Walt Disney World Transportation – More than Just a Way to Travel

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Lisa

We once rented a car for our Walt Disney World vacation – once being the important word here. I’m not counting the time we rented a car for one day so we could run errands and visit Downtown Disney the day before our Disney Cruise departure. I’m talking about driving to Disney World from the airport and driving from the resort to the parks, restaurants, and so on. Epic mistake! Disney transportation is wonderful, convenient and way more than just a mode of travel from points A to B. In my usual way, I give you…

FIVE great things about Walt Disney World Transportation:

No need to know how to get where you’re going (or remember where you parked) – Once we enter the Disney Bubble, maximizing the magic of the Disney vacation experience is a must. If we had our own car, every time we got in it, I would feel like I was at home! NO WAY! That would interfere terribly with shutting out the rest of the world for the duration of our vacation. If we had a rental car, we would have to know how to navigate the roads, streets, and avenues of Disney property – we might also (GASP) be tempted to visit Orlando attractions outside the World of Disney – thus diminishing the power of the Bubble.

Cool and comfortable – Think about this: You’re visiting the World at the peak of the summer. You want to leave a park and go back to your resort hotel for a rest – the inside of your vehicle will be roughly the same temperature as the surface of the sun. Seatbelts, car seats, steering wheel – all burning hot. By the time you get way out into the parking lot, find the car and cool it off, you’d already be on your way (if not arriving at your destination) in the comfortable, refreshing coolness of a Disney bus (or monorail, or boat).

As a form of entertainment – The people-watching opportunities are excellent! You can see a wide variety of #DisneySide displays in the form of hats, clothing, shoes, even nail polish. You can check out other travelers’ pin collections and sometimes souvenirs. On a crowded bus, you can teach your children courtesy and good manners – offer a seat to others who may not be able to stand for the duration of the trip. Also, just riding the monorail to take a look around or relaxing on a scenic trip aboard the boats that cross Bay Lake can be wonderfully entertaining journeys. Board a boat (Blue Flag Launch) at the Contemporary boat dock and just stay seated when it stops at the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness – or get off and explore, then catch the boat back to where you started. Ferry boats will take you from the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center and there are boat from many resorts to Downtown Disney.

Included in the price of your stay – You are already paying for it, why not use it? I’m not picking on control freaks, but as our friend Elsa would say, “Let it go!”. Put yourself in the capable hands of the Disney drivers and let yourself experience Disney’s world class hospitality. Save the control for when you get back into the real world and just be a kid again on vacation.

Wine and Dine – Enjoy some wine with dinner, make the loop on the monorail pub crawl, enjoy tasting the exotic adult beverages along the World Showcase – I’m not saying you should overindulge, I’m just pointing out how convenient it is that Disney provides a designated driver for you. So, when dessert has been ordered and the nice Italian server you have at Tutto Italia says, “You look like a limoncello fan to me” – feel free to say, “Yes, indeed!”

Complete, official deets on Disney transportation can be found here.

What do you like most about Disney Transportation?

Walt Disney World’s Monorail – Five Great Things

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Lisa

Stated simply, I love the monorail. I’m pretty sure it’s a family thing, too, since we ALL love the monorail, and the resorts, restaurants, and shops on the monorail loop! We have stayed at all three resorts on the loop (The Contemporary, The Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian) and became DVC members at the earliest possible time once Bay Lake Tower was complete. Yes, we can walk to the Magic Kingdom from our DVC “home”, but let’s be honest – it’s the MONORAIL that drew us in.

If you’ve ridden the monorail EVER, then I’m sure you love it too! I’m sharing today the FIVE things I love most about this most unique, special, fantastic, dare I say magical mode of transportation in the whole wide World! Please don’t hesitate to comment with what YOU love most about Disney’s “Highway in the sky”.

1. The VOICE – and I’m not as picky as some. I do love the late Jack Wagner’s “Please Stand Clear of the Doors. Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.” – the original voice of the monorail system and still the voice that says that particular line. I’ve loved ALL the voices! Joe Hursh, voice of the monorail from 2004 to 2012 is probably the one I like the best – because I have incredibly happy vacation memories from those years! In 2012, voice actor Tom Kane (Star Wars, The Clone Wars) took over…taking a bunch of flack from die-hard monorail fans for being too bland in his delivery. The first time Joseph looked me in the eye (around age 9) and deadpan, perfectly lip-synced “Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas” was one of the most memorable, happiest moments of my life as a parent!

2. The SMELL – call me weird, but the monorail has a unique smell and I love it! Maybe it’s the air conditioner – for sure, on a hot day, the monorail is a cool and relaxing oasis – nearly a destination on its own – the fact that it takes you places while you’re listening to #1 and riding in cool, shaded comfort is just a great bonus!

3. The WRAPS – if you missed “Tronorail” or “Avengerail” I’m so sorry! The outside of the monorail occasionally gets a totally fabulous new groove. There have also been wraps for Iron Man 3 and Monsters University. Inside and out, the monorail often adopts an alter-ego based on Disney’s latest cinematographic endeavors. It’s just the coolest thing EVER. Anybody remember when Stich was inside the monorail with you? Ah, good times.

4. The EATS – No, the monorail hasn’t started serving snacks, but it can take you to some of the very best, most exciting (and delicious) restaurants on Disney property. Take ‘Ohana for example – this resort-loop favorite has been, for a long time, one of the hardest places to get into for a meal. Or, how about Chef Mickey’s? I’ve waxed poetic a time or two about the wonders of eating with the Fab Five. Soon, I’m going to post another “Unfair and Unbalanced” review of the resort loop eateries, so stand by for more on that topic.

5. The CONVENIENCE – even if you are not staying at a resort hotel on the monorail loop, you can’t beat the ease of jumping on the monorail at the Magic Kingdom, making a quick switch at the TCC (Ticket and Transportation Center) and…presto! Arriving at Epcot! If you haven’t had the pleasure of riding the monorail into the station at Epcot, you’ve been missing out! Also, if you ever want to see some truly exceptional Christmas decorations – jump on the monorail at the Magic Kingdom, hop off at each resort for a look-see, and end up back at the Magic Kingdom. Grownups can do the very same thing for happy hour – hop off at each resort for a snack and a beverage!

One time, six of us were anxiously awaiting the monorail to whisk us off to our ADR at ‘Ohana and we could see it in the distance (Magic Kingdom station) – inching, literally, barely moving forward. As our ride drew slowly closer we could see what the problem was…not a mechanical malfunction as we would have expected, but a squirrel on the rail! And that squirrel was running for his life – straight towards all the spectators on the platform now watching the drama unfold with rapt attention. Surely, that squirrel would jump off the track and head for safer ground….but NO! He kept on running towards us – the HUGE crowd waiting for a ride – and holding our collective breath in anticipation of what fate the squirrel might face. As it ran ever closer, the poor thing began stopping every few feet to rest – and we all just quietly looked on! The air fairly crackling with anticipation. Finally, AT THE STATION – the poor squirrel leaped for safety and the crowd sighed in relief before, as one, everyone began to cheer! With that uproar, the monorail came to a stop and shortly, we were off – to enjoy our evening.