Disney Transport

Disney Transport
Six Disney Transport-operated modes of service, clockwise from top left: bus, gondola lift, monorail, parking lot tram, rideshare service, and watercraft.
Overview
OwnerDisney Experiences
Area servedWalt Disney World
Transit typeBus, gondola lift, monorail, parking lot tram, rideshare service, and watercraft
Number of stations5 hubs,[a] 22 resorts,[b] 4 other locations[c]
Headquarters3020 Maingate Lane
Kissimmee, Florida[1]
Operation
Began operationOctober 1, 1971 (1971-10-01)
Number of vehicles
  • 486 buses
  • 250+ gondolas
  • 12 monorails
  • 38 watercraft[2]
  •      3 ferries
  •      8 Friendship boats[3]
  •      6 motor launches
  •      4 motor cruisers[2]
  •      15 water taxis[3]
  • 28 parking lot trams[4]
Walt Disney World
Theme parks
Water parks
Other attractions and areas
Resorts
Affiliated services
Transport

Disney Transport is the public transit system of the Walt Disney World resort near Orlando, Florida, United States. It offers guests a variety of fare-free options to navigate the resort, including buses, the Walt Disney World Monorail System, the Disney Skyliner gondola lift system, and watercraft. This network facilitates movement between the resort's four theme parks, its shopping district, and all Disney-owned lodging on the property. Additionally, Disney Transport operates trams, providing assistance navigating large parking lots, and the Minnie Van rideshare service (available for a fee), offering on-demand, point-to-point transportation.

Buses

[edit]

Except where monorail, gondola or watercraft service exists or walking is practical, direct bus service is provided from every hotel to every theme park and to Disney Springs, as well as between theme parks. The buses are fare-free for all visitors to Walt Disney World.[5][6][7] Bus service typically operates at headways of every 20 minutes or better.[5] Service to each park starts 45 minutes before opening and ends an hour after closing. Buses between Disney Springs and the resorts is available during operating hours and ends an hour after closing. [8] Bus stations are located near park entrances; near Disney Springs' Town Center entrance; and near the main lobby of each resort, with additional bus stops along the roadways of more expansive resorts.[5]

Features

[edit]

At each resorts, there are passenger information system screens that indicate when the next bus to a given park will be arriving.[9] This technology tracks the buses through GPS technology to give projected wait times, though buses usually run at intervals of no more than twenty minutes.[5][9] On board the buses, recorded announcements are played to indicate points of interest and bus stops. These announcements use GPS to determine which announcements should be played at which locations.[10] All buses are air-conditioned and accessible and can carry two wheelchairs or mobility scooters per vehicle. Strollers must be folded before boarding the buses.[7]

Along Buena Vista Drive between Epcot Center Drive and the Disney Springs, new bus lanes were installed between 2014 and May 2016.[11][12] These lanes allow buses headed to/from Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon to use their own, exclusive right-of-way in the median of Buena Vista Drive.[11][12][13]

Routes

[edit]

The bus system operates using a hub-and-spoke paradigm, with the routes usually operating non-stop.[14] The four theme parks and Disney Springs are the five hubs, and each has service to the resort hotels, the spokes of the system.[14] Additionally, buses operate between the theme parks. One-way service formerly operated from the theme parks to Disney Springs after 4 p.m.[15] Buses are also used for internal resort guest transportation within several of the larger resorts.[d]

Direct transportation between the spokes (the hotels) is not provided, unless they happen to be on the same bus route.[14] Also, bus service is not provided on some routes served by monorail, Skyliner, or watercraft.

The Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex have much more limited service. Buses only operate between Blizzard Beach and the Animal Kingdom hub and between Typhoon Lagoon and the Disney Springs hub. Buses only operate between the sports complex and the Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and All-Star resorts.[16]

Fleet

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Disney Transport operates a fleet of nearly 490 buses,[17] primarily 40-foot-long (12 m) Gillig Low Floor models. The fleet currently is the third largest fleet of any Florida transportation system, behind Miami's Metrobus and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.[17]

In 2014, Disney experimented with adding 60-foot-long (18 m) articulated buses as a pilot project to increase capacity on certain routes.[18][19] However, no articulated buses have been purchased since that time. All Disney Transport buses run on R50 renewable diesel fuel.[20]

Disney Transport has two depots, one near the Magic Kingdom Car Care Center, the other on Recycle Way near Animal Kingdom.

