WALT DISNEY WORLD RAILROAD Magic Kingdom

Ride Length

Motion Level

Low

Individual Attraction Selection

No

Genie+

No

Walt Disney World Railroad Highlights:

  • Travel around the Magic Kingdom on an authentic steam powered train
  • Stations located in Main Street USA, Frontierland, and Fantasyland
  • Walt Disney’s love of trains is a huge influence in the Disney parks — riding the Railroad is a must do for Disney history and train buffs!

Introduction | Attraction | Ride Logistics | Interesting Facts

Note: Walt Disney World Railroad is closed due to construction of Tomorrowland’s TRON Lightcycle Run. TRON is due to open by 2021, and there’s been no official word about Walt Disney World Railroad opening sooner. 

INTRODUCTION

Board an old-fashioned steam train for a 15-20 minute tour encircling the Magic Kingdom, with a stop at Frontierland and Storybook Circus in Fantasyland.

ATTRACTION

Walt Disney developed a love of trains at an early age. When he was a young adult, he built a half-mile scale model railway in his backyard that he called the “Carolwood Pacific Railroad.” At Disneyland, a railroad was one of the first attractions he planned. Later, when he began the design for what is now known as Walt Disney World Resort, Walt made sure that the train station was located near the entrance to the park.

Because of this, the Magic Kingdom has featured vintage, steam-powered trains since its opening in 1971. One of the first things visitors to the Magic Kingdom see as they approach the park is the Main Street Railroad Station — and one of the first sounds they hear is likely a train’s steam whistle.

You can board the Walt Disney World Railroad at any of its three stations: the main station on Main Street, U.S.A.; the station in Frontierland; and the one in Storybook Circus in Fantasyland. You can also depart at any of these stations, or stay on board for the full 1.5-mile grand-circle tour, which takes about 20 minutes. A recorded narration describes the sights you’re seeing as you make the circuit around the park at a leisurely, 10-12 mph pace.

Main Street Station When you walk into the Magic Kingdom, you walk through a tunnel — in the center there are stairs that lead you up to the railway platform.

Frontierland Station — The Frontierland Station is located near Splash Mountain.



Fantasyland Station
— The Fantasyland Station of the Walt Disney World Railroad is located in the Storybook Circus section of the park.

RIDE LOGISTICS

Hop aboard the railroad at the Main Street station at park opening and might be able to can reach Splash Mountain in Frontierland before the crowds get there!

The railroad usually runs until just before the evening’s fireworks. In fact, the elevated Main Street station is a terrific, and extremely popular, fireworks and parade viewing area.

There are some great views of the back side of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from the train.

Those in an ECV must transfer to a standard wheelchair to board the railroad.

Strollers are permitted on the railroad.

Waiting for the Walt Disney Railroad at the Main Street train station? Put a quarter into the Antique Music Box located in the waiting room to hear a selection of tunes. Or put a coin into some of the other machines scattered around the station to watch a short movie.

The seats are open bench style with backs.

Handheld Captioning Devices from Guest Services can be used here.

If you can’t get enough of trains, you may want to take the “The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour,” a two-hour behind-the-scenes peek at the Walt Disney World Railroad. Cost is $30 per person (theme park admission is required). For more information, visit our Tour Descriptions page. To make a reservation, call 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).

INTERESTING FACTS

Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia originally built the brightly painted locomotives in the 1910s and 1920s. They were purchased from United Railways of Yucatan in 1969, disassembled and shipped to a Tampa (Fla.) ship repair dock where they were renovated, bolt by bolt. The passenger cars were fabricated from scratch in the same warehouse where the locomotives were renovated. Originally wood burners, the locomotives were converted and currently are oil burners.

The four locomotives, which hauled both freight and passengers in the Yucatan, were renamed the Walter E. Disney, the Roy O. Disney, the Lilly Belle and the Roger E. Broggie. (Broggie was an Imagineer who also was a train fanatic.)

There’s a nod to Walt Disney’s backyard train, the Carolwood Pacific, at the Storybook Circus station on the clock face and above the main entrance.

Another spot for train buffs is the Carolwood Pacific Room, located in the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. This sitting room features railroad memorabilia, including a special exhibit on loan from the Disney family, with two of Walt Disney‘s personal scale-model train cars and a piece of the original track. The art and architecture of the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge tell of the pioneers who built and stayed in late 19th century railroad hotels in the national parks region of the American West.

FAQs

How long is Walt Disney World Railroad?

The ride takes 20 Minutes

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Will Walt Disney World Railroad make me motion sick?

The motion level is Low.
Slow moving train ride

Details on handling motion sensitivity on your visit

Is Individual Attraction Selection available for Walt Disney World Railroad?

No
Walt Disney World Railroad is not eligible for Individual Attraction Selection

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Is Walt Disney World Railroad included in Genie+?

No
Walt Disney World Railroad is not included in Genie+

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