Guide to Walt Disney World Transportation: Part 2

A Guide to Free Transportation Around Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World offers so many transportation options that the average visitor is either confused by or unaware of many options. Here are the basics to help you get started in planning your Walt Disney World vacation. All of these are free to resort guests, and as convenient as Disney can make it.

Airport To Hotel:

Disney currently provides Magical Express as its only transportation between airline and resort. If you don't qualify for Magical Express, or wish to have more flexibility, taxi, limo, and shuttle service are available through the usual channels for a fee.

Magical Express:

Disney launched Magical Express in late 2004 as a perk for Walt Disney World Resort guests. Not only does it convey both you and your luggage from Orlando International Airport to your Walt Disney World hotel and back again at no charge, but they'll even deliver your luggage straight to your room. You can actually take the Magical Express to your hotel, hop onto a Disney bus, monorail, or ferry, and take in some of your favorite attractions before ever seeing your hotel room. Some of the rules for Magical Express can be a bit confusing, so read your information and ask questions early.

Resorts to Downtown Disney:

Ever efficient, Disney offers you multiple ways to get to the non-park activity of your choice. Will that be shopping, dining, clubbing, or one of a kind shows?

Ferry:

Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter share ferries to the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Old Key West and Saratoga Springs also share ferries to Downtown Disney Marketplace. They may take a little longer, but you won't get views like this from a bus. A separate shuttle can take you from Marketplace to the West Side, but usually isn't necessary.

Buses:

The buses will also take you from your resort to Downtown Disney just as they do to the parks. However, if you intend to go from one resort to another via the buses, it would be better to change buses at a park, rather than at Downtown Disney. The wait for buses can take a bit longer Downtown than they do at the parks.

In The Parks: