Hello, Jen, thank you for coming to planDisney with your question about the
complimentary transportation for guests staying at the
Walt Disney World Resort. My family recently stayed at
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and enjoyed the tropical vibe, Lava Pool, watching
Happily Ever After from the beach, and of course, the ability to get around by monorail and boat!
As an avid boater myself, I love being near or on the water as much as possible. When talking
water transportation options at Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom area resorts, there are two options: the water launch (also known as water taxi) and the ferryboats, the latter traveling to/from the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. This ride itself isn’t that long, just about 10 minutes, but with boarding and disembarking, it can take a little bit longer altogether, depending on where you are on the boat.
The water launch connects guests from the Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
In my experience, there has been one water launch that will travel between the Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian. Another water launch will travel between the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. A third water launch will travel between the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge. Like the ferryboat ride, these cruises are around ten to fifteen minutes once underway, the longer ride being the water launch connecting the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. Additionally, there is a water launch that connects the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Since the Contemporary is a short stroll to the Magic Kingdom, there isn’t a water launch connecting the resort to the park. Planning to resort hop between the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary? While you cannot do it by water, you can most definitely cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon by monorail!
I hope this helps you with your planning, Jen. Please come back to planDisney if you have any other questions!
Thanks,
Brent