It may take people to make the dream of Walt Disney World a reality, but it takes buses, monorails, and boats to get the dream moving. It may sound hyperbolic, but Walt Disney World really is its own city, and as such it is constantly making changes to the various transportation options around the resort in order to better serve the guests and Cast Members who rely on Disney’s complex transportation system every day.
With Walt Disney World currently on track to reopen in just over a week, there have been many questions about how guests will be able to get around the resort while keeping social distancing measures in place. And now we know exactly what will (and won’t) be available at the resort when it opens in just a few days!
The monorail will be running at the Magic Kingdom
Though there were some doubts it has been confirmed that when the Magic Kingdom reopens on July 11 the Express monorail and Resort monorail will be in service, providing transportation to the park from the Ticket and Transportation System, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polyensian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Because there will be no park hopping for the foreseeable future, the Epcot line will not be open
Buses will have reduced capacity and promote distancing for parties on board
Bus transportation will be available between Walt Disney World’s theme parks, hotels and Disney Springs. However, due to physical distancing measures will be implemented on the buses, which will include numbered seats for different parties, partitions separating sections, and blocked out areas, there will be reduced capacity on these buses and guests may experience longer waits. Bus stop areas will also be marked to keep guests apart while they are waiting for their transportation to arrive.
Disney Skyliner will be running from resorts to theme parks
Much like the monorail, many had wondered if the Disney Skyliner could operate with new regulations in place following reopening, but Disney has confirmed that all three Skyliner lines will be in operation, providing transportation for guests at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Pop Century to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Boats will run at the Magic Kingdom, but not at Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Right now it looks like the Ferryboat between the Ticket and Transportation Center as well as boat shuttles from Magic Kingdom-area resorts will run when the theme park reopens. However, Friendship Boat service from Epcot to nearby resorts will not be available upon reopening.
Parking Lot Trams will NOT be running
Though transportation between theme parks and resorts/ Disney Springs will still largely remain available, it looks like parking lot trams will not be running when the theme parks reopen, and guests will need to walk from the parking lot to the park entrance or to the monorail/ferry at the Transportation and Ticket Center for Magic Kingdom.
Minnie Van service will not be available until further notice
As of right now, Minnie Vans direct service has been discontinued indefinitely, and it is unclear when it may return to Walt Disney World.
Though it looks like most transportation options will be available at Walt Disney World when it reopens next week, it is interesting that Disney is foregoing “non essential” transportation options like the Minnie Vans and parking trams, at least for now these options won’t be available.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life Still Hoping to Debut This Year at Disney Springs I Walt Disney World is Making HUGE Changes Right Now in Preparation for Reopening I 5 Things You Need to Know Happening at Disney Springs Right Now I Disney Parks Hit Capacity Limits for Opening Week as Orange County Confirms Reopening I The 16 Major Theme Park Projects Now Officially Cancelled, Delayed or Slimmed Down (June 27, 2020) I The 16 Major Theme Park Projects Now Officially Cancelled, Delayed or Slimmed Down (June 27, 2020) I Disneyland Theme Parks Will NOT Open Next Month
