Getting Around Walt Disney World for Shades of Green Guests

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 and 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.

But first an overview

Walking

Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a 10 minute walk from Shades of Green. See walking directions here. You can shorten the walk to just 5 minutes by using the Shady Shuttle. There are a couple transportation options available at the Poly: the Magic Kingdom Resort Monorail Loop and the Magic Kingdom ferry, as well as walking all the way to the Magic Kingdom.

WDW’s Transportation and Ticket Center is another 10 minute walk past the Poly (20 total from Shades), there you will find Buses to all Disney Teme Parks, plus a Ferry Boat and two Monorail lines to the Magic Kingdom and the Epcot Monorail Line.

Walk times listed here are average, I can do it faster, but those who walk slower or are traveling with young kids may take longer.

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 $13 per night to park it in Shades parking lot and you will also have to pay daily for parking at WDW’s theme parks and water parks (currently $25 per day). Once you pay your WDW daily parking fee save the recipt, it is good all day at all the parks.

But 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. Most of Shades buses only pick up once an hour…

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:

• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney Springs

Note: These destinations and routes have been modified for park and Disney transportation closures. Normally the Magic Kingdom and Epcot share a bus that arrives at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests then take a monorail or ferry to the Magic Kingdom or the monorail to Epcot. The Epcot Monorail is closed so a separate bus takes those guests directly to Epcot. The Water Parks are closed and they normally share the Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs buses.

Shades of Green Bus Schedule

Bus service is dependent on the daily theme park schedules. Service typically begins aproximity 45 minutes prior to a park opening.

• Magic Kingdom – Bus departs approximately every 20 minutes to and from the Transportation and Ticket Center where it stops at Bus Space C10
• Epcot – Bus departs approximately every hour on the half hour from Shades of Green and from Bus Space 32 at Epcot at 45 past the 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
• 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 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.

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 buses do start running early and run late for specific theme parks on days that they have Extra Magic Hours and also for special late night events like Mickey’s Not-So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Shades of Green Resort Bus Stop Location

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 between the Shades Bus Pickup Times at Shades of Green is needed
• Going to off-property destinations such as Universal Studios or SeaWorld

Minnie Vans

Disney has announced that their Minnie Van Service will be coming back in Summer 2022!

Minnie Van Service was discontinued after the 2020 shutdown.

In 2017 Disney World began offering a new “uber like” service called Mini 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 dollars they will take you anywhere on property. They can seat up to six guests, and car seats are on board at no additional fee. 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. (there is an airport option)

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

To the Magic Kingdom:

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

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. Buses start running at 0830 and depart on 10, 30, and 50 minutes past the hour.

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!

Travel Options:

Take Shades Bus to TTC 10 minutes
Then Express Monorail or Ferry to MK 5-10 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then the Resort Monorail to the MK 5-10 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then the Polynesian Ferry to the MK 5 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then walk to the Grand Floridian Resort 10 minutes
Then walk to the MK 15 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!
• The Grand Floridian/Polynesian ferry is probably the most overlooked exit method from the MK. Located between the TTC Ferry and Monorail Station. The ferry will stop at the Grand Floridian first which will add 7-10 minutes to the trip.
• For all options involving going to the Polynesian and walking, are you up to that 10 minute walk after potentially a full day in the park?
• 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 – Epcot

You must first get to the Transportation and Ticket Center in order to get to Epcot.

Shades’ Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) Bus departs Shades every 20 minutes, making this bus line convenient and an easy wait for the next bus. Buses start running at 0830 and depart on 10, 30, and 50 minutes past the hour.

Once at the TTC you’ll need to then get to Epcot via the Epcot Monorail Line. This is on the right of the Monorail Station. Look for the “To Epcot” signs.

The ride to Epcot is about 8 to 10 minutes long. Travel Options:

Take Shades Bus to the TTC 10 minutes
Then Epcot Monorail 10 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then walk to the TTC 10 minutes
Then Epcot Monorail 10 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then Resort Monorail to the TTC 20 min
Then Epcot Monorail 10 minutes

Ride the bus to Epcot from Shades of Green 10 Minutes

Drive your car to the Epcot parking lot 10 minutes
Then ride the Epcot 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 Illuminations a huge amount of people will all be trying to leave at the same time. This will create lines at transportation pickup points.

Below are some points to consider.

• After waiting in line for the Epcot to TTC monorail, you’ll need to wait at the TTC for the TTC to Shades bus.
• Shades Epcot 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.
• For all options involving going to the Polynesian and walking, are you up to that 10 minute walk back to Shades of Green after potentially a full day in the park?
• Your least frustrating option at park closing is driving.
• When the park closes don’t rush out with the crowd, take time to enjoy the World Showcase as the park empties, fairly soon there will be very few people around and it will be very enjoyable. 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, but it only runs once per hour.

Shades’ Hollywood Studios Bus departs Shades every 60 minutes on the half hour. Buses start running at 0830.

Travel Options:

Take Shades Bus to Hollywood Studios 20 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then take the WDW Hollywood Studios bus 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 dual destination bus. It also services Blizzard Beach Water Park. It only runs once per hour.

Shades’ Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach Bus departs Shades every 60 minutes at 40 minutes past the hour. Buses start running at 0840.

Travel Options:

Take Shades Bus to Animal Kingdom 20 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then take the WDW Animal Kingdom bus 25 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.

Note: Water Parks are currently closed

Shades of Green – Blizzard Beach

Shades’ Blizzard Beach Water Park bus is a dual destination bus. It also services Animal Kingdom. It only runs once per hour.

Shades’ Animal Kingdom/Blizzard Beach Bus departs Shades every 60 minutes at 40 minutes past the hour. Buses start running at 0840.

The first stop is Animal Kingdom and then Blizzard Beach it will take you a half hour to get to Blizzard beach with the AK Stop.

Departure time from Blizzard Beach back to Shades is on the hour and takes about 15 minutes.
Take Shades Bus to Blizzard Beach 30 minutes

Note: You could have up to a 60 minute wait if you just missed the last bus!

Travel Options:

Take the Shades bus to Blizzard Beach 30 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then take the WDW Blizzard Beach bus 20 minutes

Drive your car to Blizzard Beach 15 minutes

Shades of Green – Downtown Disney and Typhoon Lagoon

This is a shared bus line with Typhoon Lagoon being the first stop with about a 15 minute ride, and then it is another 5 minutes to Downtown Disney and a 20 minute return to Shades.

Travel Options:

Take the Shades bus 15 minutes

Walk to Disney’s Polynesian Resort 10 minutes
Then take the WDW 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 locates roughly in the middle of the property. Rather they stop at the Westside Charter Bus loop located in the Marketplace at the furthest point to the east at Disney Springs.

Disney Springs wraps around the eastern and southern shores of a lake. So if your are at the far western section you will have a hike to the bus stop.

Park Hopping for Shades of Green Guests

Shades of Green does a decent job of getting you to the theme parks, but does not offer any help to Park Hop. The only way to use Shades of Green transportation to park would be to wait for the return bus to Shades of Green at the park you started your day in, then wait at Shades of Green for the bus to the 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 starting 15 minutes prior to the start of park hopping at 1:45 p..m. Park-to-park service is not offered prior to that time.

Besides this bus service there are a couple of other options when traveling between Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. There are are 3 other options between the to nearby parks, 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!