Guide to Rideshare at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has a fantastic complimentary transportation system within resort property that consists of busses, boats, monorails, and skyliner gondolas. This complimentary transportation system is convenient to guests staying at Walt Disney World resorts, or traveling between locations within Walt Disney World.

But sometimes a guest isn't staying on property and is staying at a resort or vacation rental that does not offer convenient transportation to Walt Disney World. Or maybe a guest staying at a Walt Disney World resort simply doesn't want to deal with the waits, multiple stops, or crowds involved when taking Disney's complimentary transportation. One could rent a car...

Or one could use rideshare like Lyft or Uber and not worry about paying the (sometimes steep) parking fees.

We've been doing some research into this because for the first time ever later this year, we will be staying at an off-property resort for a conference, and wanting to go to Walt Disney World. We will not have a car, and the resort we are staying at offers only one bus every hour to and from Walt Disney World. So it seems almost a given that we're going to want to use Uber or Lyft. But there are some important considerations to know ahead of time if you, like us, are using a rideshare to get to Walt Disney World.

Drop Off Zones

For most of the theme parks, the drop off zone is near the park entrance. The Magic Kingdom is an exception, which we'll discuss in a minute. But even when the drop off zone is near the park entrance, it may be in a totally different location than where you are used to arriving at the park.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Uber and Lyft pick up and drop off zone can be found by turning all the way to your left as you exit Disney's Animal Kingdom. It is near where off-site resorts also send their buses to pick up and drop off guests, and right before the general parking lot.

Disney Hollywood Studios

The Uber and Lyft pick up and drop off zone is located near the park entrance next to the skyliner station, making this one of the easiest zones to find.

EPCOT

The Uber and Lyft pick up and drop off zone at EPCOT can be found by exiting the front of the park (not the International Gateway), and going straight down a path directly under the monorail tracks until you find the electric vehicle charging stations. This is right at the beginning of the preferred parking area at EPCOT.

If you are hoping to enter EPCOT through the International Gateway, say, if you wanted to rope drop Remy, this is a little more complicated. There is no vehicle traffic or parking for EPCOT located at the International Gateway, so Uber or Lyft can't drop you off at "EPCOT's International Gateway". There are two round-about options.

Option 1: Ask to be dropped off at the Swan & Dolphin resort, then walk or take a boat to the International Gateway. Why the Swan & Dolphin? They don't have a Disney guarded gate like the other area resorts do. Typically, if you try to be dropped off at a resort without a reservation, you will be questioned by the guards at the gate (more on this later), but reportedly the Swan & Dolphin won't give you this hard time. Then, you would walk to EPCOT, which is about 14 minutes.

Option 2: Ask to be dropped off at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Then, walk, take a boat, or take the skyliner to EPCOT. If walking, know that this is a longer walk than if you were dropped off at the Swan & Dolphin. If taking a boat, know that it will stop at the Swan & Dolphin AND the Yacht & Beach Club resorts before its EPCOT dock. If taking the skyliner (our personal favorite option for time's sake), you'll be taking a bit of a roundabout path from Disney Hollywood Studios to Caribbean Beach Resort, where you will transfer at the Skyliner hub to the Riviera Resort/EPCOT line. This will then zigzag you back through the Riviera (where you don't have to transfer) and then onward to EPCOT. Although this sounds complicated, it would likely take the least amount of time of all these options.

Magic Kingdom

As you might know if you've driven to the Magic Kingdom, non-Disney transportation can't get close to the park entrance. The Magic Kingdom parking lot for guests driving their own vehicles is across the Seven Seas lagoon at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and this is also where the Uber and Lyft pick up and drop off zones for the Magic Kingdom are located. From the Transportation and Ticket Center, you can take a monorail or the ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs

There are two rideshare pick up and drop off locations at Disney Springs - one on the East Side and one on the West Side. Just select which one you want to be picked up or dropped off at. These locations are near the entrances on each side of Disney Springs, in the same area the bus stops are located.

Minnie Vans

Photo copyright: Lyft

The only option if you want to get dropped off directly at the Magic Kingdom is to use a Minnie Van, but there are some limitations. Minnie Vans are operated by Cast Members, and although they are technically a Lyft service, the fact that they are operated only by Disney employees means they travel limited routes, meaning they will only go from the Orlando International Airport to a location in Walt Disney World, or from one location in Walt Disney World to another location in Walt Disney World. They will not take you from your off-site resort or rental to Disney World or back.

