Help me use the monorail!!!!

[MyZoeJane]

Okay, so I booked an early dinner at Chef Mickey's during our next trip and we'll be going there from Magic Kingdom. Where do I go in Magic Kingdom to catch the monorail? How long should I expect it to take to get from MK to The Contemporary? I have a 5pm reservation.

TIA!

 

[abca]

The monorail station is outside of the Magic Kingdom. Exit the park and go to the right. You want to catch the monorail going to the resorts (hotels), not the one going to the Transportation Center. There is usually a cast member standing by the entrance rope to the resort monorail, just tell him/her that you have dinner reservations and you will be let through. Chef Mickey's is at the Contemporary and will be your first stop. Have fun!

 

[MyZoeJane]

The monorail station is outside of the Magic Kingdom. Exit the park and go to the right. You want to catch the monorail going to the resorts (hotels), not the one going to the Transportation Center. There is usually a cast member standing by the entrance rope to the resort monorail, just tell him/her that you have dinner reservations and you will be let through. Chef Mickey's is at the Contemporary and will be your first stop. Have fun!

Thanks! I was unsure if I could catch it from inside the park or not... Since it's the first stop, I ought to be able to allow 30 minutes to make it to my reservation, huh?

 

[rlovew]

It should take more than 15 minutes at that time of day, but you should be at your ADR 10 minutes ahead of time. If you plan to leave the park by 4:30 you will have plenty of time, it should really only take 10 minutes at the most. Once you get to the CR you just have to go down a floor to the restraunt.

 

[Robo]

Since it's the first stop, I ought to be able to allow 30 minutes to make it to my reservation, huh?

That's a good plan.

You should arrive at an ADR about 10-15 minutes early, and leaving 30 minutes early will get you there about right, even if you must wait for the resort monorail to arrive at MK.

They run very frequently (about 5 minutes apart) but sometimes you "just miss" getting on one and have to wait for the next one.

 

[jamal]

It's also a quick pretty walk to the Contemporary from MK, especially if monorail looks crowded! We did this every time we went back and forth last year!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

We were thinking of walking to the CR for our Chef Mickey's ADR. How long of a walk is it and are their trails marked with arrows to the Contemporary? Basically, how will I know where to go? Thanks!!

 

[Robo]

We were thinking of walking to the CR for our Chef Mickey's ADR. How long of a walk is it and are their trails marked with arrows to the Contemporary? Basically, how will I know where to go? Thanks!!

Not exactly a "trail".

You walk along a sidewalk that's between the front fence of MK and the "resort bus" loading area.
(You walk along with the monorail tracks above you as you go).

There are signs, and/or you can ask any CM in the exit area.
Once you're on the sidewalk, stay on it. You'll have no problem heading to the CR (its that big "pointy thing".)

Depending on your pace, it can take 8-15 minutes to make the walk (MK exit to CR lobby, "side" entrance).
Its not a very "glamorus" (or magical) walk (the opposite, actually) and you must cross a pretty busy street (there's a light)... and walk past the guest parking for Contemp. (in the Summer, its HOT out there) and then make your way up to the floor with Chef Mickey's on it (4th floor as I recall).

The monorail is really much more convenient, certainly "cooler" (in both temperature and "wow-factor') and, unless you're trying to board the resort monorail at a very busy time (near closing, for instance), its actually faster.
The monorail unloads on a raised platform that exits on the same floor and very near Chef Mickey's (you can see down into the restaurant from the monorail platform).

The real "convenience" (if there is one) to walking between CR and MK is when you are COMING BACK to MK.
The monorail "loop" takes quite awhile to make it back to MK, (it would be the 4th stop after departing CR) so it might be a few minutes faster (if speed is an issue) to walk to MK from CR..

 

[AJKMOM]

It is a very short walk to the Contemporary. Exit the Magic Kingdom, walk toward the left past all the bus stops, and keep going. You really can't miss it on the right after you cross the road that the resort busses use to drop off visitors.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I suggest you leave at least 30 minutes if you are taking the monorail. Sometimes the monorail has operating problems which will slow you down.
The walk from the MK entrance to the Contemporary is 7 minutes.....10 minutes if you walk really slowly. Just turn left as you exit the MK and keep walking. Impossible to miss the CR as it will be in front of you as you walk.
Note that the bus station for the Contemporary comes up before you reach the main entrance. If you want to go to another park just take a bus from there as there are no buses from the MK to the other parks.