How do you get from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to Epcot?
If you are staying at the Grand Floridian or planning a future visit, you probably want to know how to get to Epcot from the resort.
Below I will detail THREE specific ways you can make this journey.
Disney’s Grand Floridian to Epcot:
Option #1. Take the Monorail to Epcot!
Taking the monorail is definitely the most popular way to get to Epcot from the Grand Floridian. First, it’s almost required that you ride the monorail at least once when you go to Disney to get the full experience. Second, the monorail is FREE, unlike the other options below.
And incredibly, there is a boarding station for the monorail right inside the Grand Floridian’s lobby. To find the monorail platform, head to the SECOND floor inside the main entrance.
Before getting on the monorail to Epcot, you will go through security at the Grand Floridian. This is a great benefit because it means you DON’T have to go through security once you arrive at Epcot. As you can imagine, the Grand Floridian security line will be much shorter than the one at Epcot.
The monorail you board at the Grand Floridian is called the “Resort Monorail.”
This is important to know because the Resort Monorail doesn’t go directly to Epcot.
- First, once you leave the Grand Floridian, the monorail will stop at Magic Kingdom to drop off and pick up guests.
- Then, it will stop at the Contemporary Resort to do the same.
- Finally, you will arrive at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).
When you arrive at the TTC, you will get off the Resort Monorail and find the line for the Epcot Monorail.
As the name suggests, the Epcot Monorail goes directly to Epcot with no other stops. Make sure to board the Epcot Monorail. You will also see signs for the Express Monorail, which goes directly to Magic Kingdom. Don’t worry too much, as there are signs everywhere.
Once the Epcot Monorail leaves the TTC, it heads south to Epcot. This ride takes about 12 minutes. As you arrive at Epcot, you will be treated to incredible views as you wind your way through the park.
How long does it take to go from the Grand Floridian to Epcot using the monorail?
While riding on the monorail is a fun and unique experience, it is not the quickest way to get to Epcot. I estimate it will take 35-45 minutes to get there from the Grand Floridian. Here’s why:
- First, you must go through security at the Grand Floridian and then wait in line for the next Resort Monorail to arrive.
- Then it usually takes about 15-20 minutes for the Resort Monorail to arrive at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- Next, you have to get off the Resort Monorail and wait for the Epcot Monorail.
- Finally, it takes 12 minutes to ride the Epcot Monorail to Epcot.
You can also walk from the Grand Floridian to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
So you know, there is a walkway that connects the Grand Floridian to the TTC. Along the way, it goes through the Polynesian Resort, which is an incredible place to check out, too. Just keep following the signs to find the TTC.
The distance is about 1 mile (1.6 km), typically taking about 20 minutes to walk. Walking to the TTC takes roughly the same amount of time as riding the Resort Monorail. How you get to the TTC comes down to your preference.
But it is worth walking through the Polynesian Resort at least once, as many of the food options (Dole Whip or Ohana’s noodles) are legendary! 🙂
Option #2: Take an Uber/Lyft from the Grand Floridian to Epcot
If you want to get to Epcot fast, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is easy. This option can save a lot of time compared to riding the monorail.
The best place to meet your driver is outside the front of the Grand Floridian. As you leave the main lobby, walk straight for about 20 yards under the covered entrance. You will find a great spot to wait for your driver, complete with benches in the shade.
There is also a HUGE parking lot at the Grand Floridian where you can meet your driver. No matter where you decide on your pickup location, make sure to mark the correct spot on the map in the Uber/Lyft app.
The driving distance from the Grand Floridian to Epcot is only 4.8 miles (7.7 km), and the drive should take about 10 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic.
I have found the one-way fare from the Grand Floridian averages under $15.
In my opinion, taking a taxi or rideshare is money well spent! Instead of spending 45 minutes getting to Epcot using the monorail, you can be having fun at Epcot!
TWO rideshare companies operate in Disney World – Uber and Lyft. Between them both, there are a lot of drivers cruising around. Almost every time I’ve used a rideshare to go to the parks, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up.
One neat thing about using Lyft is that they have partnered with Disney World to provide MINNIE VANS, which are Minnie Mouse-themed mini-vans!
While using the Lyft app inside the resort, choose Epcot as your destination. Then order the Minnie Van to come and pick you up.
While this option is fun, as you can see above, it is more expensive than a regular Lyft vehicle.
Option #3: Drive yourself to Epcot!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to Epcot. It’s probably the fastest way to travel since you don’t have to wait for someone to pick you up. 🙂
The distance between these two locations is only 4.8 miles (7.7 km). The drive takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Epcot…
As long as you are staying at the Grand Floridian, the parking at Epcot is FREE! Unfortunately, many guests don’t realize (or forget) that if you stay at a Disney World Resort, parking at any of the parks does not cost anything.
Getting FREE parking at the theme parks is an incredible benefit of staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney boat transportation from the Grand Floridian to Epcot?
While there is boat transportation at the Grand Floridian Resort, the boats do not travel to Epcot. You can only take boat transportation from the Grand Floridian to one theme park, Magic Kingdom.
If you want to take a boat to Epcot, stay at Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, or Boardwalk Inn.
Can the Disney Skyliner take me to Epcot from the Grand Floridian Resort?
The short answer to this question is NO. While the Skyliner does have a boarding station at the International Gateway at Epcot, there is no boarding station for the Skyliner at the Grand Floridian.
If you want a Skyliner boarding station at your hotel, stay at the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or Pop Century.
Can I walk from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and Epcot is very long, around 4.8 miles (7.7 km). And second, there are no walking paths that connect them. You must either take the bus, a taxi or drive yourself!
Can I take the Disney buses from the Grand Floridian to Epcot?
No, Disney does not provide bus transportation to Epcot from the Grand Floridian Resort. You must use one of the other methods described above!
It’s possible that you may find someone at the bus stop, waiting patiently for a bus to Epcot. If you see this happening, please gently inform them of their transportation options now that you have read this post. 🙂
What is your favorite way to travel from the Grand Floridian to Epcot?
Leave a COMMENT below!
