When you grow up going to Disneyland like me, your first trip to Walt Disney World can be intimidating. It’s spread out and therefore impossible to walk to everything like you can on Disneyland property. It’s so easy to waste your whole day just trying to figure out how to get places. That’s why getting to know the transportation is key. If you’re like me and you like to avoid rental cars when you can, mastering the available options can also save you money.

The Magical Express

I can’t even tell you how much I love this service. It’s so nice getting off the plane and heading straight for a Disney bus. I don’t have to find my way to a rental car, think about gas, tolls, or even parking fees. I just get on the bus and it takes me straight to my Disney hotel. They even pick up your checked bags for you and bring them directly to your hotel room.

Resort Bus

There are several busses that take you straight from your resort to any of the Disney theme parks including the water parks. They also have busses to Disney Springs. Special note, you cannot take a bus from Disney Springs directly to a theme park. You’ll have to take a bus to the closest Disney hotel and then another bus to the theme park from there.

Monorail

There are two main monorail routes that both make stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center. The Ticket and Transportation Center is where the Magic Kingdom parking lot is located. Let’s say you’ve had a great time at Magic Kingdom and now you want to head over to Epcot. You may take a monorail or ferryboat back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. From there jump on the monorail headed to Epcot. Maybe you’re staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You can take a monorail between your resort and Magic Kingdom.

Boats

There are multiple spots that include boat transportation. As I mentioned earlier, you can take a ferryboat from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Magic Kingdom and back. You can also take a boat between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Many resorts near Magic Kingdom have water taxis to the park. Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, all near Disney Springs, have boat transportation to the shopping area.

Walking

If I’m feeling tired then I take the boat from Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Most of the time I walk. I enjoy the boardwalk between the two parks. It’s a beautiful setting. If you and your party are over 21, the dueling piano bar Jellyrolls is my favorite spot to stop on the boardwalk.

Disney Skyliner

I don’t have any personal experience with this new and exciting transportation system. Here is what I can tell you though, it sounds like a pretty magical way to journey between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It’s especially convenient if you’re staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Carribean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and in a couple months at Disney’s Riviera Resort too.

Of course transportation routes are subject to change. During events like half marathon weekends, the most direct route to your chosen destination may be different. Also, Disney is constantly improving so who knows what transportation may be available at the Walt Disney World Resort in the future. Don’t worry about it though, your ConciEARS can keep you up to date and help you get to where you want to go.