Disney Bus vs. Monorail: Which Is Faster to Magic Kingdom?
Updated regularly based on current transportation patterns
The monorail is iconic. The bus is practical. If you're near the monorail loop — staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian, or arriving from the parking lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center — you've probably wondered whether the monorail is actually faster or just more fun.
The answer depends on where you're starting, where you're going, and what the lines look like when you get there.
The Quick Answer
From a monorail resort to Magic Kingdom: Take the monorail. It's more direct, more reliable, and part of the experience.
From a non-monorail resort to Magic Kingdom: Take the bus. Adding a transfer to reach the monorail makes the trip longer, not shorter.
From TTC to Magic Kingdom: Check both the monorail Express line and the ferry line. Whichever is shorter wins.
Between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT: The monorail connection via TTC works, but it takes 25-35 minutes. The bus is roughly equivalent. Pick based on what's available when you're ready to leave.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Bus | Monorail |
|---|---|---|
| Gets to Magic Kingdom | Yes (via TTC) | Yes (direct from resorts or TTC) |
| Gets to EPCOT | Yes (main entrance) | Yes (main entrance, via TTC) |
| Gets to Hollywood Studios | Yes | No |
| Gets to Animal Kingdom | Yes | No |
| Available from all resorts | Yes | Only Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian |
| Typical wait | 10-25 minutes | 5-15 minutes (varies by line) |
| Wait predictability | Low | Medium — trains run on schedule |
| Weather dependent | No | Rarely (extreme weather only) |
| Ride experience | Utilitarian | Classic Disney attraction |
When to Choose the Bus
You're at a non-monorail resort
If you're staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, or any resort not on the monorail loop, the bus is your direct route to Magic Kingdom. You could theoretically bus to TTC and take the monorail, but you'd be adding a transfer to a trip that's already straightforward. The bus takes you directly to TTC, and from there you'll either take the monorail Express or the ferry into the park — but that last leg is the same no matter how you got to TTC.
You need Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom
The monorail doesn't go to these parks. Buses are the standard Disney transportation for both.
It's right after Magic Kingdom fireworks
The monorail Express line after fireworks can back up 20-35 minutes. Thousands of guests funnel toward the same station at the same time. The bus stops at TTC are nearby and sometimes faster — though they get crowded too.
The post-fireworks crush is the one time where every option feels slow. The real strategy is to either leave before the show ends or wait 30 minutes in the park for crowds to thin.
You want simplicity over experience
The bus is one step: board at your resort, arrive at TTC (for Magic Kingdom) or directly at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom. The monorail requires knowing which line to take, which platform to find, and sometimes transferring at TTC. If navigating a multi-line system sounds stressful, the bus removes that decision entirely.
When to Choose the Monorail
You're at a monorail resort going to Magic Kingdom
This is the monorail's home turf. From the Contemporary, Polynesian, or Grand Floridian, the Resort monorail line takes you directly to Magic Kingdom with no transfers and no guessing. The train arrives every 8-12 minutes, it's air-conditioned, and the ride itself is enjoyable.
The bus from these resorts also goes to Magic Kingdom, but it drops you at TTC — meaning you'd still need the monorail or ferry to reach the park entrance. Taking the bus from a monorail resort to Magic Kingdom actually adds a step rather than removing one.
You want the experience
For many families, the monorail ride is part of the Magic Kingdom experience. The approach over Seven Seas Lagoon, the "now approaching" announcements, the view of Cinderella Castle growing larger — it's a moment, not just transportation. If you're visiting for the first or second time, take the monorail at least once.
You're connecting Magic Kingdom to EPCOT
The monorail is one of two ways to move between Magic Kingdom and EPCOT without a car. You ride from Magic Kingdom to TTC, then transfer to the EPCOT monorail line.
Total time: about 25-35 minutes, including the walk between platforms at TTC.
