In addition to the dozens of fun and fabulous attraction ride vehicles you’ll encounter during a Walt Disney World vacation (Hunny Pots! Doom Buggies!), you’re also likely to go on some plain and practical rides during your visit. These are the many types of transportation vehicles that do yeoman’s work getting you from point A to point B on the 40 square miles of Disney property. Here’s a primer on the types of transport you’ll find on your trip.

You may use many forms of internal transportation during your visit to Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Magical Express bus service has its own rules, but all of the other forms of transportation listed below can be used by anyone, any time, for free.

Again, except for Magical Express, transportation use has no requirement that you be staying on property or at a particular resort. You don’t have to have any sort of ticket to use these transportation vehicles. The drivers don’t have any mechanism to take payments or tickets or anything like that. Really, it’s free. You may very rarely see some fine print that some transportation is only for resort guests. In 15 years of frequent WDW visits, taking thousands of trips on Disney internal transportation, I have never been asked where I’m staying as a condition of boarding a vehicle. On the three to five most crowded days of the year, you might be asked to show resort ID to get on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, at some times of the day. This is simply for crowd control purposes at the park and has nothing to do with limiting your access to the transportation itself.

You can get anywhere on Walt Disney World property using only this free Disney-provided transportation, but bear in mind that many types of trips will require a mid-route transfer. For example, to get from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot, you’ll need to change monorail lines at the Transportation and Ticket Center, or to get from the Animal Kingdom Lodge to the Beach Club, you’ll need to change buses at the Animal Kingdom park or switch from a bus to a boat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

MONORAIL

• Where Does This Operate?: There are three monorail lines. The Express Monorail runs a continuous loop between the Transportation and Ticket Center (Magic Kingdom parking) and the Magic Kingdom. The Resort Monorail runs a continuous loop from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Polynesian resort, the Grand Floridian resort, the Magic Kingdom, and the Contemporary resort, in that order. The Epcot Monorail runs back and forth between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot.
• What Are the Hours?: This varies and changes with some regularity. In general, expect the monorail to run at a minimum from one hour before park open to one hour after park close. The resort line monorail often, but not always, starts moving guests at 6:30 a.m. to accommodate folks with 7:00 a.m. breakfast reservations at Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary. Recently, monorail service has stopped running early during events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If this is the case, or if the monorail temporarily suspends operations for technical reasons, then bus service will be provided as an alternative.
• How Often Does This Run?: There is no set schedule, but generally you can expect the next monorail to arrive within four to seven minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Monorail cars have minimal bench-style seating. First thing in the morning, last thing at night, and during crowded times of the year, it’s likely that you may have to stand.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Yes. The monorails are fully wheelchair and ECV accessible. The monorail cast will set up a ramp allowing guests with mobility devices to roll right on.
• What Happens with Strollers?: The vast majority of the time, guests will be able to roll strollers directly onto the monorail, either with or without children in them. There is no need to wake a stroller sleeping child to ride the monorail. Only rarely, during the most crowded conditions, a cast member may ask you to fold a stroller to better accommodate more guests on board. If you’d like to avoid this, you can simply wait until the crowds dissipate.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Yes. To get from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot, you could take your own car or possibly a bus. To get from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom, you could take the ferry. To get between the Magic Kingdom area resorts, you could take your own car.
• Any Additional Tips?: Guests are no longer allowed to ride in the front car with the driver.

The monorail, your highway in the sky.

Children can stay in strollers while on board the monorail.

Typical operational hours Christmas week.

Typical operational hours in late spring.

TRAM

• Where Does This Operate?: Trams take guests from the park entrances into the far reaches of the parking lots at the Animal Kingdom, Epoct, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There are no trams directly at the gates of the Magic Kingdom. Guest who have driven their own cars to the Magic Kingdom will find trams that go from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the parking lot.
• What Are the Hours?: Generally, the trams run from one hour before park opening to one hour after park closing.
• How Often Does This Run?: There is no set schedule. Trams generally come every five minutes at park closing time. During the day, they run less frequently, perhaps every 15 minutes. If your car is not too far out, it may be faster to walk.
• What Is the Seating Like?: There is a large step up onto bench style seating.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Folded wheelchairs might be accommodated in the first row of each tram car. Guest riding in wheelchairs or ECVs may not board.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers must be folded and carried onto the tram.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Yes. You can walk to your car rather than taking the tram. Guests in wheelchairs or ECVs will likely be parked in the handicapped spots closest to the park gates, making this walk minimal.
• Any Additional Tips?: Successful tram use is dependent on knowing where you parked your car. PLEASE make note of your lot name and row number so you know where to exit the tram when the time comes.

