Disney World is one of the few touristy destinations I believe that you won’t need a car thanks in part to its extensive transportation network of Disney buses, boats, ferries, gondolas, the monorail, and even walking paths.
Here’s how you can get around Walt Disney World without having to use your own car or rental.
Getting Around Disney World without a Car
There are currently 6 transportation methods to get around Disney property.
Monorail (Free)
The monorail is by far the most famous method of transportation at Disney World and it’s my favorite.
Where can the Disney World monorail take you?
- Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC)
- Epcot
- Magic Kingdom
- Contemporary Resort
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort
Disney Buses (Free)
The most popular and widely used mode of transportation within Disney World are the famous brightly colored buses.
These character-themed buses can take you to all four theme parks, both water parks, Disney Springs, and every Disney hotel.
They are always running up to a couple hours after park closing, have air conditioning, and offer wheel chair accessibility.
But the best part is that these buses are 100%. No tickets necessary!
Where can the Disney buses take you?
- All 4 Disney World parks from any Disney resort (and vice versa)
- Disney Springs from a resort only
- Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
Disney Skyliner (Free)
The newest way and probably the coolest is the Disney Skyliner gondola. They are really cool to take if you have some time to kill.
However, I’m not a huge fan of them during the summer due to the crazy heat and even possibility of random thunderstorms.
Where can the Skyliner take you?
FYI, transfer may be involved at the Caribbean Beach depending on where you’re going.
- Hollywood Studios to Caribbean Beach Resort (transfer point)
- Caribbean Beach Resort to Art of Animation or Pop Century
- Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney Riviera Resort
- Disney Riviera Resort to Epcot
Boats and Ferries (Free)
You can take ferryboats and water taxis between select Disney hotels and parks such as Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and even Disney Springs.
And just like the buses, they are free.
Where can the Disney Boats take you?
Most of these water taxi routes run on 15 to 30 minute intervals.
Epcot and Hollywood Studios
- Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Boardwalk
- Beach Club
- Yacht Club
Magic Kingdom
- Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Wilderness Lodge
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Ticket and Transportation Center (via Ferry)
Disney Springs
- Saratoga Springs
- Port Orleans Riverside
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Old Key West
Walking Paths (Free)
If you are looking to take a leisurely stroll, then you can actually walk to a few parks and nearby hotels using Disney’s network of well-designed walking paths.
Where can you walk to?
These are the most popular walking paths you can take, including my favorite, the one from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom.
- Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom
- Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom
- Hollywood Studios to Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, and Dolphin
- Epcot to Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan, and Dolphin
- Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs (and vice versa)
Uber and Lyft ($-$$)
Although Disney is partnered with Lyft to give you access to normal vehicles as well as Minnie Vans (the official ride-sharing service in partnership with Lyft), Uber is also available to take you all throughout Disney World.
Personally, the only time I would use Uber or Lyft at Disney World is when I wanted to get from one hotel to another. For example, you can’t go from the Port Orleans Riverside to Coronado Springs directly. Instead, you would have to take a Disney bus to the nearest park or Disney Springs and then take the Coronado bus from there.
But with Lyft, you can bounce between two hotels for just a few bucks. Plus, it’s a good way to get around when you’re in the process or your Split Stay.
Where can you take Uber an Lyft at WDW?
Here are some popular spots I’ve taken Lyft and Minnie Vans to:
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Disney Springs
- Universal Studios
- Disney Cruise terminal in Port Canaveral
- Orlando Premium Outlets
- Orlando Airport (MCO)
Mears Connect ($$)
The free Disney World Magical Express airport bus service is no more but has instead been replaced by a paid service called Mears Connect.
It’s almost the same thing that will take you to and from the airport to your Disney World resort, and it’s available 24/7. The only difference is that it costs money and they won’t handle your luggage from the airport to your hotel room like the Magic Express used to do.
There are two options for Mears Connect:
- Standard = shared bus with limited stops
- Express = shared (not private) direct service to your hotel and back
Is using Disney Transportation worth it?
100% yes it is. Even if you drove your own vehicle to Disney World or have a rental car parked at your resort, using Disney buses, boats, and monorails is so easy, convenient, and best of all free.
