Disney World boasts a variety of transportation options, including buses, boats, and scenic walking paths that connect certain resorts to the parks. But nothing quite captures the magic of Disney transportation like the iconic Walt Disney World monorail.
Serving select parks and resorts, the monorail system can be a bit of a maze for first-timers. Whether you’re staying at a monorail resort or just eager to experience this classic ride, dive into our complete guide to the Walt Disney World monorail for all the tips and tricks you need.
Ready to learn about the other ways to get around Walt Disney World? Check out our Complete Guide to Disney Transportation for additional helpful tips and info.
What is the Walt Disney World Monorail System?
The only theme parks with monorail access are Magic Kingdom and Epcot, with stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and three hotels on the line.
In total, Disney’s monorail system consists of 12 trains, running on three different lines and stopping at six different stations:
Express Monorail Line
- Route: This line runs directly between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and Magic Kingdom.
- Purpose: It is designed for guests who want a quick, direct route to Magic Kingdom without any stops at the resorts along the way.
- Stops: Only two stops:
- TTC
- Magic Kingdom
- Best For: Guests who are driving to the park, arriving from off-site hotels, or transferring from other Disney transportation services at the TTC. This is also a good option if you are staying in a Polynesian DVC room near the Transportation and Ticket Center (it is just a short walk from the TTC to that DVC area).
Resort Monorail Line
- Route: This line connects several resorts to Magic Kingdom.
- Purpose: It offers a scenic and convenient route for guests wishing to go between any of the monorail resorts and/or Magic Kingdom.
- Stops: Stops at the following locations in this order:
- Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Magic Kingdom
- Contemporary Resort
- Best For: Guests staying at one of the monorail resorts (Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary) or those who want to enjoy the resort views.
Epcot Monorail Line
- Route: This line runs directly between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and Epcot.
- Purpose: It provides a direct connection for guests traveling between Epcot and the main transportation hub, the TTC.
- Stops:
- Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)
- Epcot
- Best For: Guests heading to Epcot from Magic Kingdom or those who have parked at the TTC, or anyone switching from other Disney transportation services at the TTC.
Walt Disney World Monorail Operating Schedule
While there’s no posted monorail schedule, a new train will come about every 10 minutes, though the time between trains can be longer or shorter, depending on crowd levels and how efficiently the monorails are running that day.
What time does the Monorail start running?
Express Magic Kingdom Monorail Lines
- Start Time: Typically, the Express Monorails begin running about 30 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry. If you are at the TTC before that and need to get to Magic Kingdom (or any of the resorts) you can use the Resort Monorail.
- Stop Time: The monorails usually continue running for up to 1 hour after the park closes. This ensures that guests have ample time to return to their resorts or transportation hubs after nighttime events like fireworks or parades.
Resort Magic Kingdom Monorail Lines
- Start Time: Typically, the Resort Monorails begin running around 7:00 AM.
- Stop Time: The monorails usually continue running for up to 1 hour after the park closes. This ensures that guests have ample time to return to their resorts or transportation hubs after nighttime events like fireworks or parades.
Epcot Monorail Line
- Start Time: The Epcot monorail usually starts running about 30 minutes to 1 hour before Early Theme Park Entry. This gives guests enough time to transfer from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and arrive at Epcot for park opening.
- Stop Time: The Epcot monorail typically operates up to 1 hour after the park closes, allowing guests to comfortably leave after enjoying the evening shows and attractions.
Monorails can experience downtime, just like other attractions at Disney World. Sometimes there are mechanical issues or inclement weather when there is lightning in the area.
When there is an interruption to service, Disney will provide alternative transportation options, so look for signs or ask a Cast Member.
Monorail Trains
Walt Disney World Monorail Trains
The monorail trains are often referred to by their color designations, which makes it easier for guests and cast members to communicate about specific trains. These colors are marked as a prominent stripe along the side of each train – you can’t miss it.
Here are the different colors of the monorail trains currently in use:
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Orange
- Yellow
- Gold
- Teal
- Coral
- Silver
- Black
- Lime
- Peach
For 2 colors that are similar (for example Blue and Teal), Disney adds trapezoidal “deltas” within the color stripe between the passenger doors on each car.
Each car is divided in half with 2 benches facing each other and room to stand or for strollers in between them.
The current fleet consists of Mark VI trains, which were introduced in the 1980s, replacing the older Mark IV models.
Who can use the Disney World Monorail?
Anyone visiting Disney World can use the monorail, and those who park at the TTC can take an express monorail that goes directly to Magic Kingdom without making any stops.
The trains transport around 150,000 people per day, which is truly impressive, so don’t be surprised if your car ends up being pretty crowded,
During certain times of the day (especially during busy times of the year, like around a major holiday) there may be only standing room available, but there are bench seats inside for those who snag them.