Tram loading area at the Animal Kingdom.

The back of a tram vehicle.

There is more than one tram route at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Make note of your location.

FERRY BOAT

• Where Does This Operate?: The ferry runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom.
• What Are the Hours?: Hours vary seasonally. Generally you can expect the ferry to run from about one hour prior to park opening to about one hour after park closing.
• How Often Does This Run?: There is no set schedule. Typically, ferries arrive every 15-20 minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: There are two levels of bench seating. Guests must take stairs to get to the second level. Seating availability is somewhat limited. During crowded times, you may have to stand.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Yes. Wheelchairs and ECVs can roll on board via a ramp.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers can roll on board. There is no need to remove the child.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Yes. You can take the monorail instead.
• Any Additional Tips?: Ferry use may be suspended during adverse weather conditions.

Ferry waiting to load guests at the Magic Kingdom.

Ramp from the ferry to the TTC. On rare occasion, you might find characters on board the ferry.

Ferry loading area at the Transportation and Ticket Center.

DISNEY TRANSPORTATION BUS

• Where Does This Operate?: Almost everywhere. Buses are the only form of transportation to/from the Animal Kingdom, water parks, value resorts, and Downtown Disney. Buses serve some locations to/from all the other resorts and theme parks.
• What Are the Hours?: Hours vary seasonally. Generally you can expect the buses to begin running to a theme park about one hour prior to park opening and continue until about one hour after park closing. Buses run from Downtown Disney to the resorts until at least 1:00 a.m.
• How Often Does This Run?: The standard line is that Disney buses run about every 20 minutes. In practice, this could be a often as every five minutes or as infrequently as every 30 minutes, depending on the time of day and crowd levels at Walt Disney World. If it seems like an inordinate amount of time is elapsing between buses, ask a cast member to inquire about problems on the route.
• What Is the Seating Like?: The primary Disney transport buses are like standard city buses. They have hard, molded plastic seats. During crowded times, the buses fill to capacity and riders may be required to stand.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Yes. All Disney transport buses are capable of transporting wheelchairs and ECVs via a ramp/lift.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Stroller must be folded and carried onto the bus.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: In many cases, no. For most bus routes, your only alternative would be driving your own car.
• Any Additional Tips?: Car seats are neither required nor accepted on the Disney buses. If this is an important issue for you, renting a car with a car seat is the best alternative for you.

Typical Disney bus.

Bus rules.

Ramp extended for ECV and wheelchair guests.

ECV secured on board a bus.

Guests with walkers, or who have other mobility issues involving stairs, may be able to use the lift/ramp to board the bus.

Standard bus seating.

Strollers must be folded and carried onto the buses.

At the theme parks, use the signage to help you find the bus headed to your destination.

Buses will be added for special events such as RunDisney races.

FRIENDSHIP BOAT

• Where Does This Operate?: Friendship boats run a loop which includes Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and Epcot. The Friendship boats are the only vehicles serving DHS and Epcot from these resorts. (There are no buses to these locations.) There are also Friendship boats inside Epcot, servicing the World Showcase area.
• What Are the Hours?: Hours vary seasonally. Generally you can expect the boats to begin running to a theme park about one hour prior to park opening and continue until about one hour after park closing.
• How Often Does This Run?: The Friendship boats run approximately every 15-20 minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Bench seating mostly indoors, but with some seats outside.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Generally yes. However, if the water level is particularly low or there are high winds in the area, wheelchairs and EVCs may not be able to board.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers can generally be rolled on board without being folded. Depending on the conditions, some captains may ask that children vacate strollers while they are being wheeled aboard.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: The DHS/Epcot/Epcot resorts loop can be walked.
• Any Additional Tips?: Friendship boat service may be suspended during adverse weather conditions. If the boats cease operation for more than fifteen minutes, buses will be added to service this route.

Friendship boat passing the Swan and Dolphin.

SASSAGOULA and DVC WATER TAXI

• Where Does This Operate?: There are two routes. One serves a loop between Downtown Disney, Old Key West resort, and Saratoga Springs resort. The other route serves a loop between Downtown Disney, Port Orleans Riverside, and Port Orleans French Quarter.
• What Are the Hours?: Service typically begins running from the resorts at approximately 10:00 a.m. and continues until approximately 11:30 p.m.
• How Often Does This Run?: The water taxi boats run approximately every 20 minutes in the morning and early afternoon and approximately every 10 minutes in the later afternoon and evening.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Bench-style seating, fully open to the elements.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Wheelchairs and ECVs may generally roll aboard. This may change if water levels are particularly low.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers can generally roll aboard. The captain may ask that children vacate strollers when boarding.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Yes. There are buses that serve these routes.
• Any Additional Tips?: Service may be suspended during adverse weather conditions.

