Home » Disney » Disney World » How Long Does It Take To Travel Between Disney World Parks?

How Long Does It Take To Travel Between Disney World Parks?

Disney World covers a very large area, and the parks are farther from each other than most people realize. 

The average distance between each park is about 6 miles (10 km), and the average travel time between parks is around 25 minutes. Timing can vary based on how crowded the parks are and which transportation method you choose. 

There are many ways to travel within and between the parks, and it’s a good idea to understand how long each option takes so you can plan your day accordingly. 

How Long Does It Take To Get From Magic Kingdom To Epcot?

Disney's monorail system passing over a body of water with floating flowers

Magic Kingdom and Epcot are a little over 6 miles (10 km) apart, and you can travel between them by car or via the Walt Disney World Monorail. 

Driving is the fastest way to travel between the two parks, and it should take just under 20 minutes in light traffic. 

If you don’t have your own car, taxis are usually available at park entrances, or it’s common for park visitors to order a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to get between parks.

During busier periods at Disney World, the monorail may be better as guests can avoid traffic jams and arrive at the parks faster.

Read More > Can You Go From Magic Kingdom To EPCOT?

How Long Does It Take To Get From Magic Kingdom To Animal Kingdom?

People walking around the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is just slightly over 7 miles (12 km) from the entrance of Magic Kingdom. 

If you take the bus between the parks, the trip is about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Traveling by car may get you there slightly quicker, taking around 24 minutes depending on traffic.

How Long Does It Take To Get From Magic Kingdom To Hollywood Studios?

The distance between Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom is about 6 miles (10 km), and the drive between the two parks is fairly brief. 

If you take an Uber, taxi, or drive yourself, you should be able to get from one park entrance to the other in around 15 minutes. 

You can also take a shuttle between the parks, but it can take about 30 minutes.

Of course, travel times can vary based on crowds and traffic. 

How Long Does It Take To Get From Magic Kingdom To Disney Springs?

People walking on a bridge with a huge balloon in the background at Disney Springs

There are about 7 miles (12 km) between Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs. 

Because Disney Springs is not considered a Disney park, there is no direct shuttle from the park to the complex. 

Instead, guests can ride the monorail or take a shuttle to a nearby Disney Resort and then catch a special shuttle to Disney Springs. 

It can take some time, and guests should set aside 45 minutes to an hour to get from one location to the other. 

Getting from Magic Kingdom to Disney Springs by car takes under 20 minutes if traffic is good.

Read More > Can You Go From Magic Kingdom To Disney Springs?

How Can You Travel Between The Disney Parks?

If you have a Park Hopper Pass, you can visit more than one park in a day, and you’ll need to figure out the best way to get between the different parks. 

Fortunately, Disney has come up with various transportation options for its visitors, so all that’s left is choosing what works for you.

Monorail

The monorail system at Disney World is one of the best and most fun ways to get around and between Epcot and Magic Kingdom. 

While the monorail system doesn’t connect to other parks, it can be used to get to certain Disney Resorts, where you can catch a bus or shuttle to the park of your choice. 

There are three different routes for the monorail, so you’ll have to pick the one (or two, in some cases) that gets you to your destination the fastest.

Water Taxi

People riding the Water Taxi at Disney World with colorful buildings in the background

The Water Taxi is a nice little boat ride that allows you to travel from Epcot to Hollywood Studios

The Water Taxi is not the fastest way to get between the parks, but it can be a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle around the park. 

You can also take a Water Taxi from these parks and Magic Kingdom to various Disney World hotels and resorts. 

The hotels and resorts offer further transportation options that get you to other Disney parks (or Disney Springs) if you need them.

Uber/Lyft

Each Disney park has its own parking lot, and you can easily order an Uber or Lyft to take you between the parks. 

Simply ask your driver to pick you up at the entrance to your current location and drop you off at the gates of where you want to go. 

Ubers/Lyfts are very popular with Disney guests, and there is usually a driver waiting nearby to transport guests around the property. 

Pricing depends on the time of day and the season, so watch for surge pricing and heavy traffic.

Shuttle

Many shuttle buses travel between the parks, and there is no cost for park or resort guests to use the service. 

You can find the bus schedule at Guest Services in any park (or the concierge at any hotel/resort), or you can use the Disney app to learn more about the bus routes. 

The buses/shuttles can transport guests between the various Disney parks and to other Disney properties such as Disney Springs and Disney Resorts.

Drive

If you have a rental car or have driven to the Orlando area, you can easily drive yourself from one park to the next. 

The cost of parking depends on whether you have an Annual Pass or if you’re staying at a Disney Resort. 

Otherwise, a standard parking pass starts at $25 and is valid all day for every theme park (parking rates vary by season and visit date).

Traffic depends on the time of day and the time of year – certain periods are busier at Disney World, which can impact travel times – and this is particularly true if there is a special event running at any of the parks.

Conclusion

The Disney Parks are all fairly close to each other, but their distances (and the park layout) make it challenging to walk between them. 

Many guests are surprised to see the parks spread out as they are, but Disney’s made it very easy to travel between them. 

It doesn’t (usually) take more than 30 minutes to get from one park to another, but traffic and/or crowds can affect timing. 

There are various modes of transportation for getting between the parks, and many are available to Disney Guests free of charge.

If you’re visiting more than one park in a day, I recommend researching your transport options in advance, so you know what to expect when you get to the park.