Model Photo Numbers Qty Year Notes
Gillig Low Floor 4954–4962 9 2007
4963–4983 21 2008
4985–4999 15 2009
5010–5022 13 2010
5023–5069 47 2011
5070–5121 52 2012
5122–5145 24 2013
5158–5199 42 2015
5200–5206 7 2016
5207–5212 6 2017
5213–5288 75 2019
5289–5379 90 2024
New Flyer Xcelsior XD60 5146–5151 6 2013
Nova Bus LFS 5000–5009 10 2010
Nova Bus LFS Articulated 5152–5157 6 2013

Gondola lift

[edit]
Disney Skyliner system
Main article: Disney Skyliner

Disney Skyliner is a gondola lift system connecting four Disney resort hotels and two theme parks. Opened in 2019,[21][22] the Skyliner has three lines radiating from a central hub located at the Caribbean Beach Resort. These lines extend to:[23][24]

Each gondola cabin seats up to ten guests and is wheelchair-accessible. The gondolas travel at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h) and do not have air-conditioning systems, although there are windows and floor vents through which air can be circulated. At each station, cabins can be pulled aside, allowing disabled riders to board without delaying the cabins behind them.[22]

Monorail

[edit]
Main article: Walt Disney World Monorail System

Complementing the bus network, is the Walt Disney World Monorail System, one of the iconic features of the resort. This fare-free service operates three lines departing from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).[6][7][25]

  • Magic Kingdom Resort Line: This line circles between the TTC, the Polynesian Village Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort.
  • Magic Kingdom Express Line: This line provides a direct connection between the TTC and Magic Kingdom, bypassing the resort stops.
  • Epcot Line: This line directly connects the TTC and Epcot.

The system utilizes twelve Mark VI monorails.[25][26] A portable ramp at each station bridges the vertical gap between the platform and the monorail, ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users.[7]

The monorail system debuted in 1971 with the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express lines and expanded in 1982 with the addition of the Epcot line.[26][25] As of 2013, it remains one of the world's busiest monorail systems, transporting over 150,000 guests daily.[27]

The Monorail Blue train

Watercraft

[edit]
Not to be confused with Disney riverboats.
The Richard F. Irvine ferry in the Seven Seas Lagoon

The resort maintains a fleet of watercraft to move guests between various Disney resorts and parks. These ferries are also free to ride.[5] While some routes duplicate bus or monorail routes, the watercraft provide a scenic, albeit slower, way to travel from one location to another.[7]

Strollers can be transported aboard all of the vessels, ferries, motor cruisers, Friendship boats, and River Cruise Ferries are accessible when water conditions are favorable. Motor launches cannot accept motorized or unfolded wheelchairs.[28]

Ferries

[edit]

The boats with the highest capacities are the large ferryboats that cross the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives. They are the two twin Magic Kingdom-class ferries, the Richard F. Irvine (red trim) and the Admiral Joe Fowler (blue trim) along with the Kingdom Queen-class General Joe Potter (green trim).[29][30]

Each ferryboat can carry up to 600 guests and are staffed by three crew members. During park opening and closing, all three ferries operate, if available. During all other times, two ferries operate with wait times between 10 and 20 minutes in most cases. The crossing takes just six minutes, but each trip can take 10-12 minutes with departure and docking.[7][30]

Motor launches/cruisers

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Motor launches and motor cruisers link the resorts along Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, using colored flags to indicate the route. The six motor launches are smaller vessels that are not accessible to people with mobility disabilities and are named Adventurer, Explorer, Mariner, Navigator, Seafarer and Voyager. The four motor cruisers are larger vessels that are accessible and are named Bon Voyage, Castaway's, Mermaid I, and Tradewinds.[31][30]

The gold flag route connects the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian using one launch and one cruiser. The green flag route links the Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness using two cruisers. The red flag route connects the Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge using one launch and one cruiser. The blue flag route provides continuous circular service between the Contemporary, Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge resorts using two launches, and is therefore not accessible to people with mobility disabilities.[7][32][30][33]

Sassagoula River Cruise Ferry

[edit]

Sassagoula River Cruise Ferries, which also have colored flags as route indicators, transport passengers from Disney Springs to Disney Springs Resort Area hotels located along the Sassagoula River using a fleet of 15 vessels named Azalea Bloom, Bayou Princess, Blossom Queen, Buena Vista Queen, Crescent City Queen, Delta Lady, Florida Queen, Jazz Lady, Jazz Queen, Louisiana Lady, Magnolia Blossom, Memphis Miss, Saratoga Queen, Sassagoula Sunset, and Southern Breeze.[30]

The green flag route connects Disney Springs with Old Key West, the blue flag route travels between Disney Springs and the Treehouse Villas via Saratoga Springs. The yellow flag route takes people between Disney Springs and Port Orleans–Riverside, while the purple flag route travels between Disney Springs and Port Orleans–French Quarter. At times of lower traffic, the yellow and purple flag routes combine to travel between Disney Springs and Riverside via French Quarter.[7][2]

Friendship boats

[edit]

Friendship boats connect the International Gateway entrance of Epcot to the Hollywood Studios via the Epcot Resort Area hotels: BoardWalk, Beach Club/Yacht Club and Swan/Dolphin.[2] They also connect Epcot's Canada and Morocco pavilions in the World Showcase section.[34] The eight vessels are named Friendship I through Friendship VIII.

