If you’re planning a day of Park Hopping between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT the good news is you’ll have a bunch of different ways to get between the 2 parks.
So whether you’re looking for a peaceful boat ride, a chance to take the Skyliner, or maybe even just a scenic walk, you’ll have lots of options.
Ready to learn more? In this post, we’re going to break down all the different ways you’ll have so you’ll know exactly how to get from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT. Let’s get into it!
We’re going to go into greater detail down below, but if you’re looking for a quick answer, here are all the different ways you can get between the 2 parks:
Quick Guide for How to Get from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT
Which entrance of EPCOT do you need to get to?
Before we tell you how to get from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT, we first need to talk a little bit about the fact that you need to know where in EPCOT you want to end up.
That’s because EPCOT actually has 2 entrances, and it makes sense to pick the entrance that is going to put you closest to your ultimate destination.
From Hollywood Studios to the EPCOT International Gateway
The International Gateway is at the back of the park and it is the easiest entrance at EPCOT to get to from Hollywood Studios .
When you enter through this entrance, you’ll be walking straight into the World Showcase (right between the United Kingdom and France Pavilions).
You’ll want to use this entrance if you are heading to the World Showcase (for example, to do some Drinking Around the World). This entrance is also closest to the attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
To get to the International Gateway at EPCOT from Hollywood Studios, you can take the Disney Skyliner, a Friendship Boat, or walk:
Disney Skyliner (Our favorite option)
The Disney Skyliner is a gondola system that connects 2 parks (Hollywood Studios and EPCOT) and 4 resorts (Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, and Disney’s Riviera Resort).
This is our favorite way to get between the 2 parks because its just such a relaxing ride. And, typically when you are Park Hopping, any waits you’ll have are very minor (usually just a minute or 2).
We spend the time it takes to get between the 2 parks planning out our attack for EPCOT – where we’re going, what drinks and snacks we’re going to get, etc.
To get from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT you’ll need to take the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach where you’ll transfer from the Hollywood Studios Skyliner Line to the EPCOT Skyliner Line.
When you get to EPCOT, the Skyliner Station is literally steps from the International Gateway.
- Pros: The Skyliner is fast, scenic, and a fun ride in itself. You get a fantastic aerial view of Disney World, which makes the journey part of the experience.
- Cons: It’s weather-dependent, meaning it might not operate during storms or high winds. It can also get crowded during peak times, leading to longer waits.
- Do we recommend it?: If you’re looking for a unique and enjoyable way to travel, the Skyliner is a fantastic choice. It’s especially great for first-time visitors or those who love a good view.
Friendship Boats (Scenic but takes a long time)
The Friendship Boats will give you a relaxing ride, but they can take a long time to get from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT. BUT, you’re going to get some great views of the resorts around Crescent Lake – so if you just want a place to sit and rest for awhile, this might be a good option for you.
- Pros: The boat ride is very relaxing and offers scenic views along the way. It’s a great way to unwind between parks.
- Cons: It’s slower compared to other options and has limited capacity, which might result in wait times. It can also be chilly in January and February (if the wind is blowing and the sun is down).
- Do we recommend it?: Maybe. The Friendship boats are perfect for those who want to take their time and enjoy the journey. The scenic route is a great way to see Disney World from a different angle.
Walking Path (Great for getting extra steps in)
For the active and adventurous, there’s a walking path that connects Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Ok, you don’t have to be SUPER active or adventurous, but you do have to be willing to add a little over a mile to your step count for the day.
The good news is the path is almost entirely along the water, so it is very peaceful and usually incredibly quiet. If the lines for the boats or the Skyliner look long, and you don’t mind walking – we say go for it.
- Pros: It’s a healthy option, offering beautiful views and no wait times. You have complete control over your pace.
- Cons: It can be tiring, especially in the Florida heat, and takes longer than other modes of transportation.
- Do we recommend it?: This option is ideal for those who enjoy walking and don’t mind the distance. It’s a lovely stroll, but be prepared for the heat and bring water.
Minnie Vans (Not recommended)
Minnie Vans are Disney’s answer to popular ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. The difference is that Disney’s Minnie Vans are driven by Cast Members in vehicles (red with white polka dots) provided by Disney.
You book Minnie Vans through the Lyft app, but the prices will run you 3 to even 4 times more than that of Uber or Lyft.
If you use Minnie Vans you can ask to be dropped off at Disney’s Beach Club which will put you just a short walk away from the International Gateway.
- Pros: They are fast, convenient, and offer direct door-to-door service.
- Cons: Expensive and availability can fluctuate during peak times.
- Do we recommend it?: Not really. The free options are way better, in our opinion.
Rideshare Services – Uber/Lyft (Not recommended)
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available around Disney World. But, when going from Hollywood Studios to the International Gateway, they aren’t super convenient.
- Pros: They can be fast, but only if there are plenty of cars waiting.
- Cons: Costs can add up, and availability can fluctuate during peak times.
- Do we recommend it?: Not really. The free options are way better, in our opinion.
From Hollywood Studios to the front of EPCOT
If you’re trying to get to the front of the park, which is closer to attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Spaceship Earth, you’ll have 2 direct reliable ways to get there.
If direct isn’t a concern and you have time to spare, you can take a bus to any resort and then switch at that resort to a bus to take you to Hollywood Studios. This process will work, but it won’t be efficient. At all.
Instead, we recommend you spend a little bit of money for one of these options, instead:
Rideshare Services – Uber/Lyft
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available around Disney World. If you need to get to the front of the park and you don’t need a car seat, this is your best and fastest option.
- Pros: They can be fast, but only if there are plenty of cars waiting.
- Cons: Costs can add up, and availability can fluctuate during peak times.
- Do we recommend it?: Yes – but only if you need to get dropped off at the front of the park.
Minnie Vans
Minnie Vans are Disney’s answer to popular ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. The difference is that Disney’s Minnie Vans are driven by Cast Members in vehicles (red with white polka dots) provided by Disney.
You book Minnie Vans through the Lyft app, but the prices will run you 3 to even 4 times more than that of Uber or Lyft.
If you want to use a Minnie Van, you can ask to be dropped off at the Minnie Van stop at the front of the park. That stop is located at the very front of the closest EPCOT bus loop.
- Pros: They are fast, convenient, and offer direct door-to-door service.
- Cons: Expensive and availability can fluctuate during peak times.
- Do we recommend it?: Not really unless you need a car seat.
Tell us what you think
And that’s it! Everything you need to know about how to get to from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT. Did we forget anything? We value your input, even (or especially) when it differs from ours. Plus, we know other readers appreciate varying perspectives, so please take a second to drop your thoughts in the comments!