Navigating The Walt Disney World Water Taxi System

A water taxi is a nice relaxing way to get to some of the most busiest places on earth.

Taxis are available for getting from certain resorts to theme parks as well as Disney Springs.

In this article we’re going to break down the different water taxi lines available on property and how to navigate them. We’ll also provide some helpful tips to make travel easier and more enjoyable.

Resort Launches

Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge all provide water taxi service to Magic Kingdom park.

The resort routes are identified by different color flags:

• Gold Flag – This service runs to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
  • This trip takes 7-10 minutes to arrive at Grand Floridian and another 7-10 minutes to Polynesian Resort.
  • This launch does not accommodate ECVs
• Red Flag – This service runs to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • This trip takes 8-10 minutes to arrive at the resort
  • This route does provide a taxi than can accommodate ECVs
• Green Flag – This service runs to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • This trip takes 15 minutes
  • This route does accommodate ECVs

These routes run in 20 minute intervals with two taxis servicing each.

All resort launches begin 30 minutes prior to park opening until 1.5 hours after park closing. These times do adjust with Extra Magic Hours.

Bay Lake Resort Launches

There is also a launch that runs between Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort marked by a Blue Flag.

Two taxis complete this route in opposite directions.

ECVs are not accommodated on this route.

Friendship Boats

Around the Epcot resort area a series of water taxis known as Friendship Boats that connect the following locations:

• Hollywood Studios
• Swan and Dolphin Resorts
• Boardwalk Resort
• Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
• Epcot

Disney Springs Transportation

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter and Riverside, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs all provide water taxi service to Disney Springs.

These routes are marked with different color flags:

• Yellow Flag – This route is the Sassagoula River Cruise and services Port Orleans French Quarter, Riverside and Saratoga Springs Treehouse Villas and arrives at the Marketplace Dock
• Green Flag – This route services Old Key West Resort and arrives at The Landing
• Blue Flag – This route services Saratoga Springs and arrives at The Landing

A water taxi is also offered within Disney Springs marked with a red flag and servicesWest Side, Marketplace and The Landing. This service stops at 1:00AM.

Helpful Tips

• The Green Flag route from the Magic Kingdom to Fort Wilderness is used by a lot of guests heading to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue – try to avoid this route between 5:00PM and 8:00PM
• Although the Friendship Boats travel from Hollywood Studios to Epcot this trip could take nearly an hour due to making 3 resort stops. Consider taking the walking path and cut through Boardwalk Resort.
• Be mindful of the weather – the water taxis and boats do not run in inclement weather
• If staying at Fort Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge and you miss the Magic Kingdom taxi jump on the one headed to Contemporary Resort. There is a pathway that leads right to Magic Kingdom with its own security entrance.

If you enjoyed this edition of “Navigating Walt Disney World’ please check out my other articles covering Disney’s Magical Express, The Disney Bus System, The Monorail System, and Minnie Vans.