Disney World Polynesian Resort
Transportation Options

The Disney World Polynesian Resort is just about perfect. One thing that makes it just about perfect is the ease of transportation. Disney knows how to move people.

When Disney World first opened, the Polynesian Village was the hotel furthest from the Magic Kingdom. The Disney World Monorail made it easy to get there. In fact when the Transportation and Ticket Center monorail was busy, people would run over to the Polynesian Village and grab the monorail. Then, EPCOT opened. Getting from the Polynesian to EPCOT was a breeze.

Now that there are four theme parks, two water parks, twenty something hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and much more, transportation to and from the Disney World Polynesian Resort is a little more complicated.

You confused? Dad'll help.

Trust me.

Getting from the Polynesian Resort

To...

Transportation at the Disney World Polynesian Resort is the best of all the Disney World Resorts, especially to the Magic Kingdom. Here is a list of how to get around.

The Magic Kingdom

"You are arriving at Disney's Polynesian Resort".

Dad just loves to hear those words when he's on the monorail. The monorail is what gives the Disney World Polynesian Resort the best access to the parks of all of the Disney World Resorts.

Not only can you jump on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom from the Great Ceremonial House, but it's just a short walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center where you can grab the Epcot monorail and be in Epcot in just minutes.

Also at the Transportation and Ticket Center, you can grab the ferry and take a relaxing 10 minute trip across Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom. Just walk down the path to the and turn left. If the ferry is just arriving it will be faster than the monorail.

The most enjoyable way to get from the Disney World Polynesian Resort to the Magic Kingdom is on the motor launch (boat). This small (around 20 passenger) launch makes a round trip from the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian then back to the Polynesian. It's a nice relaxing trip.

You could hop in your car and drive to the parking lot. Then hop on a tram and come back to the Transportation and Ticket Center. The Polynesian Resort is on hotel where you can do without a car at Disney World (sorta) on your Disney World vacation.

Epcot

Monorail Black entering Epcot

Getting from the Disney World Polynesian Resort to Epcot is a breeze. You just hop on the Epcot monorail, and you're there. Yes, you have to get to the Transportation and Ticket Center, but that's easy. You can make the short walk or take the resort monorail (the resort monorail will take about 20 minutes because you have to make the full loop).

No, the bus to Epcot doesn't stop here.

You could drive to Epcot. If you had a car at Disney World. The monorail is faster because you don't have to park and ride the tram.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

There are several ways to get from the Disney World Polynesian Resort to Disney Hollywood Studios. Most of them are very inconvenient.

The easiest way to get there is to drive. For that you have to have a car at Disney World. It's about a 10 minute drive.

If you don't have a car the you have to take a bus. Buses are shared with the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts. It will take about 30 minutes to get there by bus, but you will be delivered to the front gate.

There are some other combinations like go to the Magic Kingdom and catch a bus from there, or take the monorail to Epcot, walk through Epcot to the International Gate, walk to one of the hotels and catch a launch to Disney Hollywood Studios. Those don't make a lot of sense, and would take 45 minutes or more, but they are options.

Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Getting from the Disney World Polynesian Resort to Disney's Animal Kingdom is difficult. But that's true for everyone. The only resort that's even close to Animal Kingdom is the Animal Kingdom Lodge and it's a mile away.

The easiest way to get to Animal Kingdom is to drive (notice a theme here). But to do that you must have a car at Disney World.

You can take the Disney bus to the Animal Kingdom. It is shared with the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian and will take about 30 minutes. The bus will deliver you to the entrance of the park.

Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney is a bustling place with some great restaurants, great shopping and great entertainment. Getting there is charming. (Don't you just love it when someone uses that word?) You take the bus. Or if you have a (altogether now) a car at Disney World, you could drive. It only takes about 15 minutes.

Again there are some convoluted ways of getting there. If you would like more information contact Dad (he knows everything.)

Other Resorts

Getting from the Disney World Polynesian Resort to another Disney World resort can be a daunting task. It's easy to get to The Grand Floridian or the Contemporary, you just grab the monorail and in just a few short minutes you're there. But, if you want to get to... let's say... Animal Kingdom Lodge to eat at Jiko or Boma... good luck.

So Dad, how do we get to those other resorts? Good question, thought you'd never ask. The easiest way to get to any of the Disney Resorts that aren't on the monorail is by bus. But... you have to get on the bus at the Magic Kingdom. So here's the plan. Ride the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and go to where buses are. Find the bus for the Disney World resort you want to visit. Get on the bus. Get off the bus when you get to the resort. That's the easy way.

The other way is ride the bus to any of the other theme parks and grab a bus to the Disney World resort you selected.

See why Dad likes to have a car at Disney World on a Disney World vacation.

The Water Parks

The Lazy River at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Image courtesy of gnislew

Golf Courses

Disney does a very interesting thing for resort guests that want to play golf at Disney's 5 golf courses. They pay for your transportation if you come by cab. Just check with Bell Services and they will get you a cab. The course will help you get a cab back to the resort. Disney pays the bill. Nice.

You could always drive to the golf course if you had a car at Disney World. Check with the front desk for directions.

The Airport

Another great program that Disney provides (free of charge) is Disney's Magical Express. Disney will pick you up at the airport, deliver your bag to your room, then take you back to the airport, all for free. Check it out.

If you have a car at Disney World you would drive.

You could take a taxi, or a limo, or a shuttle. A limo ride is pretty cool.

Dad's Bottom Line

Transportation at the Disney World Polynesian Resort is wide and varied. Getting to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot is especially easy and fun.

Dad still recommends having a car, even at the Polynesian, but of all the Disney World Resorts it's the best for transportation.

PAGE 1 - The Great Ceremonial House
PAGE 2 - Guest Rooms
PAGE 3 - Transportation
PAGE 4 - Pools, Marina, Beach
VIDEO - see videos of the Disney Polynesian Resort