Transportation Guide at Disney’s Riviera (5 options)
In this post, I’ll walk you through all the transportation options available at Disney’s Riviera Resort, from the Skyliner to buses and more, so you know exactly what to expect and how to make the most of your time in the parks.
By the end, you will understand exactly how to get to all the theme parks and water parks, Disney Springs, and other resorts. I’ve included both the free transportation that Disney offers, plus some options that cost extra (but can get you where you’re going faster).
Overview of FREE Transportation Options at Disney’s Riviera:
- Use the Disney Skyliner to get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
- Use the Disney buses to get to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon.
Option #1: Ride the Disney Skyliner! (free & Fast)
The easiest (and most fun) way to travel from Riviera Resort is to take the Disney Skyliner! One huge benefit of staying at Riviera is the Skyliner boarding station at the resort.
In case you didn’t know, the Disney Skyliner is a transportation option that lets you ride high over Disney World in aerial gondolas! I think it’s the MOST relaxing and fun way to get around Disney World, and I never pass up an opportunity to use it.
To find the boarding area, walk to the western side of the resort. A covered walkway leads directly from the Riviera to the Skyliner. There are lots of signs around that will also point you in the correct direction.
The Skyliner can take you to Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and a few of the other resorts at Walt Disney World.
Pay attention to the signs to board the correct gondola when you arrive.
How to Get to Hollywood Studios:
Once you have boarded the gondola towards Hollywood Studios, prepare to have a wonderful view as you soar above Walt Disney World. I love trying to find as many rides, resorts, and other landmarks as possible from the air. 🙂
But don’t get too comfortable because it only takes 5 minutes to get to the Caribbean Beach Resort, which is the connecting station for the Disney Skyliner.
At the Caribbean Beach Resort connecting station, you must GET OUT of your gondola and take a short walk around the corner to board another gondola headed to Hollywood Studios.
Make sure you pay attention to the signs because you can also board a gondola that takes you back to the Riviera or Epcot! In case you get confused, there are multiple Cast Members available to point you in the right direction.
Once you board the correct gondola and this ride takes off, your next stop is Hollywood Studios, which is only 6 minutes away! If there are no lines for the Disney Skyliner, I estimate it will take about 15 minutes to go from the Riviera Resort to Hollywood Studios.
Below is the view of Hollywood Studios as you approach riding the Skyliner.
How to Get to Epcot:
Once you have boarded the correct gondola at the Riviera, you will head directly to Epcot. No stops!
Don’t get too comfortable because it only takes 9 minutes to get to the park once in the air. 🙂
Please be aware that when you take the Skyliner to Epcot, you won’t enter the park at the front main entrance by the iconic giant ball.
Instead, you are entering the International Gateway entrance, which is located at the BACK of the park.
Skyliner Station – International Gateway at Epcot
When you enter through the International Gateway, you will be near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France area of the World Showcase.
Visiting Other Resorts on the Skyliner:
- Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts: If you’re considering staying at either of these sister resorts on another Disney vacation, a great way to check them out is on the Skyliner. You’ll need to switch to a new gondola at Caribbean Beach, and the total ride time is about 10 minutes.
- Caribbean Beach Resort: Whether you want to eat at one of the restaurants or check out the resort for a future visit, the Skyliner is a great way to get to Caribbean Beach. The Skyliner ride to this resort takes 5-6 minutes.
- Boardwalk Inn and Beach/Yacht Club: To visit these resorts, head to Epcot on the Skyliner. Instead of walking into Epcot, these resorts are a short walk in the other direction.
No matter where you stay at Riviera, you have less than a 5-minute walk to the boarding area!
The last thing to know about the Disney Skyliner is that it’s free for everyone. You don’t have to worry about showing proof that you are staying at a Disney Resort – just walk up and board.
Option #2: Use the Disney buses! (Free)
Did you know Disney World provides FREE bus transportation from Riviera Resort? Being able to jump on and off these buses is one of the best benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort.
Riviera offers DIRECT bus transfers to the following places:
- Magic Kingdom: The bus ride is approximately 10 minutes. It is 4.2 miles (6.7 km) away.
- Animal Kingdom: The bus ride is typically between 10-15 minutes. It is 3.8 miles (6.1 km) away.
- Disney Springs: The bus ride is approximately 10 minutes. It is 2.5 miles (4 km) away. The buses will drop you off in the center of Disney Springs.
Because the Disney Skyliner provides transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, these two parks have no bus service. If the Skyliner isn’t working, then Disney will send buses to Riviera.
How to Transfer Buses to Get to Water Parks or Resorts
- Blizzard Beach: Take the bus to Animal Kingdom. Then, get off the bus and find the shuttle going directly to Blizzard Beach.
- Typhoon Lagoon: Take the bus to Disney Springs. Then, get off the bus and find the bus going directly to Typhoon Lagoon.
