The Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom (A Resorts Gal Guide)
The Walt Disney World Railroad is a classic attraction that circles Magic Kingdom Park throughout most of the day. Below, we’ll discuss the details of experiencing this attraction during your visit to the park.
All aboard! First, there’s a call of the whistle followed by a bell ringing in the distance. Can you hear it? Suddenly, you feel movement as the wheels start to chug along underneath the train car. The clamor of the engine roars as you pick up speed. A conductor comes on over the loudspeaker, reminding everyone to stay seated.
As you look out toward the horizon, you see the entrance of Magic Kingdom Park. Guests below are headed in or out, many stopping for a family photo underneath the Walt Disney World Railroad station. It’s time for a relaxing ride as we make our way around a grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom!
Of course, if you’re sitting on the opposite side of the car, you’ll have a brief view of Main Street USA in the distance. It’s time to sit back and relax as you embark on a relaxing 20-minute scenic round-trip tour of the park.
Here are a few details about the Walt Disney World Railroad and Main Street Station.
| WDW Railroad | Magic Kingdom |
|---|---|
Location: | Main Street U.S.A, Frontierland, Storybook Circus |
Height Requirement: | None |
Lightning Lane: | No |
Early Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Ride Type: | Train Ride |
Seats Per Vehicle: | Four to Five per row |
Rider Switch: | None |
Good For: | Everyone Nostalgia Seekers Taking a Break |
Scare Factor: | None |
Must-Do List: | High |
Perfect For: | All Ages |
Special Mention: | Fresh commentary and amusing anecdotes make up the new narration. This attraction usually closes at dusk. |
Accessibility: Guests must transfer to a wheelchair; a wheelchair access vehicle is available. Handheld captioning is also available.
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Walt Disney World Railroad Review
Walt Disney was many things to many different people. One reason was that of his love for trains. For many of us, the Walt Disney World Railroad offers a nod to Walt Disney and his original backyard train, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. It is said that Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney, allowed Walt to have the train in their backyard.
Decades later, if it weren’t for his dreams turned into reality, we wouldn’t have a train ride, much less a park to loop. Those steam trains are the Roger Broggie (named after the first Imagineer), the Lilly Belle (named after Lillian), the Walter E. Disney, and the Roy O. Disney. They were originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When you arrive at Magic Kingdom, the train station is one of the first things you’ll see. Guests enter the park on either side of the train station. A stairway leads up to the platform.
There is another set of stairs underneath the station. Guests with strollers, wheelchairs, ECVs, etc., can use a separate ramp that leads up to the train station.
Both levels of the train station have a mini-museum that shares information about historic steam locomotives. There are several information displays and shadow boxes. Anyone interested in trains might want to take some time to explore the lower level.
Each train represents someone pretty important. For instance, Roger E. Broggie was the first Imagineer ever. He helped Walt Disney create a scaled-down train ride in Walt’s backyard that became the model for the Disneyland Railroad. He is also well-known for his work in helping develop audio-animatronic technology.
Next, there’s the Roy O. Disney, named after Walt’s brother Roy. Without Roy, most of what we love and know about Disney wouldn’t be possible. He is credited for running the Disney business behind the scenes, leaving Walt with the time to create and invent. Not having someone like Roy on your side could be detrimental to any business. So make sure to stop and have your picture made with him and Minnie (Sharing the Magic statue) below the Main Street train station.
The third train is the Walter E. Disney, named after our beloved founder and fellow dreamer. Who else would have a personal train that traveled on a 2600-foot track in their backyard? Additionally, you can find Walt Disney with Mickey (the Partners statue) in front of Cinderella Castle. It’s another excellent photo option.
Last but not least, we have the train in honor of the woman behind the man, Walt’s wife, Lillian Bounds Disney. They met when Lillian applied for an animation job at the cartoon studios, and the two were married for 41 years. If you can read the fine print below, it tells how she granted Walt permission to run his backyard railroad tracks through her flower beds.
Here is a look at the large balcony on the second floor of the Main Street Train Station. It’s worth taking a few moments to walk up and enjoy the views.
The Walt Disney World Railroad was an opening day attraction on October 1, 1971. Through the years it has undergone refurbishment from time to time. It closed for several years between 2018 and 2023 during the construction of TRON Lightcycle Run.
The train reopened with a completely refreshed track, and a new audio narrative shares beloved stories of each magical land you encounter. The train formerly traveled through a tunnel and offered a look inside Splash Mountain. When it opens in 2024, it is expected to offer a unique perspective of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Here is a photo of the gallery inside the train station. During busier times, guests might encounter a queue spilled over into this area.
A few antique games are positioned throughout the lobby.
Most of the queue is outside. Each train pulls approximately six passenger cars, which have about 15 rows each, including a pair of rows on the front of each car facing each other. Approximately 365 passengers can ride the train at one time.
Guests must be able to transfer to a regular wheelchair or from their ECV to experience the train. There is a designated seating area at the front of the train for those with accessibility needs. Additionally, all strollers must be folded to board the train. Guests can leave their ECVs and strollers in a dedicated area. However, that means you must return to the station to retrieve them. Handheld captioning is also available.
After everyone boards the train, you’ll set off for the next destination, Frontierland Station.
Frontierland Station sits near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. After departing this station, you’ll pass Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and parts of the beautiful untamed wilderness. Audio in this area includes Peter Pan as he lands on the roof of the train from above. At first, he thinks it’s a big metal snake, but Wendy soon tells him it’s a train. This leads to a conversation about training shadows to stay put.
Soon after, the next stop is Fantasyland Station. This area lets out at Storybook Circus near Pete’s Silly Side Show and Goofy’s Barnstormer. After departing Fantasyland Station, you will return to Main Street Station. Along the way, you’ll go through a tunnel that passes Tron Lightcycle Run and Space Mountain.
Video
Here is a video looping the Walt Disney World Railroad.
The Resorts Gal Spin on the Walt Disney World Railroad
We give the Walt Disney World Railroad the green light! It is a fun attraction you’ll want to experience at least once during your vacation. We like to ride the train during the heat of the day when everyone is tired and needs a break. It’s a wonderful place to rest. However, it does take some time to ride. Each stop typically takes five or so minutes because guests have to unload, and then other guests have to load.
You can stay on as long as you wish. So stay put at each stop until you’re ready to disembark. When you are ready to exit, make sure to get off at the location closest to where you’re headed next. For example, if you’re leaving the park for a break, you’ll want to exit at Main Street Station. However, if you were going to ride Haunted Mansion, you would want to exit at Frontierland Station.
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
Final Thoughts
For more attractions, you might enjoy our List of Magic Kingdom Rides. Or you might like these individual attractions:
Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts and vacation planning. You might enjoy some of our resources, like the list of Disney World Resort Hotel Reviews. Additionally, we have an article covering our recommendations for the best off-site hotels near Disney World. As far as getting around, it’s essential to be aware of Disney transportation options.
Our Disney World Dining Guide offers an overview of every type of dining at Walt Disney World. Usually, we recommend scheduling at least one character dining meal and one signature dining reservation. You might also consider doing the dining plan. If so, we have a guide to help you understand how the Disney Dining Plan works.
If you plan to meet characters in the parks, there’s an updated list of characters at Disney World. That review links to every meet available in each of the four parks.
In the Comments
What are your thoughts on the Walt Disney World Railroad? Are you looking forward to experiencing it on your next vacation? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
