76 Days to Go: Other Transportation

In another post, I discussed the monorail, but there are other ways of getting around Walt Disney World.

You can bring your own car and drive it on property--each park has it's own parking lot with appropriate sections (ie Epcot has "Imagination," "Innovention; Magic Kingdom has a "Dopey" lot and a Minnie lot). Trams will pick you up and take you right to the gates when you arrive and back to your lot when you leave. My favorite tram experience had to be at the Magic Kingdom when the driver sang, "When you wish upon a star, now you're off to find your car..."

I mentioned the ferry in the monorail post. That ferry leaves from the Ticket and Transportation Center and goes straight to the Magic Kingdom. There is also a ferry between the Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground as well as the Wilderness Lodge. Another ferry runs from MGM to the Beach and Yacht Club as well as the Boardwalk Hotel. All offer refreshing trips and good views of the property.

The most common form of travel? The buses! Buses from from each hotel to each park, as well as Downtown Disney. If you take a bus, you will be brought directly into the Magic Kingdom, bypassing the Ticket and Transportation Center. Disney stopped this because they noticed the buses were filling up with guests who were not staying on property rather than resort guests. If you travel between hotels after the parks close, you will have to go to Downtown Disney and transfer to a bus heading to your hotel. A bit of a hassel, but it still gets you where you are going.

So, don't worry about bringing your car or renting one--Disney has you covered!

80 Days to Go: The Monorail

This countdown post will be a quick one, just to touch on one of the most famous modes of transportation in Walt Disney World--the monorail! I have already discussed the two parks it is connected to--the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Walt Disney loved trains and he saw the monorail as the transportation of the future. They are quick and add to the Disney experience. The monorails are centered around the Ticket and Transportation center, also the parking lot for the Magic Kingdom. You can also catch the ferry to the Magic Kingdom from this center.

The monorails are also connected to the Polynesian Resort, the Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian. I would advise visiting these other resorts and eating at them as well (more on that later).

For a real thrill, ask a castmember if you can drive the monorail. They allow families to sit with the captain and help drive. All you have to do is ask!