The Vacation Hub

Before the Walt Disney World Resort expanded to what it is today, the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) was the central hub of the entire property. It was here that visitors left their cars - and the real world - behind and turned themselves over to the magic of Disney. For day Guests heading to the Magic Kingdom, the TTC still creates the same effect.

The Magic Kingdom Guest Parking Lot, still the largest on property, has space for more than 12,000 cars. To help you find your car at the end of a long day in the park, each section of the lot is coded by character (Chip & Dale, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Sleepy, Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy and Bashful), row number and colored poles along the tram route. Even if you can't recall any of those details, the Parking Cast can track down your car based simply on an estimate of when you arrived that morning, since they keep track of what section is parked at what time.

Once you're parked, it's time for a short tram ride to the TTC itself. All the way along, you'll notice that everything is coordinated to create a seamless experience. This even extends to the colors and graphic design of the Main Entrance arch, road signs, parking lot, trams, buses and the TTC. It all works in unison to let Guests know they've arrived and will be well taken care of.

Stepping off the tram, you're drawn forward to the colorful signs and banners of the TTC. Directional graphics guide you to your next destination, and Vacation Planning booths are available for those who may still need some help putting together all the options.

Once you've created your "Magic Your Way" vacation, it's time to get started. Mickey and Minnie appear in graphic form with open arms on the gates ahead, welcoming you to the transportation concourse where the fun really begins.

It's here that ferries, monorails and buses (once referred to as "motor coaches" in an attempt to make them seem apart from the ordinary) await to whisk you to your destination of choice. In theory, one could still utilize the TTC as a Walt Disney World hub, since the transportation services here provide access to all four theme parks and several resorts. Today, though, many opt instead for the convenience of parking closer to wherever they're going for the day.

Just as the TTC provides that conduit for Guests arriving to the Magic Kingdom in the morning, it's also the place where they return once their adventures are through. All the transportation options, which some may perceive as overkill by day, become welcome relief for tired feet at night.

It's at the end of the day when the TTC offers one last convenience in the form of Mickey's Gift Station, providing that one last chance to grab a souvenir or a present for someone back home.