Many first time park visitors aren’t aware of how to get around Walt Disney World. In particular, many don’t realize that they simply cannot drive up and park at the Magic Kingdom (the most popular Walt Disney World park). Instead, you need to ride a Disney bus, or take a ferry or the Monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center. So what exactly is the Transportation and Ticket Center?
As an initial manner, I want to be clear that this article will focus on Monorail access to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT from the Transportation and Ticket Center. I understand that there are many transportation options for all of the theme parks. However, because this transportation method remains a major source of confusion, I feel that it deserves its own post.
Referred to as the TTC for short, the Transportation and Ticket Center is the hub for the Monorail. The Monorail only travels to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT theme parks. On its way to the Magic Kingdom it stops at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. If you are staying at one of those resorts, you can hop on the Monorail at the respective resort stop to get to the Magic Kingdom. But what if you aren’t staying at one of those resorts on the “Monorail Loop?” Here is how to use the monorail at Walt Disney World.
You drive to the Transportation and Ticket Center! Well, actually, you technically drive to the Magic Kingdom address, which will will lead you through it’s entrance gate, where you can park. (There is a parking fee for either Standard Parking (which is further away) or Preferred Parking. If you’re staying on Disney property, Standard Parking is included with your resort stay.) Once you park you walk through lots of concrete before ending up at the Transportation and Ticket Center.
There, you will go through security, and then select your mode of transportation based on your theme park destination—either the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT. You will notice lots of ticket booths that are likely going to be empty: this is where you can ostensibly purchase theme park tickets. Now that Disney requires Park Pass reservations, same day ticket purchases aren’t an attractive option.
From the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Monorail stops at two resorts—Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa—before arriving at the Magic Kingdom. At the end of your theme park day, you simply head back to the Monorail station outside the Magic Kingdom and return to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where you can find your car or ride share option.
Note that you do not need to go to the Transportation and Ticket Center to get to EPCOT. You can drive to EPCOT and park in its lot and walk directly to that park. The ability to travel from the Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT is helpful for guests that are (1) staying at a resort on the Monorail Loop, (2) park hopping from the Magic Kingdom to EPCOT, (3) dining at a resort on the Monorail Loop before returning to EPCOT, or (4) park hopping from EPCOT to the Magic Kingdom.
Transfers. Note the Monorail lines service either the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT but not both. At the Ticket and Transporation Center you can select either park as your destination and not worry about transferring between Monorail lines. If you’re traveling from the Magic Kingdom or one of the resorts on the Monorail Loop to EPCOT, you will need to get off the Monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center and board the Monorail heading to EPCOT. If you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom from EPCOT, you will need to do the opposite, and get off the Monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center and board the Monorail heading to the Magic Kingdom.
Other Transportation Options. Note also that there is an option to take a ferry from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom, too; check out my guide to traveling by ferry, water taxi, and friendship launch boats at Walt Disney World. Also note that Disney buses, which are complimentary for Disney resort guests, can take you from resorts directly to the Magic Kingdom. I will cover Disney buses in another post.
(Although you cannot use it to get to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Skyliner is an effective mode of transportation. Check out my guide to using the Disney Skyliner to travel around Walt Disney World.)
Any questions about the TTC? Do you think the Monorail should service other Walt Disney World theme parks? Let me know!