monorail
  • On Dec 25, 2023
    Raymond from VA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We have breakfast reservations at steakhouse 71 at 9:10 am. Our plan is to park at the magic kingdom and ride the monorail to the contemporary. What time does parking open? Also, if you have any advice on what time we should arrive in the parking lot?

    Raymond,

    Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!

    Typically the parking lot for a theme park will open as much as 2 hours before a posted park opening time. But the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is where you would catch the monorail to soar around to your breakfast, won't open until closer to 1 hour before park opening. The week you are visiting, the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to open for Early Entry at 7:30 am, with the official park opening time at 8:00 am. So you are likely able to start parking around 6:00 am, and that can get you into the line for the monorail, which should start running between 6:30 to 7:00 am. 

    Now the week you are visiting is sure to be a busy time, as guests enjoy the thrill of the holiday decor and events. You will have to contend with two lines. The first is in your car, waiting to enter the parking lot. The second is at the Transportation and Ticket Center, waiting to catch a monorail. Normally the time it takes to get from a parked car to the Contemporary via the parking tram and the monorail is about 30 minutes, but I would expect that line for the monorail to be significant. While at other times of the year, I would recommend that arriving at the parking lot gates as late as 8:00 am would be more than early enough, this time I would suggest an arrival before 7:30 might be a good idea. That gives you time to navigate longer car lines getting into the lot, and lines to get on the monorail.

    Once you get on the monorail heading to Disney's Contemporary Resort for your amazing breakfast at Steakhouse 71, your goal will be in sight and should not be more than 15 minutes away. 

    BONUS TIP
    After your breakfast, if you plan to visit the Magic Kingdom, you might not know that there is a walkway from Disney's Contemporary Resort to the turnstiles of the Magic Kingdom. The walk is a mere 1/2 mile (3/4 km). That is about a 10-minute walk for most people. Along the way, you will encounter a security screening area, which enjoys significantly shorter lines than the main park entrance areas. 

    Please feel free to write us back at planDisney if you have any follow-up questions.

    Have a Magical Vacation!

    Doug
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Meet the Panelist: Doug, Indiana

I am one of the Dads on the planDisney Panel, and I love to help parents plan their vacation, with a focus on showing them how it can be fun for them too. I am also here to help Dads plan some nice surprises for the Moms in their life (they deserve it!). Learn More About Doug

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