At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, guests have access to a variety of transportation options including Disney resort bus service, self-driving and parking, taxi services and ridesharing, the Disney Minnie Van Service, walkable routes, water transportation, and the Disney Monorail system, each offering unique advantages and considerations for navigating the resort and parks.
- Can the proximity of bus stops to your room streamline your morning adventures?
- What are the best strategies for navigating bus schedules during peak park hours?
- Why might choosing to drive and park at Disney enhance your overall experience?
- How do taxi, rideshare, and Minnie Van services compare in real value and convenience?
- Are there any walking routes to the parks?
- Could water transportation be an option for you?
- Is the Monorail just a convenience, or could it transform your Disney experience?
- How do Disney’s accessibility options create seamless experiences for every guest?
Navigating transportation at Disney’s Contemporary Resort can be more than a means to an end; it can be a memorable (and exciting) part of the adventure.
Transportation Options at the Contemporary Resort
Disney Resorts offer a variety of transportation options to enhance your visit. These include walking, monorail, buses, and boats.
Walking is a healthy and convenient option when staying at Disney Resorts. Sidewalks and walking paths are available, connecting various resorts to theme parks and entertainment areas. For instance, from Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can walk to the Magic Kingdom.
The Monorail (often considered to be an attraction all on its own!) is an iconic opening day feature that’s part of Disney transportation system, providing swift and scenic rides. Utilize the Monorail for travel between select resorts, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT. When boarding at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, it’s your gateway to the parks.
Buses at Disney Resorts are free and operate frequently, connecting you to theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Check the posted schedules at resort bus stops for the next departure.
Boat services offer a leisurely transit option linking select resorts with parks and Disney Springs. Choose from ferryboats, water taxis, or Motor Coaches, depending on your departure point and destination.
- Monorail: Quick and regular service; routes include EPCOT and Magic Kingdom.
- Boats: Water taxis and ferries; serving EPCOT, Disney Springs, and more.
- Buses: Extensive network; available at every Disney Resort.
Remember, these transportation options are complimentary and exclusive to guests staying at Disney Resorts, adding extra value to your stay.
Disney Resort Bus Service at the Contemporary
Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a complimentary bus service to transport you efficiently around Walt Disney World Resort.
Bus Stop Locations at Disney Resorts
The bus stop at The Contemporary Resort is close to the main lobby where Disney buses frequently arrive. Disney’s Contemporary Resort features a bus stop conveniently situated outside the main entrance for easy access.
Bus Schedule and Frequency
Check the posted schedule at each bus stop for bus departure times. Buses typically run every 20 minutes, though this frequency may vary during peak hours and special events.
Bus Sharing With Other Resorts
Understand that the bus you board may stop at other resorts before reaching your destination. While Disney buses generally provide direct service to parks, it’s common to share transportation with guests from neighboring Disney resorts mainly during less busy times.
Self-Driving and Parking at Disney Parks
Driving refers to the operation of a motor vehicle. When you self-drive to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’re afforded the convenience of controlling your travel times and stops along the way. Parking is the act of stopping and disengaging a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied. As a resort guest, you benefit from complimentary parking at the Disney Parks for the length of your stay, provided you have a valid resort ID.
Resort guests have exclusive parking privileges. Confirm your vehicle is registered with the resort to capitalize on free Park parking. Use the following steps for seamless parking at Disney Parks:
- Arrive at the park and show your resort ID for complimentary access.
- Follow the signage to the designated parking area for resort guests.
- Choose between standard and preferred parking; preferred parking is closer to the main entrance but may incur an additional fee.
Valet parking is a service where an attendant parks and retrieves your car for you. For those seeking convenience:
- Pull up to the valet stand located at the front of the resort.
- Provide your keys to the valet attendant.
- Retrieve your vehicle by showing your claim ticket when you’re ready to depart.
Remember, standard self-parking is complimentary; however, valet services are available for a fee. Parking lots are well-signed, helping guide you to the correct location, and attendants are available to assist should you have questions or require directions.
Taxi Services and Ridesharing
Taxi services and ridesharing are integral transportation options for guests at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. These services offer flexible and direct travel to various destinations within the Walt Disney World Resort and beyond.
Ride Booking and Costs
Lyft App: The Lyft app is a mobile application that allows you to book a ride from your smartphone. To use it, download the app and create an account. When you need a ride, open the app, input your destination, and a nearby driver will be assigned to pick you up. The cost of a ride through the Lyft app varies, with factors such as distance, time of day, and demand affecting the price.
As a guest at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can utilize the Lyft app to quickly secure transportation. Here’s how:
- Install the App: Ensure the Lyft app is installed on your mobile device.
- Set Your Pickup Location: Once opened, the app will use your location to set a pickup spot.
- Choose Your Ride Option: Select the type of ride you prefer, such as a standard car, larger vehicle, or luxury car.
- Confirm and Track Your Ride: After confirming your ride, you can track the driver’s arrival in real-time.
- Payment: Payment is handled through the app, which keeps a record of all your trips and receipts.
For rides within the resort, you might encounter lower costs, while longer trips to other parts of Orlando will naturally be higher. Remember to consider surge pricing, which can increase costs during high demand periods.
Disney Minnie Van Service
The Disney Minnie Van Service is a personal ride service that provides a convenient and efficient way to travel around the Walt Disney World Resort. You can recognize Minnie Vans by their polka-dotted design, which is inspired by the classic look of the character Minnie Mouse. The service offers a comfortable and private way to reach your destination quickly.
