There are three Disney resorts located on the monorail route–let’s take a look at each of them!
Our ultimate guide to Disney hotels on the monorail will help you know where to stay or what you can do while visiting each!
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If you’ve been to Walt Disney World before, you likely remember the Monorail elevated train. It’s sort of an attraction itself, as it’s a fun part of the Disney World transportation system.
The Monorail is one mode of transportation that brings guests to the Magic Kingdom, the most popular theme park of Walt Disney World (be sure to check out our ultimate guide to Magic Kingdom if you’re planning to visit!).
Since the Monorail makes only a few stops, it’s a relatively quick mode of transportation on Disney property.
Staying at a resort hotel along the monorail line is quite convenient, as it gives you a quick way to travel to Magic Kingdom or Epcot, as well as an easy route to the Skyliner, which you can take to Hollywood Studios.
This is a great way to travel between the parks and your hotel, which is especially nice if you want to come back in the afternoons for some pool time or rest time.
Fun Fact: Back before you could get alcohol at Magic Kingdom, guests would often take the short monorail ride to one of these hotels for a libation!
If you’re interested in comparing the Disney monorail hotels, we’ll take an in-depth look at each!
What are the Disney Monorail Hotels?
There are three Disney hotels on the Monorail route, which can be incredibly convenient if you are planning to visit Magic Kingdom during your stay (and why wouldn’t you?).
Each of these hotels offers Monorail transportation, walking paths, and boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom, so guests can completely bypass the Transportation and Ticket Center, which can be a huge time saver.
And of course, they all offer bus transportation to other theme parks within Disney World, as well as Disney Springs.
You can check out the official Disney monorail map here to get a lay of the land.
The three hotels on the Disney Monorail are:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
It’s worth noting that these Disney hotels on the monorail are considered Deluxe resorts, so they are among the most luxurious lodging options on Disney property.
This means they’re also among the most expensive–so be sure to learn more about the Disney payment plan. They’re definitely a Disney World splurge worth planning for.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the Disney World monorail resorts in detail!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Opening in 1971 along with the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort was one of the first lodging options on Disney property.
It boasts the shortest walk to the Magic Kingdom, which is definitely a major perk of staying there.
With its sleek, mid-century modern design, the resort’s main building is an A-frame shape through which the monorail travels.
The resort also has a smaller Garden Wing, as well as Bay Lake Tower, which is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort.
Contemporary Resort Amenities and Features
This resort boasts several amenities that make it worthy of its Deluxe status.
- Two swimming pools, including the feature pool that has a water slide and splash area, along with cabanas.
- Fitness center
- Boat rentals for the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Jogging trails, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts
- Movies Under the Stars
- The Game Station game room
- Impressive 90-foot mural by Disney legend Mary Blair
Contemporary Resort Dining
No Disney experience is complete without some amazing food!
- Chef Mickey’s – This is a highly sought-after character dining experience, located right in the hotel. This table service restaurant serves American fare.
- California Grill – At this popular table service restaurant, you’ll enjoy a California-inspired menu and views of the Magic Kingdom.
- Steakhouse 71 – This newer restaurant features steakhouse favorites Walt loved, as well as Florida-inspired flair in the decor.
- Outer Rim – This lounge provides alcoholic drinks and spectacular views of Bay Lake–perfect for watching the sunset!
- Contempo Cafe – This is a quick-service option for classic fare, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
- Contemporary Grounds – Grab a quick-service breakfast of coffee, pastries, and smoothies.
- The Sand Bar – This poolside quick-service dining option serves hot dogs, burgers, and cocktails at the Feature Pool.
- Cove Bar – Primarily serving cocktails with some food options, the Cove Bar serves DVC guests at the Bay Lake Tower pool.
Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Although you likely won’t be spending a whole lot of time in your room during your stay, you’ll still want to be comfortable and enjoy the environment.
The rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort have been recently refurbished to carry the theme of The Incredibles movie, along with nods to the mid-century modern design elements that inspired the hotel.
Room Options Include:
- Theme Park View – These rooms are available in the main tower and overlook the Magic Kingdom. Perfect for watching fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle!
- Lake View – Overlook Bay Lake in these rooms in the main tower.
- Garden View – These rooms in the Garden Wing can overlook the garden, pools, marina, or Bay Lake.
- Standard View – These rooms in the Garden Wing overlook the parking lot.
Pros and Cons of Disney’s Contemporary Resort
As with any hotel, there will be pros and cons. Knowing these ahead of time can help you choose what works best for your family!
- Pro: The Monorail goes directly through the building, which is one of my favorite things about staying there.