The bus between parks is roughly similar in total time. The monorail is more scenic; the bus is simpler. Both options take long enough that it's worth considering whether you really want to park-hop between these two, or whether you could restructure your day to avoid the transit time entirely.
It's midday and lines are short
During the middle of the day — roughly 11 AM to 5 PM — the monorail Express line at TTC usually has minimal waits. If you're at TTC for any reason during these hours, the monorail is quick, easy, and comfortable. No need to default to the bus.
You're resort-hopping
Want to have dinner at 'Ohana at the Polynesian, drinks at Enchanted Rose at the Grand Floridian, or watch fireworks from the beach? The Resort monorail line connects all three properties in a continuous loop. No park ticket required, and it's a pleasant way to spend an evening.
The TTC Factor
Understanding the Transportation and Ticket Center is key to this comparison.
TTC is where day guests park for Magic Kingdom. It's also where all three monorail lines converge, and where buses from most resorts arrive. From TTC, you still need to take either the monorail Express or the ferry to reach Magic Kingdom's entrance.
If you're arriving at TTC by bus (from a non-monorail resort), you'll face a choice:
- Monorail Express line (~5 min ride, variable wait)
- Ferry (~7 min ride, variable wait)
Look at both lines before committing. The ferry holds more people, so a long-looking ferry line often clears faster than a shorter-looking monorail line. The worst outcome is committing to a 25-minute monorail wait when the ferry was boarding right then — but you won't know until you walk over and check.
If you're at a monorail resort, you skip TTC entirely. The Resort line takes you straight to Magic Kingdom. This is the monorail's biggest advantage over the bus for these three resorts.
Morning Rope Drop Comparison
Rope drop is when this comparison matters most. You're trying to be at Magic Kingdom's entrance before the park opens, and every minute counts.
From monorail resorts: The Resort monorail starts running about 60 minutes before park opening. Lines build quickly but move steadily. Most guests from these resorts should take the monorail — it's direct and avoids TTC entirely.
From TTC (if you drove or bussed in): The Express monorail line can hit 20+ minutes before park opening. The ferry runs simultaneously. Check both. During the highest-demand mornings, Disney sometimes runs the monorail at maximum frequency, and lines move faster than they look. But "sometimes" isn't a guarantee.
From non-monorail resorts: The bus drops you at TTC, and then you face the Express/ferry decision above. There's no way to skip this last step. Leave your resort early enough to account for the two-leg journey.
End of Night Comparison
After fireworks and late park hours, the monorail gets crushed at Magic Kingdom.
For monorail resort guests: You can take the Resort monorail home, but the line will be significant right after fireworks. Alternative: walk. The Contemporary is 10-15 minutes on foot from Magic Kingdom. Grand Floridian is 10-15 minutes. Polynesian is 15-20 minutes (or you can walk to TTC in about 10 minutes). On pleasant evenings, walking is genuinely faster and more relaxing than the monorail line.
For everyone else: You need to get to TTC first (monorail or ferry), then find your bus. It's a multi-step process no matter what. Leaving 15-20 minutes before fireworks end, or waiting 30 minutes after, makes every option significantly better.
Late-night transportation is the one scenario where the "best" option is almost always the one with the shortest current line — not the one that's theoretically fastest.
The Verdict
If you're staying at a monorail resort, the monorail is your default for Magic Kingdom. It's direct, it's reliable, and it's an experience worth having. The bus only makes sense if the monorail line is unusually long or you're headed somewhere the monorail doesn't go.
If you're at any other resort, the bus is simpler. You can work the monorail into your day — riding from TTC to Magic Kingdom is part of the fun for many guests — but it's not a transportation shortcut. It's an experience choice.
The decision between monorail and bus often comes down to this: do you want the fastest available option, or the most enjoyable one? On most days, the difference is only a few minutes. On the busiest days, it can be 20 minutes. Knowing which kind of day you're having is the hard part.
For help figuring out which option makes sense based on where you are right now, see how the app compares your routes.