Trying to figure 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 being:
- 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 also some alternative methods.
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/lounge
- To try a Quick Service location
- Just to look around (especially recommended at Christmas time)
- Enjoy their entertainment and activaties
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 on to further destinations or use Disney’s transportation system from there.
Disney permanently closed this walking access for the military that went back over 50 years during their road widening project.
UPDATE: as if early 2024 there is hopeful news that the walkway at Shades of Green may come back eventually.
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
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 to next bus if the first is full) at the end of the night.
See:
Parking at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for Shades of Green Guests
Parking at Disney World’s Epcot for Shades of Green Guests
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 Typhoon Lagoon
- 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 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 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 Kingdon, 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
The Disney World Transportation System
Walt Disney World runs a huge transportation system composed of buses, boats, monorails, and the new 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 and Lyft & Minnie Van
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 travel in 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, knowledgable and talkative (if you want)! Plus the music played during the ride is Disney music themed on your destination.
Minnie Vans service 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 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 need to then 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 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 MK 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 the 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 Shades Bus to TTC 10 minutes
Then Express Monorail or Ferry to MK 5-10 minutes
Drive your car to the Magic Kingdom parking lot 5 minutes*
Then ride the MK tram or walk to the TTC 5 minutes
Then 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 and or right after the fireworks, a huge amount 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 close people just form a big group and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheel chairs 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 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 amount 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 afterwards.
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 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 theTravel 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 amount of people will all be trying to leave at the same time. This will create lines the bus stops.
Below are some points to consider.
- Shades Hollywood Studios bus stop is unattended and has no queue line, at park close people just form a big group and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheel chairs 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 afterwards.
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 past.
Travel Options:
Take Shades 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 close people just form a big group and boarding becomes mass confusion. Wheel chairs 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 parks 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 afterwards.
Shades of Green – Downtown Disney
Travel Options:
Take the Shades bus 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 to the west of West Side at the furthest point to the west at 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 bus stop.
Resort Hopping for Shades of Green Guests
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.
Those going to the TTC would be the Monorail from EPCOT or a Shades of Green bus from the resort.
You could get to EPCOT to take the monorail but this involves 2 intermediate stops unless you are at EPCOT already.
Magic Kingdom Boat Service
Boats serve all Magic Kingdom Resorts with 2 different routes. Those are the Polynesian Village Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa on one 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 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 better options). So your 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.
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 that 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!
This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property
See all the current Shades of Green Discounts and Packages
A Special Note on Shades of Green Discounts: Something to be aware of is that Shades constantly changes the dates and discounts offered of their specials and packages. Shades of Green Links
- Shades of Green
- Military Members Review and Rate Shades of Green
- Why Stay at Shades of Green?
- Shades of Green Rooms
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- How to make reservations at Shades of Green
- Shades of Green Resort Activities and Amenities
- Disney Tickets at Shades of Green
- Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
- Shades of Green Fact Sheet and FAQ
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused?
See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
Kristin says
This is very helpful info, thank you. I was wondering if there will be an update to this information to include the skyliner? Wondering if it will make a difference to some of the travel times.
Steve says
Hi Kristin,
Thanks!
I do have extensive Skyliner info, I should have linked from this page and I’ll do so, but here is the link plus my WDW Transpo overview.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/walt-disney-worlds-skyliner/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/transportation/your-guide-to-walt-disney-world-transportation/
Katie says
Do you have an estimate on how long it would take to walk from Shades of Green to the new walkway from Grand Floridian that goes to Magic Kingdom? Seems like a fun option with a stroller not having to get on and off the train!
Steve says
Hi Katie,
It’s a total of about 1.75 miles to the Magic Kingdom from Shades of Green.
Depending on your walking speed 10-15 minutes Shades to Poly (.46 mi), 10-15 Poly to GF (.43 mi), and 17-26 minutes GF to MK (.74 mi.).
On our family trip last Nov. we stayed at the GF and enjoyed the quiet walk back (with stroller) from the MK, avoiding all the lines for transportation at the end of the night.
Debbie says
Hello,
I will be staying at the Shades of Green in September 2022. Will I be able to use the Monorail and bus transportation, etc if I will be utilizing a mobility scooter? Will have some knee work done and won’t be able to walk far or long. Thanks
Steve says
Hi Debbie,
Disney World is incredibly scooter friendly.
All buses, Shades of Green and Disney are equipped to carry scooter passengers as is the monorail!
JoAnn says
This post provided excellent transportation information, thank you. We stayed at SOG in February and the resort was super busy due to the holiday and Run Disney events. The line for first bus out in the morning to the TTC was extremely long since walking to the Poly is no longer an option, and many guests did not make it onto the first bus. I would suggest to everyone to arrive at the bus stop early when the resort is busy. I know it is costly and many are on a budget, but I highly recommend using a Minnie Van, or Uber/Lyft if anyone is doing rope drop at MK or EPCOT, you can use SOG transportation for the return trip. Sadly, wear and tear is beginning to take a toll on the SOG busses, we had two buses break down during our stay.
Steve Bell says
Hi there JoAnn,
Thanks for the great intel and suggestions!!!