- ANY of the other Disney World Resorts: Luckily, it’s EASY to get to any of the other 20+ Disney hotels from Riviera using the free Disney bus transportation. You only need to take the bus to Disney Springs or the closest theme park. Then get off the shuttle and find the bus that goes directly to the resort you want to visit!
- ESPN Wide World of Sports: Check with the front desk regarding bus transportation here. The schedule and operating hours change depending on what events are being held. If there are no direct buses, you must take a bus to one of the parks and transfer to ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The bus stop is located outside the front of Riviera.
Make sure you check the signs and line up for the bus going to your destination.
Here is a map of where you can find the bus stop at Riviera.
Just walk out of the front lobby and follow the covered walkway to your right. You can’t miss it!
When you arrive at any bus stop, you will find a screen showing when the next bus for each destination is expected to arrive.
(If there is no bus service, the screen will give you the alternate transportation option.
Bus service typically begins 45 minutes before the park opens and ends 1 hour after it closes. Once they start, the buses run continuously throughout the day. I have found that you can typically expect a bus for each park to arrive around every 20 minutes.
Since Disney buses are free to ride, they’re the most popular way to travel from Riviera Resort. You can expect a bit of a line to board the bus at certain times, such as in the morning as the parks are opening. So, give yourself ample time to get to your destination for a reservation or show. Our family usually leaves our room about an hour before we want to arrive, just to be safe.
Option #3: Take a Rideshare or Taxi
If you don’t want to ride on or wait for the bus, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Riviera Resort is easy. Just open the app and select your destination, and you will be matched with a driver within seconds.
The best place to be picked up is right outside the lobby of the Riviera.
There’s plenty of space for your rideshare driver to pick you up and even a covered loading area in case of rain (like in my photo below!)
You could also walk down to the bus stop or one of the large parking lots at the resort, as there are many open areas for the driver to park quickly. Regardless, make sure you mark the location you want to be picked up CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays.
You can also visit places OUTSIDE Walt Disney World Resort with a rideshare service.
We have often stayed at a Disney resort but wanted to visit somewhere else for a day or evening, such as SeaWorld or Universal. To help save money, we rarely rent a car, so we have to find alternate transportation.
TWO rideshare companies operate in Disney World – Uber and Lyft. Between them both, there are a lot of drivers cruising around. Almost every time I’ve used a rideshare from the resorts, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up.
The one-way fare around Walt Disney World averages under $15.
In my opinion, if you have limited time to travel somewhere, it is money well spent!
I know some people don’t like using Uber or Lyft because they don’t know about 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.
If you want to take a taxi from Riviera, I recommend calling Mears Taxi, a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area. You can even schedule and book your ride online.
Special considerations for Magic Kingdom:
Please know that your driver can’t drop you off directly in front of Magic Kingdom, as this place is reserved only for buses and Minnie Vans. Instead, you will be at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center.
Once here, you will need to take a boat across Seven Seas Lagoon (10 minutes) or the monorail to complete your journey to Magic Kingdom.
Option #4: Book a Minnie Van (Disney’s Premium Transport)
Disney World has partnered with Lyft to provide MINNIE VANS, which are Minnie Mouse-themed minivans!
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.
- Minnie Vans can access areas that regular rideshares cannot. One example is that you can get dropped off directly in front of Magic Kingdom instead of at the Transportation and Ticket Center!
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.
YOU CAN ONLY USE A MINNIE VAN TO GO SOMEWHERE WITHIN WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT!
Option #5: Drive Yourself (Free Parking at Parks!)
One benefit of driving yourself is that the parking at all the theme parks is FREE! It’s also free to park your car at Riviera for the length of your stay.
Free parking is an incredible benefit of staying at Riviera, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
In addition, you have the convenience of being able to go anywhere you want in Orlando without waiting for outside transportation. We often spend a day or two at another location, like the beach, and having our own car really helps! 🙂
Disney Transportation that is not Available at Riviera Resort:
I get asked frequently about some of the other transportation options that Disney provides at other resorts. I wanted to make special mention that the following is not possible here.
Walking:
You cannot walk to any of the theme parks, water parks, or Disney Springs from the Riviera Resort. Not only would it be an incredibly far walk, but no walking paths connect them.
The ONLY place you can walk to from Riviera Resort is Caribbean Beach, which is located to the south. Caribbean Beach is ENORMOUS – easily one of the largest resorts at Walt Disney World.
Disney Monorail:
The monorail does not have a boarding station at Riviera. If you want access to this transportation option from your hotel, you must stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
Boats:
Boat transportation is not offered at this Disney resort because there are no bodies of water that connect it to the parks. Boat transportation is provided to various places at the following Disney resorts: Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Old Key West, Port Orleans, and Saratoga Springs.
Have questions about transportation at Disney’s Riviera or need help planning your trip?
Leave a comment below—I’d love to help!