Why I ALWAYS Try To Take The SLOWEST Route To Magic Kingdom

I go to Disney World several times a week for my job, so I have pretty strong opinions about how I like to do the parks.

One of my strongest opinions is about how to get to and from Magic Kingdom. If you’re coming to Magic Kingdom via the Transportation and Ticket Center, you’ll have a few options for finishing that trek to Disney World’s flagship park. Even when I can’t wait to get through those park gates, I always try to take the slowest route to Magic Kingdom — and maybe you should, too.

Before we dive in, you can get an idea of the fun that waits at Magic Kingdom in this video! Watch it right here!

But now, let me explain why I always try to take the slowest route to Magic Kingdom.

Your Options

You’ll need to travel through the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom unless you are arriving via resort boat launch, Disney World bus, Magic Kingdom resort monorail loop, or walking from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

That means, if you’re driving and parking, arriving via EPCOT monorail, taking a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, or arriving via non-Disney bus or shuttle; you’ll have to pass through security at the Transportation and Ticket Center, more than a mile away from the park, before heading on to Magic Kingdom.

There are a few ways to get from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom — the Express Monorail, the ferryboat, and (on very busy days), a bus.

When the bus is available, it is always the least crowded and fastest, but the least magical. The monorail is magical and fastest, but the most crowded. The ferryboat is not as crowded and still magical — but the slowest. As you might have guessed, the ferryboat is my preferred method and you might find that you agree with me.

Comfort on the Ferryboat

The biggest reason I prefer the ferryboat is because it is comfortable! The ferry has two floors with limited seating on the first floor and a solid amount of bench seating on the second floor. Both floors are covered from the sun and rain and provide sweeping views of Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom area hotels, and Cinderella Castle as you approach.

Typically, you can find a seat on the ferry, even at the busiest times, and if you cannot, you’ll likely be able to find a railing to lean on. My favorite thing is that even when the ferry is slammed, you have breathing room. When riding the monorail, you are often crammed in with enough people that you’re fairly close to others, may not be close to a window, and may not have a seat. On the ferry however, you’ll usually have enough space to be comfortable!

Additionally, the monorail temperature often leaves something to be desired. With so many packed onto a small train, it can easily get stuffy as the AC struggles to keep up. The ferry however provides a pleasant breeze out on the water that is relaxing and keeps you comfy.

My absolute favorite thing about taking the ferry is that it gives me enough time to enjoy a coffee. Magic Kingdom’s coffee options are Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) and Joffrey’s in Tomorrowland. Both of these locations tend to get very, very long lines in the first hours of the morning. However, there’s a Joffrey’s location at the Transportation and Ticket Center that often only has a line of one to two groups — if any.

Frankly, I recommend using this Joffrey’s if you’re headed through the TTC at all instead of the coffee spots in Magic Kingdom, but I really, really love sipping on a cold brew as I cruise across Seven Seas Lagoon on the ferry. In my opinion, it’s a great way to start the day off, and gets you caffeinated and ready to move and groove once you make it to the park.

Magic of the Ferryboat

This is a bit more controversial, but I also consider the ferry to be the most magical. Some love the monorail for its iconic vibe and history, but I think the ferryboat captures the magic of Disney in a special way.

For one, the view you get of Cinderella Castle on the ferry is an amazing reveal. You see it from across the water and watch as it gets closer and closer to you. And, the ferry plays Disney music that matches the tone and splendor of Magic Kingdom. Sure, I love those classic monorail announcements as much as anyone, but the ferry has a special place in my heart (and it doesn’t have the same sometimes funky smell of the monorail).

Capacity of the Ferryboat

This last one is just a practical reason. During busy times, there are three different ferry boats so there’s little to no wait. Other times of day, the longest wait is 10 to 20 minutes. On top of that, each boat can hold 600 guests.

Compare that to the monorails, which come every five or so minutes and hold 222 passengers. It takes almost three monorails to hold the capacity of one ferryboat! So, if you see a long monorail line, best to head to the ferryboat whether you’re arriving at or leaving Magic Kingdom.

Plus, the monorails often face delays. It is fairly standard for me to find myself waiting 10 to 20 minutes for a monorail or held mid-track because there’s a delay for another train somewhere up ahead. The ferry, however, hardly ever sees delays. It’s easy to keep large boats in open water more regular!

The ferry might be the slowest overall, but it can get you there faster in the event of long lines or delays at the monorail. It’s just the most consistent way to get between the TTC and Magic Kingdom.

Truly the only time I’ll caution you against taking the ferry is if it is very crowded AND raining, or if you’re already feeling a little chilly. It can be chilly out on the water! Otherwise, you can see why I might make sure to arrive a few minutes earlier to have time to take the slowest route to Magic Kingdom — for the view, the vibes, and the comfort of the ferryboat.

Click here to learn more about the ferry!

Ho07w do you like to get to Magic Kingdom? Tell us in the comments! 

Comments (1)