favorites are Tom Sawyer Island (Magic Kingdom), the bistro seating between France and Morocco in the World Showcase pavilion (Epcot), and the Studio Catering Company shaded seating area (Hollywood Studios).

9. Make the Most of the Big Finale

Hands down, one of the most awe-inspiring things to do at Disney is watch the fireworks-slash-light shows in the evening. They are spectacular, and you might just find yourself getting a little teary-eyed — don’t say I didn’t warn you. They will be crowded, though. As you’re walking around the park during the day, try to scope out potential viewing spots that aren’t right in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

For example, you can get an amazing view of the fireworks near Rapunzel’s Tower in Fantasyland at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, but you won’t really be able to see the light show. The good folks over at DisneyTouristBlog have laid out the best and worst spots to view the fireworks.

Personally, our family has a favorite spot that plays into our exit strategy. Which brings us to…

10. Have an Exit Strategy

Is Disney magical? Absolutely. Is trying to get out of the park magical? That’s a hard no. Granted, it’s not as bad at some parks. But let this be clear: Leaving Magic Kingdom in the evening can be rough. It doesn’t help that you’ve walked, like, 12 miles and are hot, sweaty, and exhausted. Your kids are tiny zombies by that point, and then you ask them to stand in a mind-boggling line to wait for the ferry or monorail. If you drove your car, you also have to drag your tired bodies across the parking lot.

It helps to come up with a game plan before you get to the park. What time will you leave? Are you going to stick around for the final fireworks and light show? If so, here are a few tips.

• Make your way as far back as you can for the final fireworks show. Say, for instance, scoring a table in front of The Plaza Restaurant . That way, when the show is over, you have the option of being toward the front of the giant crowd exiting the park.
• Another idea? Grab that table at The Plaza or a spot nearby, but wait until the end of the show to place a food order. Sit and rest, enjoying your food and drinks as the mass exodus takes place. Once it starts to die down, that’s when you make your move. This is our family’s go-to.

Either way, if your kid can still fit in a stroller, the end of the night is a compelling argument for why you should bring one. Otherwise, you may very well end up carrying your sleepy little Disney-goer all the way out to your vehicle.

This article was originally published on April 28, 2020

Screen Rant

Disneyland vs disney world: all differences & which to visit.

Disneyland and Disney World are both great vacation spots, but each resort caters to different types of travelers and trips. Which should you choose?

• Disneyland has two theme parks, while Disney World has four. The latter requires a longer stay to see everything.
• Disneyland is walkable, but Disney World requires visitors to travel via car, monorail, boat, and bus.
• Disneyland is typically slightly cheaper than Disney World, making it a good option for shorter trips or budget-conscious travelers.

There are six Disneyland parks worldwide, and two of them reside in the United States — but while Disneyland California and Walt Disney World Resort have notable similarities, they also have some major differences . Disney's California-based location is the first of its theme parks to open worldwide, but Walt Disney World has caught up in terms of popularity. This might be because the Florida resort is larger than the California one, allowing it to offer more accommodations and attractions.

This doesn't necessarily mean Walt Disney World is better than Disneyland; both locations are worth checking out, and each will appeal to different types of travelers. Whether someone chooses Walt Disney World or Disneyland will largely depend on what they're looking for from their vacation. It's worth learning what makes each resort unique before purchasing tickets to Disneyland or its Florida-based counterpart.

All Disney Castles At Every Disneyland Park

Disneyland has 2 parks & disney world has 4 parks (plus 2 water parks), disney world is larger & better for a longer getaway.

Probably the biggest difference between Disneyland California and Walt Disney World is the size of each resort , as the latter is much larger than its California-based counterpart. According to Travel + Leisure , Disneyland clocks in at around 500 acres, while Walt Disney World Resort is around 25,000 acres. That's a massive difference, and it shows in the number of parks at each location. Disneyland only has two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park . Meanwhile, Walt Disney World has four theme parks on its premises: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

This distinction can be helpful when planning a trip to Disney, as visitors will want to choose the location that better suits the amount of time they plan to spend there.

With four parks to cover, Disney World could be the better choice for a longer getaway . The parks at Disneyland California are easy enough to cover in a day or two. However, it's impossible to see all of Disney World in that time. This distinction can be helpful when planning a trip to Disney, as visitors will want to choose the location that better suits the amount of time they plan to spend there. Walt Disney World Resort also features two water parks — Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach — which require additional time to visit. They are great for summer trips, though.

Disneyland Is Walkable, But Walt Disney World Isn't

Walt disney world requires more travel planning.

The size difference between Disneyland and Disney World is important to note, as the latter resort also requires more travel planning. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are right next to one another, and they aren't far from the Downtown Disney District and Disney's Anaheim-based hotels. This means that Disneyland is a largely walkable trip , though children, elderly visitors, and people with disabilities may require additional accommodation. While walking all over Disneyland will take time and energy, it's often doable — and that's not the case for Walt Disney World .

The separate parks at Walt Disney World Resort are much further from one another, so visitors will need to plan their travels accordingly. Bringing or renting a car can be a smart choice when visiting Disney World. Of course, the resort also has buses, boats, and monorails that carry guests from one place to another. This takes extra time and must be added to any Disney World itinerary.

Disney World Has More Than 20 Disney Hotels Neary (& Disneyland Only Has 3)

The florida resort offers a wider range of options.

Disney World's larger size also allows the Florida resort to have more official Disney hotels than Disneyland California. Disneyland California has three Disney hotels nearby: the Disneyland Hotel, the Pixar Place Hotel, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. These are all within walking distance of the parks, but they do limit one's choices when it comes to finding connected hotels. With Disney often offering perks through its accommodations, it's always good to find a hotel that falls under its umbrella.