How to Use the Walt Disney World Monorail
Just like all Disney World transportation (except for Minnie Vans), the monorail is free for visitors to use anywhere it’s available to get around Disney World, including for those guests who aren’t staying in an on-site hotel.
You do not need to have a park ticket to ride the monorail, but will need one to enter Magic Kingdom or Epcot if you want to explore either park.
All guests are required to go through a security checkpoint before they are able to board the monorail, including at the resort hotels that have monorail stations.
Finding Monorail Stations
There are 6 monorail stations around Disney World:
- Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) – this is the main “hub” for the Disney World monorail and where you transfer between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot lines
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Ticket & Transportation Center
If you want to take the monorail from the TTC, here, you can hop on the Epcot, Magic Kingdom, or resort lines.
Be aware that the monorail may be more crowded on some days than others, especially close to park opening. In that case, you may want to consider taking the ferry across the water if you’re headed to Magic Kingdom to save time.
Magic Kingdom
The monorail station at Magic Kingdom is located right outside of the park entrance. Here, you can hop on a direct line to the TTC, or on the resort line, which will make stops at the Contemporary, TTC, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian (in that order).
To get to Epcot, you can get off at the TTC and transfer to the Epcot line.
Epcot
The Epcot monorail station is outside of the entrance, just before you reach the security checkpoints to get into the park. This line travels to the TTC and then back to Epcot. Unless you’re riding the full loop (starting and ending at Epcot), you’ll want to disembark at the TTC and transfer to the Magic Kingdom or resort line — or to find your car, if you parked at the TTC that day.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
To board the monorail at the Contemporary, take the elevator or escalator to the fourth floor of the main building. Once you’re past the security checkpoint, you’ll take an elevator up to the fifth floor monorail platform.
The monorail here stops at the TTC, the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Magic Kingdom.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
To board the monorail at the Polynesian, take the elevator (or the stairs) to the second floor in the resort’s main building, the Great Ceremonial House. The security checkpoint is located right outside of the doors at the front of the building. This monorail stops at the Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, and the TTC before circling back.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
From the main building of the Grand Floridian, take a elevator or the stairs to the second floor. As soon as you walk outside, you’ll be met with a security checkpoint before you can board. The monorail stops at Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary, the TTC, and the Polynesian.
Boarding and Seating
When it’s time to board the monorail, you may be able to choose a seat, or, if the train is crowded, you may have stand. In the event that your train is standing room only, it’s advised to hold onto the rail for safety — it’s very easy to lose your balance once the monorail leaves the station!
Strollers and ECVs
If you’re using a stroller, you won’t have to fold it on the monorail, and your child can stay in the stroller.
Those in ECVs and wheelchairs are able to stay in them during their monorail ride. A Cast Member will show you where to go when it’s time to board, and a ramp is available to help you ride into the train.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Using the Monorail
The monorail may look perfect, but there are definitely some pros and cons to the entire system:
Pros:
- When it is running without any issues, it’s the fastest way to get to Magic Kingdom if you’re staying at a monorail resort.
- It’s an easy, fun way to tour the different monorail resorts (and some people even enjoy stopping at bars along the way to try new snacks and drinks, referred to as a monorail crawl).
- It’s convenient if you’re traveling with a stroller or an ECVs/wheelchair, since strollers don’t need to be folded and ECV/wheelchair users do not have to transfer into a seat.
Cons:
- The monorail can experience unexpected downtime, which can put a hinge in your travel plans.
- The monorails do not travel to every theme park, so if you’re staying at a resort on the monorail like you’ll have to use different transportation options to get to the other 2 parks (Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios).
- The trains can become crowded during busy times (especially around park opening and closing) and this can mean waiting in long lines to ride.
Walt Disney World Monorail FAQs
How often does the monorail run?
About every 10 minutes.
Do monorails go to every park?
No. The monorails only go to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Are the monorails free?
Yes! Everyone is free to use them, even those who aren’t staying at a Disney resort.
Do I have to fold my stroller?
No. Strollers can remain unfolded.
Is the monorail system wheelchair and ECV accessible?
Yes. There will be a ramp available to use for boarding and disembarking the monorail, and wheelchair and ECV users will not have to transfer into a seat.
Is there monorail service during Early Theme Park Entry?
The monorails typically start running about one hour before park opening, so they will be available to use for Early Theme Park Entry.
Is there monorail service for special events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and After Hours?
Yes, the monorail will run for about an hour after the party or After Hours event comes to an end.
How late do monorails run after the parks close?
The monorails will be running for about an hour after the parks close for the day.
Can I track monorail arrival time?
There’s no way to track monorail arrival time, but if one has just left the station, you can assume you’ll see another in about 10 minutes — sometimes less.
What do I do if a monorail is full?
You will have to wait for the next monorail to arrive to be able to board.
Are pets allowed?
No pets are allowed on the monorail other than service animals.
Can I bring food and drinks on the monorail?
You can bring food and drinks on the monorail, except for alcoholic beverages, which must be finished before you board.