Disney World Transportation Guide: How to Get from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom

When Walt Disney World first opened in 1971, the Vacation Kingdom was made up of the Magic Kingdom theme park, Contemporary and Polynesian Village resorts, and the Fort Wilderness campground, all connected by the Walt Disney World Monorail as well as watercraft that traversed the Seven Seas Lagoon. When EPCOT Center opened just over a decade later, transportation around the resort didn’t change much, as the Monorail was expanded from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the new park.

However, things changed later in the 1980s once the then-Disney MGM Studios opened. A decade later, the Animal Kingdom theme park opened, leaving two parks unconnected to Disney’s original transportation system.

So, how does one get from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom? Well, there are several options…

Can You Travel by Bus from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom?

Yes. The most direct way to travel between Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom is via Disney bus transportation. However, it is wise to note that since Animal Kingdom is located in a far corner of Disney property, this trip will take longer than other bus rides around Disney World.

Can You Take a Boat from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom?

Not directly. You could take a Friendship Boat from Hollywood Studios to either the Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, or Dolphin resorts and take a bus to Animal Kingdom from there. This would probably take longer than taking a bus directly from park to park.

Can You Walk between Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs?

No, the two parks are quite far from each other. However, you can walk from Hollywood Studios to any of the Disney resorts on the walking path between the Studios and EPCOT – Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, Swan, and Dolphin – and hop a bus from there to Animal Kingdom. Again, this would almost certainly take longer than taking a bus from park to park, but would be a way to get there if you wanted to have a meal or snack from one of those resorts on the way.

Can You Take the Skyliner from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom?

No, Animal Kingdom is not on the Skyliner route. You could hope the Skyliner from Hollywood Studios and head to the Pop Century/Art of Animation station – and grab a bus from Disney Springs there. While this is slightly more complicated than the direct bus ride, it may be quicker depending on traffic patterns during certain times of day.

Can You Take the Monorail from Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs?

No, neither Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom are on the Disney Monorail route.

Can You Drive from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom?

Yes. The drive is approximately 5 miles, and should take about 9 minutes. It’s worth noting here that you’ll only pay to park at a Disney theme park once a day, meaning if you pay to park at Hollywood Studios and then drive to Animal Kingdom later, you won’t need to pay for parking again.

Can You Ride-Share from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom?

Yes. Uber, Lyft, and the Disney Minnie Van service can travel between the two parks. Minnie Van may have a slight advantage here, as the respective pick-up and drop-off zones are closer than their non-Disney counterparts, but it is more expensive than Uber or Lyft.

So, which of these transportation methods from Hollywood Studios to Animal Kingdom do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.

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