Type Photo Route North/west terminal Intermediate stops South/east terminal
Ferry
(3 boats) 		Magic Kingdom None Transportation and Ticket Center
Motor launch
(6 boats)

Motor cruiser
(4 boats) 		Gold
(1 launch, 1 cruiser) 		Before 3 p.m.: Clockwise operation between Magic Kingdom, Polynesian Village & Grand Floridian.
After 3 p.m.: Counterclockwise operation between Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian & Polynesian Village.
Green
(2 cruisers) 		Magic Kingdom None Fort Wilderness
Red
(1 launch, 1 cruiser) 		Wilderness Lodge
Blue
(2 launches) 		Clockwise operation between Contemporary, Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge.
River Cruise
(15 boats) 		Yellow/Purple Port Orleans–Riverside (Yellow) Port Orleans–French Quarter (Purple) Disney Springs–Marketplace
Blue Treehouse Villas Saratoga Springs
Green Old Key West None
Red Disney Springs internal counterclockwise operation between Marketplace, West Side & The Landing.
Friendship boats
(8 boats) 		Epcot–International Gateway BoardWalk
Beach/Yacht Club
Swan/Dolphin 		Hollywood Studios
Epcot–Canada None Epcot–Morocco

Parking lot trams

[edit]
A parking lot tram operating at Epcot

Disney Transport operates a fleet of trams that shuttle guests between parking lots and the main entrances of theme parks (except Magic Kingdom, where trams drop guests off at the Transportation and Ticket Center.[4][6] The trams provide an alternative to walking, especially for longer distances. The trams are not wheelchair accessible, instead guests with mobility disabilities are directed to park close to the main entrance.[7]

There are six tram lines across the four theme parks:[4]

  • Magic Kingdom: Two tram lines serve the parking lot, with trams designated for the "Heroes" and "Villains" sides.
  • Epcot: Two tram lines operate within the parking lot, with trams serving the "Earth" and "Space" sections.
  • Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom: These parks each have a single tram line for their respective parking lots.

The original tram tractors, purchased in 1969, were powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).[35] However, these tractors encountered frequent technical issues, leading to a custom-designed replacement fleet in 1972.[36] These initially ran on CNG as well, but were later converted to diesel fuel due to operational challenges. Over time, technology improved, allowing the trams to be converted back to CNG in the late 1990s and early 2000s.[36]

For enhanced safety, outward-facing speakers and doors were installed on all tram cars in late 2010 and 2011. In the mid-2010s, Disney replaced the entire tractor fleet with a model based on JBT AeroTech's tractors used to move aircraft.[37]

Minnie Van

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A Minnie Van parked at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Walt Disney World offers a ridesharing system called the Minnie Van. Launched in 2017, Minnie Vans operate on-demand and offer direct, door-to-door service within the resort and nearby areas.[23][38] Guests can choose from standard Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon SUVs that seat up to six passengers and are equipped with child safety seats, or accessible Ford Transit vans that accommodate four passengers with additional space for two wheelchairs or other mobility devices.[39][40]

Minnie Vans are booked on the Lyft mobile app, but are operated by Disney Transport employees. Minnie Van service operates with a distance-based fee structure.[41] Unlike the complimentary Disney Transport options, Minnie Vans offer a more private and personalized travel experience. Additionally, Minnie Van riders enjoy the benefit of preferred access to theme park entrances.

Discontinued services

[edit]

The resort previously hosted the small Walt Disney World Airport, also called the Lake Buena Vista STOLport.[42] During the early 1970s, scheduled passenger service was operated by Shawnee Airlines with de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprops, which had STOL (short takeoff and landing) capabilities on flights to Tampa and Orlando.[43][44] The airport is no longer in operation, but the landing strip still exists and is currently used as space for offices and storage.

From late 1973 to early 1980, the Fort Wilderness Railroad provided transportation within the Fort Wilderness Resort using steam locomotives.[45] Ties from the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge line remain in place along certain sections of the railroad's former right-of-way.

