The Monorail in Disney World is SO cool.
Monorail in EPCOT
Even now, it still has the sense of retro-futurism that reminds us of the idea of the future Walt Disney had. It’s almost an attraction in and of itself, but not ALL is perfect about what could be everyone’s favorite mode of transportation in Disney World. So let’s have a chat about what we don’t love about the Monorail.
Yes, we said it — the Monorail isn’t perfect. But now, we’re going to tell you why.
It can get crowded
Have you ever tried to take the Monorail at Magic Kingdom after the fireworks? If you haven’t, you might be surprised when you do and realize that it feels like EVERYONE in the park is trying to take the Monorail at the same time (and it’s almost EXACTLY like that). It gets very crowded in the evenings, particularly when Magic Kingdom closes.
The monorail line can get pretty long when Magic Kingdom closes
However, on busy park days, the Monorail can also be very crowded in the mornings, too, and you might end up facing long lines at the Ticket and Transportation Center if you’re driving to Magic Kingdom (because you can’t actually park AT Magic Kingdom). So then you’re dealing with more crowds.
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You might have to transfer
If you’re new to the Monorail, you may think it’s just one line going around the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT area, but that’s not the case. You might have to transfer to another Monorail line, depending on where you’re headed.
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
The Monorail has two different routes. The first stops at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The second route goes to and from the Ticket and Transportation Center and EPCOT.
Monorail at the Contemporary Resort
So if you’re traveling from a Monorail hotel, you’ll have to transfer at the Ticket and Transportation Center to get to EPCOT.
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You might have to wait on the Monorail
In some locations, there’s only one Monorail track for both lines, so if one line is being used, another Monorail can’t use it. That means you might find yourself waiting on the Monorail for a little while as the first Monorail clears that track. If you’re in a hurry (like maybe running late for an advance dining reservation), this could slow you down.
Boarding the Monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center
Of course, a way around this is to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, just in case there is a delay like this during your Monorail trip.
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It doesn’t go everywhere
If you haven’t been to Disney World before, you might think the Monorail goes everywhere throughout the resort, but it doesn’t. It actually only covers a small part of the resort. You’ll only find Monorail stations at the Ticket and Transportation Center, the three Monorail hotels, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT. That’s it.
The Monorail
More than likely, you’ll need to take other Disney World transportation during your trip, including Disney buses, boats, and the Skyliner. The good news is that you’ll almost always have a way to get to where you’re going in Disney World.
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Smells
Okay, we’re going to try to put this delicately, but there are some SMELLS on the Monorail, especially when it’s crowded and especially when it’s been a super hot day in Florida. Those Monorail cars are not that big and when people are packed into them like sardines, well…you get the picture (or the odor, we suppose).
It can get a little smelly
It’s also particularly stinky if someone brings certain foods with them. Imagine a Monorail that smells like fish because someone wanted to snack on their Fish and Chips from EPCOT’s U.K. Pavilion while they go back to their hotel. You get the idea, right?
What to Do When the Magic Kingdom Monorail Isn’t Running
So although the Monorail is probably the most ICONIC mode of Disney World transportation, it isn’t always the BEST. However, we still recommend hopping on the Monorail if you get a chance because it is a VERY Disney experience.
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The worst thing about it is they don’t run it like mass transit. You can’t stand trackside and just get on and off. Everything is queues and lines and barricades and waiting. And the hotel lines only run in one direction for some unknown reason. And if you have a stroller or wheelchair at Contemporary Hotel, you get off the train only to be stuck in a corridor waiting again for a single tiny elevator to bring you off the platform. No bathrooms, no water, just frustration and anger.
Naw! The monorail is wonderful. We usually stay at Bay Lake Tower, so we spend a lot of time on the Resort Beam of the monorail (clockwise around 7 seas lagoon, topping at all the resorts). I can’t remember the last time I rode the Express monorail (counter-clockwise, stopping at TTC and MK, only). I usually have an ECV scooter, so they need to board me with a ramp. These days, I have to back onto the EPCOT beam, but it’s no big deal. We love the monorail.