Walt Disney World’s Original Arrival Area
Back in the very early days of Walt Disney World, there was just one theme park, the Magic Kingdom, and three resort hotels, the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and the Golf Resort (now Shades of Green). The vast majority of Disney guests were day guests staying in the Orlando area. Guests driving to visit the Magic Kingdom would arrive at the huge parking lot, which is adjacent to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).
The Transportation and Ticket Center is separated from the actual Magic Kingdom by a very large man-made lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon. The straight line distance between the two is about three-quarters of a mile.
After parking, guests would ride Parking Lot Trams to the TTC.
Disney operates a fleet of trams, which are used in each of the theme park parking lots. These parking lots are huge, so you could be parking a long way from the entrance to the park. These trams will pick you up at the end of your parking row and deliver you to the park entrance. When you are on your way out, they will drop you at one central location per parking lot or pair of lots.
Guests arrive at the TTC, purchase their tickets, and then board transportation to the theme park. The thought behind the separation was that the journey to the park via futuristic monorail or old-time ferryboat would serve to distance the guests from everyday life.
This concept was abandoned in later theme park expansions, starting with EPCOT, at which the parking lot is very near the park.
For many years, the TTC was used as the main transportation hub, even as Walt Disney World grew. All buses from the Disney Resorts bound for the Magic Kingdom would arrive here, where guests would then have to journey to the park.
A new EPCOT Monorail line was built when EPCOT opened in 1981. Guests from the monorail resorts, as well as those who parked at the Magic Kingdom lot, as well as those who wanted to Park Hop between the 2 parks could use the monorail to quickly travel between the parks.
Starting in the late 80s, a bus station was built right next to the Magic Kingdom. There were two expansions of the bus stop, the first in the early 90s and then again in 2013. With each expansion, more and more Disney Resorts had their buses go directly to the theme park rather than the TTC.
Today, no Disney buses at all operate out of the TTC. Only non-Disney buses, such as Shades of Green’s, taxis, and ride hires use the TTC, as well as those who drive their own cars and park.
As mentioned above, Shades of Green’s buses drop off their Magic Kingdom and EPCOT-bound guests here.
Walt Disney World’s Transportation and Ticket Center
Soaring Above the Magic: The Enchanting World of Disney’s Monorails
TTC Theme Park Transportation
Guests traveling to the Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center have the option of taking the monorail or giant ferry boats for the journey to the Magic Kingdom.
Transportation and Ticket Center Monorail Station
Monorails
Walt Disney World’s monorail system was a look at the future of transportation when it was first built in 1971. Many airports now use similar systems to move travelers between terminals.
WDW’s monorail system consists of 12 electric monorail trains, which ride on elevated concrete beams. There are three passenger routes: the two Magic Kingdom routes (the Express and the Resort) and the EPCOT route.
The Express Route runs counterclockwise around the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom and back, with no stops in between. This route’s primary users are guests who have parked in the Magic Kingdom’s parking lot, who have arrived at the TTC on non-Disney buses, taxis, and ride-hires, or those who are transferring from the EPCOT Monorail route. Excluding any wait time, this is the fastest way between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom.
The Magic Kingdom Resort Route runs clockwise around the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Transportation and Ticket Center, with stops at the Polynesian Village Resort. The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the Magic Kingdom, and the Contemporary Resort before arriving back at the TTC. This route takes longer to travel between the TTC and the Magic Kingdom, with stops at the 2 resorts on the way, and is designed mainly for the use of Disney Monorail Resort guests.
The EPCOT Monorail Route runs from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the EPCOT station, which is approximately three and a half miles away. The Main users of this line are Disney Monorail Resort guests, Shades of Green guests (there is no Shades of Green bus to EPCOT), and those wishing to Park Hop between the two parks. Note: During social distancing, the EPCOT Route is not running, and Shades of Green is running a bus to EPCOT.
Ferry Boat Approaching the Magic Kingdom Dock
Ferry Boats
There are three large ferry boats that take guests to the Magic Kingdom. These boats hold a lot of people on 2 open decks. The lower deck is covered by the deck above and open on the sides; the upper deck is mostly covered, with the sides open. It can get breezy on the ferry, which can be a little rough when it is cool to cold! Travel time to the Magic Kingdom is about 10 minutes.
Walking
There are quite a lot of walking paths at Walt Disney World property, and there is one here.
From the TTC, you can walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You can actually walk all the way to the Magic Kingdom by continuing on to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and then on to the Magic Kingdom. This walk is a total of 1.65 miles.
FAQ: Walt Disney World’s Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC)
What is the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)?
The TTC is Walt Disney World’s original arrival hub next to the Magic Kingdom parking lots. It’s where day guests park, purchase tickets, and then ride monorail or ferryboat across Seven Seas Lagoon to reach Magic Kingdom.
How far is the TTC from Magic Kingdom?
About three-quarters of a mile as the crow flies—separated by the Seven Seas Lagoon.
How do I get from the TTC to Magic Kingdom—monorail or ferry?
You can choose either:
– Express Monorail: TTC ⇄ Magic Kingdom nonstop (fastest, excluding wait time).
– Ferryboat: Large, two-deck boats across the lagoon (about 10 minutes sailing time).
– Resort Monorail: TTC → Polynesian → Grand Floridian → Magic Kingdom → Contemporary → TTC (designed for resort guests; slower).
Can I ride the monorail from the TTC to EPCOT?
Yes. The EPCOT Monorail runs from the TTC to EPCOT (about 3.5 miles). Operational status can vary—check the app or signage on your visit day.
Do Disney Resort buses go to the TTC?
Not anymore. Disney Resort buses now go directly to the Magic Kingdom bus station. The TTC is used by non-Disney buses (including Shades of Green), taxis/ride shares, and guests who park.
I’m staying at Shades of Green—where will my bus drop me?
Shades of Green buses for Magic Kingdom drop at the TTC. From there, take the Express Monorail or Ferry to the park. (When the EPCOT monorail isn’t operating, Shades of Green runs a bus to EPCOT.)
Is parking at the TTC far from transportation?
Magic Kingdom lots are large. Parking lot trams pick up at the end of your row and carry you to the TTC; on your way out, trams return you to a central drop area.
Can I buy tickets at the TTC?
Yes—guests traditionally purchase tickets at the TTC before heading to Magic Kingdom.
Can I walk from the TTC to Magic Kingdom?
Indirectly. You can walk TTC → Polynesian → Grand Floridian → Magic Kingdom via resort paths. The total distance is about 1.65 miles.
Which TTC option is fastest to Magic Kingdom?
Usually the Express Monorail (TTC ⇄ MK nonstop), depending on wait times and crowds.
How-To: Use the TTC Step-by-Step
- Arrive:
- Driving: Park in the Magic Kingdom lots, then take a tram to the TTC.
- Shades of Green / non-Disney buses / taxi / ride share: You’ll be dropped at the TTC.
- Tickets (if needed): Buy or pick up theme park tickets at the TTC.
- Choose your ride to Magic Kingdom:
- Fastest: Express Monorail TTC ⇄ MK (no stops).
- Scenic: Ferryboat (~10 minutes across the lagoon).
- Resort Loop: Monorail via Polynesian and Grand Floridian (longer route).
- Going to EPCOT: Board the EPCOT Monorail at the TTC. If paused, follow signs—Shades of Green may provide EPCOT buses during downtime.
- Walking option: Walk TTC → Polynesian → Grand Floridian → Magic Kingdom (about 1.65 miles total).
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the Military Disney Tips Founder. He is a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! He has been writing about Disney for the US Military Community here for 18 years. Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way possible. See Steve and His Family's Content |
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