A thoughtful review of Disney's Transportation System

If you've been to Walt Disney World you've probably used some sort of their transportation system, whether that be a Disney Bus, a Monorail, a Friendship Boat, or a Ferry. Today we will review the changes and the additions of many of the transportation on property.

Disney's Buses

This is by far the fastest mode of transportation on WDW property. Buses will run constantly throughout the day and usually you won't wait more than 10 minutes, but you may be unfortunate and wait 45 at times, but on average you'll only wait about 5-10 minutes. So here are the buses that ran on opening day.

As you can see, quite a lot has changed since then, the most drastic would be size. The stripe on the side indicated where this bus was going. (below)

Who remembers these good looking buses? Most of these were re-painted versions of the ones above. These are the buses I remember fondly. I remember standing alot due to lack of seats, and getting sick because of the way we took turns combined with the fact I had the flu... (below)

Around the early 2000's you could start to see these kinds of buses (pictured below). They have more room, are closer to the ground to benefit the ever growing population who needs wheelchair access, and more seats. There was/are many different layouts of this version of bus and are currently still in use. 

Finally we have come to present day. These buses use less diesel, some electric. They now make up a majority of the buses. (below)

As well as the new extra long. I pray for this bus at the end of the night. (below)

Along with the Disney Transport Buses you have both the Cruise Line buses and Disney's Magical Express which run from WDW to Cape Canaveral and WDW to MCO (Orlando International Airport). 

Disney Ferry Boats/ Friendship Boats

There are many Ferry Boats on property, the most prominent being the Liberty Belle in the Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center Ferries, the Richard F. Irvine, the General Joe Potter, and the Admiral Joe Fowler.

(The Liberty Belle above)

This is the Ferry that travels along the Rivers of America in Liberty Square.

(The General Joe Potter above)

This is a Transportation and Ticket Center Ferry

(Admiral Joe Fowler circa 1979 above)

There was actually a second Ferry Boat on the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom, the Admiral Joe Fowler which actually was the first Ferry but was destroyed in the 80's during one of it's dry docks, then they renamed one of the TTC Ferries after him.

(New Admiral Joe Fowler Circa 2012 below)

My Personal favorite boats are in Epcot and used in the surrounding area. The"Friendship" boats are used daily from launches inside of Epcot (Future World to Germany and Future World to Morocco) and outside the back gate at the international gateway providing service from Epcot to Disney's Hollywood Studios (with stops at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, Disney's Boardwalk, and the Swan and Dolphin).

The only caveat with taking these boats is that they are slowwwwwww. It is often faster to take the boat from Epcot to the Boardwalk and walk to Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Hollywood Studios to Swan and Dolphin and walk to Epcot, you will almost definitely beat the boat.

If you are in World Showcase and are planning to head to Future World, its worth it to give your feet a break and take a friendship across the lagoon. It's only a 5 minute ride and your feet will thank you later.

Walt Disney World Monorail System

The most famous and my personal favorite transportation on WDW property, the Monorail. Disney has of course been famous for it's monorail ever since their first opened at Disneyland in 1959. When  you think of "Disney World" one of the first images that pops up in my mind is the monorails. I can gaurentee that most people who have been here have ridden the monorail once. Shout out to my fellow geeks who can word for word "Please stand clear of the doors...".

(Disneyland's original monorail pictured below)

The Walt Disney World Monorail System has been operating since opening day 1971, serving as a means of transportation from both hotels and the parking area (where as Disneyland's was just an attraction taking you around Tomorrowland until 1961).

The Monorail still travel directly through the Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary Hotel (pictured below)

And in 1982, the Monorail expanded to include Epcot Center. Originally before E.P.C.O.T. became Epcot Center, Monorails and Peoplemovers were to be the main transportation around Walt Disney World.

Disney Trams!

The last but not least transportation in WDW I want to touch on is of course the Disney Trams. Everyone has probably at least seen them. For those of you who frequent WDW and stay on property, you may have never been on this but those who stay off property or are Florida residents are quite familiar with them. I have actually never been on them in Florida, I have been on the ones in California (shout out to mickey and friends tram!). These are as iconic as the Disney Buses. 

While they can also be as slow as the Friendship boats, this tram is almost necessary when you are traveling with kids, or a big family.

Anyways, That's all I got!