The Walt Disney World Monorail


The Walt Disney World Monorail System originally opened in October 1971 and featured stations at the Transportation and Ticket Center along with the two of the three hotels on the monorail loop (Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort).   Additional stations at Epcot and the Grand Floridian resort were opened in 1982 and 1988, respectively.

Approximately 50 million people travel on the monorail each year making it one of the most utilized transportation systems throughout the state of Florida.  It is one of the most fun ways to travel around Walt Disney World and it’s always try and air-conditioned. 

Individual monorail trains are fully automated but have a “pilot” seated in the front cab in case of emergency.   Each train is identified by a colored strip and named for that individual color.  Colors have included:  Black, silver, green, orange, blue, red and gold.  At times Disney put a decorative “wrap” on the monorails to promote a particular movie, attraction or other Disney IP (intellectual property).

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The Walt Disney World Monorail – Frequently Asked Questions

Following are the answers for some of the most frequently asked questions about the Walt Disney World Monorail system.

Where can you go on the Disney monorails?

There are two separate routes on the Walt Disney World Monorail System which include one route for the Magic Kingdom park and another for Epcot.

The Magic Kingdom monorail route features 2 separate lines.  One line is an express monorail which runs from the Transportation and Ticket Center (at the front of the Magic Kingdom parking lot) to the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom park. 

The second line makes stops at the three Disney resort hotels along the monorail route (Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) along with the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom park.

The Epcot monorail route runs from the front entrance to Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center at the front of the Magic Kingdom parking lot.

Is there a cost to ride the Walt Disney World Monorail?

The Walt Disney World Monorail is completely free of charge.  However, to access the monorail at either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, guests must enter the parking areas of each theme park and there is a parking charge of $25.

There is no charge for hotel parking (to access the monorail for stops along Magic Kingdom route) but Disney security does not typically allow guests into the hotels without a reservation for either hotel or dining.

What are the hours of the Walt Disney World Monorail?

The Magic Kingdom monorail route runs 30 minutes prior to the earliest  park opening to one hour after the latest park closing.  The resort line typically opens slightly earlier for guests to access different hotels.

How long is the monorail ride from Epcot to the Transportation and Ticket Center?

The monorail route from the Transportation and Ticket Center (located at the front of the Magic Kingdom parking lot) to Epcot takes about 15 minutes or travel time.

Typically we see two monorails running on the Epcot / Transportation and Ticket Center route.

Which resorts are on the Walt Disney World Monorail route?

The Walt Disney World Monorail runs from the Magic Kingdom park to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. 

There are monorail stations located on the second floors at each of these resort hotels.

Can you bring food and beverages onto the Walt Disney World Monorail?

While Disney specifically says that eating and drinking on most attractions, boats, buses and the monorail is prohibited, we have regularly seen guests have a quick snack and drink. 

Just don’t expect to bring a full meal on board during your next visit.

Does weather close the Walt Disney World Monorail?

The Walt Disney World Monorail typically remains open during rain storms but we would anticipate that it would close during times of extraordinary high winds.  

Check out our recent videos where we were riding the Monorail during a heavy summer rainstorm.

How fast does the Walt Disney World Monorail travel?

The Walt Disney World Monorail averages 40 miles per hour in good weather but reportedly can travel as fast as 55 miles per hour.

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 Where Should We Stay When Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort?

The Walt Disney World Resort has a number of great on-site hotels and each and every one of them have their own benefits, characteristics and price points.

There are multiple “categories” of hotels which are as follows:

  • Deluxe Resort Hotels
  • Deluxe Resort Villas
  • Moderate Resort Hotels
  • Disney’s Campgrounds
  • Value Resort Hotels

Deluxe resort hotels include the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  These resort hotels are all located adjacent to a Walt Disney World theme park (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and offer easy access to that park as well as superior amenities and accommodations. 

In addition Disney’s hotels and resorts, there are a number of other hotel options including the hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area and those within the Bonnet Creek Resort.

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Jerry Joyce

Jerry Joyce has been a Florida resident since 1988 and has lived in a variety of places in the South Florida area. Jerry is an avid boater & water sports enthusiast, beach aficionado, a lover of great food, muscle car fan and a theme park annual passholder for many years. Some of his favorite places in Florida include the Florida Keys, Walt Disney World, Cedar Key, the Loxahatchee River, St. Augustine and Ten Thousand islands.

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