Getting Around Walt Disney World from Shades of Green (2026): Buses, TTC & Rideshare

Trying to figure out how to get around Walt Disney World can be a challenge, especially when using Shades of Green’s limited bus line.

This page is intended to be your guide and hopefully make your travels around Walt Disney World easier.

Getting to the various Disney World theme parks, Resorts, or entertainment venues from Shades of Green can be done by several different methods, or a combination of these methods.

The different methods are:

• Walking
• Driving your own car (POV)
• Shades of Green Buses
• WDW’s Transportation System (Monorails, Buses, Boats, and Skyliner)
• Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Van

Below, you’ll find our recommended methods for getting to WDW’s destinations and some alternative approaches.

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But first, an overview

Walking

Prior to 1 May 2023, Shades of Green guests could take the 10-minute walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and continue onward to further destinations or use Disney’s transportation system from The Polynesian.

Disney permanently closed this walking access for the military, access to which went back over 50 years, during their road-widening project.

UPDATE: As of early 2024, there is hopeful news that the walkway at Shades of Green may come back eventually. No Updates for 2025, though…

However, there are many other walking opportunities between the Disney Resorts and the Theme Parks or other Disney Resorts!

See All My Posts About Walking at Disney World:

• Walking at Walt Disney World Overview
• Walk Between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• Walk between Disney's Contemporary Resort / Bay Lake Tower and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk between Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom
• Walk Between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center
• Walk Between Disney's Hollywood Studios and the EPCOT Resort Area
• Walk to Disney World’s Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf

Driving

Driving your car to WDW locations is certainly an option.

First, if you drive your car to your Shades of Green vacation, it will cost you $17 per night to park it in Shades of Green’s parking lot, and you will also have to pay daily for parking at WDW’s theme parks (currently $30 per day). Once you pay your WDW Theme Park daily parking fee, save the receipt; it is good all day at all the parks.

Having a car that you can get to fairly quickly in the theme park parking lots beats waiting for a bus (or potentially the next bus if the first is full) at the end of the night.

Shades of Green Buses

Shades of Green currently offers bus service to:

• The Transportation and Ticket Center for the Magic Kingdom and Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Water Parks
• Disney Springs

Shades of Green Bus Schedule

Bus service is dependent on the daily theme park schedules. Service to each park typically begins proximity 1 hour prior to that park’s Early Entry opening time. Each park’s last bus is between an hour and 1 hour and 20 minutes after park close or Extended Evening Hours (if offered).

• Magic Kingdom and EPCOT – Bus departs approximately every 20 minutes to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center, where it stops at Bus Space C10
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Westside Charter Bus loop, Space 60 at Hollywood Studios on the hour and half-hour
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour from Shades of Green and from the Charter Bus lot at Animal Kingdom on the hour and half-hour
• Typhoon Lagoon – Bus departs approximately every hour on the half-hour and from Bus Space 9 at Typhoon Lagoon every hour at approximately 45 minutes past the hour.
• Disney Springs – Bus departs approximately every hour on the half-hour from Shades of Green and from Westside Charter Bus loop, Spaces 1-7, on the hour

For the Magic Kingdom, from the Transportation and Ticket Center, you can take a monorail to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, or another option for the Magic Kingdom is to take the ferryboat.

At the Magic Kingdom, you can board Disney World transportation buses for destinations all over the WDW resort except Disney Springs.

Disney does not run buses between Disney Springs and the theme parks. This is to prevent people (mostly locals) from parking for free at Disney Springs and taking a bus to a theme park. Your Options to get back and forth to Disney Springs from the parks are:

• Take a bus to any Disney Resort or Shades of Green, then take another bus to Disney Springs (or the reverse)
• Take a bus to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, where you’ll get off at the Congress Park Bus Stop. Then walk to Disney Springs (roughly 0.37 miles to the entrance)
• Use an Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van

Shades of Green guests have access to the Walt Disney Transportation System, which includes monorail, ferry boat, and bus transportation to destinations all over Disney World property.

Shades of Green’s buses also run late for any special late-night events like Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

For those with early Advance Dining Reservations in the parks, it is highly recommended that you not rely on Shades of Green Transportation, rather get an Uber, Lyft, or Minnie Van! Shades of Green’s first bus to the TTC can fill up prior to everyone getting on during busy periods, especially since the closure of the Polynesian walkway!