They are, however, worth a mention because they offer expedient and private transportation within Disney property, and they will also get you the front of the Magic Kingdom rather than the TTC. They do come at a price. A typical ride within Walt Disney World property will cost between $30-$70, compared to a range of $20-$30 for Lyft or $10-$20 for Uber.

So, what do you get at that price? You get two infant car seats included, bottles of water (if coming from or going to the airport), and convenient drop off locations. They will even drop you off in a parking lot closer to your Disney resort room if you are staying on property, rather than the typical bus stop at the lobby. Finally, requesting a Minnie Van is as easy as using the Lyft app - just select Minnie Van when choosing your ride.

One major downside to be aware of is that Minnie Vans only operate from 6:30 AM to 12:30 AM, so if you've gone to an after hours party, have been having a time at Disney Springs late at night, or are exiting the Magic Kingdom at midnight on days it is open that late, you might have trouble finding a ride. These times are not noted in the Lyft app, so you may be stuck waiting for a van that will never come.

Getting To and From Resort Hotels

Disney resorts have a guard gate, and security will question why you are arriving. They will typically expect that you have a dining reservation at the resort, or a reservation to stay at the resort. If you do, they will not give you any trouble.

Like me, you might be thinking you can hack the EPCOT International Gateway situation or the Magic Kingdom entrance situation by selecting a Disney property closer to where you want to be dropped off and calling it a day. For example, if you can't be dropped off closer to the Magic Kingdom than the TTC, it seems like it might make sense to ask for a ride to the Contemporary Resort instead, and then walking the 5-minutes to the park entrance, which would save time. However, Disney security understandably does not want a string of rideshares arriving at each resort in the morning to get to the theme parks, and they may turn you away.

So, this begs the question: Can you just visit resorts to see them? Yes, you can. But it's going to be far easier to visit the resorts using Disney transportation (either complimentary transportation or the Minnie Van mentioned above). For example, if I just wanted to see the Contemporary Resort, I would ride a monorail from the TTC, or take a boat from the TTC to see it. You could also take your Uber or Lyft and say you are meeting a friend at a place that doesn't require a reservation (for example: going to the Polynesian to meet a friend at Tambu Lounge). But be aware that method is not going to work at, say, 7 AM when your real motive is to get into the Magic Kingdom efficiently. Disney security is polite, but they will see through any deception, so our advice is don't try it.

You can get to all Disney resorts using Disney complimentary transportation from any of the theme parks, or from Disney Springs. Then, getting off property from the resort you wish to visit is much easier as you can request an Uber or Lyft from there without question since it's a pick up and not a drop off. You can also, of course, easily get to Disney resorts with your Uber or Lyft if you DO have a dining reservation, and dining at resorts is highly recommended because these are some of the best restaurants on property.

Skyliner station at the Riviera Resort

How to Use Uber and Lyft

It's easy! Just download the app for the rideshare service you want to use. Disney is reportedly affiliated with Lyft, but either service will work. You'll set up a profile, and then you'll be ready to request your first ride. When you do, it will take the app a few minutes to identify your driver, at which time you'll get their name, vehicle model and color, and license plate number. This will help you identify your ride. Make sure you are at the pick up location before you request a ride because rides won't wait around for you.

Be aware that the price of the ride will vary depending on the distance and demand for rides. If it's right after the Magic Kingdom fireworks, for example, you can bet you're going to be paying surge pricing. But there may be times that's worth it to you. Or, you may want to have a little "after fireworks cocktail" at a resort and request a ride from there to avoid the surge.

Also, be aware that just as you can rate your driver, they can rate you. This means be on good behavior, don't make a mess in their car, don't leave your trash behind, et cetera. The higher your rider rating, the more likely future drivers will pick your request faster, meaning less waiting for you, so be a good rider!

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We hope this guide is helpful. Have you used Uber or Lyft at Walt Disney World and have something to add? Tell us by commenting on the post of the same topic on our Facebook page. You can also follow us on Facebook to see when new articles are posted each week. Until next time...