New attractions, new restaurants, new hotels — Disney World is getting some MAJOR renovations (that we are extremely excited about) currently.
Riviera Resort Skyliner Construction
With changes in the park happening in full swing, it’s no surprise that the transportation system is getting some pretty big updates to better accommodate guests AND the new developments. So what’s so different about transportation and how does it affect your stay at Disney World? Well, we have some good (and bad!) news for you, friends!
Four BIG changes have been transforming Disney World’s transportation front. Get ready for some park hopping, because it’s becoming simpler than ever to explore everything Disney World has to offer! However, with all the benefits of transportation advancements, there’s bound to be a few cons to park travel.
1) Updated Monorails
The Monorails opened along with the rest of Disney World in 1971. Although there have been different wraps around the outside of the cars previously, the monorails are finally receiving a well-needed update on both the outside and the inside.
Outside Of The Silver Monorail
While the outside is getting a sleeker appearance, the inside is being upgraded with new seats for better guest comfort. At the moment, we’ve only seen the Silver Monorail redone, but the other colors on the Monorail line will be getting revamped as well.
Inside The Silver Monorail
After a long day in the parks, having new cushions to lean back on will be a definite plus. That is, if you can grab a seat with the expected increase of crowds coming to the parks with the new attractions, lands, hotels, and restaurants.
2) Disney Bus System Updates
Just like the cars on the Monorails are receiving some renovations, some new Disney buses have have arrived with even more bells and whistles. The new Sensational Six buses have rolled out, showcasing Mickey and friends on the outside!
These also boast new floors, seats, and USB charging ports on the inside!
Inside the Sensational Six Buses!
Sensational Six Bus Charging Ports
Other bus system updates include some pretty useful My Disney Experience app updates! Guests can always check the screens at their resort bus stops for estimated arrival times.
But now, with an active hotel reservation, guests can check the bus schedule through the My Disney Experience app and see when the next bus for their destination will be arriving! That means no more JUST missing that bus to the Magic Kingdom and having to wait 20 minutes for the next one to arrive!
My Disney Experience Bus Schedule ©Disney
This makes planning SO MUCH EASIER in the mornings or in the parks if you know exactly when a bus will arrive both to your location and your destination. Yeah, this definitely means we’re sleeping in as much as we can since we know when the buses will be pulling up.
3) Skyliner Gondolas
The Skyliner Gondola System will open in Disney World on September 29th this year. While the skyliner gondolas adorably resemble ski-lifts, they hold up to 10 people each and will efficiently connect Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Riviera Resort (opening soon). Many of these hotels previously only offered bus service, so this will benefit guests who wish to park-hop or even resort-hop.
Skyliner Gondola Station
Even though there is no confirmation of this yet, the prices of the hotels mentioned may increase because of the convenient new transportation attached to them. Why are we anticipating price hikes? This will be the first direct transportation option from these resorts to Hollywood Studios other than the bus system. And with the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there may be higher demand to get into that park.
Skyliner Gondolas Are The Latest Form Of Disney Transportation
4) Roadwork Extravaganza
Luckily, the “cons” of this particular transformation are somewhat coming to an end, but there are still a few repercussions. If you ever drive around Disney World, you may have noticed a TON of roadwork over the past few years.
Purple Road Signs Mean You’re In Disney World!
From building entirely new roads to updating old routes, there’s not only been continuous construction but also messed up maps and re-routes from what we’ve gotten used to when driving around Disney World.
Construction
Two of the most notable changes have been the updated entrance and parking area for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the re-routing of traffic going to the Magic Kingdom Resort Hotels.
Hollywood Studios Parking Construction
While these updates are apparently necessary to accommodate the extra crowds, cars, and park and resort updates, it can be a hassle for drivers in the area trying to find their way around.
That said, now that guests no longer have to go through the Magic Kingdom parking toll plaza to get to the Magic Kingdom resort hotels, it can be much faster and easier to get to your hotel on busy Magic Kingdom days.
Magic Kingdom Resort Guests No Longer Have to Wait In These Lines
So pay attention to your map app everyone — things have changed since you’ve last been here!
Regardless of the pros and cons, Disney World’s need for updated transportation has been a long time coming! Whenever you plan your next vacation to the parks, consider the new transportation updates and changes as you plan your routes around Disney World.
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The new bus area for HS is half a mile from the park entrance! It took forever to schlep back and forth. I thought AK was a long walk from the bus, but Hs is awful now. Hoping they align a new entrance with where they put the buses.
Don’t get me started. I use a walker (not my choice) and try being handicapped and parking at Magic Kingdom. Let alone Epcot since they are working on that area. By the time I get into the park, I’m done and need to sit for an hour. Disney seems to want to punish me for being handicapped.
It is all a temporary inconvenience to make improvements to the parks and the guests ability to access them. Have patience.
Do you know if the MyDisneyExperience will show the bus schedule for the hotels in the Disney Springs area? We’re staying at the Holiday Inn-Disney Springs
OrangeBlossom, as far as we know, they do not.
Are the hotels on the skyliner routes still going to offer bus service to places in case 1) people don’t want to use the skyliner, or 2) weather does not permit the skyliner to be in service?
Priscilla, we expect they will still have bus service for precisely those reasons.
The cost of AoA has already gone way up if you’re looking to book any time after the skyliner opens. Some dates so high you might as well book a deluxe for just a little more. But I guess that’s the price you pay.
Do you think there will be a soft opening of the Disney Skyliner – we go on Sept. 21st-28th and are going to miss out by a day!! Mwah!
Phill, no word on this, but for your sake I’m hoping yes!
I sincerely hope that they do something to make the distance from parking to getting to the magic kingdom better for handicapped people. I don’t go there very often because of that distance being so far. I rent one of their ecv’s after I get to the park, but my goodness by the time I get there I’m worn out, and with breathing problems it about kills me.