Disney Transport
Encyclopedia
Disney Transport is the privately operated transportation system at the Walt Disney World Resort
in Florida
. Most movements are made using buses that run along the resort's public roads maintained by the Reedy Creek Improvement District
and private roads. Other transportation is provided by the Walt Disney World Monorail System
and ferry
.
service is provided from every hotel to every attraction, and between attractions. This contrasts with most public transportation systems, which use a hub-and-spoke
system. Disney's approach avoids transfers for most movements, but leads to longer wait times. However, Disney tries to keep wait times below twenty minutes. Direct transportation between hotels is not provided, unless they happen to be on the same bus route.
No service is provided between Downtown Disney
and other attractions, except Typhoon Lagoon which lies on the same route. When this was offered, guests parked for free at Downtown Disney
to avoid paying for parking at the theme parks.
Disney Transport buses also bring cast members
, around the resort; these buses are marked 'Special' or 'VIP Cast Member'.
Disney Transport operates a fleet of TMC
RTS, Nova Bus
LFS, and Gillig
Advantage bus models. They have approximately 300 buses in their fleet.
between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom
. However, there are several other routes, including:
within their expansive parking lots. In the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad
encircles the park and various vehicles operate along Main Street, U.S.A. In Disney's Animal Kingdom
, the Wildlife Express Train
operates between Africa and Rafiki's Planet Watch.
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Most movements are made using buses that run along the resort's public roads maintained by the Reedy Creek Improvement District
Reedy Creek Improvement District
The Reedy Creek Improvement District is the immediate governing jurisdiction for the land of the Walt Disney World Resort. As of the late 1990s, it comprised an area of within the outer limits of Orange and Osceola counties in Florida...
and private roads. Other transportation is provided by the Walt Disney World Monorail System
Walt Disney World Monorail System
The Walt Disney World Monorail System is a public transit system in operation at the Walt Disney World Resort.The Walt Disney World Resort currently operates twelve Mark VI monorail trains on three lines of service. The monorail system opened in 1971 with two routes and with Mark IV monorail trains...
and ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
.
Bus Services
Except where monorail or ferry service exists or walking is practical, direct busBus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
service is provided from every hotel to every attraction, and between attractions. This contrasts with most public transportation systems, which use a hub-and-spoke
Spoke-hub distribution paradigm
The hub-and-spoke distribution paradigm is a system of connections arranged like a chariot wheel, in which all traffic moves along spokes connected to the hub at the center...
system. Disney's approach avoids transfers for most movements, but leads to longer wait times. However, Disney tries to keep wait times below twenty minutes. Direct transportation between hotels is not provided, unless they happen to be on the same bus route.
No service is provided between Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is the name of two outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes located at two Disney resorts:* Downtown Disney , at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida...
and other attractions, except Typhoon Lagoon which lies on the same route. When this was offered, guests parked for free at Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is the name of two outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes located at two Disney resorts:* Downtown Disney , at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida...
to avoid paying for parking at the theme parks.
Disney Transport buses also bring cast members
Cast member
A cast member is:* An actor who performs in a theatrical production, motion picture, or television program. The actors who perform in the show are collectively referred to as the cast....
, around the resort; these buses are marked 'Special' or 'VIP Cast Member'.
Disney Transport operates a fleet of TMC
Transportation Manufacturing Corporation
Transportation Manufacturing Corporation was a bus manufacturer based in Roswell, New Mexico.The company was formed in 1974 by Greyhound Bus Lines to manufacture Motor Coach Industries vehicles...
RTS, Nova Bus
Nova Bus
Nova Bus is a Canadian bus manufacturer in North America, owned by Volvo Buses, and headquartered in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada.- History :The factory was originally a General Motors plant for building city transit buses intended for the Canadian market...
LFS, and Gillig
Gillig
Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:...
Advantage bus models. They have approximately 300 buses in their fleet.