Shades of Green Resort Bus Stop Location

Shades of Green’s Disney Theme Park Bus Stop Locations

Shades of Green published a weekly schedule adjusted for park opening and closing times. They typically have the current and next week’s posted: Shades of Green Bus Schedule

The Disney World Transportation System

Walt Disney World runs a huge transportation system composed of buses, boats, monorails, and the Skyliner. It is possible to get almost anywhere on property via one of these methods or a combination.

Direct transport is available for many locations, others require a transfer to another line/method, and some lines have several stops.

But Walt Disney World Transportation does not service Shades of Green. If you plan on using WDW Transport for part of a journey, you’ll need to get to a WDW Transportation stop first.

Uber, Lyft, & and Minnie Vans

These Ride-Hire or Ride-Share services will pick up and drop off at Shades of Green.

This transportation method is great for:

• Early morning dining reservations
• Traveling to other Disney Resorts
• When traveling between the Shades of Green Bus Pickup Times
• Going to off-property destinations such as Universal Studios or SeaWorld (Minnie Vans will not go off property)

Minnie Vans

In 2017, Disney World began offering a new “Uber-like” service called Minnie Vans. These are a fleet of polka-dotted (they look like Minnie’s dress) SUVs and cargo vans (with the ability to carry scooters). For about 25-30 dollars, they will take you anywhere on property. They can seat up to six guests, and 2 car seats are on board at no additional charge. Several larger vehicles are available and can transport up to 2 wheelchair/ECV guests.

These are a great, totally safe version of Uber and Lyft for those who may not be comfortable with those options. These are driven by Walt Disney World cast members, so totally vetted and safe (though more expensive). The ride experience is far superior to the usually silent or sullen Uber/Lyft drivers; cast members are friendly, knowledgeable, and talkative (if you want)! Plus, the music played during the ride is Disney music themed to your destination.

Minnie Vans services all locations on WDW property. The Minnie Vans can be requested via the Lyft app (keep swiping left through ride types) or by calling 407-828-3500.

Minnie Vans operate from 6:30 am to 12:30 am and only operate on property.

Minnie Van Operating Hours

Minnie Van service operates from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily.

Links from this section:

• WDW’s Minnie Van Service Review
• Using Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans
• Our Big WDW Transportation Guide
• Our Transportation Overview Page

Recommended Travel Methods to the Theme Parks

Below, you’ll find our suggestions on just how to get where you want to go.

We list the method of travel and the average times required. Please note these times are only for traveling and do not include any time required to wait in line until you can board the next available vehicle. For example, during peak travel times, you could see 1 to 2 monorails depart until you get to the front of the line and are able to board the next one.

Shades of Green – Magic Kingdom and EPCOT

You must first get to the Transportation and Ticket Center in order to get to the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.

Shades of Green’s Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Bus departs Shades every 20 minutes, making this bus line convenient and an easy wait for the next bus.

Magic Kingdom:

Once at the TTC, you’ll then need to get to the Magic Kingdom, via either monorail or ferry boat. Each Monorail can carry up to 360 passengers, while each ferry boat can carry up to 600 passengers. Travel times to the Magic Kingdom vary depending on your selection:

Express Monorail – 3-5 minutes

Resort Monorail – 15-20 Minutes

Ferry Boat – 5-10 Minutes

During peak travel times, the ferry is recommended due to both its higher capacity and the fact that it is less glitzy and off to the left of the TTC, therefore receiving less traffic. The monorail station is right in front of you as you pass through the TTC entrance, while the ferry is a ways to the left, almost out of your immediate view.

Note that there are 3 monorail lines at the TTC: the Magic Kingdom Express Monorail, the Resort Monorail, and the EPCOT Monorail. The Express has no stops on the way to the Magic Kingdom and is the preferred monorail to take. The Resort Monorail will make 2 stops at resorts on the way and take time to unload and load passengers at each, easily adding 10 to 15 minutes to the trip. Be sure you do not get in line for the Resort Monorail!

