Linking Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resorts to Epcot the Monorail with its distinct look is as much a part of Walt Disney World resort as Spaceship Earth and Cinderella Castle. Let’s take a look at the Disney World monorail map and routes for your WDW vacation.
- The Disney World Monorail system has been in operation since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. It originally opened with two routes on Disney property and then the Walt Disney company expanded it to three in 1982 with the opening of Epcot.
- The Walt Disney World Monorail covers nearly 15 miles and it is estimated that is used by 50 million guests each year. Each Monorail car can hold around 360 passengers per total train with up to 40 in each car at capacity.
- Each Monorail has a pilot who in the past you could ride in the front car with, but this was stopped in 2009. Lets take a look at each Disney monorail maps and how the routes and monorail stops work.
Where Does The Disney Monorail Go?
The three Monorail routes below make different stops as detailed in the Walt Disney World resort map below.
| Monorail Route | Stops | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom Resort Loop | Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) | Transport guests around Magic Kingdom and nearby resorts |
| Epcot Line | Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Epcot | Transport guests between TTC and Epcot |
| Express Line | Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Magic Kingdom | A non-stop route to get guests to Magic Kingdom quickly without any stops |
The Full Walt Disney World Monorail and Transportation Map
First off we’ll start with a full Walt Disney World Transportation Map then look at the monorails routes in more detail. The Disney World Transportation map below will give you a good overview of all the routes across the Walt Disney World parks, resorts and Disney Springs.
More on Disney World Transportation
- Disney World Transportation Tips
- The Disney Skyliner Routes
- Hollywood Studios and Epcot Friendship Boats
- Walking from Epcot to Hollywood Studios
- The Disney World Monorail Hotels
The Magic Kingdom Resort Monorail Map and Guide
The Resort Monorail line runs clockwise on a loop and stops at Magic Kingdom park and Disney resort hotels. It stops at all the following locations:
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Ticket and Transportation Center
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
The monorail system resort line is great for visiting the Deluxe resorts that are located around the Seven Seas Lagoon. This makes it easy to get between Magic Kingdom park and the resorts for any dining reservations that you might make.
We often have breakfast at Ohana at the Polynesian before heading to Magic Kingdom park during our Walt Disney World Vacation.
The Monorail track also passes through Disney’s Contemporary Resort, so you get to see inside the hotel and pass by Chef Mickeys when riding the resort loop.
The Disney Epcot Monorail Route and Map
This Monorail route runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot. When park hopping between Magic Kingdom park and Epcot you need to stop and change Monorails at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
It stops at all the following locations:
- Ticket and Transportation Center
- Epcot
At Epcot the monorail stop/station is located at the park entrance and the monorail passes through the park for some great views of Epcot and World Showcase just before you arrive. You can see the Disney Epcot line map below.
Photo Credit for all maps: The Disney World Website
The Express Monorail
The Express Monorail runs directly between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom park without stopping at any other locations (well it is an express line). This Express monorail route runs anti clockwise in the opposite direction to the Resort Monorail.
It stops at all the following locations:
- Ticket and Transportation Center
- Magic Kingdom
The express monorail system is a very quick way to get to Magic Kingdom.
The Full Walt Disney World Monorail Map and Route Guide
Below you will find a full Disney monorail map including the full route between the Epcot monorail system and the Transport and Ticket Center. The monorail covers quite a distance between the TTC/Magic Kingdom Resorts and Epcot.
Where are the Walt Disney World Resort Monorail Stations and Stops?
Disney World Monorail Stations: The Ticket and Transport Center and Epcot
Disney World Monorail Stops: The Polynesian Village Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary Resort.
Disney World Monorail Operating Hours
The Walt Disney World Monorail operates thirty minutes before the earliest park opens and closes an hour after the last park closes (Magic Kingdom and Epcot).
Is the Disney World Monorail Easy to Use?
In my opinion the Walt Disney World Monorail system is very easy to use. All the Monorail Stops are clearly signed especially at the Transportation and Ticket Center where you need to change Monorail to get between Magic Kingdom and Epcot. You simply leave the Monorail and change to the platform that is signed for your chosen destination at the monorail station.
There are gates that prevent passengers from boarding the Monorail system until it is deemed safe by the operator on the platform. Once it is safe these will be opened allowing passengers to board. When you board the Monorail system you will hear the famous safety message:
“Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.”
All of the platforms are ADA accessible and portable ramps are used for any disabled guests that may need them (the Monorail train is slightly higher than the platform).
The Disney World Monorail is really easy to use and there are normally cast members nearby if you do need help. We always ride the monorail on our vacations and will often take the resort loop just for the views that you get to enjoy.
8 Disney World Monorail Tips
1. Head to the Back of the Monorail
When boarding the Monorail try to head towards the back to the carriages furthest away if it is busy. Most people try to board by heading to the nearest carriage so it will usually be less crowded towards the back of the Monorail train. We have done this many times when catching the Monorail and it usually works.
2. At Magic Kingdom Use the Stairs
If you arrive at Magic Kingdom early in the day when it is busy rather than getting caught in the crowd when heading down the main walkway take the stairs to the left as you exit the Magic Kingdom Loop station. This can usually be quicker and gets you a little further ahead of the rest of the crowd.
3. Use the Disney Monorail Before or after the Crowds Leave Magic Kingdom
Try not to use the Monorail at busy times of the day if possible. This is especially the case if the fireworks have just finished at the park. A lot of people tend to leave the park straight after the fireworks so either leave before the evening display begins or stay in the park for at least another hour after the fireworks finish.
4. Transport Options at the Ticket and Transportation Center
If the Disney Monorail service seems busy at the Ticket and Transportation Center then you do have other transport options. You can take the Ferry boat across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom and you can also catch buses from here too if needed. This is useful for guests who have parked their car in the Magic Kingdom parking lot for the day.
You can also walk to Disney’s Polynesian resort from the Transportation and Ticket Center and it is only a short walk.
5. Take Some Great Photos on the Walt Disney World Monorail System
There are some great photos opportunities on the Monorail as you can get some great shots of Seven Seas Lagoon and the resorts suchas the Grand Floridian resort. You get some great views of Epcot too, so it is worth having you camera ready to take a few shots.
You can also get some great photos of the Monorail itself as it passes by. My favorite spot to take photos of the Epcot Monorail where you can get photos of the Monorail with Spaceship Earth in the background.
6. Take a Tour of the Resort Loop on a Rainy Day
If the weather isn’t that great take the Resort Loop and visit the Contemporary, the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. You can tour the resorts, take a look at what each resort has to offer and visit the gift shops and restaurants. There are lots of places to eat and drink at all of the Monorail resort stops with quick dining and table service options.
From the Monorail you can walk straight into each resort from the Monorail stop with the Monorail stopping inside the Contemporary dropping you off right inside the building.
Some of our favorite character meals are at some of these resorts. You can read more about them here.
7. Disney Monorail Merchandise
You will find Monorail merchandise in the Disney parks and resorts. If you have younger children who love the Monorail you can buy small toy vehicles. My particular favorite is the Monorail train set that I have looked at many times during our vacations.
8. Walk to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary
If you are dining at the Contemporary before heading to Magic Kingdom (or the other way around) then I would recommend walking rather than using the Monorail.
Walking between the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom only takes about five minutes and is usually a lot quicker than waiting for a Monorail.
The Disney World Monorail
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