One of the biggest questions I get when helping families with vacation planning for Disney is: “How do we get to Magic Kingdom?” It’s a great question—because unlike other Disney parks, getting to Magic Kingdom has a few extra steps if you're driving yourself. But don’t worry! I’m breaking it all down for you in a super easy way so your magical day starts off right.

Magic Kingdom Ferry — Getting to Magic Kingdom has a few extra steps

First Things First: Are You Staying at a Disney Resort?

Where you're staying actually makes a big difference in how you’ll get to Magic Kingdom. Let’s start with guests who are not staying at a Disney Resort.

If You're Not a Disney Resort Guest...

You’ll be parking at the Ticket and Transportation Center, or TTC for short. It's kind of like Magic Kingdom’s big parking hub. Here's a fun fact: the parking lot at Magic Kingdom is one of the largest in the world—it can hold over 12,000 cars! It's even split into two huge sections named Heroes and Villains, with names like Aladdin, Peter Pan, Zurg, and Jafar to help you remember where you parked.

The TTC is split into two huge sections: Heroes and Villains

Once you’ve parked, you’ll go through security, and then you have two options to get to Magic Kingdom:

Monorail – This high-speed train takes you gliding above Seven Seas Lagoon with some great views of the park and resorts.
Ferryboat – This relaxing boat ride gives you a picture-perfect view of Cinderella Castle as you approach the park.

Both options are fun, and they usually take about the same amount of time. But here’s a pro tip: during busy times, like first thing in the morning or right before park opening, the ferryboat is often quicker because it can hold way more people at once. So while the monorail line might move slowly, the ferry can load a big crowd and head out across the water fast.

It just depends on what kind of experience you want—sky or sea—but if you see a long monorail line, the ferry might be your best bet!

If You’re a Disney Resort Guest…

Here’s where vacation planning for Disney gets even more magical. One of the best perks of staying at a Disney Resort is you don’t have to go to the TTC at all!

Let’s break it down by resort:

Monorail Resorts: If you’re staying at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary, you can hop on the monorail right from your hotel. Super quick and super cool!
Boat Transportation: If you’re at Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, or even Grand Floridian and Polynesian, there’s a peaceful boat ride straight to Magic Kingdom.
Disney Buses: All other Disney Resorts use bus transportation. But here’s the awesome part—Disney buses drop you off right at Magic Kingdom’s entrance. No TTC, no ferry, no monorail, and no extra security checkpoint. Just straight to the magic!

Why This Matters for Your Trip

Knowing how to get to Magic Kingdom can really save you time and stress. This is one of the things I focus on when I help families with vacation planning for Disney—because every minute counts when you're trying to get the most out of your park day!

If you're still figuring out the best way to plan your Disney vacation, I’ve got you covered. My Walt Disney World planning guide breaks it all down for you—step-by-step itineraries, Lightning Lane strategies, dining tips, and more secrets for a magical day in every park.

Final Tip

No matter how you get there, arriving early is always a good idea. The earlier you get to Magic Kingdom, the more rides you can knock out before the crowds roll in!

Need more help with vacation planning for Disney? Grab my Walt Disney World 101 Guide and feel like a pro before you even set foot in the parks.

Let the magic begin! ✨