EPCOT:

Once at the TTC, you’ll need to then get to EPCOT via monorail.

EPCOT Monorail – 15 Minutes

Travel Options:

Take the Shades of Green Bus to the TTC 10 minutes
Then, take the Express Monorail or Ferry to MK 5-10 minutes

Drive your car to the Magic Kingdom parking lot in 5 minutes*
Then, ride the MK tram or walk to the TTC 5 minutes
Then, take the Express Monorail or Ferry to MK 5-10 minutes

Returning to Shades:

You can just reverse each of the Travel Options above; any will work during most of the day, but use caution during the end-of-the-day peak travel time. When the Magic Kingdom closes, or right after the fireworks, a huge number of people will all be trying to leave at the same time. This will create lines at most transportation pickup points.

Below are some points to consider.

• Shades of Green’s TTC bus stop is unattended and has no queue line. At park closing time, people just form a big group, and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheelchairs and scooters are loaded first through the rear door, while people begin to crowd the closed front door. Once the front door opens, it can get dicey with a mass of people and no attempt at making a line.
• Personal experience: We have formed a line with others along the metal railing at the stop, only to have newcomers come up, and ignoring those who have already been waiting in a line off to the side, stand where the bus door will open.
• TTC to Shades bus departure times: on the hour and 20 & 40 minutes past the hour.
• As you exit the MK, the monorail station is to the right. There are 2 sides: the Express Line to the right and the Resort Line to the left. The Express often has a much larger line, check it out as you approach. The Resort Line has only one stop prior to the TTC and may be a quicker option.
• While it may look like there is a huge number of people waiting for the TTC Ferry, remember it can carry 600 at a time!
• When the park closes, don’t rush out with the crowd; take time to enjoy the Main Street area as the park empties fairly soon. There will be very few people around, and you may get to experience the Kiss Goodnight. You’ll find shorter lines for transportation afterward.

Shades of Green – Disney Hollywood Studios

Shades’ Hollywood Studios bus is a single-destination bus. It just goes between Shades and Hollywood Studios.

Shades’ Hollywood Studios Bus departs Shades every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 past the hour.

Travel Options:

Take the Shades Bus to Hollywood Studios 20 minutes

Drive your car to the Hollywood Studios parking lot 15 minutes
Then, ride the Hollywood Studios tram or walk 5 minutes

Returning to Shades:

You can just reverse each of the Travel Options above; any will work during most of the day, but use caution during the end-of-the-day peak travel time. After Fantasmic, a huge number of people will all be trying to leave at the same time. This will create lines at the bus stops.

Below are some points to consider.

• Shades Hollywood Studios’ bus stop is unattended and has no queue line. At park closing, people just form a big group, and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheelchairs and scooters are loaded first through the rear door, while people begin to crowd the closed front door. Once the front door opens, it can get dicey with a mass of people and no attempt at making a line.
• When the park closes, don’t rush out with the crowd; take time to enjoy Hollywood Studios as the park empties. Fairly soon, there will be very few people around, and it will be quite enjoyable. You’ll find shorter lines for transportation afterward.

Shades of Green – Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

Shades’ Animal Kingdom bus is a single-destination bus.

Shades of Green guests bound for the Blizzard Beach Water Park will also take this bus to Animal Kingdom and transfer to a Disney bus to Blizzard Beach.

Shades’ Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach Bus departs Shades every 30 minutes on the hour and 30 minutes past.

Travel Options:

Take the Shades of Green Bus to Animal Kingdom 20 minutes

Drive your car to the Animal Kingdom parking lot 20 minutes
Then, ride the Animal Kingdom tram or walk 5 minutes

Returning to Shades:

You can just reverse each of the above; any will work during most of the day, but use caution during the end-of-the-day peak travel time.

Below are some points to consider.

• Shades Animal Kingdom bus stop is unattended and has no queue line. At park closing, people just form a big group, and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheelchairs and scooters are loaded first through the rear door, while people begin to crowd the closed front door. Once the front door opens, it can get dicey with a mass of people and no attempt at making a line.
• The Shades bus will then go to Blizzard Beach to unload and load (during the water park’s operating hours).
• Don’t rush out with the crowd; take time to enjoy Animal Kingdom as the park empties. Fairly soon, there will be very few people around, and it will be quite enjoyable. You’ll find shorter lines for transportation afterward.

