Travel Time: Magic Kingdom To Animal Kingdom By Bus

If you're looking to travel between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, one of the quickest and most direct ways is by using Disney's bus service. Simply exit Magic Kingdom, walk to the bus loop to the left of the park's entrance, and hop on a bus to Animal Kingdom. Alternatively, if you don't mind paying for a ride, you can opt for ride-share options like Uber or Lyft, or even Walt Disney World's in-house ride-share service, Minnie Van.

Disney Bus Service from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom

The Disney Bus Service is a direct and convenient way to travel between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this journey:

Bus Stop Locations:

When exiting Magic Kingdom, head to the left side of the park's entrance to find the bus loop. The bus stop at Animal Kingdom is located just outside the entrance, to the left as you walk out.

Timings and Frequency:

Buses typically start running 45 minutes before the park opens and continue until an hour after it closes. Throughout the day, you can expect a bus to arrive approximately every 20 minutes. It's a good idea to check the screens at the bus stop for real-time updates on the next bus arrival.

Travel Time:

The bus ride between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom usually takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Advantages:

Taking the Disney Bus Service offers the convenience of a direct route between the two parks. It is also a cost-effective option, as Disney provides this service for free. Additionally, the buses drop you off directly in front of the parks, saving you time and effort.

Disadvantages:

During peak times, such as park opening, you may encounter lines to board the bus. It is advisable to allow for some extra time when travelling during these busy periods to ensure you arrive at your destination without haste.

Alternative Options:

If you prefer alternative means of transportation or wish to explore other options, there are several choices available to you:

• Driving Your Own Vehicle: If you have your car, you can drive between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The distance is approximately 7 miles, and the drive typically takes 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic. Parking fees only apply once per day across Walt Disney World parks, so you won't need to pay extra if you've already paid at Magic Kingdom.
• Ride-sharing Services: Uber and Lyft are available for travel between the two parks. However, they will drop you off at the Transportation and Ticket Center, from where you can take the monorail or a ferry to complete your journey.
• Minnie Van Service: This is Disney's in-house ride-sharing service, provided in partnership with Lyft. Minnie Vans offer the convenience of dropping you off directly in front of the Magic Kingdom, but they come at a higher cost than regular Lyft or Uber services.

Uber/Lyft ride-share options

If you're looking for a ride-share option to get from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom, both Uber and Lyft are available. To access these ride-share services, you'll first need to exit the Magic Kingdom and make your way to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Getting to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC): From Magic Kingdom, you can take either the Disney World Monorail or a watercraft to reach the TTC. This step is necessary as Uber and Lyft are not allowed to pick up directly from the Magic Kingdom.
• Requesting Your Ride: Once you arrive at the TTC, you can use the Uber or Lyft app on your smartphone to request a ride. Make sure you are in the designated pickup area for these ride-share services.
• Confirming Your Destination: After your Uber or Lyft driver arrives, confirm that you are heading to Animal Kingdom. You will be dropped off at a designated location near the entrance of Animal Kingdom.
• Advantages of Ride-Share: Using a ride-share service like Uber or Lyft can offer a more direct and flexible travel option compared to other forms of transportation. You can also enjoy the convenience of being dropped off closer to the park's entrance.
• Cost Considerations: While ride-share services provide comfort and convenience, they may come with a higher cost compared to other transportation methods within Disney World. Be sure to check the estimated fare before confirming your ride request.
• Wait Times: Depending on the time of day and demand for ride-share services, you may experience varying wait times for your Uber or Lyft. It's always a good idea to factor in some buffer time when requesting a ride to ensure you reach your destination without delays.

Remember to have your smartphone fully charged and the necessary apps installed before opting for a ride-share service. Additionally, keep an eye on your surroundings and only use licensed and authorised ride-share vehicles for your safety.

Minnie Van ride-share option

Minnie Vans are a ride-share service at Walt Disney World, operated by Lyft but driven by Cast Members. The Minnie Van service is available to all guests visiting Walt Disney World, not just those staying at a Walt Disney Resort hotel. The Minnie Van service is also available to guests with wheelchairs or ECVs.

The Minnie Van service is a 'priority' transportation option, with private point-to-point service that is almost always more efficient than buses. Minnie Vans can be requested at every Walt Disney World resort via the Lyft app.

The cost of Minnie Van service varies depending on your destination, but all trips will start with a flat rate of $22.00 with an additional cost per mile (which is somewhere around $3.75). This is similar to how taxis and Uber/Lyft pricing works, but Minnie Vans are now significantly more expensive than those other options, with most trips costing at least $30-$50 one way. Minnie Vans have dynamic pricing, so the cost will be different by destination and time of day, with rates largely dictated by supply and demand.

Minnie Vans can be useful when travelling between resorts with young children who need car seats, or if you have an early-morning breakfast reservation. They are also a good option if you are headed to or from Magic Kingdom, as the drop-off and pick-up location is at the same area where the resort buses drop off and pick up. This is different from Uber/Lyft, taxis, and driving your own car, which all require you to start your journey to Magic Kingdom at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then transfer to the monorail or ferry to get to the park.

Minnie Vans are also a good option if you are going to Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, as they can drop you off at Pioneer Hall, cutting back on travel time.

To use the Minnie Van service, you need to have the Lyft app on your smartphone. Once activated, you can use the app to request a Minnie Van pick-up. You will be shown a map with all the available vans and the estimated time of arrival. Minnie Vans look alike, but each has a number on the outside window so you can identify yours.

Payment for the ride is done inside the app, and you can tip your driver through the app or give them a cash tip.

Driving your own car

If you're driving your own car from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom, you'll first need to exit Magic Kingdom and take the Disney World Monorail or a watercraft to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). From there, you can retrieve your car from the car park and drive the approximately 7 miles to Animal Kingdom.

It's worth noting that you'll only need to pay for parking once per day at Walt Disney World parks, so if you've already paid to park at Magic Kingdom, you won't need to pay again at Animal Kingdom.

If you're looking for a quicker option, you may want to consider taking the bus or a ride-share service, such as Uber or Lyft. These options can get you directly from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom without having to go via the TTC. However, if you prefer the convenience of driving your own car, the process outlined above will get you from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom in a relatively short amount of time.

Taking a taxi

Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom by Taxi

If you're departing from the Magic Kingdom, simply exit the park and make your way to the designated ride-sharing pickup areas at the Transportation and Ticket Centre (TTC). You can use popular ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft to request a ride. Keep in mind that Uber and Lyft cannot pick you up directly from the Magic Kingdom, so you'll need to take the Disney Monorail or a watercraft to the TTC first.

Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom by Taxi

On the other hand, if you're starting your journey from Animal Kingdom, you can also utilise ride-sharing services. Request a ride through Uber or Lyft, and they will drop you off at the designated location outside the Magic Kingdom park. This option offers a more direct route compared to the previous one.

Benefits of Taking a Taxi

Estimated Time and Costs

The estimated time for the journey between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom by taxi is around 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. In terms of costs, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft typically provide estimates within their apps based on the distance and demand at the time of your request. As a reference, a recent forum user mentioned that the Minnie Van service, which is Walt Disney World's in-house ride-sharing option, was more expensive than they expected. Therefore, you may want to compare prices and choose the option that best suits your budget.

Frequently asked questions