Watercraft provided service to the Discovery Island zoological attraction from its opening in 1974 to its closure in 1999.[46]

Incidents

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Main article: List of incidents in Walt Disney World's transportation system

From September 25, 2013, to September 25, 2015, Disney Transport has been involved in 27 total accidents that have been reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including two fatal accidents and nineteen others involving injuries.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ At Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.
  2. ^ There may be more than one stop in each resort; some resorts have their own internal buses.
  3. ^ Blizzard Beach, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, TTC and Typhoon Lagoon.
  4. ^ These resorts are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness, Old Key West, Port Orleans, and Saratoga Springs.[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "SAFER Web – Company Snapshot WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS US INC". safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/. US Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Walt Disney World Transportation Water Ferry Boats". Disney World – The Largest Unofficial Online Guide to Disney World, Walt Disney World. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Walt Disney World Water Transportation – Boats: Schedules and Routes – Doctor Disney". Doctor Disney. August 12, 2013. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Parking Trams Overview". WDWMAGIC. Archived from the original on July 8, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Complimentary Resort Transportation | Walt Disney World Resort". disneyworld.disney.go.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Bradshaw, Kate; et al. (2013), Fodor's Walt Disney World 2013 (1st ed.), Fodor's, ISBN 978-0-307-92944-0
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Disney World Transportation Vehicles – Monorail, Ferry Boat, Friendship Boat, Bus, Motor Launch". AllEars.Net. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  8. ^ "Park Bus Hours – FAQ". Walt Disney World Resort. September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Bus Arrival Monitors at select Walt Disney World resorts". Disney World – The Largest Unofficial Online Guide to Disney World, Walt Disney World. August 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  10. ^ "At Walt Disney World, You Can Sit Back, Relax and Leave the Driving to.. Stitch!?". Stitch Kingdom. July 18, 2009. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Orlando Theme Park News: New Dedicated Bus Lanes Now Available at Disney Springs". www.orlandoparksnews.com. May 13, 2016. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "The New Disney Springs Bus Loop is Now Open for Disney Resort Guests". Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Disney Springs FAQ: Roadwork | Walt Disney World Resort". disneyworld.disney.go.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d "Walt Disney World Transport Map". wdwfocus.com. 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  15. ^ Storey, Ken (August 30, 2016). "You can now take a one-way bus trip to Disney Springs – Blogs". Orlando Weekly. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
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  21. ^ Zaveri, Mihir (October 7, 2019). "Disney World Skyliner Gondola Abruptly Stops, Stranding Passengers in Air". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Disney World's new Skyliner opened Sunday, and we took a ride". Tampa Bay Times. September 30, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Smith, Thomas. "Disney Skyliner, New Minnie Vehicles to Transport Guests Around Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  24. ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Coming to Disney World: Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy ride, 'Star Wars' hotel". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  25. ^ a b c Monorail Express. "Facts". Archived from the original on May 20, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
  26. ^ a b Garcia, Jason (October 15, 2009). "Walt Disney World to bring new monorail train into service". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 17, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  27. ^ "Walt Disney World Monorail System". Archived from the original on June 15, 2012.
  28. ^ "Using the Disney World Boats in an ECV or Wheelchair – Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone". Walt Disney World Made Easy for Everyone. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  29. ^ "Ferry Boat Transportation". AllEars.Net. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Walt Disney World Water Transportation – Boats: Schedules and Routes". Doctor Disney. August 12, 2013. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  31. ^ "Everything Else in the World -- Watercraft- Cruisers". amusementpics.com. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  32. ^ "Bay Lake cruiser boats Overview". WDWMAGIC. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  33. ^ Dave (September 24, 2010). "Disney World Boat Transportation System". ExploringWDW. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  34. ^ "Epcot". Friendship Boats. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  35. ^ "Arrow Trams!". www.arrowdevelopment.blogspot.com. August 22, 2015. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  36. ^ a b Gurr, Bob (June 5, 2013). "DESIGN: Those Were The Times No.11 – 1969 Walt Disney World Tram Design". MiceChat. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  37. ^ "Disney's Parking Trams, Buses, and Monorails Get Updated". www.orlandoparksnews.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  38. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (July 19, 2017). "First among Disney World's additions: Minnie Van service, Mission: Space update". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  39. ^ "Get Around In Style At Walt Disney Resort". CBS Miami. July 20, 2017. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  40. ^ Baran, Michelle (July 16, 2017). "Disney World building club resort, new ways to get around". Travel Weekly. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  41. ^ Smith, Thomas (June 1, 2018). "Minnie Van Service Now Open to all Visiting Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 12, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  42. ^ "The Abandoned Walt Disney World Airport". The Mouselets. September 20, 2018. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  43. ^ Ginsberg, Malcolm (September 17, 2020). "Twin Otter: Part 1 – The de Havilland Canada Years". Key Aero. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  44. ^ "Eastern Air Lines system timetable, Air Commuter Service section". departedflights.com. September 6, 1972. p. 68. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  45. ^ Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (July 6, 2011). "All Aboard Fort Wilderness Railroad for a Trip Down Memory Lane at Walt Disney World". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  46. ^ Olito, Frank (April 4, 2019). "Disney World Mysteriously Closed an Island 20 Years Ago and Left It in Ruins. Take a Look Inside". Insider Inc. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
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