You’ve bought plane tickets, all-park passes, and Mickey Mouse ears for everyone in your family. You’re finally ready to embark on your Disney adventure, but you might have questions about how to get around the park. What is the Disney monorail? Can you get the monorail from Epcot to Magic Kingdom? What transportation is available at Disney World?

Here is your all-in guide to transportation at Disney World.

Table of Contents:

What Is the Disney Monorail?

The Disney monorail is a fun and convenient way to get around Walt Disney World. It opened on October 1, 1971, and has over 150,000 riders daily. This makes it one of the most heavily-used monorail systems in the entire world. Walt Disney himself envisioned the monorail as the “public transport of the future.”

Can You Use the Monorail To Get From Epcot to Magic Kingdom?

The short answer is yes, but it may not be the most efficient way.

The Disney monorail has two different routes. The first route has two lines that shuttle guests between different areas of the park. If you’re driving to Disney World and not staying at one of the resorts, you’ll be using The Magic Kingdom line.

The Magic Kingdom line makes the following stops:

Transportation and Ticket Center
Magic Kingdom park

The other line is the Resort Hotels line. It makes stops at:

Magic Kingdom Park
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Transportation and Ticket Center
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

But What About Epcot?

Disney has a second monorail route that travels between Epcot and the Transportation and Ticket Center.

This means that if you want to get to the Magic Kingdom from Epcot, you’ll have to take the second route to the Transportation and Ticket Center first. From there, you’ll be able to take the first route to the Magic Kingdom.

So, you can definitely use the monorail to get to Epcot, but you’ll have to take two different routes.

How To Use the Disney Monorail?

Disney has made it easy to use transportation services with well-marked and convenient wait points around the park. Your ride will arrive within a few minutes to take you where you need to go. If you need any assistance, ask any Disney Cast Member. They’ll be happy to help you plan your route.

What Transportation Is Available at Disney World?

Besides the famous monorail, Walt Disney World also offers bus and boat services. With so many options for transportation, you might find it helpful to download the My Disney Experience app in preparation for your trip. The app has a “Get Directions” section where you can plan your trip from one park to another.

Walt Disney World Bus Service

The Disney bus system runs continuously between multiple stops throughout Walt Disney World Resort. You can check Disney’s website to locate specific bus stops and plan your route. Please note that luggage and alcohol are strictly prohibited on all Walt Disney World Resort buses.

Walt Disney World Water Transportation

Water transportation at Disney is like an attraction in and of itself. Water taxis and ferry boats can transport you both to and from Magic Kingdom park. They run in 15-30 minute intervals, so there may be a bit of a wait.

As with buses, luggage and alcohol are prohibited. Disney also warns that hours of operation can vary depending on water and weather conditions, so be prepared for interruptions if there’s any inclement weather.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get From Epcot to Magic Kingdom?

The fastest route from Epcot to Magic Kingdom will depend on how crowded the park is. The Disney monorail is a reliable way, but you’ll have to take two different routes. The Disney World bus service might be more direct, but there could be a longer wait time.

We recommend you download the My Disney Experience app and tap “Get Directions” to find the fastest route. You can also ask a Disney Cast Member for transportation information and assistance.

How Often Does the Monorail Run at Disney World?

The Disney monorail runs about every ten minutes during busy periods to shuttle guests as efficiently as possible. The busiest times at Walt Disney World are during opening and closing times when many guests are arriving and leaving at once.

Why Can’t You Ride in Front of the Monorail?

Previously guests were allowed to sit with the monorail operator at the front of the train to see the view. However, due to an accident in 2009 that resulted in the death of a monorail driver, that is no longer allowed for safety reasons.

What’s Prohibited on the Disney World Monorail?

Safety is the highest priority at Disney World. To make the experience enjoyable for everyone, the following is prohibited on the Disney monorail:

Smoking
Eating and drinking
Shouting
PDA
Leaning against the doors
Taking up more space than you need
Changing diapers
Standing without holding the handrail

Is the Disney Monorail Safe?

Generally, the Walt Disney Monorail is very safe. Since its opening, the Walt Disney World monorail has had several incidents and one crash resulting in the death of the monorail driver.

However, after these incidents, Disney put precautions in place to prevent them from happening again. Disney also performs safety tests daily to ensure everything works properly on each train.

What Is the Best Way To Get Around Disney World?

Disney World offers multiple complimentary transportation services that can take you anywhere you need to go. The best way to get around depends on where you are coming from and where you need to go. Use the “Get Directions” option in the My Disney Experience app to find the best way to get around.

Conclusion

Disney offers guests several convenient ways to get around their parks. Whether you prefer to take the monorail, buses, or ferry boats, Disney has made it easy to see as much Disney magic as possible during your vacation.

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James Brockbank

Founder at The Family Vacation Guide

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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