Shades of Green – Downtown Disney

Travel Options:

Take the Shades bus for 15 minutes

Drive to Downtown Disney 15 minutes.

Returning to Shades: 

Shades of Green buses do not stop at the main Disney Springs Bus Terminal, located roughly in the middle of the property. Rather, they stop at the West Side Charter Bus loop located at the western end of Disney Springs.

Disney Springs wraps around the eastern and southern shores of a lake. So if you are at the far eastern portion of the Marketplace, you will have a hike to the Shades of Green bus stop.

Resort Hopping for Shades of Green Guests

Visiting Other Disney Resorts

There are many reasons why you might want to visit one or more of Disney’s Resorts:

• For a dining reservation
• To check out a bar or lounge
• To try a Quick Service location
• Just to look around (especially recommended at Christmas time)
• To enjoy their entertainment and activities

When traveling between resorts at Walt Disney World, you will have many options. All of the transportation methods described above are in play. And if you want to travel for free, an intermediate stop could very well be required.

Without a doubt, the easiest travel method between the various resorts on property is Ride Hire: Minnie Van, Lyft, or Uber. But this will cost you,

Disney’s Resort Areas

Disney geographically classifies their resorts by the major attraction that they are near. These are:

• Magic Kingdom Resort Area
• EPCOT Resort Area
• Hollywood Studios Resort Area
• Animal Kingdom Resort Area
• Disney Springs Resort Area
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area

However, these designations don’t quite work for transportation. What matters is what major transportation method connects the resorts. Here I’m talking about the:

• Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop
• Magic Kingdom Boat Service
• Disney’s Skyliner
• Friendship Boat Service in the EPCOT/Hollywood Studios area
• Water Taxi Service in the Disney Springs Area

Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop

The Magic Kingdom Monorail Loop serves the Contemporary Resort (and its attached Bay Lake Tower), the Polynesian Village Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. The Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), which is also on the loop, has a monorail line that runs to EPCOT.

To hop between them is easy; just hop on the monorail! To get to them from elsewhere, take any transportation that takes you to the Magic Kingdom or the TTC and hop on the monorail.

Magic Kingdom Boat Service

Boats serve all Magic Kingdom Resorts with 2 different routes. Those are the Polynesian Village Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa on one route, and the Contemporary Resort, the Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness on the other.

The Magic Kingdom is the common destination where you can switch between the routes

Disney’s Skyliner

Disney’s Skyliner runs between EPCOT’s International Gateway, Hollywood Studios, the Riviera, the Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.

EPCOT’s International Gateway serves the theme park as well as the BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin. You will need to walk between each of these and the International Gateway.

Just get to one of these locations and easily fly between.

Friendship Boat Service in the EPCOT/Hollywood Studios area

This boat service connects EPCOT’s International Gateway, Hollywood Studios, BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin with stops at each.

Water Taxi Service in the Disney Springs Area

This boat service connects Disney Springs with Old Key West on one route and Disney Springs with Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter on the other.

Resorts that are not part of these transportation systems are served only by Disney buses. Disney buses do not run between most resorts (where they do, there are often better options). So your only option to get between these is to take a Disney bus to a theme park or Disney Springs and then another bus to your destination, or Ride-Share.

Park Hopping for Shades of Green Guests

Shades of Green does a decent job of getting you to the theme parks and Disney Springs, but does not offer any help to get to other resorts on property or to Park Hop. The only way to use Shades of Green transportation to Park Hop would be to return to Shades of Green from the park you started your day in, and then, once at Shades of Green, wait for the bus to your next park. This could potentially take you up to a couple of hours.

Disney World does offer transportation to park hop, which is available to everyone!

Disney World offers bus service between all parks.

Besides this bus service, there are a couple of other options when traveling between EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios. There are actually 3 options between the two nearby parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, walking, Boat Taxi Service, and the Disney Skyliner.

See: The Military Disney Tips Guide to Park Hopping In this post, I cover transportation for Park Hopping extensively.

That’s About It

I hope that you find this useful!

