How to Get to Each Disney World Theme Park

The Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is an enormous complex spanning nearly 40 square miles, almost twice the size of the island of Manhattan. While only half of the land has been developed, the massive resort includes 4 theme parks, 2 waterparks, 27 resort hotels, golf courses, campgrounds and any type of activity you can think of under the sun. So how are you to manage navigating this huge playground? Here’s a rundown of how to get to each Disney park.

How To Get To Magic Kingdom

As the largest and busiest of the four theme parks, Magic Kingdom has a multitude of transportation options to arrive at its gates. 

Using The Monorail To Get To Magic Kingdom

The fastest and arguably the easiest way to get to Magic Kingdom is by taking the Express Monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center located at the Magic Kingdom parking lots. The Express Monorail is a shuttle which will take you directly to the entrance to Magic Kingdom. If you’re visiting the Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort or the Polynesian Resort you’ll be able to board the Resort Monorail Line which stops at all three locations then heads directly to Magic Kingdom. 

Using A Boat To Get To Magic Kingdom

Nothing feels more like a vacation than getting on a boat and sailing the open seas…or lake. Disney offers a variety of boat transportation services heading towards the Magic Kingdom. You can hop on a boat to the Magic Kingdom at the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Using The Bus To Get To Magic Kingdom

Buses make up the majority of transportation options around the Walt Disney World Resort and you can virtually get to anywhere from anywhere on a Walt Disney World bus. To get to Magic Kingdom jump on a bus at any of the Disney Resort hotels as well as from Hollywood Studios.

Walking To Get To Magic Kingdom

If you’re looking for a great relaxing way to start you day, try walking to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary Resort. The walking path is approximately .5 miles long and takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the park entrance.

How To Get To Epcot

Before you take your tour around the world you’ll have to get to Epcot’s entrance gates first. Here are the options to reach the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT).

Using The Monorail To Get To Epcot

Similar to Magic Kingdom, Epcot has a dedicated Monorail line that takes you from the Transportation and Ticket Center directly to the gates of the park. However, Epcot’s Monorail does not stop at any of the Disney Resort hotels. If you’re visiting one of the hotels on the Resort Line or coming from Magic Kingdom, simply take the Resort or Express Monorail to the Transportation and Ticketing Center and transfer to the Epcot Line. 

Using A Boat To Get To Epcot

Boat transfers to Epcot are available from one of the Boardwalk boarding docks. Most boat transfers run in 15 to 30 minute intervals. 

Using The Bus To Get To Epcot

To reach Epcot from Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or any of the Disney Resort hotels that are not on the Monorail line, simply hop on one of the official Disney Transportation buses which depart from their respective stops approximately every 20 minutes.

Walking To Get To Epcot

One of the favorite ways for savvy park goers to enter Epcot is through the small, quiet back entrance on the Boardwalk. If you’re staying in or visiting any of the hotels located in the Boardwalk area (Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, Swan or Dolphin) you can simply walk directly to the Boardwalk entrance of Epcot. This a great way to beat the crowds at the main gates with the added bonus of beautiful scenery along the way.

Using The Skyliner To Get To Epcot 

(opening September 29, 2019) 

Disney’s brand new aerial gondolas that are scheduled to open this Fall will be an exciting and fun way to start your day at Epcot. The Skyliner will connect Epcot to Hollywood Studios as well as the following resorts: Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and the Riviera Resort (scheduled to open late 2019).

How To Get To Hollywood Studios

At some point during your Disney vacation you’ll surely be headed over to Hollywood Studios to check out the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Use one of these four options to get to the entrance of Hollywood Studios.

Using The Boat To Get To Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is just a stone’s throw away from Disney’s Boardwalk area so you can jump on a boat to head straight to the park.

Using The Bus To Get To Hollywood Studios

Buses will be the best option from any of the other Disney Resort hotels, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or Epcot to reach the Hollywood Studios entrance.

Walking To Get To Hollywood Studios

If you have the time to spare or need to decompress, try walking from the Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios is located just south of Lake Buena Vista Drive which is about a 15-20 minute walk along a scenic riverside walkway.

Using The Skyliner To Get To Hollywood Studios

(opening September 29, 2019)

Starting this Fall you’ll be able to take a ride on the incredible, state-of-the-art aerial gondolas to Hollywood Studios. Climb into a gondola from Epcot, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, or the Riviera Resort (opening late 2019) and enjoy the scenic trip to Hollywood Studios.

How To Get To Animal Kingdom

Using The Bus To Get To Animal Kingdom

When it’s time to head over to Disney’s newest Florida park, you can jump on a bus from any Disney Resort hotel or any of the other three theme parks.

In addition to Disney’s main parks, Disney’s large system of buses will also take you from any of the Disney Resort hotels to both water parks as well as Disney Springs.

Finally, don’t hesitate to ask a cast member for directions or assistance on how to get to each Disney park, any of the Disney hotels or other facilities at the Walt Disney World Resort. Cast members are a great source of information and they will always be happy to direct you to the best options for transportation to every Disney park.