The Monorail Resorts of Walt Disney World

Ever since 1971, the Walt Disney World monorail line has been one of the most beloved forms of vacation transportation, circling the Seven Seas Lagoon for over 50 years now.

Benefits of Staying on the Monorail Line

Direct Access to Monorail Transportation

Going without saying, the direct connection to the Monorail system is one of the biggest benefits of staying at a Monorail Hotel. These monorails provide transportation to Magic Kingdom Park, as well as Epcot via a transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Trust me, this benefit especially comes in handy when your feet hurt at the end of a wonderful Magic Kingdom day and you find your hotel room only minutes away.

Walking Paths to the Magic Kingdom

For those staying at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary Resorts, you also have the added benefit of a walking path, which allows you to walk directly to the gates of Magic Kingdom with a 15-minute walk from Grand Floridian and 5 minutes from the Contemporary. Technically you can also walk from the Polynesian, but in my opinion, it’s a much farther walk than what it’s worth (especially when you have the monorail!)

Extra Time in the Parks

For those looking for extra park time, being a guest of any of the three Monorail Loop hotels grants you extended evening hours on select nights to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT depending on availability.

The Resorts

Grand Floridian

First, in the counterclockwise rotation of the monorail loop (aka the express line direction), there is the elegant Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a Victorian-style resort offering several dining experiences and other activities. With this elegance comes a high price, with rates ranging from $800 to over $2,000 per night depending on the room in 2023.

The Grand Floridian is also very well known for its dining experiences, ranging from the casual such as Grand Floridian Cafe and 1900 Park Fare to the upscale royalty of Narcoosee’s and Victoria and Albert’s. You can also grab a specialty cocktail and light bite at the enchanting Enchanted Rose lounge, a bar on the second floor of the Lobby themed to Beauty and the Beast.

Grand Floridian is also home to a couple of recreational experiences as well, such as Fishing, a full-service Spa, and viewing for the classic Electrical Water Pageant.

Polynesian

To the right of Grand Floridian sits the relaxed, tropical vibes of the Polynesian Resort & Spa, a personal favorite. Beloved by many for its picturesque views of Seven Seas Lagoon, amenities, and decor, this tropical getaway saw rates range between $600 and $1900 in 2023.

At the great ceremonial house – the epicenter of the property and where the monorail station is held – guests can find many bars and restaurants that perfectly match the Polynesian flare, including the family-style Ohana, casual dining atKona Cafe, quick service dining at Capt. Cooks, and Trader Sams, the famous themed tiki bar.

Contemporary

Past the Transportation & Ticket Center and closest to the Magic Kingdom sits the Contemporary Resort, known for its unique design and modern style. Home to well-known dining and recreation experiences for everyone, room prices at this resort ranged from $600 – $1700 in 2023.

Contemporary is also home to a few world-class restaurants for every taste, including Chef Mickey’s, a buffet-style character dining experience, California Grill, an upscale restaurant at the top of the resort, and Steakhouse 71, a great casual dining experience for everyone.

The Monorail Resorts for Day Guests

Even if you are not a guest of the Monorail Resorts, you can still enjoy many experiences that these places have to offer!

Pro Tip – If you do plan to visit any of the monorail resorts as a Day Guest and don’t have a reservation, make sure to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Security won’t let you park at the resort itself unless you have one.

Bar Hopping

The Monorail Loop hotels are known for some of the best lounges at Walt Disney World, and many locals who like to spend an evening with cocktails and friends will tell you that the “Monorail Crawl” is the best way to do it. This is a bar crawl that takes place between the three monorail hotels, getting a drink at each location along the way.

Personally, my monorail crawl includes Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian, the Enchanted Rose Lounge at the Grand Floridian, and Outer Rim at Contemporary (or the lounge at California Grill if I have the proper attire). Fair warning, the drinks can get expensive (it is a theme park world after all!), but the experiences and stories you gain from it are absolutely worth it.

Fireworks Viewing

For those who love the Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom, but don’t love the crowds associated with viewing them, then the monorail loop resorts have something for you! At each resort, you are able to view the fireworks with sound playing at the hotel so you can feel a part of the experience without being squished.

Each resort’s viewing place is a little different, such as the beaches of Polynesian or the stairwell balconies of the Contemporary. You are also able to view fireworks if you can time your dinner reservation correctly, with most resort restaurants with a Magic Kingdom view playing the timed soundtrack inside to complete the experience.

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