All About the Monorail Resorts at Disney World

What are the ‘Monorail Resorts’?

If you’re new to Disney World or planning your first trip, you may be struggling to choose between the dozens of resort and hotel options that are available. It can definitely be overwhelming! We always recommend staying on property at Disney World, because it comes with so many added perks and keeps you close to all the action (you can click here to read more about the perks of staying at one of Disney’s resorts!) However, even looking at just the on-property resort options, there are still more than 25 to choose from which can make it really hard to narrow down your options, especially when you don’t know where to begin! In this post we’ll break down everything you need to know about the monorail resorts, and help you decide the right resort choice for you!

How Disney Categorizes their Resorts

Disney has a few different categories of resorts, which can help you narrow down which may be best for you. The resorts are divided into Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa categories. Based on your price range, and which amenities are most important to you, you can choose which category will be the best fit for you. Furthermore, the resorts can also be categorized by their location within the Walt Disney World Resort, such as being in the ‘Magic Kingdom Resort Area’ or the ‘Epcot Resort Area’.

In short, the term ‘Monorail Resort’ refers to the resorts that are connected by the Magic Kingdom resort monorail loop, meaning you can take the monorail directly from your resort to the front entrance of Magic Kingdom.

Why you should stay at a Monorail Resort

Perks of Staying at a Monorail Resort

These are some of my favorite reasons to stay on the Monorail. First, by staying at a resort on the monorail loop, you can easily hop on and within minutes find yourself at the Magic Kingdom front gates. After a long day in the park, you can get back to your hotel in a few short minutes rather than a 20-minute or longer bus ride.

Secondly, on your way to Magic Kingdom, you even go through security before you get on the monorail and you’ll be dropped off within the park’s security area, so you get to skip the regular security line which can save you time!

Finally, in addition to easy access to Magic Kingdom, you can also get to Epcot fairly easily. You just need to take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and transfer to the Epcot monorail.

Beautiful Photo of the Monorail, transporting guests from the Monorail Resorts and Magic Kingdom to Epcot.

Easy Access to the other Monorail Resorts

The three resorts on the monorail loop are all deluxe resorts, each with a unique theme. The monorail stops at each resort, so you can also easily hop over to the other resorts and enjoy the wealth of dining options available at each! The three resorts are all amazing and each offers something unique. However, the proximity to Magic Kingdom and the easy access to Epcot really make all three of them amazing places to stay!

Want a value or moderate resort with easy park access? Check out the Skyliner resorts instead for more great options!

Which Resorts are on the Monorail Loop?

There are three resorts connected by the monorail track. They are:

Contemporary Resort
Polynesian Village Resort
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

These resorts are all Deluxe Resorts and are located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area (which makes sense with their close proximity to the park!). Each of these resorts offer a completely different theming experience, all with the perk of being so close to the Magic Kingdom, and easy access to Epcot, too.

Which Monorail Resort is best?

Each of the monorail resorts offers something unique! All of them are amazing, and there is no right answer in choosing which one is the ‘best’. Above all, it will really come down to what factors are important to you and which theme appeals to you most! Here are my top reasons why each resort is amazing:

Contemporary Resort:

View of the Contemporary across the lagoon, one of the monorail resorts

It’s the closest resort to Magic Kingdom! It’s just a 5-minute walk away, so if you don’t feel like taking the monorail you can easily take a short stroll to the park. This is especially great during peak times when the monorail is more crowded.
The monorail actually goes right through the main building – this is a really cool feature and unlike anything else!

Polynesian Village Resort

Statue in the lobby of the Polynesian, one of the Monorail Resorts

The theming at the Polynesian is my personal favorite out of all the monorail resorts. I absolutely love the laid-back, tropical vibe of this resort!
Additionally, the Polynesian is home to some amazing, family-friendly restaurants with a Polynesian influence. ‘Ohana is a must-do, and the Spirit of Aloha dinner show is another great one!

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Grand Floridian, one of the Monorail Resorts

The classic, upscale atmosphere of the Grand Floridian makes it a popular choice for many guests! We love the grandeur of the lobby. Plus, during the holidays it’s also home to a stunning Christmas tree.
While each of these resorts has fantastic dining options, the Grand Floridian is the best spot if you are looking for signature dining experiences. Victoria and Albert’s is the premier dining experience in all of Disney World (it’s a AAA Five Diamond Award® recipient). Cítricos and Narcoosee’s both offer signature dining experiences as well.

In conclusion, staying at one of the Monorail Resorts definitely has some great perks! These 3 resorts are all amazing and you really can’t go wrong with any of them! Have you stayed at any of the Monorail Resorts? Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments below!

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