Hi there, Margaret!
Welcome back to planDisney! It's hard to believe your Walt Disney World vacation is only a few short months away! I love that you're planning ahead because transportation is one of those puzzle pieces that can make your days come together as smoothly as Tiana's beignets are delicious.
I know this updated transportation policy can feel a little like trying to keep up with the White Rabbit, but the good news is your stay at the
Walt Disney World Dolphin gives you some fantastic transportation options throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Getting to EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's BoardWalk is especially easy thanks to
the FriendShip Boats, and you can even enjoy the walking paths if you'd rather stretch your legs. For Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Ticket and Transportation Center (where you can transfer to the Monorail for Magic Kingdom), complimentary buses are also available from the Swan and Dolphin.
The recent transportation policy updates currently affects Guests traveling from
Disney Springs to a Disney Resort hotel. In those situations, Cast Members may ask to see a valid resort room key, dining reservation, or another confirmed reservation at the resort you're visiting. For example, if you spend the afternoon shopping at Disney Springs and then want to head over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort for dinner at 'Ohana, you'll want to have that dining reservation ready.
The Monorail itself hasn't changed. Once you arrive at the Transportation and Ticket Center or another Monorail station, you're welcome to
ride the Monorail and explore without needing to show a reservation. One of my favorite ways to spend a day is exploring EPCOT in the morning before hopping aboard the Monorail and finishing the evening in Magic Kingdom. There's just something special about gliding above Seven Seas Lagoon while Cinderella Castle comes into view.
Once you're on vacation, I also recommend keeping the
My Disney Experience App handy. Not only can it help you check bus arrival times and transportation options, but it's also great for making those last-minute adjustments when your family decides it's time for one more attraction... or
one more DOLE Whip.
I hope this helps as you put the finishing touches on your September adventure and takes some of the mystery out of getting around Walt Disney World Resort. Before long, you'll be trading transportation questions for deciding which attraction to head to next, and that's a much more magical problem to have!
See ya real soon as you journey from park to park, one magical adventure at a time,
Dustin