How do you get from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Magic Kingdom?
If you are staying at Coronado Springs, including the Gran Destino Tower, you probably want to know how to get to Magic Kingdom from the resort.
Below, I will detail FIVE specific ways you can make this journey.
Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom:
Option #1: Take the FREE Disney bus to Magic Kingdom!
Did you know Disney World provides FREE bus transportation from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom? Being able to jump on and off these buses is one of the best benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort.
It’s important to note that the buses are the ONLY form of transportation that Disney provides at Coronado Springs. You won’t find the monorail, Disney Skyliner, or boat transportation here.
To use the buses to get to Magic Kingdom, you must first find the bus stops! Because Coronado Springs is such a big resort, there are four different locations where you can board the buses. The good news is that no matter where you stay within the resort, you shouldn’t have a very far walk to one of the bus stops.
Here are the FOUR different bus stops, listed in the order they PICK UP guests at Coronado Springs:
- Pick up #1. Casitas
- Pick up #2. Ranchos
- Pick up #3. Cabanas
- Pick up #4. Gran Destino Tower and El Centro
- This stop is the main bus stop and the largest. It’s located outside the Gran Destino Tower, which is where you check in.
Here is a map of where you can find each bus stop at Coronado Springs.
When you arrive at the bus stop, you will notice a sign that says Bus Stop #1, #2, #3, or #4. These numbers have no meaning in the ORDER that the bus driver picks up guests at the resort.
For example, the Cabanas bus stop is the third stop at Coronado Springs, but it’s called “Bus Stop #4” within the resort. As you can see below, the Cabanas bus stop, along with Ranchos and Casistas, is much smaller than the large bus stop in front of the Gran Destino Tower.
I hope that’s not too confusing. I find it easier to know the order that the Disney buses travel, which is in a big circle around the resort, starting on the east end and ending at the Gran Destino Tower at the front of the resort.
Bus service to Magic Kingdom typically begins 45 minutes before the park opens and ends 1 hour after it closes. Once they start, the buses run continuously throughout the day. I have found that you can typically expect a bus to arrive around every 20 minutes.
A screen at the bus stop shows when the next bus to Magic Kingdom is expected to arrive.
Since the Disney buses are free to ride, it’s the most popular way to travel to Magic Kingdom from Coronado Springs. You can expect a bit of a line to board the bus at certain times, such as in the morning around the park opening. So, give yourself ample time to get to Magic Kingdom for a reservation or show. Our family usually leaves our room about an hour before we want to arrive, just to be safe.
Once your bus leaves Coronado Springs, the bus ride to Magic Kingdom about 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
But please be aware that you will probably be on the bus longer than 15 minutes, depending on which stop you board the bus.
That’s because you must wait as the bus drops off and picks up guests at the other stops in Coronado Springs before finally leaving for the theme park. For example, suppose you get on the bus at Casitas (Pick up #1). In that case, it’s estimated that it will take around 10 minutes to travel to the other bus stops within Coronado Springs before finally leaving for Magic Kingdom.
This time can vary greatly, depending on how many guests get on or off the bus. Also, it will take longer if anyone boards with a mobility issue (scooter or wheelchair).
Some guests use a strategy to walk directly to the last bus stop outside the Gran Destino Tower. They do this to avoid spending additional time on the bus. It’s also nice to pick up food at Cafe Rix or El Mercado inside the main lobby before heading to the parks.
But I want to warn you this plan could backfire.
During busy times, such as in the morning, the bus may already be full of guests by the time it reaches the last stop (Gran Destino Tower/El Centro). If that happens, the bus will drive by, and you must hope the next one has room for you.
Despite these challenges, taking the Disney buses to Magic Kingdom has one HUGE benefit.
When you arrive at the park, the bus will drop you off DIRECTLY in front of Magic Kingdom. As you will see below, some other transportation options take you to Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) instead. Once you arrive here, you have to finish the journey to Magic Kingdom another way. You will learn more about the TTC next!
