How do you get from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to Epcot?
If you are staying at the Dolphin or planning a future visit, you probably want to know the different ways to get to Epcot.
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 Epcot. Many people mistakenly stand outside the Dolphin waiting for a bus to Epcot that will never arrive. 🙂
WDW Dolphin to Epcot:
Option #1. Take the FREE Friendship Boats to Epcot!
A fun and relaxing way to get to Epcot 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. 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 LEFT to go to Epcot. Boat transportation is also provided to Hollywood Studios, which boards on the RIGHT 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 Epcot?
You can expect to be at Epcot about 20 minutes after the boat leaves the Dolphin. Just a warning: you will make TWO stops before getting to the park.
- First, the boat will go to the Yacht and Beach Clubs to let guests off and on.
- Second, you will go across the lake to the Boardwalk
- Finally, the boat will stop at Epcot to let you off.
The exact time it takes varies depending on how many guests are boarding or departing at these two stops.
The picture below is the dock where you get off the boat at Epcot. It’s also where you board the boat to return to the Dolphin.
Please be aware that you are not entering Epcot at the front main entrance by the iconic giant ball.
Instead, you are entering the International Gateway, which is 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 arrive on the boats from the Dolphin Resort.
The worst part about taking the boats to Epcot 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.
If you don’t want to wait for a boat, then I think you will LOVE the next option to get to Epcot. 🙂
Option #2. Walk from the Dolphin Resort to Epcot!
The best part about walking to Epcot 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 that has 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. From there, you need to head to the Boardwalk and follow it. Crescent Lake will be on your left.
- Keep heading straight until you cross over a bridge. When you can’t walk straight any further, turn right.
- Keep heading straight until you reach Epcot’s back entrance (International Gateway). You will see multiple signs that tell you you are heading in the correct direction.
How long does walking from the Dolphin Resort to Epcot take?
It depends on how fast you walk! The distance between the Dolphin and the park entrance is .8 miles (1.3 km). If you walk at an average pace, which is 3 mph, then it will take 16 minutes.
Option #3: Take an Uber from the Dolphin to Epcot
I think the best way to get to Epcot from the Dolphin is to walk there and enter through the International Gateway.
But if you plan to do something towards the front of the park, like riding Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, you have a pretty long walk to get there! It’s about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Dolphin Resort to the front entrance of Epcot, which is roughly a 30-minute walk.
If you want to avoid such a long walk, it’s easy and inexpensive to use a rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, to drive you to the front entrance of Epcot.
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 Epcot is 2.6 miles (4.2 km), and the drive should take under 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 the front of 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 to the parks, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up.
Option #4: 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 from the Dolphin to get to Epcot 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 at the Dolphin, 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.
Option #5: Take a TAXI to Epcot
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.
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 Epcot!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way to go from the Dolphin 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 2.6 miles (4.2 km). The drive takes under 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Epcot…
As long as you stay at the Dolphin, the parking at Epcot 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.
Don’t forget!
Remember, there are TWO entrances to Epcot. First, there is the main entrance, which is where you enter near the iconic white ball. The second entrance is near the back of the park, called the International Gateway.
Where you enter Epcot depends on which transportation method you use from the Dolphin Resort:
- Main Entrance: Use a Rideshare (Uber/Lyft), Minnie Van, Taxi, or drive yourself.
- International Gateway: Use the Friendship boats or walk.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney buses from the Dolphin Resort to Epcot?
No, Disney does not provide bus transportation to Epcot 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 Epcot. Please inform them of their other options if you see this happening. 🙂
Can the Disney Skyliner take me from the Dolphin Resort to Epcot?
No, the monorail has no boarding station at the Dolphin. If you want a Skyliner boarding station to get to Epcot at your hotel, stay at the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or Pop Century.
Can I take the Disney Monorail from the Dolphin Resort to Epcot?
No, the monorail does not have a boarding station at the Dolphin. If you want access to this transportation option from your hotel to Epcot, stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
What is your favorite way to travel from the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort to Epcot?
Leave a COMMENT below!
