All About the Monorail Lines at Disney World

Walt Disney World’s iconic monorail system has over 14 miles of track and transports an estimated 150,000 guests per day! (That’s 50 million passengers a year!) It was an opening day attraction on October 1, 1971 when Disney World opened and a cherished part of the Disney experience.

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 The monorail connects Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and select Disney resorts, making it a convenient transportation option for guests staying on property or park-hopping between these locations.

Planning How to Use the Monorail

Navigating the monorail system at Disney World is one of the easiest and most magical ways to get around a portion of the resort. Download our visual reference below to help with your trip planning. We have marked each monorail line with a corresponding color designated by the key below.

Our visual reference is to help you get a sense of where the different lines stop and which locations you can plan to use this transportation.

There is also ferry service at the Transportation and Ticket Center to take you over to Magic Kingdom, and in case of inclement weather buses would be added in from the monorail resorts to get to the theme parks that otherwise would only be accessibly via the monorail.

Monorail Routes and Services

There are three main lines in the Monorail System: the Magic Kingdom Express Line, the Magic Kingdom Resort Line, and the EPCOT Line.

• Express Line: This line runs directly between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom.
• Resort Line: This line stops at several hotels, including Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian Resort. It allows easy access to these popular destinations.
• EPCOT Line: This line connects the Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot, making it simple to travel between these two locations.

If you’re staying at one of the monorail resorts, like the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary, you have direct access to the monorail right from your hotel, making it incredibly convenient to get to Magic Kingdom from these resorts.

To get to EPCOT from Magic Kingdom or the aforementioned monorail line resorts, you’ll need to head to the Transportation and Ticket Center to board the monorail to EPCOT. If you’re coming from Magic Kingdom, you’ll have to transfer over to the EPCOT line at TTC and follow the signs to get to your second monorail.

The line to EPCOT goes straight to the EPCOT theme park station, and then returns to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Before you disembark at the station, the EPCOT monorail line offers a scenic ride through World Discovery and World Nature, giving you a sneak peek at the park before they even arrive. This is one of my favorite ways to arrive at EPCOT!

Approximate Travel Times

Timing your rides is important when using the monorail system to get around. Don’t forget that you may have to wait in line at the different stations for the monorail to arrive before boarding.

Travel times on the monorail vary, but we have highlighted some approximate travel times below to give you an idea how long it may take to get from place to place.

• Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom Express – 10 minutes
• Magic Kingdom Resort Loop – 20 minutes
• Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT – 15 minutes

This doesn’t include the wait time of waiting for the monorail to arrive or waiting in a line during busy times when you may not be able to get on the first monorail to arrive. Typically at park opening and closing there may be lines depending on the time of year, and during the busiest seasons (holiday time) there can be lines to board at the resorts or in the middle of the day.

Note that if you’re taking the monorail from Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), then transferring to the monorail line to go to EPCOT – you will be waiting in line twice to board a monorail. This can add significant time onto your travels, so we recommend allowing 45 minutes to get from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT using the monorail. And more time if it is one of the busiest times of year.

During the busiest seasons, like the holidays when may visitors use the monorail to see holiday decorations at the resorts you should build in extra time to wait in line to board the monorail at resorts and you may not make it onto the first one that arrives if crowds are heavy.

Weather Considerations

The Disney World Monorail System is generally reliable in most weather conditions, but there are a few weather considerations to keep in mind.

• Lightning & Severe Storms – Since Florida experiences frequent thunderstorms, especially in the summer, the monorail may pause or temporarily shut down during severe weather with lightning.
• High Winds – The monorail may reduce speed or close during high winds, particularly when sustained winds are expected.

If the monorail shuts down due to weather or other issues, Disney will provide alternative transportation, such as buses or boats, to help guests reach their destinations.

Checking My Disney Experience or speaking with a Cast Member can help you stay updated on any weather-related monorail delays!

Activities on the Monorail Lines

Here are some fun ways to experience the monorail and make the most of the routes!

• Resort Hop for Dining & Shopping – The Resort Loop is great for checking out restaurants at the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian! 
• Ride the Monorail for Free – Even if you’re not staying at a Disney resort, anyone can ride the monorail! It’s a fun, free way to experience Disney magic! 
• Watch Fireworks from a Monorail Resort – Head to the Polynesian Beach or California Grill at the Contemporary for a breathtaking view of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks without the crowds! 
• Try a Monorail Bar Crawl – Stop at each resort on the Resort Loop for a fun night of signature Disney drinks & lounges! One of our favorites is Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian Resort.

The monorail can be as much, or little, a part of your trip as you prefer to make it! Some people love staying on the monorail resort loop to have easy access to Magic Kingdom. While other families prefer to keep it as a special ride during their trip, but not wholly rely on using the system to get around.

No matter which camp you fall into, the Disney World monorail system is an icon and offers a lot of opportunities for fun on your trip!

Disney’s Iconic Monorail Transportation System

Needless to say, riding the monorail is a must do on any Disney trip and you should plan to try it at least once during your stay. This is a classic part of every avid Disney World fan’s trip.

It can be a fun occasion to just use the monorail to see the resorts, especially during the holidays. Make sure to plan in plenty of time to account for lines, and enjoy your time traveling the skies at Disney World!