Disney World Transportation: Ferries
There are several different types of water transportation offered by Disney- and although it's sometimes a bit slower than a bus or the monorail, it's often a delightfully unique and relaxing transportation alternative.
To the Magic Kingdom:
A ferry boat can be taken from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom.
There are also boat launches from the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resorts.
While the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts use water transportation in addition to the monorail for transportation to/from the Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness exclusively use water transportation to/from the Magic Kingdom, so plan accordingly.
Service begins approximately 30 min. before the park opens and ends approximately 1 hour after the parks closes.
To Epcot and Hollywood Studios:
Friendship boats transport guests staying at the Boardwalk, Beach & Yacht Clubs, Dolphin, and Swan Resorts to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. These ferries and the walking paths are the only provided ways to get to/from Epcot and Hollywood Studios for the resorts mentioned above; and although the walking paths are almost always faster, at the end of a long day at the parks a ride on the Friendship Boats can be a relaxing alternative.
Within Epcot:
Beginning at 11:00 am, Friendship boats run from the beginning of World Showcase to one side of the showcase (Morocco) to the other (Germany), offering faster transportation than walking across the park.
The last boat to the countries leaves at 7:15 pm and the last boat from the countries leaves at 7:30 pm.
To Downtown Disney:
Note:
Ferries are just one option. Buses are in continuous operation from these resorts also. To see our page on Disney's complimentary bus service, go here.
From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs have hourly boat launches to Disney Marketplace. After 4:00 pm, service runs every 30 mins.
At 11:00 pm the last boat leaves Downtown Disney Marketplace.
Disney's Port Orleans Resorts use the Sassagoula River Cruise as a means of transportation to the Marketplace as well.
Within Downtown Disney:
There are also boat shuttles from one end of Downtown Disney to the other- they pick up/drop off at the West Side marina and the Marketplace marina.