To book a Minnie Van, you simply need to use the Lyft app on your smartphone. Once the app is open:
- Choose the Minnie Van service from the list of ride options.
- Confirm your pickup location and set your Walt Disney World destination.
- A Minnie Van, typically a Chevrolet Traverse or a similar vehicle accommodating up to 6 passengers, will arrive to pick you up.
It’s important to note that Minnie Vans are equipped with child safety seats to ensure the safety of younger passengers. The service operates within the Walt Disney World Resort, including parks, water parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs.
For pricing, Minnie Vans charge a flat rate to pick you up plus a per-mile fee. The prices may vary depending on the distance and specific destination within the resort. The service usually operates from early morning until late at night, but hours can change, so it’s advisable to check the Lyft app for current operating hours on the day of your travel.
Disney’s Walkable Routes
Walking at Disney’s Contemporary Resort means enjoying well-maintained paths that connect you to various destinations with ease and safety. Here is a detailed guide to navigating these walking routes.
Safe and Scenic Walking Routes
Disney’s Contemporary Resort boasts a walking path designed for both safety and visual delight. You benefit from clear signage and regular maintenance, ensuring a worry-free stroll. The scenic routes allow you to soak in the resort’s modern architecture and landscaping. Among the walking paths, the one connecting the resort to Magic Kingdom Park is especially popular. This path ensures that guests are enveloped in Disney’s magic even when traveling on foot.
Walk Time Estimation
You can estimate walking times to factor into your itinerary planning. From the Contemporary Resort to the Magic Kingdom, the walking distance is approximately 10 minutes. This estimate is for a leisurely pace, so it’s advisable to adjust your expectations based on your walking speed. On the other hand, the walk to EPCOT takes significantly longer and might not be practical for all guests—it’s recommended to use other transportation options for this route.
Disney Skyliner Transportation
The Disney Skyliner is an aerial gondola system that connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort to various destinations within Walt Disney World Resort. You can board this cable-car system at the station located outside the resort. It offers a direct route to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, providing a unique bird’s-eye view of the resort.
- Destinations: The Skyliner connects you to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, along with other resort hotels.
- Frequency: Gondolas arrive approximately every few minutes, so you won’t have to wait long.
- Operating Hours: Adjust to park opening times, typically starting 30 minutes before the earliest park opening and ending after the latest park closing.
- Capacity: Each gondola cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests.
- Accessibility: The system is designed to be accessible, with options for guests with disabilities.
To board the Skyliner, proceed to the nearest station, wait in the queue, and step inside the gondola when directed by a cast member. The ride to EPCOT takes about 15 minutes, while the journey to Hollywood Studios is roughly 12 minutes. The cabins are well-ventilated and offer panoramic views, but they are not air-conditioned. During your flight, enjoy aerial views of the resort, including landscapes and waterways, making the transportation experience an attraction in itself.
Water Transportation at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Water transportation at Disney offers a scenic and convenient way to travel between various destinations within the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can embark on a leisurely boat ride that connects the Contemporary Resort Marina to several points across the Seven Seas Lagoon and nearby water parks, using the blue launch transport boat.
Watercraft Boarding Locations and Destinations
- Contemporary Resort Marina: As the starting point, you can board the blue launch transport boat here. This watercraft service transports guests to select locations across the resort.
- Destinations from the Contemporary Resort Marina include Magic Kingdom Park, accessible via the Seven Seas Lagoon, and other nearby resorts. Water transport schedules vary, so it’s important to check the latest departure times.
- Seven Seas Lagoon: The Seven Seas Lagoon serves as the aquatic hub for the blue launch transport boats. Boats depart and arrive at this location throughout the day.
- You can travel from the Seven Seas Lagoon to different Disney Resort hotels, Magic Kingdom Park, and also to the nearby water parks. Each boat launch provides signs indicating its destinations for your convenience.
Disney Monorail System
The Disney Monorail System is an efficient public transit monorail system in operation at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With three separate lines, it connects The Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resort, and two theme parks: Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
- Resort Monorail: This line makes stops at the following locations:
- The Contemporary Resort
- Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)
- Polynesian Resort
- Grand Floridian
- Magic Kingdom
Board the Resort Monorail directly from the monorail station at The Contemporary Resort, for a convenient ride around the resort grounds.
- Express Monorail: Your quickest route to Magic Kingdom from TTC avoids resort stops, affording a more streamlined journey.
- Epcot Monorail: Starting at TTC, this service provides direct transportation to and from Epcot. Ideal for park hopping, offering panoramic views en route.
- Operating Hours: Will vary by which line you need to take and is dictated by park hours. Check current schedules.
- Frequency: Departures approximately every 10 – 15 minutes, though this can vary.
Accessibility Options in Disney Transportation
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people who experience disabilities. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you will find transportation services that accommodate guests with mobility disabilities. Disney buses are equipped with ramps and lift access, ensuring wheelchair users can board easily. When utilizing the monorail system, be aware that it too offers wheelchair-friendly access.
If you require an Accessible Minnie Van, simply contact the front desk for this specially equipped service. Owned by Disney and operated through the Lyft app, these vans feature an extendable ramp and accommodate up to four passengers, plus one person in a wheelchair. For water transportation, some boats are accessible; however, if the dock design or water levels make boarding difficult, alternative transportation will be provided.
Should you need additional assistance, it is recommended to speak with a Cast Member located at any bus stop, boat dock, monorail station, or the front desk of your resort. They’re trained to help with accessibility concerns and can provide detailed information about transportation options. Remember, Disney’s goal is to create a seamless and inclusive experience for all guests visiting their resorts.
