Disney for Newbies: Choosing a Walt Disney World Resort Part 4

Hi Disney friends,

This post will continue helping you decide upon which resort works for you. Now, I will admit that these last 2 are not as high priority as what your budget will allow, the size of the rooms, and where on property you may like to stay, but they may have a little to do with you decisions. The last two items that come into play when deciding on a resort will be transportation and theming (which will be the last post in the series.)

All resorts have bus transportation to the parks and Disney Springs (there are a few exceptions her such as the Bay Lake Tower does not provide bus service to Magic Kingdom since it is a short walk or you can use the monorail.) The only issue with buses that arises is the number of bus stops in a resort. The value resorts are large but they only have one bus stop, so depending on your room, you may have quite a bit of a walk to get to the bus loading location. Once you start getting to the moderate resorts, the larger resorts will have multiple bus stops. This means that in most cases, you will be a short walk to one of the bus loading locations. Buses also provide transportation from park to park. Buses do not run from Disney Springs to the parks until after 4:30 pm.

Other options for transportation are the boats that service select resorts/parks. Not all resorts have boat service and if they do, it is only to select locations on property. There is boat service to Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) from Port Orleans, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs. A second boat route services EPCOT and Hollywood Studios from Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin (on site but not a Disney property), and Boardwalk Inn and Villas. These resorts are also about a 15 minute walk from the same parks. The walk is a good option since you do not have to wait on a boat and can be done at your leisure. Lastly are the boats that service the Magic Kingdom resorts of Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary (including Bay Lake), and Wilderness Lodge (resort, campsites, and cabins.)

The most iconic of all of the types of transportation is the monorail. In terms of servicing resorts, the monorail provides one loop that provides transportation to the Magic Kingdom from Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. This transportation system also can connect to a second line (through a transfer at the Ticket and Transportation Center) that provides transportation to EPCOT.

Disney has begun the Minnie Van service (mini vans colored like Minnie Mouse) which is accessed through the Lyft app. The service has not rolled out to all resorts and is mainly used for individuals trying to make it to a specific location for a reservation for meals. (The suggestion is to leave 90 minutes prior to a reservation if using the more traditional modes of transportation.)

Lastly, there is a service that is in the process of being built. The Disney Skyliner will provide a flyover service that will provide transportation to EPCOT, Disney’s Riviera Resort (under construction), Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Art of Animation.

Thank you for letting me share my love for Disney with you and if you have any questions you would like for me to answer specifically or would like help booking a Disney vacation, please let me know at brian.herndon@mousemadesimple.com.