Resorts Gal Routes: Disney’s Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom (With Time Comparison)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers guests two forms of transportation to and from the Magic Kingdom. The resort is only a short walk or monorail ride away from the Most Magical Place on Earth. Below, we’ll discuss the options for traveling from the resort to the theme park. We’ll also compare the average travel times for both routes so you’ll know how long it takes. This article is part of our RG Routes series, in which we examine and compare routes between popular destinations at Disney World.
Route 1: Taking the Monorail from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom
The monorail entrance is on the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The platform is up one level, but you must walk through security on the fourth floor and then take the escalator or elevator up to the loading zone. After you board the monorail, you’ll remain in a secure area and won’t have to walk through security again at Magic Kingdom. Based on our average tracked times, it takes 19 minutes to reach Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. This route is longer because the resort monorail stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian before reaching Magic Kingdom.
Return Route: The Contemporary is the first stop on the return route from Magic Kingdom. This route takes only four minutes. So, if there isn’t a lengthy line for the resort monorail, you should be able to return to the resort quickly.
Route 2: Walking Between the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom
When we stay at the Contemporary, we walk back and forth to the Magic Kingdom more than we take the monorail. It’s a short walk, and there aren’t any questions about how long the monorail might take if there’s a line. You just start walking and arrive shortly thereafter. You’ll walk through a security clearance along the path before you reach Magic Kingdom, so you won’t have to go through security again once you reach the park. This route is 0.42 miles and takes approximately 11 minutes. We have a separate article that details the walking path if you want to learn more. A potential negative for some is that you must cross the parking lot and one road/crosswalk on your way to and from the park.
The Resorts Gal Spin
Disney’s Contemporary is a controversial resort that guests love or hate. We enjoy its uniqueness, but I can also see why some people don’t care for its style. That said, if you plan on spending a decent amount of time at Magic Kingdom, you cannot beat the convenience. You won’t feel guilty if you visit the park for a few hours and leave or don’t arrive until the fireworks and stay late for extended evening hours.
We also love to stay at the Contemporary when we plan to attend an extra-ticketed event, such as Disney After Hours or a seasonal party. On those evenings, you’re going to stay until at least midnight (probably). When you leave, the hotel is right there waiting for you. You’ll be back in your room while other guests who left the park around the same time are still on a bus back to their resorts.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s an advantage to have the option to walk or monorail between the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom. For more information, you might enjoy our Contemporary Resort transportation guide or these other RG routes:
Want to save time and energy on your vacation? Get a copy of our 5 best transportation tips for Walt Disney World.
In the Comments
At the end of the night, I’ll walk back to the Contemporary if there is a line for the monorail. What would you do? Have you ever stayed close to Magic Kingdom? Share your unique spin in the comments below.
