How do you get from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Epcot?
If you are staying at the Contemporary 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.
Contemporary Resort to Epcot:
Option #1. Take the Monorail to Epcot!
The monorail is the most popular way to get to Epcot from the Contemporary. 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 Contemporary’s lobby. To find the monorail platform, head to the FOURTH floor, which is called the Grand Concourse, inside the main building.
Before getting on the monorail to Epcot, you will go through security at the Contemporary. 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 Contemporary security line will be much shorter than the one at Epcot.
The monorail you board at the Contemporary is called the “Resort Monorail.”
To go to Epcot, get off at Stop #1 at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
This is important to know because the Resort Monorail doesn’t go directly to Epcot. Instead, the Resort Monorail will take you to 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 Contemporary 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 about 30 minutes to get there from the Contemporary. Here’s why:
- First, you must go through security at the Contemporary and wait in line for the next Resort Monorail to arrive.
- Then you have to travel on the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- Next, you get off the Resort Monorail and wait for the Epcot Monorail.
- Finally, it takes 12 minutes to ride the Epcot Monorail to Epcot.
Please be warned that going BACK to the Contemporary using the monorail will take even longer!
That’s because, on the way back, the Contemporary is the FOURTH stop once you leave the TTC on the Resort Monorail. It takes about 15-20 minutes just for the Resort Monorail to get from the TTC to the Contemporary. View the “Resort Monorail Platform Map” for more info above!
Option #2: Take a rideshare/taxi from the Contemporary to Epcot
To get to Epcot fast, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Disney’s Contemporary Resort is easy. This option can save a lot of time, especially if you just missed the bus.
I know some people don’t like the idea of using Uber or Lyft because they don’t know about the person driving. If this describes you, then it’s also easy to call a traditional taxi company for a ride. I recommend calling Mears Taxi, a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area. You can even schedule and book your ride online.
Regardless of your decision, the best place to meet your driver is outside the front of the Contemporary. There is lots of space for you to find a good pickup spot.
There is also a HUGE parking lot at the Contemporary 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 Contemporary to Epcot is 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 Contemporary averages under $15.
If you have limited time to travel to Epcot, 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 at Disney, 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!
One 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.
To use a Minnie Van, choose Epcot as your destination while using the Lyft app inside the resort. 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 Contemporary 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 4.8 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 Contemporary, 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 Contemporary Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Articles:
Can the Disney Skyliner take me to Epcot from the Contemporary Resort?
The short answer to this question is NO. There is no boarding station for the Skyliner at the Contemporary. If you want a Skyliner boarding station at your hotel that can take you to Epcot, you must stay at the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or Pop Century.
Can I take the Disney buses from the Contemporary Resort to Epcot?
No, Disney does not provide bus transportation directly to Epcot from the Contemporary unless the monorail is not running.
It’s very common to find people at the bus stop, waiting patiently for a bus to Epcot that will never arrive. If you see this happening, please gently inform them of their transportation options now that you have read this post. 🙂
Can I walk from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and Epcot is long, around 4.8 miles (7.7 km). And second, there are no walking paths that connect them. You must either take the monorail, a taxi or drive yourself!
But you can walk to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. It only takes 10 minutes!
What is your favorite way to travel from the Contemporary to Epcot?
Leave a COMMENT below!
