One of the simplest pleasures of a Walt Disney World vacation is waking up in the morning and going for a stroll around your resort’s grounds. It’s a great way to fill the lungs with fresh air, bathe in the anticipation of the day to come, and wake the body up with a cup of coffee and gorgeous scenery.
Of course, at some point, you actually need to head to the parks — which happens to be something you can’t do on foot. That’s where Walt Disney World’s transit infrastructure comes in.
Considering the property is roughly the size of a large city, navigating Walt Disney World can be daunting to some. The company has made it easier by providing a plethora of free transportation options to guests, but not all methods of transit are created equal.
What follows is every single method of transportation on Walt Disney World property, ranked. But first, a few clarifications:
By our definitions, a transportation method must convey guests to a meaningfully new place — so, for example, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority is out while the Walt Disney World Railroad is in. Relatedly, the Main Street USA vehicles don’t count, because they only move guests from one end of Main Street USA to the other. Same with the Amphicars at Disney Springs, which just take guests on a single circuit.
Make sense? Here we go:
10. Taxi
Image: Greg Goebel, Flickr (license)
Walt Disney World is largely about creating magical moments that cannot happen anywhere else. The company’s obsession with theming, cast member training, ambiance, and design evinces a sense of wonder and specificity that keeps guests coming back again and again.
The exact opposite of that, of course, is the standard taxi cab.
Adorned with advertisements for local restaurants, the expensive cabs can be seen near most Disney resorts — and, most prominently, at major off-site destinations like outlet malls and shopping centers. Cramming a family of four into the back of one and then paying an exorbitant price for the privilege makes this mode of transit dead last. There’s not much redeeming about a trip in a cab.
9. Personal Car
Image: joeshlabotnik, Flickr (license)
Obviously, your personal car can be anything from a 25-year-old sedan to a ultra-modern luxury car. Nevertheless, Walt Disney World isn’t really meant to be traversed in your own vehicle.
For starters, parking at the parks always presents a bit of a hassle as you have to remember where you parked at the end of the day. And, if you park hop, you’ll have to make sure to return to that park when your day is finished.
Additionally, Walt Disney World can be confusing to navigate for first-timers and, as such, it can be slightly dangerous to drive within the grounds. Add to that a terrible carbon footprint, and personal vehicles really are just not a great way to explore the resort — even if they do shave off a few minutes of travel time per leg.
8. Rideshare
Image: christiantlambert, Flickr (license)
Apps like Uber and Lyft offer many of the perks of personal car usage but without some of the biggest drawbacks. You don’t have to wait for a bus to come, and you don’t have to stop at another resort before heading to your destination. They’re also far cheaper than taxis for the most part, and they’re easier to hail at a moment’s notice.
There are, of course, drawbacks — most notably the fact that passenger drop-offs can only happen at the Transportation and Ticket Center for guests traveling to the Magic Kingdom. And, several one-day car rides will likely equal the cost of a day’s parking on-site. Still, having local drivers who know the roads and how to drive them safely — some of whom are off-duty cast members — can outweigh that cost.
7. Bus
Image: mliu92, Flickr (license)
The buses at Walt Disney World aren’t exactly magical, per se. But, if you mention the late-night bus ride back to the hotel to someone who’s been to Disney a few times, you’ll likely see their eyes roll back in a wistful haze. There’s a kind of ritual to Disney’s buses, and that cannot be denied.
Yes, they’re hulking and slow. Yes, you will have to squeeze in tightly with perfect strangers and sweaty theme park comrades. Yes, that moment at night when they turn the lights back on before you disembark is hell incarnate.
But even still, Disney’s buses are iconic. The feeling of anticipation when riding one in the morning and the sense of calm peace that washes over them on the return trip at night is hard to forget.
Plus, they’re free — that does a lot.
6. Tram
Image: sundazed, Flickr (license)
What’s not to love about the parking lot tram? Aesthetically, it looks similar to Disney’s rides — with rows for each group and air gate-style doors on the outside. It moves briskly, but not terrifyingly fast. The drivers and spotters offer great narration and helpful information.
For many people, this is the first “ride” they’ll experience at Walt Disney World, and as such, it makes a pretty great first impression. It’s custom built by the company — meaning it isn’t some off-the-shelf tram you’d find at a local fairground. It feels special, and that puts it right in the middle of our list.
5. Minnie Van
Image: Disney
If we’re talking about luxurious methods of transportation, it’s impossible to beat the Minnie Van. With the comfort of an SUV, the charm of a unique paint job, and the convenience of bus stop access, Minnie Vans are the ultimate way to get around Walt Disney World.
The drivers are insanely knowledgeable, with themed music and fun conversation. The vehicles are virtually guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. And, they almost certainly will get you to your destination faster than any other method.
They are expensive, however, and arguably not worth the cost — which drags them down into the middle of the pack. Still, they’re fun, and good on Disney for trying something fun.
4. Skyliner
Image: Disney
With one transit concept, Disney simultaneously paid homage to an iconic attraction of the past and planted a marker for where urban transportation could move in the future. The Skyliner is a brilliant hack to the Disney property, connecting high-traffic areas with a fun and efficient mode of transportation.
Yes, the lack of AC is troubling and, yes, it is limited to just a small area of the Walt Disney World property. But still, this gondola system is so clever and so unique, that more than makes up for the potential deficiencies.
Plus, it’s just plain fun.
3. Boat
Image: Greg Goebel, Flickr (license)
Choosing between the top three on this list is nigh impossible. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and taste — but, I believe, there is a best version of these rankings. And, in that version, boat transportation ranks third.
There are a great many different boat lines on Walt Disney World property — ranging from the main ferry from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom, to the resort launches and Friendship boats, all the way to the Sassagoula River boats.
These ferries provide some of the most beautiful vistas and views on Disney property, and can also save a lot of time when compared to traveling by bus or on foot. Still, there are two methods of transportation that just beat it out — through no real fault of the ferries.
2. Railroad
Image: harshlight, Flickr (license)
Only one entry on this list is an honest-to-goodness attraction beyond the entrance gate to a park. The Walt Disney World Railroad is a destination unto itself, with gorgeous engines and a beautiful set of train stations.
But, while it is certainly an entertaining journey, it’s also quite utilitarian. For many, a quick hop on the railroad can save tired feet and even beat many walkers to one of the train’s stations. It’s such a fun ride, people often do the full circuit. But, it’s such an efficient attraction that some guests use it just as it is supposed to be used: to get from one place to another.
1. Monorail
Image: christiantlambert, Flickr (license)
I could have gone all clickbaity and ranked the Walt Disney World Monorail near the bottom just to make you mad. After all, the current monorail trains are over 20 years old and in a fairly bad state of disrepair. The monorail hasn’t expanded since the Reagan administration, and over time, we’ve seen a slow degradation of service — including the notable prohibition on guests riding in the front of the trains.
But, even if you look at all of that and dock points off of the monorail, it always has to be No. 1. It’s the monorail! It is as iconic as Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, and all of the other instantly-recognizable Disney images.
For so many guests, a ride on the monorail is the signal that they’ve finally arrived at Walt Disney World. Despite the fact that there are many monorails around the world, even the word “monorail” tends to bring Walt Disney World’s version to the mind.
Everyone loves the monorail. Yes, it needs to be rehabbed and, yes, it would be great if they expanded it. But, the monorail is Disney. It has to be at the top of the list.
