Disney World Transportation: What’s Easiest with Toddlers?

Guests at Disney Resorts are offered complimentary transportation, which is an amazing offering and makes your vacation much easier. After my latest trip (and first one with a toddler), I realized that not all modes of transportation are equal. Gone are the days of simply walking off-and-on a carrier of my choice, and here to stay (for a few years, at least) are the days of strollers, baby bags, tons of supplies, and a little human to tote. So, what are the various types of Disney World transportation, and what’s easiest with toddlers?

Land Transportation

Bus

Disney boasts air-conditioned buses that will take you back and forth to all four theme parks, both water parks, Disney Resorts, and Disney Springs. The buses that run from the theme parks to the resorts will begin 45 minutes prior to park opening and end one hour after park closing. The buses that go between the resorts and Disney Springs will start operating when Disney Springs opens and end one hour after Disney Springs closes.

Buses are the main form of transportation on Disney property. This means they can be counted on and run frequently (check the displays at resorts to see when one will arrive). This does depend on the time of day that you’re trying to catch them. More buses run during peak hours, so be prepared for a longer wait if you’re traveling at other times. This can be a pain when trying to get back to a resort with a toddler who’s ready to sleep. I also found that it’s very difficult to manage bus transportation when it’s just you and your toddler. Imagine unloading the stroller, collapsing it, and carrying your sleeping toddler while balancing everything else…on your own. So not fun.

Pro: Buses will run when other modes of transportation get shut down for weather.

Con: Strollers must be collapsed while on board.

*Just to note: Buses don’t typically travel between parks and resorts that are connected by another form of transportation (think Skyliner and Monorail), unless that mode of transportation is down. For example, Epcot and Caribbean Beach are connected via the Skyliner, so the only time a bus will be available is if the Skyliner isn’t running.

Monorail

The Monorail system travels on beams above Disney World, and has three different types: the Resort Monorail, the Express Monorail, and the Epcot Monorail. The Resort Monorail connects Magic Kingdom with Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). If you’d prefer not to make all of those stops, you can take an Express Monorail, which goes between the TTC and Magic Kingdom. You can also take the Epcot Monorail, which travels between the TTC and Epcot.

Both the Resort and Express Monorails being operating 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom opening and stop one hour after Magic Kingdom closes. The Epcot Monorail begins operating 30 minutes before Epcot opens and stops 2 hours after Epcot closes.

While Poppy and I enjoyed the Monorail, it’s important to note which one you get on. The first time I rode, I had no idea that there were different ones, naively walked on board, and promptly took a ride through multiple resorts. Thank goodness I didn’t have a reservation I needed to make.

Pro: Toddlers have more room to move, and don’t need to stay seated.

Con: There seems to always be some sort of maintenance on the Monorail, so make sure you check for a schedule.

Skyliner

Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Skyliner, are large, aerial gondolas that travel high above Disney World. These allow access to two themes parks: Epcot and Hollywood Studios. They also connect several resorts including Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Riviera.

Generally, the Skyliner starts running one hour prior to park opening and stops 90 minutes after park closing. It is important to note that it won’t run if there’s poor weather. This inckudes rain and/or lightning strikes within a certain distance. If you’re on the Skyliner when this happens, they will have you disembark at the next station.

Guys, if you haven’t ridden the Skyliner, this mode of transportation is a game changer. You don’t have to fold your stroller, which makes it a dream to get you, your toddler, and all your belongings off and on. In addition, you’re allowed a bird’s-eye view of Disney! So incredible. Depending on the size of your group (and how busy it is), you can even get a gondola to yourself. When going through the different hubs, the doors will open, and a Cast Member will ask if you’d like to get off. Make sure you’re at the correct destination before disembarking. (Seems like a no-brainer, I know, but it needs to be said.)

Pro: Easy to use with a stroller, and has a killer view.

Con: Extremely weather dependent, so be prepared to take a bus (no matter how disappointing that seems).

To download a Skyliner map, click here.

Water Transportation

Disney offers two different modes of water transportation: ferryboat and water taxi. These boats only go to three of the four theme parks: Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom. Access Magic Kingdom by water taxi from Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, and Wilderness Lodge, or by ferryboat via the Transportation and Ticket Center. Use water transportation to access Epcot and Hollywood Studios via BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Dolphin Hotel, and Swan Hotel. Disney Springs can also be accessed via the following resorts: Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans – Riverside, and Port Orleans – French Quarter. Hours of operation vary, depending on water and weather conditions.

Out of all forms of Disney transportation, I’ve found the various boats to be the most laid back and relaxing. Depending on the type of boat (and Captain), you won’t have to fold your stroller. In addition, the gentle sway of the water is great for lulling little ones to sleep. Generally, there’s only one drop off point at each location, so you don’t have to pay as much attention when you board. As a busy mama (whose memory hasn’t been the same since pregnancy), I greatly appreciate this.

Pro: The waves and breeze make the ride so peaceful. I’ve also never had to wait to catch the next boat due to crowd size.

Con: Schedules don’t just depend on the weather but also the water conditions. This makes the smaller boats a bit riskier to count on.

Just a general reminder, please pay attention to where you got on your mode of transportation, so that you get off at the correct location when coming back. It is not fun to walk several miles to locate your room at the end of a long day. I speak from experience.

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Which mode of Disney World transportation do you think is easiest with a toddler? Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments!