Disney World’s Monorail Hotels (A Complete Guide)
Staying at a Disney Hotel on the monorail is a big deal for most of us. Who wouldn’t want to take the monorail back and forth to Magic Kingdom and Epcot during their Walt Disney World vacation? It’s a luxury that’s only offered at a handful of resorts.
While all the resorts have their positives, they don’t offer the same convenience and exclusivity as the monorail resorts. As you can imagine, being able to hop on the monorail to and from your resort is a huge perk. However, considering your specific wants and needs, one monorail resort might stand out more than the others. Ultimately, that is the resort you should choose for your vacation. Below, we’ll discuss which resorts are on the monorail, how the system works, and the benefits of staying at one. I’ll also provide a few tips for taking advantage of dining and other amenities at the monorail hotels.
Disney Hotels on the Monorail
The following resort hotels are on the monorail system at Walt Disney World.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
*These resorts include Disney Vacation Club Resorts like Bay Lake Tower, Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Villas.
Walt Disney World offers three monorail lines: the resort, express, and Epcot monorail. The resort monorail stops in the following order:
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Transportation and Ticket Center
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Depending on your origin and where you’re going, you’ll have several stops on the resort monorail. For instance, if you’re staying at Grand Floridian, you won’t have any stops on the way to Magic Kingdom. It’s a short trip from the resort to the park. However, Grand Floridian is the last stop when you return from Magic Kingdom to the resort.
The monorail system pauses at each platform to let guests unload, and then new guests board. You’ll remain on board until the monorail gets to your stop. It takes approximately 14 minutes to travel full circle on the resort monorail. However, that time fluctuates based on various circumstances. The monorail’s time in motion between the stops is almost irrelevant, given how swiftly it moves.
Taking the Monorail to EPCOT
Unfortunately, the ride to Epcot will not be nearly as convenient as the trip to Magic Kingdom. Guests must transfer from the resort monorail to the Epcot monorail. This is done at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). Here’s how it works:
- From the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary, take the resort monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- Once you arrive at the TTC, you’ll exit the resort monorail. If you look up, you’ll see a sign that directs resort guests to a private walkway to the right. This walkway leads to the loading area for the Epcot monorail.
- You’ll then board the monorail to Epcot when it arrives, which is approximately every 12-15 minutes.
- The ride to Epcot takes about 11 minutes.
- You’ll then exit at Epcot and walk straight to the ticket turnstiles. Since you walked through security when you initially boarded the monorail at your resort, you won’t have to walk through security at Epcot. (You have remained in a secure area all this time.)
*If you’re staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, it is often quicker to walk next door to the TTC than take the resort monorail around with all its stops. (See walking between the Polynesian and TTC to learn more.)
*The monorail resorts do not offer bus service to Epcot. Bus transportation is only provided when the monorail is inoperable. I mention this because it takes some time to get to the Transportation and Ticket Center and then transfer to Epcot.
Our monorail transportation guide provides more details about the other monorail services. We also have a separate review of the monorail ride between Grand Floridian and Epcot.
Benefits of Staying at a Monorail Hotel
Staying at a monorail resort has its benefits. Not only will you have quick access to Magic Kingdom, but there are a few other positives to consider. First and foremost, guests of deluxe resorts and deluxe villa resorts are eligible for extended theme park hours at select parks on select evenings.
Since all the monorail resorts are deluxe resorts, you can access those late evening hours. So, if you’re staying at a monorail resort when extended evening hours are offered at Magic Kingdom or Epcot, you’ll be able to take the monorail back to your resort. It’s so convenient (especially late at night) to take the monorail back to your resort from Magic Kingdom. It’s not usually crowded, and the stops are minimal.
The same goes for planning a stay during the holiday season or for Disney After Hours. Magic Kingdom often holds special events like Disney After Hours, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These special-ticketed events are held late. Your chariot (the monorail) awaits at the end of the evening. I can’t stress enough how nice it is to be able to take the monorail back to your resort. Often, the weather is cooler on these late evenings, making the monorail feel warm and cozy when you step inside.
It’s also a great place to rest weary legs on your way back to the room. You won’t have to worry about walking to the bus stop and waiting on a bus. Thankfully, the monorail platform is right outside Magic Kingdom’s entrance. However, the monorail line can be extremely long if you leave Magic Kingdom on a regular evening at the park closing. We like to stay in the park on regular evenings and let the crowds clear out. (If needed, you can walk back to all three monorail resorts, which is often the best option if you need to leave at closing time.)
Proximity to Other Monorail Resorts
Another benefit of staying at a monorail is the proximity to nearby resorts. You’ll have quick access to these resorts’ restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options. For example, you might plan a day or evening of resort-hopping where you visit the surrounding resorts. We love to do a monorail crawl, during which we visit each monorail hotel for a drink, dinner, and dessert.
Related: Resort Hopping at Disney World
Dining Options on the Monorail
Since you’re on the monorail, you’re not limited to dining at your resort like you might be elsewhere. You’ll have plenty of other dining options a monorail ride away. For example, we love to have breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe. Of course, you’ll need a reservation, but they are relatively easy to obtain. We enjoy having a late morning meal here on a day we sleep late.
We also love to pick up lunch from Gasparilla Island Grill at Grand Floridian and enjoy it outside. There’s something about enjoying a salty snack on a sunny Florida day with views of Cinderella Castle in the distance. You might enjoy a cocktail or appetizer at the Enchanted Rose Lounge in the evening. For dinner, you could plan a meal at Citricos or secure reservations at Victoria & Albert’s if you want to splurge.
At Disney’s Contemporary, you might enjoy a casual breakfast at Steakhouse 71 or a character meal at Chef Mickey’s. (Regarding character meals, you could also monorail to the Polynesian for breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at ‘Ohana.) The Contemporary is also home to the California Grill, a signature dining restaurant that offers stunning views of the Magic Kingdom. Or, if you want something simple, the Contemporary has a fun quick-service restaurant, Contempo Cafe. You can watch the monorail travel through the hotel while you eat.
If you’re in the mood for something different, you might enjoy a few meals at the Polynesian. You might like breakfast at Kona Cafe or the Thai coconut meatballs at Capt. Cook’s, or the noodles for dinner at ‘Ohana. If you’re a fan of Dole Whip, don’t forget to pick up a treat at Pineapple Lanai, located outside the first-floor lobby.
Which Monorail Resort is the Best?
You’ve probably already figured out that the monorail resorts are fantastic options. Each choice is extraordinarily unique. I hope we’ve provided enough information for you to decide which one is best for your vacation. My favorite is the Contemporary, but I also love the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. We spend equal time at all the resorts.
We give the Contemporary an edge because the monorail runs through it, and I love the hotel’s expansive backyard. We also walk a good bit, so it’s nice to enjoy the monorail and have the option to walk back and forth to Magic Kingdom. But the Contemporary is not for everyone. If you’re into the finer things in life, you’ll probably want to stick with the Grand Floridian. Those with dreams of a vacation to a tropical destination might like to try the Polynesian.
Final Thoughts
If you decide to stay at a monorail resort, the following transportation guides will benefit your trip if you have the time to read them before your vacation.
- Grand Floridian Transportation Options
- Polynesian Resort Transportation Options
- Contemporary Resort Transportation Options
While these guides reiterate the monorail information we discussed, they also provide specific details for other options, such as walking, boating, or taking a bus. Knowing how to use transportation at Disney World to your advantage is half the battle.
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
Did you find this overview of the monorail resorts helpful? Which of these options would you choose? Have you ever stayed at a monorail resort? Did you enjoy the convenience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