Option #2: Take an Uber from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom
If you don’t want to ride on or wait for the bus, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Coronado Springs Resort is easy. Just open the app and select Magic Kingdom as your destination, and you should be matched with a driver within seconds.
Because Coronado Springs is such a big resort, it’s important that you mark your location CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays. There is plenty of space outside the Gran Destino Tower or El Centro for your driver to stop and pick you up.
But the Gran Destino Tower is a far walk from parts of Coronado Springs, especially if you are staying in the Ranchos 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 Cabanas buildings.
The driving distance from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom is 4.7 miles (7.6 km), and the drive should take 10-15 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic.
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. 🙂
The one-way fare from Coronado Springs averages under $15.
The best part about using a rideshare service while staying at Coronado Springs is that you don’t have to deal with your bus stopping at multiple places within the resort before finally leaving for the park. You also don’t risk the bus being full when it arrives at your bus stop.
But there is one big disadvantage of using a rideshare service when you go to Magic Kingdom…
Your driver is NOT allowed to drop you off directly in front of the Magic Kingdom. Instead, they must take you to Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center.
Once you are here, there are TWO ways to complete the journey to the Magic Kingdom.
#1: Take the monorail
The first way to get to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center is by taking the famous Disney monorail.
The monorail runs continuously throughout the day. Service begins 30 minutes before the park opens and ends an hour after the park closes.
#2: Take the ferry
Another way to finish traveling to the Magic Kingdom is to board the ferry. These boats have two seating levels and can fit many people.
The ferryboats leave approximately every 10-15 minutes. Once you depart, the boat ride is only 10 minutes long!
If you want to avoid the Transporation and Ticket Center and get dropped off directly in front of the Magic Kingdom, you must take the bus from Coronado Springs or ride in a Minnie Van (Option #4)!
Option #3: Take a TAXI to Magic 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 buses are free.
If you want to take a taxi from Coronado Springs 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.
One negative to taking a taxi is that you get dropped off at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center instead of the front of Magic Kingdom, similar to a rideshare service.
Option #4: Ride in a MINNIE VAN to Magic Kingdom
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!
This option will be more expensive than a regular Lyft vehicle, but using a Minnie Van has a really big benefit.
You will get dropped off directly in front of the Magic Kingdom instead of the Transportation and Ticket Center!
Minnie Vans are the ONLY rideshare/taxi authorized to do this and bypass the Transportation and Ticket Center.
While using the Lyft app inside Coronado Springs, choose Magic Kingdom as your destination to see the price. 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.
In addition to getting dropped off directly in front of Magic Kingdom, here are some other benefits of a Minnie Van,
- 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.
- 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: Drive yourself to Magic Kingdom!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom. 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 4.7 miles (7.6 km). The drive only takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And as long as you are staying at Coronado Springs, the parking at Magic Kingdom 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 Coronado Springs Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
But if you drive yourself, you MUST park at the Transportation and Ticket Center to get to Magic Kingdom.
Once parked here, you can take the monorail or the ferry to complete your journey. If you want to get dropped off directly in front of the Magic Kingdom entrance, take the Disney bus or a Minnie Van.
Related Posts:
Can I walk from Disney’s Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and the theme park is long, around 4.7 miles (7.6 km). And second, there are no walking paths that connect them. You must take the bus, a taxi/rideshare, or drive yourself to get there!
Can the Disney Skyliner take me from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the Skyliner does not travel to Magic Kingdom. Second, there is also no boarding station for the Disney Skyliner at Coronado Springs.
The Skyliner only goes to two parks, Hollywood Studios and Epcot. 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 take the Disney boats from Coronado Springs to Magic Kingdom?
No, there is no boat transportation available at Coronado Springs.
What is your favorite way to travel from Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to Magic Kingdom?
Leave a COMMENT below!
