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Complete Guide to Disney Hotels on the Monorail (Includes map!)

It goes without saying the Disney hotels on the monorail are super convenient and high up on lots of folks’ Disney World bucket lists!

The Disney World monorail connects several resorts and parks, but unfortunately not all of them. But which hotels or resorts are located on the monorail?

Let’s jump right into this list of Disney monorail resorts so you can decide where to stay on your next visit.

An introduction to Disney hotels on the monorail

There are three Disney monorail resorts available for your stay:

  1. Contemporary Resort
  2. Polynesian Village Resort
  3. Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This includes their DVC counterparts, such as Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort and the villas at Grand Floridian Resort, and the villas and bungalows at the Polynesian Village Resort.

Custom graphic with a handrawn map of the monorail route at Disney World, with stars designating each stop at Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort, Ticket & Transportation Center, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. Text at the top reads: Disney World Monorail Map.
Custom graphic by Meg Frost. All rights reserved.

All three options are deluxe resorts and very expensive. But frankly, the amenities and convenience that come with staying at Disney deluxe resorts are totally worth it to many.

Perks at these resorts include stellar pools, super short commutes to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, extra magic hours at the parks, dog-friendly accommodations, and more.

All three resorts also have great viewing spots for the nightly Electrical Water Pageant that occurs in the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Whether you’re visiting Walt Disney World resort on a budget or have plenty of cash to spare, this guide will help you decide which resort to splurge on or save up for.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower

Photo of Disney World's Contemporary Resort on the monorail.
Photo courtesy of Disney.

The first Disney hotel on the monorail after leaving Magic Kingdom is Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney Vacation Club’s Bay Lake Tower.

It takes approximately 4 minutes to get from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower via monorail. 

The monorail pulls right through the Contemporary Resort and its station is also located inside. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, you have to admit this is pretty cool!

Photo of the Incredibles themed guest rooms at Disney World's Contemporary Resort.
Photo by Kent Phillips, courtesy of Disney.

The Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower are undergoing a refresh at the moment.

The rooms in the main tower recently got an Incredibles themed makeover. Rooms in the Garden Wing are getting a Disney-less contemporary makeover.

Some folks aren’t a fan of either room’s redesign, but I think it’s long overdue and both look lovely!

The Incredibles theming is so fun and whimsical that it puts me in the Disney moon even after a long day of traveling.

Plus, even if you don’t like the new room decor, you have to admit the ability to stay in a room with a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks is a bucket list worthy experience, right?

At the Contemporary Resort, a few top restaurants and lounges to check out are:

  1. California Grill
  2. Chef Mickey’s
  3. Contempo Café
  4. Steakhouse 71

If you’re in the market for souvenirs, stop by Bayview Gifts or Fantasia. Both have some unique souvenirs that you can’t get at other shops throughout Disney World.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Photo of classic Moana themed guest rooms at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
Photo by Kent Phillips, courtesy of Disney.

After a stop at the Disney World Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), the next Disney World hotel with monorail access is Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

It takes 12 minutes to get to or from the Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian Village Resort or approximately 8 minutes after stopping at the Contemporary Resort.

The Polynesian Village Resort recently added Moana themed rooms, which I absolutely love. How gorgeous are those oranges and teals with the Polynesian prints in the photo above?

Photo of the overwater bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
Photo courtesy of Disney.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort is also home to the coolest place to stay in all of Disney World: overwater bungalows that sleep up to 8 guests!

There used to be a Polynesian-themed variety show called The Spirit of Aloha, but it closed to make way for additional Disney Vacation Club villas, as well as some new restaurants and potentially some activities.

In the meantime, you can still stop by the Polynesian Village Resort to check out these restaurants and lounges:

  1. Capt. Cook’s
  2. Kona Café
  3. Kona Island
  4. ‘Ohana
  5. Pineapple Lanai (dole whip!)
  6. Tambu Lounge
  7. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
  8. Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace

Gift shops here include Moana Mercantile and BouTiki. I love both of these souvenir shops because you can get cute island-y merchandise, including Aulani merch!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Photo of the exterior of the Grand Floridian Resort on the monorail at Disney World.
Photo courtesy of Disney.

The last hotel on the monorail at before you make your way back to the Magic Kingdom is the Disney World’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

It takes 16 minutes to get to or from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa via monorail.

Disney is slowly making over this resort to modernize it, as well as to add more Disney Vacation Club villas. Lots of folks are upset about this plan, but frankly I agree that it is sorely needed.

As the flagship resort and one of the most expensive, some parts of this resort just don’t live up to that standard.

That’s not to say the Grand Floridian isn’t nice, because it very much is, but there is definitely room for improvement in my opinion.

Anyway, if you’re not staying here, you might still want to hop on the monorail to grab a drink or dine at one of these lovely establishments:

  1. 1900 Park Fare
  2. Cítricos restaurant & lounge
  3. Enchanted Rose lounge
  4. Garden View Tea Room
  5. Gasparilla Island Grill
  6. Grand Floridian Café
  7. Narcoossee’s
  8. Victoria & Albert’s 

The Grand Floridian Senses Spa is another enticing reason to hop over to the Grand Floridian, as is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

As for shopping, stop by to check out Basin White, Curiouser Clothiers, M. Mouse Mercantile, and Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries.

What are your favorite Disney hotels on the Monorail?

Let me know which Disney monorail hotels you’ll be booking for your next stay at Disney World in the comments below.


About the author

Photo of Meg Frost on Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Blast at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

Meg Frost is the creator of The Park Pixie, where she covers Disney World, Disney+, and Disney fandom.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami in Florida.

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This post was originally published June 17, 2022. It was last updated October 15, 2023.

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