How do you get from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
If you are staying at the Dolphin or planning a future visit, you probably want to know the different ways to get to Hollywood Studios.
Below, I will detail SIX specific ways you can make this journey.
But before you start reading, please know that you CAN NOT take the Disney buses from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios. Many people mistakenly stand outside the Dolphin waiting for a bus to Hollywood Studios that will never arrive. 🙂
WDW Dolphin to Hollywood Studios:
Option #1. Take the FREE Friendship Boats to Hollywood Studios!
A fun and relaxing way to get to Hollywood Studios from the Dolphin Resort is to take the FREE boat transportation using Disney’s Friendship Boats.
To find the boat dock, walk out the back of the Dolphin Resort. Keep walking straight until you get to the walkway that connects the Dolphin Resort with the Swan Resort. The walkway has water on both sides.
As you are on the walkway, look to your LEFT, and you will see the boat dock sticking out into the water. You can’t miss it. 🙂
Once you get to the boat dock, enter the line on the RIGHT to go to Hollywood Studios. Boat transportation is also provided to Epcot, which boards on the LEFT side. 🙂
And don’t worry if you have a stroller, as they are allowed on the boats, but you must fold them. The Friendship Boats are also accessible for wheelchairs and motorized scooters.
How long is the boat ride from Disney’s Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
You can expect to be at Hollywood Studios about 10 minutes after the boat leaves the Dolphin. It’s a fairly quick ride because the boat does not make any additional stops. It goes straight to the theme park.
The picture below is the dock where you get off the boat in front of Hollywood Studios. It’s also where you board the boat to return to the Dolphin.
The worst part about taking the boats to Hollywood Studios is that you have to WAIT for a boat to arrive. This can be especially frustrating if you walk out to the pier and see a boat just pulling away. In my experience, you can expect a new boat to arrive approximately every 20 minutes.
Option #2. Walk from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios!
The best part about walking to Hollywood Studios from the Dolphin is that you don’t have to WAIT for a boat. Once we start walking, our family knows that in approximately 20 minutes, we will be setting foot inside the theme park.
And finding the pathway is incredibly easy to find and navigate.
- First, you will walk out the BACK of the Dolphin Resort. You will be looking directly at the Swan Resort on a walkway with water on both sides.
- Walk straight until you almost get to the Swan Resort. Then, take a LEFT and walk over the bridge, seen below.
- Once you are over the bridge, take an immediate right. Follow the waterway and walk along this path all the way to Hollywood Studios. Make sure the channel is on your RIGHT-hand side. I think the walk is very pretty, and we typically see many interesting water birds in the morning and evening, such as Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, etc.
- You know you are going in the correct direction as the Tower of Terror gets closer and closer!
How long does walking from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios take?
It depends on how fast you walk! The distance between the Dolphin and the park entrance is about 1 mile (1.6 km). If you walk at an average pace, which is three mph, then it will take 20 minutes.
Option #3: Take an Uber from the Dolphin to Hollywood Studios
If you want to get to Hollywood Studios fast, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from the Dolphin is easy. This option can save a lot of time, especially if you just missed the boat or don’t want to walk there.
The easiest place to meet your driver is outside near the Dolphin Resort’s front lobby, as there are plenty of spots for them to stop and for you to get in the car.
The driving distance from the Walt Disney World Dolphin to Hollywood Studios is 3.5 miles (5.6 km), and the drive should take about 10 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic.
The one-way fare from the Dolphin averages under $15.
If you have limited time to travel to Hollywood Studios, I think it is money well spent!
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 the parks, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up.
Option #4: Ride in a MINNIE VAN to Hollywood Studios
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 from the Dolphin to get to Hollywood Studios is they are driven by DISNEY CAST MEMBERS. I know many people like this fact because the drivers are Disney employees, which provides additional peace of mind.
While using the Lyft app inside the resort, choose Hollywood Studios 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.
Option #5: Take a TAXI to Hollywood Studios
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 to Hollywood Studios has many of the same benefits as rideshares, such as not waiting for a boat. But remember, you must pay for the taxi ride, where the boats are free.
If you want to take a taxi from the Dolphin, I recommend calling Mears Taxi, a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area. You can even schedule and book your ride online.
Option #6: Drive yourself to Hollywood Studios!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way to go from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios.
The distance between these two locations is only 3.5 miles (5.6 km). The drive takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Hollywood Studios…
As long as you stay at the Dolphin, the parking at Hollywood Studios is FREE! Unfortunately, many guests don’t realize (or forget) that parking at any of the parks does not cost anything if you stay here.
Getting FREE parking at the theme parks is an incredible benefit of staying at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney buses from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
No, Disney does not provide bus transportation to Hollywood Studios from the Dolphin. You must use one of the other methods described above!
You may find someone at the bus stop, waiting patiently for a bus to Hollywood Studios. If you see this happening, please gently inform them of their other options. 🙂
Can I take the Disney Monorail from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
No, the monorail does not have a boarding station at the Dolphin, nor does the monorail travel to Hollywood Studios. If you want access to this transportation option from your hotel, you must stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
Can the Disney Skyliner take me from the Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
No, the monorail has no boarding station at the Dolphin. If you want a Skyliner boarding station to get to Hollywood Studios at your hotel, stay at the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or Pop Century.
What is your favorite way to travel from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to Hollywood Studios?
Leave a COMMENT below!