- Pro: Theme Park View rooms are such a great way to watch the fireworks without the crowds (really great if you have small kids who need to get to bed at a decent hour!).
- Pro: Watch the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon at night.
- Pro: Chef Mickey’s and California Grill are popular dining options.
- Pro: This resort has the shortest walking path to the Magic Kingdom, which is a great way to save time.
- Pro: You can ride the Monorail from your hotel to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can switch Monorails to get to Epcot.
- Con: Of the three Monorail hotels, The Contemporary Resort is the first stop the monorail makes. So getting on here means you still have a couple of stops before you get to the Magic Kingdom.
- Con: There aren’t many quick-service dining options available.
- Con: It can be one of the pricier Disney resort hotels.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Since opening in 1971 alongside the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been a favorite hotel option of Disney guests.
It’s South Pacific theming will make you feel like you’ve been transported to a relaxing island oasis!
The Great Ceremonial House is the main building of the resort, which also houses the lobby, and there are several smaller buildings located around it.
You’ll notice the lobby has its own scent–check out our favorite Disney candles so you can replicate it at home!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Amenities and Features
This resort boasts several amenities that make it worthy of its Deluxe status.
- Two Pools, including the Oasis Pool (a quieter pool) and the Lava Pool (which is volcano themed), which has a slide and kid’s splash area
- A beach area where you can watch the fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle
- Movies Under the Stars
- Boat rentals for activities on the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Fishing, volleyball, and jogging trail
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Dining
One of the best parts of the Disney resort experience is enjoying amazing food!
Even though many of these restaurants offer Polynesian-inspired cuisine, they also offer many familiar foods to keep even the pickiest eater in your family happy.
- ‘Ohana – Serving Polynesian cuisine family-style, ‘Ohana is definitely one of the most popular dining experiences at Disney World. Be sure to check out our tips for getting last-minute Disney dining reservations to score a seat at the table.
- Kona Island – This quick-service restaurant offers coffee and pastries in the morning, and grab-and-go sushi later in the day.
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – This bar serves plenty of specialty cocktails, as well as a few appetizers from 3-10pm.
- Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace – The open-air counterpart of the Grog Grotto, the Tiki Terrace serves cocktails alongside live music.
- Tambu Lounge – This late-night stop features Hawaiian-inspired libations.
- Capt. Cook’s – South Seas-inspired offerings make up the menu at this quick-service dining option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be sure to try a classic Mickey Waffle or the banana-stuffed Tonga Toast!
- Kona Cafe – This Asian fusion restaurant serves favorites such as Tonga Toast and macadamia and pineapple pancakes for breakfast, then transitions to noodle bowls and burgers for lunch, then sushi and braised short ribs for dinner!
- Pineapple Lanai – Get one of the most iconic Disney snacks here–the beloved Dole Whip!
- Barefoot Pool Bar – Located by the Lava Pool, you can get seafood, burgers, and cocktails at this quick-service restaurant.
- Oasis Bar and Grill – Located by the Oasis Pool, this is an easy quick-service option for grabbing a bite.
Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort recently updated the theme of their rooms to feature elements from Moana.
There are different types of rooms you can stay in, depending on which building of the resort you’re in:
- Theme Park View – Offers views of the Magic Kingdom (and sometimes also the Seven Seas Lagoon). Perfect for watching fireworks.
- Lagoon View – Offers views of the Seven Seas Lagoon–perfect for watching the Electrical Water Pageant.
- Pool or Marina View – Overlooks either the pool or the marina.
- Standard View – These rooms can have a view of the gardens, the Monorail, or the parking lot.
Although having a Theme Park View can be wonderful, keep in mind that this resort offers other viewing options for nighttime entertainment, too!
The beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a great place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks or the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Pros and Cons of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Every hotel has its own pros and cons. Let’s take a look at them so you can decide what matters most to your family.
- Pro: Easy access to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail or boat. On the Monorail, you’re just two stops away from the Magic Kingdom and one transfer away from Epcot.
- Pro: Top-notch dining options, including the ever-popular ‘Ohana.
- Pro: Ability to watch fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the resort, regardless of what room view you have.
- Con: Because this resort is comprised of multiple buildings, you’ll have to walk outside to get to your room. I remember one time when I stayed here and it rained so hard! You’ll definitely want to check out my tips for doing Disney in the rain!
- Con: This is one of the more expensive hotel options on Disney property.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Victorian-style of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa makes it an extremely luxurious experience!
Although it is not one of the original Disney resorts, it has been a fan-favorite since its opening in 1988.
