Disney’s Magical Express is the bus system that takes your family from airport to resorts and back to the airport. You can only use this transport from the Orlando International Airport (MCO). It doesn’t run out of Sanford. Express is only available for guests staying at a Disney Resort. There are plenty of signs upon arrival but it can be confusing if it’s your first time....or even fifth time for me 😳. You’ll go the side B of the main terminal and it’s located on Level 1. You’ll have to take the transit from the boarding gates to the main terminal. Last time we went the was decked out to like Galaxy’s Edge! The transit places you on Level 3 and you’ll likely have baggage to claim which is on Level 2. Depending on your airline you could be on either side A or B of the main terminal. Once you arrive at the Magical Express at least one person will need to have your magic band or card ready. There is no need to call ahead or set a time for pickup. You’ll be placed in a line based on your resort. You’ll likely have a couple other resort stops riding with you. For your departure, you’ll confirm your flight number and departure time with Magical Express a day before leaving. Don’t worry though, they will call your room to collect the info and then place an envelope on your door. You MUST have the travel paper in the envelope to hand to the driver at pickup. Pickup locations are clearly marked and are at the same place you are dropped off upon arrival. The drivers handle the luggage as well so people usually throw a tip in. I usually do because our bags are never light 😂. My family has utilized this transport each trip and they always do a great job.
Map of MCO
Park/Resort Bus Service 🚌
Another great excuse to leave the car behind is the free bus service Disney provides from Resorts to Parks. KEY 🔑 -use your My Disney Experience App, under My Resort, you’ll find the bus schedule and a map to all bus stop locations. Most resorts have more than one stop. The schedule is a best estimate and keep in mind buses typically run every 15-20 minutes. The first bus is supposed to run roughly 45 minutes prior to park opening and for about 2 hours after park closure. Pay attention to the stop number where you’re dropped off at the parks since this is where you’ll likely return to catch a bus back to the resort.
Monorail 🚝
The Monorail is one of those unique items for WDW. It runs from select resorts and connects with Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It makes for a quick park hop between MK and Epcot or an easy trip from the park to a resort dining reservation. The monorail runs roughly 30 minutes prior to park opening and for about 1 hour after park closure. There are three lines that run on a loop:
Resort Line - from Magic Kingdom
1. Disney’s Contemporary Resort
2. Transportation and Ticket Center (Epcot exchange)
3. Disney’s Polynesian Resort
4. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
5. Magic Kingdom
Express Line
1. Transportation and Ticket Center
2 Magic Kingdom
Epcot Line - from Epcot
1. Transportation and Ticket Center
2. Epcot
Boat Transportation 🚤
Water taxis are another great option depending on where you’re staying. It’s another connection option from resort to park or Disney Springs. KEY 🔑 The My Resort option in your app is also useful here for boarding locations around your property. Times are subject to water conditions and weather so try to check ahead if it’s a questionable forecast.
To/From Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Villas
- Disney’s Polynesia Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge including Boulder Ridge, Fort Wilderness, and campgrounds
To/From Epcot/Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas
- Disney’s Yacht Club
- Disney’s Swan Hotel
- Disney’s Dolphin Hotel
To/From Disney Springs
- Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
- Disney’s Old Key West
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs
If you can’t wait on the Disney provided schedule or decide to travel outside of where their transportation takes you, you still have options. Uber or Lyft are commonly used within the parks and resorts so they should be relatively easy to catch one. We’ve not used them there yet, mainly because I read where they’re not required to have a car/booster seat. If they show up and don’t have them they can refuse the ride. My thought is around Disney they should know enough to be prepared but we’re not risk takers. KEY 🔑 They do make travel booster seats if that fits your child’s needs. They fit inside a large purse or backpack, it’s just the matter of having it with you all day. . I’m considering looking into this due to the fact that Uber/Lyft is cheaper than taxi service. That being said, we’ve used the MEARS Taxi service and it’s relatively easy. You can schedule your pickups and request a car/booster seat. Cost for us averages around $40 one way. KEY 🔑 Obviously, these services have their own apps which makes it easier to schedule, track, and pay. We’ve not used the Minnie Van service that operates through Lyft within Disney property. It’s way more expensive than a typical Uber/Lyft but would be more accommodating to your child seat needs. So if you just like the looks of them, which they are pretty sweet rides, have at it!
Disney’s Skyliner 🚠
The newest transportation option at WDW is the Skyliner. A gondola system operating between Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and select Disney resorts.
1. Disney’s Riviera Resort - Newly opened
2. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
3. Disney’s Pop Century Resort
4. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
We did not get a chance to ride this but feedback is very positive. They each have unique designs and give a higher outlook over the parks and properties. The Skyliner Map shows Riviera as the Epcot hub and Caribbean Beach as the Hollywood Studios hub. I couldn’t find anything on hours of operation but they should be similar to bus/boat services.
More posts to come. Please like, share, and comment below!
* No copyright infringement is intended. Some pics from D23 and Disney.go
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