How do you get from Disney’s Caribbean Beach to Epcot?
If you are staying at Caribbean Beach, you probably want to know how to get to Epcot from the resort.
Below, I will detail FIVE specific ways you can make this journey.
Caribbean Beach to Epcot:
Option #1: Take the Disney Skyliner! (free)
The easiest (and most fun) way to get to Epcot from the Caribbean Beach Resort is to take the Disney Skyliner! One huge benefit of staying at Caribbean Beach is there is an entry station to the Skyliner at the resort.
In fact, there are actually TWO different places you can board the Skyliner at Caribbean Beach.
The map below shows where each Skyliner platform is located.
Which location you choose depends on where you are staying at the resort. 🙂
Location #1: Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner Station
This boarding station is located in the southwest part of Caribbean Beach. It is the closest one to walk to if you stay in the Trinidad, Barbados, or Jamaica sections.
When you arrive, pay attention to the signs to board the correct gondola to get to Epcot. In addition to Epcot, you can go to Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation, and Pop Century Resorts. This boarding station is the Skyliner’s central hub, so it’s quite large and usually fairly busy.
Once you board the correct gondola to Epcot, you will rise above Caribbean Beach Resort and have an incredible view.
Before you get to Epcot, you will pass through the Riviera Resort Skyliner Station. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get out. Just be patient as it slows down to let guests onto the Skyliner from the Riviera Resort.
In my experience, you will encounter the largest lines at the Skyliner in the morning. Everyone is trying to get to the parks as soon as possible to take advantage of early entry, which you get by staying at any Disney Resort.
Location #2: Riviera Resort Skyliner Station
If you are staying in the Aruba or Martinique sections of Caribbean Beach, it’s closer to walking to the Skyliner boarding station at the Riviera Resort!
Below is the view of the Riviera Skyliner as you walk there from the Caribean Beach Resort.
And one nice thing about boarding at the Riviera is that you head directly to Epcot. It’s a beautiful ride as you soar above Walt Disney World. Please don’t get too comfortable because it only takes 9 minutes to get to the park once in the air. 🙂
Please be aware that when you take the Skyliner to Epcot, you won’t enter the park at the front main entrance by the iconic giant ball.
Skyliner station – International Gateway at Epcot
Instead, you are entering the International Gateway entrance, located at the BACK of the park. When you enter through the International Gateway, you will be near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France area of the World Showcase.
Here is a map of Epcot so you can see where you will enter the park when you come from the Skyliner.
If you want to enter through the main entrance at Epcot, keep reading for more transportation options!
Option #2: Take an Uber/Lyft from Caribbean Beach to Epcot
If you don’t want to ride on the Skyliner, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Caribbean Beach is easy. Just open the app and select Epcot as your destination, and you will be matched with a driver within seconds.
Because Caribbean Beach is such a big resort, you must mark your location CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays. There is plenty of space outside the main lobby, Old Port Royale, for your driver to stop and pick you up.
But Old Port Royale is far from parts of Caribbean Beach, especially if you are staying in the Trinidad section. The great news about using a rideshare is it can pick you up ANYWHERE you want. No matter which building you are staying in, a parking lot will be nearby, offering plenty of room for your driver to stop quickly for you to jump in.
Below is a picture of the large parking lot outside the Aruba buildings.
The driving distance from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Epcot is 4.2 miles (6.8 km), and the drive should take less than 15 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic.
I have found the one-way fare from Caribbean Beach averages under $15.
Between Uber and Lyft, there are a lot of drivers cruising around. Almost every time I’ve used a rideshare to the parks, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up. 🙂
Also, it’s worth pointing out that a rideshare service will drop you off at the MAIN ENTRANCE of Epcot, by the giant iconic white ball. Remember that the Disney Skyliner takes you to the back of the park to the International Gateway, a 20-minute walk to the front of Epcot.
If you have limited time to travel to Epcot, I think it is money well spent! It’s a great option if you need to be at the front of the park at a certain time and want to avoid extra walking.
Option #3: Ride in a MINNIE VAN to Epcot
One fun thing about using the rideshare service Lyft is that they have partnered with Disney World to provide MINNIE VANS, which are Minnie Mouse-themed mini-vans!
A big benefit of using a Minnie Van is they are driven by DISNEY CAST MEMBERS. I know many people like this fact because the drivers are employees of Disney, which provides additional peace of mind.
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. But in addition to a Disney Cast Member driving, here are a few additional benefits of a Minnie Van.
- They can fit up to SIX people.
- Includes two car seats, which your driver will install for you.
- These vans can fit scooters and wheelchairs, but please pre-arrange your ride if you need this service.
Lastly, a Minnie Van will drop you off at the main entrance of Epcot, not the International Gateway.
Option #4: Take a TAXI to Animal Kingdom
I know some people don’t like using Uber or Lyft because they don’t know about the person driving or don’t feel comfortable using the app. If this describes you, calling a traditional taxi company for a ride is easy.
Taking a taxi has many of the same benefits as rideshares, such as not waiting for a bus. But of course, you must pay for the taxi ride, where the Disney Skyliner is free.
If you want to take a taxi from Caribbean Beach Resort, I recommend calling Mears Taxi, a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area. You can even schedule and book your ride online.
Lastly, a taxi will drop you off at the main entrance of Epcot, not the International Gateway.
Option #5: Drive yourself to Epcot!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way from Disney’s Caribbean Beach 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 4.2 miles (6.8 km). The drive only 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 Caribbean Beach, 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 Caribbean Beach Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney buses between Caribbean Beach and Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. Because the Skyliner provides transportation to Epcot, no buses travel there. But if the Skyliner ever breaks down or needs refurbishment, Disney sends buses to the hotel to provide transportation.
Please do not try to wait outside for bus transportation between Caribbean Beach and Epcot! Unfortunately, you would be sitting there a LONG time. 🙂
Can I take the Disney Monorail from Caribbean Beach to Epcot?
No, the monorail has no boarding station at Disney’s Caribbean Beach. To get to Epcot using the monorail from your hotel, you must stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
Can I walk from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and the theme park is fairly long, around 4.2 miles (6.8 km). And second, there are no walking paths that connect them. You must take the Skyliner, a taxi/rideshare, or drive yourself to get there!
What is your favorite way to travel from Disney’s Caribbean Resort to Epcot?
Leave a COMMENT below!
