What Disney Hotels Are on the Monorail: A Quick Guide
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Exploring Disney Monorail Hotels
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Amenities and Dining Options
- Unique Dining Experiences
- Recreation and Relaxation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Disney resorts have monorail transportation available?
- What are the differences between the express and resort monorails at Disney World?
- Can you list the monorail stops at Disney World in order?
- How does the Disney Skyliner transportation system integrate with the monorail-served resorts?
- What is the least expensive Disney hotel that provides monorail access?
- Are there any planned closures for the Disney World monorail that might affect hotel access?
- Sources
Photo by Quarax, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Three Disney hotels sit on the Walt Disney World monorail: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. All three are stops on the Resort Monorail, which also serves Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
This applies to Walt Disney World in Florida. The Disneyland monorail in California does not stop at any hotels.
Each of the three resorts has its own theme, dining, and pool area, so the right pick depends on your style and budget.
Key Takeaways
- The Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian are the three monorail hotels.
- The Resort Monorail stops at those hotels, Magic Kingdom, and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
- EPCOT is reached by changing to the EPCOT Monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Exploring Disney Monorail Hotels
Disney runs three separate monorail lines: the Resort Monorail, the Express Monorail, and the EPCOT Monorail. The Resort line loops past all three monorail hotels and Magic Kingdom.
The Express and EPCOT lines start at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From a monorail hotel, you ride the Resort line to that stop and change trains for EPCOT.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a modern hotel with an A-frame design, set on Bay Lake next to Magic Kingdom. The monorail runs right through the main building, which guests often call the highlight of a stay.
Chef Mickey’s, a character dining restaurant, is here. California Grill sits at the top of the tower, and Disney promotes its window views of the fireworks.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has a South Pacific theme, with lush landscaping along the Seven Seas Lagoon and a beach setting.
Dining includes ‘Ohana, a family-style restaurant, and Kona Cafe. The resort’s Lava Pool has a waterslide.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the most formal of the three, with Victorian-style architecture on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is one monorail stop from Magic Kingdom.
It is home to Victoria & Albert’s, Disney’s top fine-dining restaurant, plus a full-service spa.
Photo by Quarax, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Amenities and Dining Options
When you stay at a Disney hotel on the monorail, you can ride to dinner at the other two resorts. Disney lists dining at each resort, from unique dining experiences to quick-service spots, so you can plan meals across the loop.
Unique Dining Experiences
At the Polynesian Village Resort, Kona Cafe is known for its Tonga Toast, a stuffed and fried French toast.
For a snack, Pineapple Lanai serves Dole Whip, a pineapple soft-serve that is a guest favorite.
At the Contemporary, the tall Mary Blair mural in the Grand Canyon Concourse is worth a look while you wait for a table.
Recreation and Relaxation
All three resorts have pools, and the Grand Floridian has a spa. The Polynesian and Grand Floridian sit on the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Contemporary faces Bay Lake.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, often grouped with these hotels, is not on the monorail. It is served by boat and bus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by Jarkko Laine, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Which Disney resorts have monorail transportation available?
The Disney resorts on the monorail are the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
What are the differences between the express and resort monorails at Disney World?
The Express Monorail runs between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom without stopping. The Resort Monorail stops at each monorail hotel along the way.
Can you list the monorail stops at Disney World in order?
Riding the Resort Monorail loop, the stops are the Transportation and Ticket Center, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Magic Kingdom, and Contemporary Resort.
How does the Disney Skyliner transportation system integrate with the monorail-served resorts?
The Disney Skyliner does not connect with the monorail hotels. It links EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with resorts such as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
What is the least expensive Disney hotel that provides monorail access?
None of the monorail hotels is a budget option. All three are in Disney’s Deluxe tier, and rates change by date and room type, so compare all three for your dates.
Are there any planned closures for the Disney World monorail that might affect hotel access?
Check Disney’s official website and app for refurbishments or service changes before your trip. Disney says the Resort Monorail starts 30 minutes before Magic Kingdom opens and runs until one hour after it closes.
Sources
- Disney Monorail Transportation, Walt Disney World
- Dining at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Walt Disney World
- Dining at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World
