Since there is no parking at the Magic Kingdom, the fastest way to Cinderella's castle is Disney transportation.
There's an age-old debate when it comes to Disney theme parks: Should you rely on the company's small army of buses, boats and monorail trains, or use your own car (or rental car) to get around Disney World? There's no one best answer for everyone, but a little research can help you choose the best transportation for your Disney vacation.
Disney Buses, Boats and the Monorail
Since Disney would very much like its guests to spend as much time as possible on Disney property, it has made it extremely easy for visitors without cars to get around. Magical Express takes travelers to and from the airport for free if you are staying in a Disney hotel. Free buses, boats and the monorail take guests to the parks and elsewhere on Disney property.
The Disney system doesn't always work perfectly. It's not uncommon to find yourself waiting for a bus to one park and watch in frustration as buses bound for different parks come and go, in some cases completely empty. For many park-goers, however, not having to worry about your own car or deal with parking in the theme parks make up for these occasional inconveniences.
The lines for buses back to the resorts tend to be longest at the end of the day, immediately after the fireworks and as the parks are closing. In these cases, consider lingering in the park -- strolling back slowly instead of fighting the crowds and browsing through the shops along the way, which generally remain open even as the park is closing. The buses run well after closing, and you may be able to get one more easily later on.
Disney by Car
Some people prefer to take care of the transportation themselves. Disney resort guests get free parking in all the theme park lots, so you can use your own car (or a rental) to come and go as you please. Plus, you're guaranteed a seat at the end of the day when you're tired and heading back to your hotel.
One downside to this is that the parking lots are huge. Disney operates trams that circle the parking lots and bring people to and from the front gates. Waiting for these trams and/or walking to the park entrance can eat up much of the time you've saved by driving there on your own. At the end of the day, lines for the trams back to the cars can at times be as long as the lines for the resort buses.
The Magic Kingdom
Special rules apply to the Magic Kingdom. You can't park there and non-Disney hotel buses don't travel there. Cast members say Walt Disney wanted the Magic Kingdom to exist on its own, with no big parking lot next to it, to help give life to the illusion that it's some separate, magical place far from the everyday troubles of the "real" world.
Because of that, the best way to get there is by taking a bus, boat or monorail from a Disney resort. Almost all other methods of transportation will require you to stop first at the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can then board a bus, boat or monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Even if you generally prefer to use your own car (or a rental car), consider the Disney buses when visiting the Magic Kingdom, as skipping this stop will get you there faster.
Staying Off-Site
Many non-Disney hotels advertise transportation to and from the parks. Don't make assumptions -- instead, ask specific questions before you book. First, ask if the shuttles offered by the hotel are free. The ad or sign may say "Disney shuttle!" but that doesn't mean it's going to be free. Also ask about the shuttles' frequency and how early and late they run, as some are infrequent and don't cover all of the park's hours. Also ask where the shuttle stops -- in some cases, you may need to walk to a neighboring hotel.
You can take your own car to the Disney parks, but when you are staying off-site, you'll have to pay for parking.
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