There are many things that one must do on a Walt Disney World vacation — ride Space Mountain, take a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle, eat a Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bar, etc. But one important must-do on a Disney trip is, of course, the iconic monorail.
Now, for some, that itch can be scratched with the traditional visit to the Magic Kingdom. They might park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, board the express monorail, and begin their day at the Magic Kingdom park. For others, though, the monorail is about far more than just simple transportation to the park.
Famously, the monorail connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort with the Magic Kingdom. Those resorts’ proximity to one another, and the ease of transportation along the monorail, has led them to be viewed as one giant entertainment center, with shops, restaurants, bars, and other fun things to check out.
A day spend exploring the monorail resorts is never a day wasted, and while the monorail bar crawl is one notable way to see these beautiful hotels, there are other must-do stops along the way. Here are six of the most essential stops and must-dos at the Walt Disney World monorail resorts.
The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra
Image: frankfranc, Flickr (license)
Located in the stunning main lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra performs nightly from its perch on the second floor. Loud enough to be heard throughout the lobby, but not so loud as to be disruptive to conversation, the orchestra provides one of the best vibes at Walt Disney World.
The luxe lobby features tons of small nooks and areas to sit, meaning you can enjoy the orchestra either as you’re just passing through or from a comfortable seat from which you can enjoy the entire set. Maybe you’re waiting for your table at Citrico’s or Victoria and Albert’s — don’t fret, the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra is there to help you pass the time.
Their musical selections are wide and varied, including everything from classic Disney tunes to jazz standards and showtunes. And, as an added treat, the orchestra varies the set list up for the holidays — including songs that are perfectly suited to Christmas, the Fourth of July, and so on.
And, perhaps greatest of all, you can enjoy the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra entirely free of charge — whether it’s your idea for entertainment all night or just one stop on your monorail bar crawl.
The Ferry Dock
Image: kungaloosh, Flickr (license)
The Grand Floridian is not wanting for incredible dining, and one such venue is Narcoossee’s — a modern seafood establishment with an incredible view of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Unfortunately, the views from Narcoossee’s are contained only to its own paying customers, but right next to it, guests can find the Grand Floridian’s ferry dock, providing a scenic view of the lake and convenient transportation to the Magic Kingdom.
Walk out to the end of the dock to truly appreciate how beautiful a setting Seven Seas Lagoon can be — and, if you’re visiting at off hours when it’s less crowded — grab a seat on the bench and watch the boats sail around the lagoon. It’s nearly as serene as Walt Disney World gets, and it provides a wonderful location to take some great photos of Walt Disney World’s natural beauty.
Bay View Gifts and the Grand Canyon Concourse
If you board the monorail at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and skip the Magic Kingdom, you’ll arrive at Disney’s Contemporary Resort — specifically, on the Grand Canyon Concourse. This area, featuring iconic mosaics from Disney master artist Mary Blair (perhaps best known as the principal inspiration for the aesthetic of It’s a Small World), is the heart of the resort and a towering tribute to the Walt Disney World of yore.
While the whole concourse is worth exploring, Bay View Gifts happens to be one of the best gift shops on property, offering up a best-of selection of Disney merchandise from other areas of the resort and some excellent Contemporary Resort-branded items.
But, its showpiece truly is the selection of baked goods offered — including some of Disney’s specialties, like cupcakes and oversized Mickey-shaped cookies. Other resorts offer these baked goods, yes, but only at the Contemporary Resort can you take them with you out onto the deck overlooking the Magic Kingdom and watch the rides spin away just beyond your reach.
The California Grill Bar
Image: frankfranc, Flickr (license)
While you’re at the Contemporary Resort, you might as well enjoy the single best-kept secret at Walt Disney World. This secret is so well-kept that, in fact, I had to debate including it here at all.
The California Grill restaurant, located high atop the Contemporary Resort, is a notoriously difficult reservation to get. Its stunning views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the surrounding Orlando area are nearly impossible to describe. And, a meal at the California Grill includes access to its exclusive sky-high observation deck for the nighttime fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, including the musical accompaniment.
For all of those reasons, it’s nearly impossible to score a table here. But, if you get there early enough, the restaurant does have some first-come, first-served seating at its bar and lounge area. Whether you want to enjoy a full meal or simply sample one of the best wine lists on Disney property, the bar at the California Grill is every bit as magnificent as the restaurant in which it resides … and you don’t have to get a reservation for it months in advance. It’s perfect for a stop on a monorail tour.
Kona Island
Image: chad_sparkes, Flickr (license)
At the exact other end of the spectrum, you have Kona Island — a small coffee bar located on the second floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, just to your left as you disembark the monorail. Don’t let its small size fool you, however — this venue features some of the best coffee on Disney property. Its special Kona blend combines rare Hawaiian Kona coffee with other similar beans to make a rich flavor profile even the snobbiest coffee fan in your party will enjoy. Or, if you want the real thing, you can also order 100% Kona coffee served in a French Press for two.
Plus, in the evening, Kona Island doubles as an ad-hoc sushi bar, offering a few entrees and sushi rolls for guests who want something more substantial than a quick-serve meal but more casual than a sit-down dinner.
Its location in the heart of the Polynesian Village Resort’s lobby also provides guests prime people-watching real estate — giving you an incredible spot to spend some time enjoying the most iconic Walt Disney World hotel.
Pineapple Lanai and Luau Cove Beach
Image: Dakota Gardner
If you visit Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you will almost certainly make a stop at the Pineapple Lanai — the hotel’s famed spot serving Disney’s famous Dole Whip treat. But, while the Pineapple Lanai is perfectly lovely, it doesn’t provide the best spot from which to enjoy the treat.
Those in the know will take their pineapple soft-serve on a road trip, walking past the Cap’n Cook’s quick-service restaurant and even further past Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (an absolutely essential stop, but you already know that). If you follow the path out past where the Polynesian hosts its Luau dinner show, you’ll arrive at a relatively empty beach located just next to the Grand Floridian’s wedding pavilion.
This beach is among the most serene and beautiful spots at Walt Disney World resort. It is nearly always empty, but its views of the Magic Kingdom and nearby resorts are absolutely amazing. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy your Dole Whip undisturbed — that is, unless you’ve happened to time your entire journey just right. In which case, this area of beach also happens to be one of the best spots to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from afar.
The monorail resorts are an amazing entertainment district all their own — and while these spots are all highlights on the trip, there are even more waiting for you to discover them. Take a half-day, hop over to the monorail, and get exploring. You’ll be glad you did.
