When you visit Disney World, do you rely on Disney transportation?

Do you use buses, boats, the Monorail, or the Skyliner to get to and from the parks and Disney Springs? Have you ever come across an issue when riding Disney World transportation? Why are we asking? Well, there are some problems you might face if you plan on relying only on Disney’s transportation system.

We’re going to take a look at each of Disney World’s transportation options and tell you what you need to be aware of before your next trip.

Monorail

Many first-time visitors to Disney World might assume that the Monorail travels everywhere across Disney World, but the reality is that it only travels to two parks, three hotels, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. That’s it. If you’re staying in a hotel that does not have Monorail service, you may never need to take it. Sure, it would be cool if Disney World would expand its service, but for now, it’s still pretty limited.

There’s another thing you need to know. The Monorail actually has two separate routes. The first route goes to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The second route goes to EPCOT and the Ticket and Transportation Center. That means if you’re traveling to EPCOT, you’ll need to switch trains at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Here’s another huge issue with the Monorail. When the Magic Kingdom fireworks end, expect crowds and SUPER long lines for the Monorail. There IS a way to avoid this — Magic Kingdom doesn’t close when the fireworks end. Let the crowds battle it out for space on the Monorail and then wait until closer to the time the park closes to hop on.

Be Prepared for these Big Disney World Monorail Surprises

Skyliner

Disney World’s newest mode of transportation is the Skyliner, and it’s almost like an attraction in and of itself. This ride takes you above the traffic and streets of Disney World and offers direct routes to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

The biggest issue you’ll probably face if you’re relying on the Skyliner is that it will close during bad weather — or if bad weather is on the way. When that happens, bus transportation will be provided, but it’s probably slower (and not as much fun as riding the Skyliner). You’ll also need to know that it sometimes closes for maintenance. So keep an eye on those Disney World refurbishment plans!

Sometimes, in a worst-case scenario, which has happened to members of our team, you could get stuck inside one of those Skyliner gondolas for a long time. If there’s some kind of technical problem on the route, you might find yourself high above Disney World stuck inside a gondola — which does not have air conditioning. You will find a sort of emergency kit under the seats with water, glow sticks, cool packs, and more, so keep that in mind if it happens to you.

Wait. Is It OK That We’re Doing This On The Skyliner in Disney World?

Buses

Good old Disney buses. They are probably one of the most reliable forms of transportation on-property. They don’t have a lot of high-tech issues like the Monorail and Skyliner, and they don’t close when the weather gets bad. However, buses are still subject to the same traffic as other vehicles on Disney World’s many roadways. That means if traffic is backed up, you might be waiting on a bus for a long time — at least they have air conditioning, though.

Another issue is crowding. In the morning, the first buses going to the parks are going to have long lines (especially if you’re going to Magic Kingdom). You may not even be able to get on the first bus and might have to wait for another bus to come along. This is also the case at night after the parks close: you’ll have to deal with long lines and crowds. This could also mean that if you DO get a spot on a bus, you might end up standing, which might be the LAST thing you want to do after a day in the parks.

WATCH OUT for 4 Transportation PROBLEMS at Disney World Hotels

Boats

Disney boats are a great way to get to places like Magic Kingdom and some resorts. You can also take a boat between the resorts and Disney Springs, but they aren’t always reliable. First, they will shut down during bad weather (which should be expected). However, sometimes they’re closed for other reasons.

We’ve previously seen the boats that run from Disney Springs to Disney-owned hotels close due to low water levels, which can happen from time to time. We’ve also seen it happen due to construction near a bridge. So keep that in mind if you might be planning on using boat transportation often.

The WRONG Time To Ride a Boat in Disney World

One more Transportation Problem

One of the biggest issues you might face when you’re in Disney World arises when you need to travel from resort to resort. Why? There’s not always an easy way to get from one Disney hotel to another. Transportation might be easy if you’re traveling from one Monorail resort to another or from one Skyliner resort to another, but otherwise, you’ll find that there is no direct way to travel from resort to resort in Disney World.

You could always take a bus to a park or Disney Springs and transfer, but it’s probably a lot easier and faster to just get a rideshare to take you to the resort you need to go to.

Whew! As you can see, there’s no perfect method of Disney World transportation. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

The Transportation PROBLEM You Might Face in Disney World

Have you ever come across an issue with Disney World transportation? Let us know in the comments!