Water Taxis serve the Downtown Disney area resorts.

Wheelchairs and ECVs may roll on board.

Hours typically remain constant.

The different water taxi routes may have different hours.

Water taxi dock at Disney's Saratoga Springs resort.

MOTOR LAUNCH BOATS

• Where Does This Operate?: Motor launches serve some locations in the Magic Kingdom and Magic Kingdom resorts area. Gold flag motor launches run a loop between the Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian. Blue flag motor launches run a loop between the Contemporary, the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
• What Are the Hours?: Gold flag launches typically run from half an hour prior to park opening to 45 minutes after park closing. Blue flag launches typically start at 6:30 a.m. and run until 11:30 p.m.
• How Often Does This Run?: There is no set schedule, but generally boats run every 15 to 20 minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Wooden bench-style seats, fully open to the elements.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Wheelchairs may be accommodated if folded and carried on board. ECVs are not permitted.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers must be folded to board.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: For the gold flag locations, guests can use the monorail Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Private cars can be used to get between the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, or alternatively, take a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then the monorail to the Contemporary or a bus to the WL or FW.
• Any Additional Tips?: If there is a boat waiting, this may be a faster way than the monorail to get to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Serve may be suspended during severe weather.

Small motor launch boats serve some of the Magic Kingdom area resorts.

Motor launches are open to the elements. Not the best choice during rainy weather.

Boarding may be a challenge for guests with mobility issues. Depending on water levels, the boat may not be at the same height as the dock.

Strollers must be folded on motor launches.

MOTOR CRUISER BOATS

• Where Does This Operate?: Green flag motor cruisers run a loop between the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. Red flag motor cruisers run a loop between the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge.
• What Are the Hours?: Red and green flag routes run from 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom park opening to approximately one and a half hours after park closing.
• How Often Does This Run?: There is no set schedule, but generally boats run every 15 to 20 minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Plastic bench-style seating. Some seats are covered inside and others are outdoors.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Yes, although water level issues may cause a change in this.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers can generally be wheeled on board. Captains may ask that children vacate strollers before boarding.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Buses are available to service these routes.
• Any Additional Tips?: Service may be suspended during severe weather.

Motor cruiser docking at the Magic Kingdom.

Motor cruiser seating.

Guest in wheelchair leaving a motor cruiser.

Green flag motor cruiser.

“PIRATE” BOATS

• Where Does This Operate?: These boats are used for the Pirates & Pals evening tour, but may be called into service during crowded days to supplement the motor cruiser routes above. The hours and schedule mirror those of route the boat is running.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Bench-style seating.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Guests must step down to enter the boat. Wheelchairs may be folded and carried aboard. ECVs are not permitted.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers must be folded and carried aboard.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: The same alternatives as listed above.
• Any Additional Tips?: There is a step down required to get on to the boat. If someone in your party has mobility issues and you’ll be using water transportation in the Magic Kingdom area, it may pay to send someone ahead to see which types of boat is running your route. Boat service may be suspended during adverse weather conditions.

Step down into the pirate boat.

MAGICAL EXPRESS BUS

• Where Does This Operate?: Magical Express buses run from Orlando International Airport to Disney’s resort hotels.
• What Are the Hours?: Magical Express runs 24 hours.
• How Often Does This Run?: Buses depart the airport as they are filled. Waits are generally no more than about 20 minutes.
• What Is the Seating Like?: Two by seating in plush seats with armrests.
• Is this Wheelchair/ECV Accessible?: Mobility devices may be transported on some ME buses. Call ahead to arrange this.
• What Happens with Strollers?: Strollers must be folded and stored in the luggage compartment under the bus.
• Are There Alternatives to Using This Form of Transportation?: Take a taxi, town car, or rental car from the airport to your hotel.
• Any Additional Tips?: Use our guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Disney’s Magical Express for more detailed information.

Magical Express buses waiting at Orlando International Airport.

Plush seating on the Magical Express buses.

So fellow travelers, tell us about your experiences with Disney transportation. Is there a method you prefer? Have you chosen your resort based on the available transportation options? Have you ever ridden these vehicles for fun rather than for transportation? Let us know in the comments below.

A Walt Disney World Transportation Primer: Monorails, Buses, and Boats, Oh My is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.