How do you get from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios?
If you are staying at the Riviera Resort or planning a future visit, you probably want to know how to get to Hollywood Studios from the resort.
Below, I will detail FIVE specific ways you can make this journey.
Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios:
Option #1: Take the Disney Skyliner! (free)
The easiest way to get to Hollywood Studios from the Riviera is to take the Disney Skyliner! One huge benefit of staying here is a boarding station for the Disney Skyliner is located right next to the resort. 🙂
To find the boarding area, walk to the western side of the resort. A covered walkway leads directly from the Riviera to the Skyliner. There are lots of signs around that will also point you in the correct direction.
Check out the map below to see exactly where the Disney Skyliner is located in relation to Riviera. As you can see, no matter where you stay at the resort, you have less than a 5-minute walk to the boarding area!
When you enter the Skyliner boarding station, pay attention to the signs to get in the correct line. In addition to going to Hollywood Studios, you can also head to Epcot.
In my experience, you will encounter the largest lines 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.
Once you have boarded the gondola towards Hollywood Studios, prepare to have a wonderful view as you soar above Walt Disney World. I love trying to find as many rides, resorts, and other landmarks as possible from the air. 🙂
But don’t get too comfortable because it only takes 5 minutes to get to the Caribbean Beach Resort, which is the connecting station for the Disney Skyliner.
At the Caribbean Beach Resort connecting station, you must GET OUT of your gondola and take a short walk around the corner to board another gondola headed to Hollywood Studios.
Make sure you pay attention to the signs because you can also board a gondola that takes you back to the Riviera or Epcot! In case you get confused, there are multiple Cast Members available to point you in the right direction.
Once you board the correct gondola and this ride takes off, your next stop is Hollywood Studios, which is only 6 minutes away! If there are no lines for the Disney Skyliner, I estimate it will take about 15 minutes to go from the Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios.
Below is the view of Hollywood Studios as you approach riding the Skyliner.
Option #2: Take an Uber/Lyft from the Riviera to Hollywood Studios
If you don’t want to ride on the Skyliner, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from the Riviera is easy.
The easiest place to meet your driver is outside near the Riviera front lobby, as there are plenty of spots for you to get in the car. You could also walk down to the bus stop or one of the large parking lots at the resort, as there are many open areas for the driver to park quickly.
Regardless, make sure you mark the location you want to be picked up CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays.
The driving distance from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios is 2.7 miles (4.3 km), and the drive should take about 10 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic.
The one-way fare from the Riviera Resort 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. 🙂
If you have limited time to travel to Hollywood Studios, I think it is money well spent!
Option #3: 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 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 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 #4: 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 has many of the same benefits as rideshares, such as not waiting in line for the Disney Skyliner. But of course, you must pay for the taxi ride, where the Skyliner is free.
If you want to take a taxi from the Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios, 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 #5: Drive yourself to Hollywood Studios!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way to go from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios. 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 2.7 miles (4.3 km). The drive usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Hollywood Studios…
As long as you are staying at the Riviera, the parking at Hollywood Studios 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 Riviera Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney buses between Riviera Resort and Hollywood Studios?
The short answer to this question is NO. The Skyliner provides transportation to Hollywood Studios, so there are no buses that 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 the Riviera and Hollywood Studios! Unfortunately, you would be sitting there a LONG time. 🙂
Can I walk from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and the theme park is fairly long, around 2.7 miles (4.3 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!
Can I take the Disney Monorail from the Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios?
No, the monorail does not have a boarding station at the Riviera. In addition, the monorail does not travel to Hollywood Studios. The monorail only travels to two theme parks – Magic Kingdom and Epcot. If you want to use the monorail from your hotel, stay at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian Village Resort.
What is your favorite way to travel from Disney’s Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios?
Leave a COMMENT below!