Disney World has more than 20 hotels near its theme parks — and while they aren't necessarily within walking distance, they offer a wider range of themes and price points for visitors to choose from. Hotels like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort allow visitors to stay in a connected hotel at a lower price point. Meanwhile, lodgings like the Grand Floridian Hotel & Resort and Disney's Riviera Resort offer the opportunity for a more luxurious, pricier stay.

Disneyland Is Slightly Cheaper Than Disney World

Ticket prices are slightly cheaper & disney world warrants a longer stay.

Disneyland and Disney World are both fairly expensive to visit, but the Florida resort will typically cost visitors more money . Ticket prices for both parks vary depending on the time of year and demand, but as of this writing, a standard one-day ticket to Disneyland starts at about $134 per adult. The equivalent ticket starts at around $149 for Disney World (via Disneyland.com / DisneyWorld.com ). This may not seem like a huge difference, but depending on how many people are visiting and how many days they're staying, it can add up.

There's also the fact that Disney World offers more for guests to see, meaning they'll have to stay longer. While visitors can purchase a one-day park hopper ticket or a two-day ticket for Disneyland, they'll likely need to purchase more days if they want to see all the parks at Walt Disney World . This can make Disneyland better for those on a budget, if only slightly.

Should You Visit Disneyland California Or Walt Disney World Resort?

The resort visitors choose depends on their vacation preferences.

The decision to visit Disneyland California or Walt Disney World comes down to each traveler's preferences , as both parks cater to different types of vacations and guests. Those hoping to travel for a shorter period of time or maintain a budget may prefer Disneyland. It offers many of the same experiences and attractions, but it's possible to cover the parks in a couple of days. It can also save travelers some money, even if it's still on the pricier side of vacations overall. It's certainly better for shorter trips than Disney World, which is impossible to cover over a long weekend.

Travelers looking for longer getaways with more variety may be better off at Walt Disney World , as there are numerous parks and hotels to fill up a long trip. The options alone are much greater at Disney World, and there's more to see over a lengthier period of time. Of course, Disney World also requires more planning and traveling, so anyone looking to avoid the more tedious aspects of vacationing may prefer Disneyland . Diehard Marvel fans may also prefer the California parks, as they contain Avengers Campus.

Source: Travel + Leisure , Disneyland.com

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The Disneyland theme park that isn’t actually Disney – with ‘better’ rides and unique snacks

• Kara Godfrey , Deputy Travel Editor
• Published : 14:23, 18 Apr 2024
• Updated : 11:07, 19 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

THERE are six Disney resorts around the world - yet one of them isn't actually owned by Disney.

While everyone knows of Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland Paris , there is a smaller one further afield.

Tokyo Disney Resort opened in 1983, with two parks at the resort Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, which opened later in 2001.

Despite this, it isn't actually owned by Disney.

It is instead owned by Japanese company, who pay licenses and royalties to Disney.

Tokyo Disneyland is just 115 acres, while Tokyo DisneySea is 176 acres.

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This is compared to Disneyland Paris , which is 140 acres, or Disney World's Magic Kingdom which is 142 acres.

Tokyo Disneyland has many of the well-known rides include Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, as well as It's A Small World and Space Mountain.

One unique ride visitors love is Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast , which takes guests through the castle before being part of the famous scenes will singing along to the soundtrack.

These are spread across seven lands, all connected visa the central World Bazaar.

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This includes Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Toontown and Critter Country - all of which can be visited with one park ticket.

But many people say Tokyo DisneySea is the better park, with other aquatic themed rides such as live Little Mermaid shows, Flounder-themed rollercoasters and boat spinning cups.

The park also has seven lands - American Waterfront, Mediterranean Harbour, Arabian Coast, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Port Discovery and Lost River Delta.

Another unique ride at Tokyo DisneySea is Sinbad's Storybook Village, a dark ride with original songs inside.

And opening later this year are four new rides.

Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey will let guests singalong to the songs while boarding a boat.

And Tangled themed ride Rapunzel's Lantern Festival, another boat ride, will be inspired by the film 's lantern scene.

A Peter Pan ride and Tinkerbell ride will also launch in June.

Day tickets can be found for as little as 7900 won, which works out to £41 - a fraction of the other Disney theme parks .

What is Tokyo Disneyland like?

The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited Tokyo Disneyland - here's what she thought:

Having visited Tokyo back in 2019 , I knew one day trip had to be to the Disney theme park.

One thing that stood out to me was the amazing treats - my favourite being the Toy Story mochi (sticky sweets made from rice flour) that were shaped like the green aliens.

Others included the Mickey's Fried Chicken Pao Sandwich, with a fluffy steamed bun, as well as the Mike Wazowski Melon Bread and even Mickey shaped churros.

Even the popcorn flavours are unique, with matcha white chocolate and curry flavours.

Apart from that, I found the experience to be less overwhelming (in a good way) compared to other parks, thanks to being much smaller and easy to walk around.

I managed to go on all the classics - It's A Small World, Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise - while enjoying walking around and taking it in.

I just wished I had made an effort to dress up more - locals really go all out!

Next year, the cheapest day ticket for Disney World will cost $119 (£95).

Tourists who have been to other Disney parks around the world have raved about the Japan version.

One said: "It's a completely different world compared to the others.

"I had been to the one in Paris which left me speechless, but this one managed to surpass it."

Another said: "I found the rides superior to those in the US.

"The rides seem to run better and smoother; there is more colour and more characters. Truly magical, amazing rides.

A third said: "Absolutely fantastic theme parks here. They surpass the American and French versions."

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Tourists agreed about Tokyo DisneySea too, saying: "We have been to most Disney parks, Orlando, California, Paris, but there is something about Disneysea that makes it stand out."

Another agreed: "We have been to Disney parks in USA and Paris but this is my favorite park."

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