Where Does The Monorail Go In Disney World?
If you’re planning a trip and wondering where does the monorail go in Disney World, you’re not alone.
The Walt Disney World monorail is one of the most recognizable forms of transportation on property, but it only serves a specific area of Disney World.
There are three different monorail routes, and each one goes to different parks and resorts around the Magic Kingdom area and Epcot.
Because Disney World is so large, the monorail is far from the only transportation option available.
In addition to the monorail, guests can also use boats, ferries, buses, and the Disney Skyliner to get around.
In this guide, I’ll break down exactly where each monorail line goes, when it makes sense to use them, and what other transportation options are available throughout Disney World.
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Where Does The Monorail Go In Disney World?
There are 3 Disney monorail routes that can take you around the Magic Kingdom resort area and Epcot.
Here’s everything you need to know:
1. Resort Monorail Line
First you have the resort monorail line.
This line makes a complete loop, running clock-wise.
So the order will always be these stops:
- Transportation and Ticket Center
- Polynesian Village Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Magic Kingdom
- Contemporary Resort
This is the line you’ll take if you’re staying at any of those resorts or if you just want to resort hop the monorail resorts for fun (or food).
2. Express Monorail Line
The express monorail line only runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom.
Hence the name, the express line.
This line runs counter-clockwise during the morning and clockwise during the afternoons and evenings, but it doesn’t really matter since it just goes back and forth.
Most guests will be taking this monorail line because all Magic Kingdom parking is at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
3. Epcot Monorail Line
The last monorail line runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Epcot.
It’s a little bit longer of a route since it has to go all the way to Epcot, but what’s great about it, beyond the convenience, is that it takes you on a loop through the park before dropping you off.
This line is best for park hopping between these two parks.
I don’t recommend parking at the Transportation & Ticket Center and taking the monorail to Epcot, just to go to Epcot because you can just park at Epcot and save yourself all that time.
And the same thing vice versa.
Don’t park at Epcot to take the monorail to the Transportation & Ticket Center and then transfer monorails to the Express monorail line to go to Magic Kingdom.
Just park at the Transportation & Ticket Center.
Other Transportation Options at Disney World
Since the monorail line is so specific to one area of Disney World, let’s talk about what the other transportation options are and where you can take them.
Watercraft
There are 4 different boat options and areas throughout the property.
Here’s how each one works.
Magic Kingdom Ferry
So one boating option is the Magic Kingdom ferry.
This runs back and forth between Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center – just like the express monorail.
This is a great option if you have strollers, wheelchairs, ECVs, etc., because you don’t have to fold them up and there’s plenty of room for them.
Magic Kingdom Resort Area Boats
Magic Kingdom and it’s surrounding resorts sit along the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
I have another blog post where I did a deep dive into the Magic Kingdom resorts and their boat transportation options, so be sure to check that out if you want more info.
This boat system uses a combination of “cruisers” and “water taxis” or “water launches”.
The cruisers are the enclosed ones and have a little more accommodations than the water taxis/launches.
The water taxis or water launches are the historical colonial time looking boats.
These boats go to Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center, Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, and Wilderness Lodge.
There are different routes for different boats and resorts and that’s what I go into in that blog post.
Epcot Resort Area Boats
Another area you can take boats is between Epcot and Hollywood Studios and the resorts in-between.
These boats are the “cruiser” style – the ones that are partially enclosed.
In addition to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you can take these to the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan, and Dolphin.
Disney Springs Resort Area Boats
Lastly, the other area you can take boats is between Disney Springs and it’s neighboring resorts.
These resorts include Saratoga Springs, the Treehouse Villas, Old Key West, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside.
Skyliner
Disney World’s newest form of transportation is the Skyliner!
These are the “gondolas in the sky” that take you between Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and some neighboring resort hotels.
The hotels included in the Skyliner routes are Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.
I also have a blog post with a bit more of a deep-dive on how the Skyliner works, what the routes look like, and where all you can take it.
Buses
Last but not least, Disney World has an extensive bus transportation system.
The buses run between all the resorts and the theme parks and the water parks and Disney Springs!
For the most part, this is the most convenient option unless you’re staying in walking distance to a park (like the Boardwalk area resorts next to Epcot and Hollywood Studios) or you’re staying at a monorail resort and wanting to go to Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
I have a blog post where I did a comparison on when it’s best to drive your own vehicle versus when it’s best to take Disney’s buses if you need more info.
The buses are completely free.
NOTE: Disney is beginning to implement reservation verification systems for Disney Springs bus transportation.
You must provide a valid resort reservation, dining reservation, or recreation reservation in order to take a bus or boat from Disney Springs to anywhere else on property.
I anticipate this will soon spread to even more areas around Disney World.
Bonus: Minnie Vans
I do actually have one more transportation option to share, but this one is not free.
Minnie Vans operate through the Lyft app as a rideshare service, but it’s driven and operated by actual Disney cast members.
I have another blog post where I talk about how rideshares work at Disney, including the Minnie Vans if you want to check it out.
How To Get Around Disney World
So now you know that while the monorail system is quite iconic, it is limited to such a small part of Disney World.
Depending on where you are and where you want to go, there are a variety of other options from boats, buses, the Skyliner, and even rideshare services.
Additionally, you can always use your own transportation when you visit Disney World!
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