Let us know your tips in the comments section below!

Getting Around Walt Disney World for Shades of Green Guests — Frequently Asked Questions

Can Shades of Green guests still walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort?

No. The walkway from Shades of Green to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort was closed on May 1, 2023 during a road project. As of 2025 there’s no confirmed reopening timeline.

How much does parking cost at Shades of Green and at Disney theme parks?

Shades of Green parking is $17/night. Disney theme park parking is $35/day; keep your receipt for same-day reentry at other parks.

Which parks and destinations do Shades of Green buses serve?

TTC (for Magic Kingdom & EPCOT), Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom (transfer for Blizzard Beach when open), Disney Springs, and the currently operating Disney Water Park.

How often do the Shades buses run?

About every 20 min to the TTC; about every 30 min to Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom; about every 60 min to Disney Springs. Always confirm the posted weekly schedule in the lobby.

Can I board Disney transportation directly at Shades of Green?

No. Take Shades’ bus to the Transportation & Ticket Center (or to a park), then transfer to Disney monorails, ferries, boats, buses, or Skyliner.

What’s the fastest way from the TTC to Magic Kingdom?

The Express Monorail (about 3–5 minutes). During peak exit times, the Ferryboat can be quicker due to higher capacity.

What do I use for early breakfast ADRs?

Use Uber/Lyft or a Minnie Van (operates 6:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m.) to avoid pre-opening gaps and full first buses.

Where does the Shades of Green bus stop at Disney Springs?

At the West Side Charter Bus Loop (not the main terminal). If you’re in the Marketplace area, expect a longer walk back to the stop.

Can I Park Hop using Shades buses?

Shades buses don’t connect park-to-park. Use Disney’s inter-park buses, or between EPCOT & Hollywood Studios take the Skyliner, Friendship Boats, or walk.

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How to Get from Shades of Green to Each Disney Destination

Magic Kingdom (MK)

1. From Shades of Green, take the TTC bus (departs ~every 20 min).
2. At the TTC, board the Express Monorail (≈3–5 min) or the Ferryboat (≈5–10 min) to MK.Tip: During peak times, the Ferry’s higher capacity can move you faster.
3. Return: Reverse the route. If the Express line is slammed, check the Resort Monorail; it makes extra stops but can be shorter if its queue is light.

EPCOT

1. From Shades of Green, take the TTC bus.
2. Transfer to the EPCOT Monorail at the TTC (≈15 min ride with a scenic loop into the park).
3. Return: EPCOT Monorail back to the TTC → Shades TTC bus.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

1. From Shades of Green, board the Hollywood Studios bus (≈every 30 min; ≈20 min ride).
2. Follow signs to security and the main entrance.
3. Return: Use the Shades bus from the Charter Bus area (Space 60) on the :00 and :30.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom (and Blizzard Beach when operating)

1. From Shades of Green, board the Animal Kingdom bus (≈every 30 min; ≈20 min ride).
2. For Blizzard Beach (when open), transfer at Animal Kingdom to a Disney bus to the water park.
3. Return: Reverse the route. Allow extra time post-close when lines spike.

Disney Springs

1. From Shades of Green, take the Disney Springs bus (≈hourly, first departs ~9:30 a.m.).
2. Drop-off/pick-up is the West Side Charter Bus Loop (Spaces 1–7). Note the longer walk from Marketplace.
3. Return: West Side Charter Bus Loop → Shades bus on the hour.

Early ADRs / Resort Hopping (All Resorts)

1. Use Uber/Lyft or a Minnie Van (via the Lyft app). Minnie Vans run 6:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m. and stay on WDW property.
2. For free transfers: go to a transport hub (MK, EPCOT, or Disney Springs), then switch to the resort’s bus/boat/monorail/Skyliner as applicable.

Accessibility & Strollers

• Shades buses accommodate wheelchairs/ECVs; arrive early and tell the driver if you need ramp/tie-downs.
• Be prepared to fold strollers on buses. Monorails and ferries may allow strollers to remain open when space permits.

Pro tips: Take photos of your bus stop signs, note last bus times on arrival, and consider waiting 10–15 minutes after fireworks to let the first big wave clear out.

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