Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Transportation Guide (5 options)
At Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney buses are the only complimentary transportation option provided by Disney. There’s no Skyliner station, no monorail stop, no water taxis, and no walking path to a park. The buses will take you everywhere you need to go, and for most families, they work just fine.
That said, they’re not your only option. In this guide, I’ll break down how the Disney bus system works at Animal Kingdom Lodge, plus cover alternative transportation choices like rideshares, taxis, and driving yourself. That way, you can decide what makes the most sense for your schedule, budget, or rope drop strategy.
The most popular way to get to the parks and Disney Springs is to take the complimentary shuttle buses.
The most popular way to get to the parks and Disney Springs is to take the complimentary shuttle buses.
The bus stops are easy to find. Take a left as you exit the lobby and follow the pathway.
These screens show when the next buses are arriving.
Outside the lobby entrance is a great spot to meet your rideshare drive.
Here is where the bus stop is located at both Jambo House and Kidani Village
Minnie Vans are driven by cast members, and operate like rideshares within Disney World.
Option #1: Ride on the FREE Disney bus!
The buses are the most popular way to travel around Disney World from Animal Kingdom Lodge. That’s because they are free, along with being the only option that Disney provides here.
It can be quite crowded at busy times, like right before the parks open. Our family usually leaves about an hour before we want to arrive, just to be safe.
The buses from Animal Kingdom Lodge provide direct service to:
- Magic Kingdom: It takes 10-15 minutes to get here by bus and is 6.2 miles (10 km) away.
- Epcot: The ride takes approximately 15 minutes. It’s 6 miles (9.6 km) away.
- Hollywood Studios: The bus ride is about 10 minutes and is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) away.
- Animal Kingdom: The bus ride is typically between 5 and 10 minutes. It is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.
- Disney Springs: The bus ride is approximately 15 minutes. It is 6.7 miles (10.7 km) away.
In addition, you can get to these locations from Animal Kingdom Lodge with ONE bus transfer.
- Blizzard Beach: Take the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom. Then, get off the bus and find the shuttle going directly to Blizzard Beach.
- Typhoon Lagoon: Take the bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge to Disney Springs. Then, get off the bus and find the bus going directly to Typhoon Lagoon.
- ANY of the other Disney World Resorts: It’s easy to get to any of the other 20+ Disney hotels from Animal Kingdom Lodge using the free Disney bus transportation. All you need to do is take the bus to Disney Springs or the nearest theme park. Then get off the shuttle and find the bus that goes directly to the resort you want to visit!
Where is the bus stop located at Animal Kingdom Lodge?
This resort is really big. I guess it has to be to have African animals walking around! In fact, there are two main areas – Jambo House and Kidani Village (Disney Vacation Club).
Regardless of where you are staying, to find the bus stop, you will take a left out of the main lobby. Follow the walkway until you arrive. Trust me, it’s easy to find, and there are signs everywhere pointing you in the correct direction.
You will see a digital screen displaying the schedule of upcoming buses for each park.
Bus Wait Times at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney buses typically run about every 15 to 20 minutes throughout most of the day. During peak times, like early mornings before park opening and in the evenings after fireworks, buses may arrive more frequently, but lines can also be longer.
We’ve stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge quite a few times over the years, and if I’m being completely honest, the bus service is probably the one area where we’ve felt some frustration. Compared to other resorts, the wait between buses can sometimes feel a little longer than you’d like.
If you look at a map of Disney World, this resort is located farther away than many others, which I’m sure is a reason it’s harder to get buses here as consistently as other resorts.
Option #2: Take an Uber or Taxi
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are fantastic, convenient options if you’re short on time.
I’m a big fan of using them at Animal Kingdom Lodge because it’s farther away from most parks and Disney Springs. Instead of waiting for a bus, I can schedule the ride in my room and walk out to a car waiting for our family!
Rideshare drivers can pick you up at the front of Kidani Village or Jambo House, near the front entrance.
If you want to reach your destination quickly, a rideshare service is the way to go. This option can save a lot of time, especially if you just missed the bus. I would also advise using a rideshare if you have an early breakfast at another resort!
The biggest drawback to this option is that it isn’t free, like the Disney shuttle buses. But the cost is minimal in my opinion, usually around $10-$15 each way.
I know some people don’t like using Uber or Lyft because they don’t know 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 for a bus or boat.
If you want to take a taxi from Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, 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 #3: Use a MINNIE Van
Disney World has partnered with Lyft to provide MINNIE VANS, which are Minnie Mouse-themed mini-vans!
This option will be more expensive than a regular Lyft vehicle, but there are quite a few added benefits:
- They are driven by DISNEY CAST MEMBERS. I know many people like this fact because the drivers are Disney employees, which provides additional peace of mind.
- They can fit up to SIX people.
- The fare includes up to 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.
To schedule a Minnie Van, choose your destination using the Lyft app.
Then, order the Minnie Van to come and pick you up. Although it probably doesn’t make sense for each trip, it’s perfect when time or energy is in short supply.
Option #4: Drive yourself!
If you drove to Disney World or rented a car, you may consider driving yourself from Animal Kingdom Lodge to other Disney locations. The distance to the theme parks and Disney Springs isn’t very far.The hardest part is usually navigating the traffic!
One benefit of driving yourself is that the parking at Disney Springs and all four parks is FREE! Unfortunately, many guests don’t realize (or forget) that if you stay at a Disney World Resort, parking does not cost anything. Free parking is an incredible benefit of staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, as parking costs a minimum of $35 per day at each park.
Special Note About Getting to Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is the one park where your transportation choice really matters.
If you take the Disney bus from Animal Kingdom Lodge or book a Minnie Van, you’ll be dropped off at the main entrance of Magic Kingdom, just steps from security.
It’s simple and honestly one of the biggest perks of using Disney transportation. You walk off the bus, and you’re basically there.
However, if you use a standard rideshare like Uber or Lyft, a taxi, or if you drive your own car, you won’t go straight to the front gate. Instead, you’ll be directed to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). From there, you’ll need to take either the ferryboat or the monorail to reach Magic Kingdom.
It’s not difficult, and some families actually enjoy that ferry ride across Seven Seas Lagoon, but it does add extra time. If you’re trying to rope drop or make an early dining reservation, that additional step is something you’ll want to factor into your plans.
Getting Between Jambo House and Kidani Village
One thing that surprises some first-time guests is that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge actually has two separate areas: Jambo House and Kidani Village. They’re part of the same resort, but they have different lobbies, dining locations, pools, savanna viewing areas, gift shops, and room types. Depending on where you’re staying, you may find yourself wanting to visit the other side.
You have two main ways to get between them. There is a walking path that connects the two buildings, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. It’s a pleasant walk, especially in the morning or evening.
If you’d rather not walk, a shuttle runs between Jambo House and Kidani Village throughout the day. Just let a Cast Member at the front entrance know you’re waiting for it, and they’ll direct you where to stand and help coordinate pickup. It’s a simple process and helpful if you have little kids, strollers, or just don’t feel like making the walk.
Airport Transportation to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If you’re flying into Orlando, you’ll most likely arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Unlike the old Magical Express days, Disney no longer provides complimentary airport transportation to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, so you’ll need to arrange this portion of your trip separately.
Here are the most common options:
- Uber or Lyft
- Mears Connect (motorcoach bus)
- Rent a car at the airport
- Book a private car service