Watercraft Services
The resort also maintains a fleet of watercraft providing additional access between various Disney resorts and parks. While some route duplication does take place, the watercraft provide an alternative way to travel from one location to another. The most notable of these boats are the large ferries that traverse the Seven Seas LagoonSeven Seas Lagoon
The Seven Seas Lagoon is the man-made lake in front of the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The lake reaches a depth of 14 feet. The lake connects with the adjacent Bay Lake.- Uses and history :...
between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
. However, there are several other routes, including:
- Water launches link the Magic Kingdom to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney's Polynesian ResortDisney's Polynesian ResortDisney's Polynesian Resort is a Disney owned and operated AAA Four-Diamond Award–winning resort located at the Walt Disney World Resort. It began operation on October 1, 1971 as one of Walt Disney World Resort's first two on-site hotels. The resort has a South Seas theme, and originally opened...
via the Seven Seas Lagoon. - Water launches also connect to the Seven Seas Lagoon to Bay Lake using a water bridgeNavigable aqueductNavigable aqueducts are bridge structures that carry navigable waterway canals over other rivers, valleys, railways or roads. They are primarily distinguished by their size, carrying a larger cross-section of water than most water-supply aqueducts...
to reach Disney's Contemporary ResortDisney's Contemporary ResortDisney's Contemporary Resort is a deluxe resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on October 1, 1971...
, Disney's Wilderness LodgeDisney's Wilderness LodgeDisney's Wilderness Lodge is a resort hotel located at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on May 28, 1994. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts....
and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & CampgroundDisney's Fort Wilderness Resort & CampgroundDisney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is a themed camping resort located at the Walt Disney World Resort. It officially opened on November 19, 1971....
. - FriendShip launches operate on the World Showcase Lagoon in EpcotEpcotEpcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
. - Other FriendShip launches connect Epcot's International Gateway to Disney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
via Crescent Lake, with additional service to the Epcot Resorts (Disney's BoardWalk ResortDisney's BoardWalk ResortDisney's BoardWalk Resort is a hotel and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort. First opened in 1996, the BoardWalk Resort lies alongside Crescent Lake and is situated between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts...
, Disney's Beach Club ResortDisney's Beach Club ResortDisney's Beach Club Resort is a beach-themed deluxe resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on November 19, 1990. The resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts....
, Disney's Yacht Club ResortDisney's Yacht Club ResortDisney's Yacht Club Resort is a New England nautical-themed resort, at Walt Disney World. First opened on November 5, 1990, it is one of several Epcot Area Resorts. Disney's Yacht Club is located next to a sister resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort, and across Crescent Lake from Disney's BoardWalk...
, Walt Disney World SwanWalt Disney World SwanThe Walt Disney World Swan is a resort hotel designed by architect Michael Graves located between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios behind Disney's BoardWalk Resort and across from its sister resort, the Walt Disney World Dolphin...
and Walt Disney World DolphinWalt Disney World DolphinThe Walt Disney World Dolphin is a resort hotel designed by architect Michael Graves located between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios in the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, next to Disney's BoardWalk Resort area...
). - Water taxis link Disney's Port Orleans ResortDisney's Port Orleans ResortDisney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter and Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside are a pair of resort hotels located at the Walt Disney World Resort. The two hotels are themed to look like New Orleans and the Old South...
, Disney's Old Key West ResortDisney's Old Key West ResortDisney's Old Key West Resort is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on December 20, 1991 and was formerly known as Disney's Vacation Club Resort up until January 1996 when it was renamed. It was the first Disney Vacation Club Timeshare Resort, and has the...
and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaDisney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is a Disney Vacation Club resort at the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is the seventh Disney Vacation Club resort and is situated on the former site of the Disney Institute. It first opened May 17, 2004 and was built in three phases. It is now the...
to Downtown DisneyDowntown DisneyDowntown Disney is the name of two outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes located at two Disney resorts:* Downtown Disney , at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida...
along the Sassagoula River.
Other Services
At the resort's theme parks, Disney operates parking lot tramsTrackless train
A trackless train is a road-going articulated vehicle used for the transport of passengers, comprising a driving vehicle pulling one or more carriages connected by drawbar couplings, in the manner of a road going railway train.-Terminology:Trackless train or land train...
within their expansive parking lots. In the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad
Walt Disney World Railroad
The Walt Disney World Railroad is a narrow gauge railroad circling the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Operated by Main Street Operations, the gauge, 1.5-mile railroad circles the entire park with stations at Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland, and formerly at the...
encircles the park and various vehicles operate along Main Street, U.S.A. In Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom is an animal theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort. The fourth park built at the resort, it opened on April 22, 1998, and it is the largest single Disney theme park in the world, covering more than . It is also the first Disney theme park to be themed entirely...
, the Wildlife Express Train
Wildlife Express Train
The Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch is a transport ride that takes guests at Disney's Animal Kingdom from Harambe, Africa to Rafiki's Planet Watch. On the ride, guests get the chance to see a little of the Animal Kingdom backlot, including animal holding buildings for rhinos and...
operates between Africa and Rafiki's Planet Watch.