Staying at one of the Magic Kingdom monorail resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian, Disney’s Polynesian Village, or Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is often seen as a Disney dream.
With quick monorail access to Magic Kingdom, stunning views of the castle, and premium amenities, these resorts are some of the most sought-after on property. But while they come with plenty of perks, a new problem is on the horizon that could seriously impact your experience — especially at night. With a major change coming to Magic Kingdom evenings, guests relying on the monorail may soon find themselves facing unexpected crowds and long waits.
If you’re staying at a monorail resort like Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, or Contemporary, you might want to brace yourself because things are about to get really crowded. With the brand-new Disney Starlight nighttime parade lighting up Magic Kingdom nightly starting July 20th, the monorail line is expected to see major increases in foot traffic, especially around the parades. Many guests will use the monorail to either return to the Transportation and Ticket Center or head back to their hotel. While there are two monorail lines, the Express Monorail and the Resort Monorail, guests leaving Magic Kingdom can use either. The crowds will likely be at their worst between 7 PM and 12 AM.
While staying on the monorail loop is usually one of the biggest perks of booking a Magic Kingdom-area hotel, those post-parade crowds might make you rethink your strategy. Wait times to board the monorail can add up, and platforms get packed quickly. If you’re traveling with kids, strollers, or just don’t like dealing with tight spaces and long waits after a long day, it’s a good idea to plan ahead.
If you’re staying at The Grand Floridian or the Polynesian, consider using the walking path to Magic Kingdom instead of the monorail — it’s scenic, well-lit, and can be faster during peak exit times. Guests at the Contemporary have an even shorter walk, so skip the monorail entirely if you’re headed there. Another great option is the resort boat transportation, which services the Grand Floridian and Polynesian and offers a more relaxed way to get back after the fireworks and parade.
If you’re parked at the TTC, the Magic Kingdom Ferryboat can be a less crowded and more enjoyable ride across Seven Seas Lagoon.
Bottom line: the Starlight parade is magical, but plan your exit strategy so your night ends on a high note, not in a packed monorail queue. Be sure to follow AllEars.net for more Disney news.
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What do you think about the new Disney Starlight parade? Tell us in the comments.
There is a great option for the GF though, you forgot the walkway!
I shouldn’t be forced to take the long walkway if I am paying high prices to stay at GF. I am entitled to use the monorail. IT’S TIME THAT THE “RESORT MONORAIL be used by resort guests and they have a separate line to priority board monorail, then Transportation center people.Scan bands to get on monorail.