Comprised of multiple buildings named after the Florida Keys, it’s definitely the most lavish of the Disney Monorail hotels!
This is one of our favorite Disney resorts for adults, too, thanks to the rampant luxury.
If you’re planning to spend Christmas at Disney World, you definitely should stay here!
The Victorian Christmas decor at this Disney monorail resort is spectacular, and you won’t believe the breathtaking gingerbread house the chefs create!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Amenities and Features
This sophisticated Deluxe resort hotel has many features and amenities!
- Two pools – The Beach Pool features a water slide, splashing area for kids, and cabanas, while the Courtyard pool offers a quieter environment.
- The Grand Floridian Spa and Salon (a great way to pamper your Disney feet after a long day!)
- 24-hour fitness center
- Arcadia Games
- Movies Under the Stars and Campfire Activities
- Boat rentals and specialty cruises around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Basketball courts and jogging trails
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Dining
This resort features classic American cuisine, so there’s something for everyone. There are quick-service and table service options available, including:
- Victoria & Albert’s – This is perhaps the fanciest restaurant on Disney property, earning the AAA 5-Diamond designation every year since 2000. Unfortunately, it is unavailable at the time of this writing, but you can check here for updates.
- Citricos – Enjoy classic American fare, including seafood, at this table service restaurant whose setting is inspired by Mary Poppins Returns. Do note that this restaurant has a dress code.
- Citricos Lounge – Located next to the restaurant, this lounge offers wine, cocktails, and much of the same food as Citricos.
- Narcoossee’s – This restaurant features surf n’ turf fare, with a view overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. Do note there is a dress code for Narcoossee’s.
- Grand Floridian Cafe – With views of the Courtyard pool and rose garden, this restaurant offers casual American dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Enchanted Rose – This Beauty and the Beast themed cocktail lounge also has a limited appetizer menu.
- Gasparilla Island Grill – Enjoy fan-favorite Mickey Waffles for breakfast at this quick-service restaurant, and sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas later in the day.
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill – Located by the Beach Pool, this quick-service restaurant serves lunch fare until 6pm, as well as several drink options.
- Courtyard Pool Bar – Located by the Courtyard Pool, this bar serves a variety of beverages as well as quick-service fare such as salads, hot dogs, and wraps.
- 1900 Park Fare – Although currently unavailable, this carousel-themed restaurant offers character dining experiences. You can check back for updates here.
- Garden View Tea Room – This elegant British-inspired tea room overlooks the gardens and pool. Although currently unavailable, you can check back here for updates.
Rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Similar to the Polynesian Village resort, there are multiple buildings that make up the Grand Floridian Resort.
You may want to consider which building you prefer to stay in. For instance, you may want to be in close proximity to the Monorail station, or you may prefer to be closer to the pool or marina.
Also keep in mind that you may need to walk outside to get from the lobby to your room, which can be unpleasant if it’s raining.
Each building and its guest rooms carry the theme of the Victorian-era decor. Room options include:
- Theme Park View – These rooms offer views of the Magic Kingdom–perfect for watching fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle!
- Lagoon View – These rooms offer views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, which is perfect for viewing the nighttime Electrical Water Pageant.
- Garden View – These rooms can offer views of the Marina, pool, or courtyard areas.
Pros and Cons of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
As with any resort, there are both pros and cons to staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
- Pro – Easy access to the Monorail, and this is the last resort stop on the way to the Magic Kingdom, so your ride will be short.
- Pro – Walking path and boat transportation to Magic Kingdom
- Pro – An elegant and lavish hotel with plenty of amenities, including world-class dining and a spectacular lobby. It’s one of the most beautiful resorts!
- Con – There aren’t many quick-service dining options.
- Con – Because the resort is spread out into multiple buildings, you may have to walk outside to get to your room, which isn’t great if it’s raining.
- Con – This is definitely one of the pricier hotel options on Disney property.
Which DIsney Monorail Hotel Is Best for You?
Let’s be honest, all three of the Disney hotels on the Monorail line are amazing, and I don’t think you’d be let down by any of them.
But, depending on what matters most to you and your family, one of the Disney monorail resorts may suit your needs more than the others.
If you want to stay somewhere luxurious, where you can be pampered and enjoy exquisite dining, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is your best bet.
If you want easiest access to the Magic Kingdom, you can’t beat the walking path from the Contemporary resort. It’s a wonderful family-friendly option.
If you want a tropical, relaxed feel with South Seas-inspired dining, the Polynesian is a great option for you!
Either way, you’re sure to enjoy your stay at Walt Disney World in one of these Deluxe resorts!
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