This article answers the question, “What are the different Disney monorail options?” and other monorail FAQs.
The Disney World monorail is an iconic way to get to and from the parks. Some of us even consider it an unofficial Disney ride, one you can hop on at any time, whether or not you have a park ticket for that day.
If you’re heading on your first-ever Disney couples vacation or you haven’t been to Walt Disney World in a long time, it pays to familiarize yourself with the different Disney monorail options and routes before you go. (They’re a lot easier to understand than you may think.)
Let’s get into it!
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How Many Disney World Monorails Are There?
There are 12 different monorail trains in Walt Disney World. However, that doesn’t mean there are 12 different monorail routes in Disney World.
Those 12 trains travel along three different routes. Essentially, you have three different Disney monorail options, because the exact train you get on doesn’t matter as much as where it’s going.
How Many Disney World Monorail Routes Are There?
There are 3 monorail routes in Walt Disney World:
🚆 Resort Monorail
🚆 Epcot Monorail
🚆 Express Monorail
Next, we’ll cover where each one of the Disney monorail routes goes.
Where Does the Disney Resort Monorail Go?
The Disney World Resort Monorail stops at Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and three Disney resorts. Here’s the order that it travels:
- Magic Kingdom
- Contemporary Resort
- Transportation and Ticket Center
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Grand Floridian Resort
You can get on or off the Resort Monorail at any stop. For example, you can hop on at the TTC and take it to the Grand Floridian, or you can get on at the Contemporary to ride to Magic Kingdom.
Where Does the Disney Epcot Monorail Go?
Unlike the Resort Monorail, the Epcot Monorail provides express service between the TTC and Epcot.
You can get on or off at either the TTC or Epcot to ride to the other stop. There are a couple of reasons why you may do that:
👉 You parked or were dropped off at the TTC instead of the Epcot lot and are going to Epcot that day.
👉 You want to park hop to or from Epcot, and the TTC is the easiest way to connect to your next destination.
If you’re going to multiple parks on the same day, you may want to read our article about Disney World Security Checks: Everything You Need To Know.
Where Does the Disney Express Monorail Go?
Similar to the Epcot Monorail, the Express Monorail provides service between two stops only: Magic Kingdom and the TTC.
However, unlike at Epcot, Magic Kingdom doesn’t have its own parking lot — the parking lot for Magic Kingdom is the TTC. From there, you have to take either the Express Monorail or the ferry to reach the park entrance.
When To Use the Express Monorail for Magic Kingdom
You’ll use the Express Monorail to get to and from Magic Kingdom if you park or are dropped off at the TTC, or if you’re using the TTC as a connection point to get to another park.
⚠️ What Not To Do: It would never pay to go from a Disney monorail resort to the TTC and then get on the Express Monorail to go to Magic Kingdom. You’ll only be adding unnecessary steps, and there could be a line for the Express Monorail at the TTC, which would extend your travel time.
Disney Monorail Options FAQ
What is the difference between the Express Monorail and the Resort Monorail?
The Express Monorail in Disney World travels between the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and Magic Kingdom. The Resort Monorail stops at Magic Kingdom, the TTC and three Disney Resorts: Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian.
The Epcot Monorail can also be considered an express monorail, as it only travels between Epcot and the TTC.
Can you get to all 4 Disney parks on the monorail?
No, you cannot travel to all 4 Disney parks on the monorail. The Walt Disney World monorail only provides transportation to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Transportation and Ticket Center, and three Disney resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian).
There are a number of ways to get to the different Walt Disney World parks depending on where you’re traveling to and from. Disney transportation options include monorail, bus, Skyliner, boat and ferry. There are also parking lots if you’re driving and walking routes if your hotel is close enough to the park.
Does the monorail go from Epcot to the Polynesian?
No, you cannot take the monorail from Epcot to the Polynesian Resort in Disney World. The Epcot Monorail does not stop at any Disney resorts, and the Resort Monorail does not stop at Epcot.
The only Disney World monorail that stops at Epcot is the Epcot Monorail, and that route travels between Epcot and the TTC.
To get from Epcot to the Polynesian Resort, you can take the Epcot Monorail to the TTC and then board the Resort Monorail, which will stop at the Polynesian.
Is the monorail at Disney free?
Yes, it’s free to ride the monorail in Disney World. Whether or not you’re staying at a Disney resort or attending a park that day, you can ride the monorail for no cost.
However, note that if you want to take the monorail from the TTC or the Epcot entrance, you’ll need to pay for parking. Alternatively, you can drive to one of the Disney resorts on the monorail line, where you may be allowed to park, though security sometimes turns visitors away.
If you’re not able to park at one of the Disney monorail resorts, you can park at Disney Springs, which is free, and then take a Disney bus to one of the monorail resorts. Anybody can ride a Disney bus whether or not they’re staying on property.
Can non-Disney guests ride the monorail?
Yes! You do not have to be a Disney resort or Disney park guest in order to ride the monorail. Nobody checks for park tickets or room keys when you board the monorail.
Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts About the Disney Monorail Options
The Disney monorail is one of the longest-standing experiences at WDW, and it’s a true nod to Walt himself, who loved trains and futuristic travel options.
Plus, it’s among the fastest ways to travel in Disney World, especially if you’re staying at one of the three resorts on the route. (Lucky!)
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