Trains and Train Attractions at Disney World

[Leight19]

I have a 3 year old son who loves everything there is to do with trains. We have an upcoming trip scheduled for mid January 2021. I know there is pretty strong influence of trains in Disney history and have heard of train exhibits/rides in some locations but it wasn’t something I’ve looked into on previous trips. To help plan, I thought would be nice to reach out here and see if anyone had any suggestions for attractions/exhibits with train theming to check out when we visit. We will have future trips as well so please feel free to highlight and note things which aren’t open if worth checking out in future. Thank you for your help and discussion.

 

[yulilin3]

Unfortunately the WDW railroad is not operating now. You can't even go up to the train station at MK.
The other would be the mini train village at Germany in epcot
You can take a train oi Rafiki's planet watch at AK
Both BTMR and EE are themed as trains but not sure on height requirements for your kid
And there's a kid train ride at DS that you have to pay extra

 

[Leight19]

Unfortunately the WDW railroad is not operating now. You can't even go up to the train station at MK.
The other would be the mini train village at Germany in epcot
You can take a train oi Rafiki's planet watch at AK
Both BTMR and EE are themed as trains but not sure on height requirements for your kid
And there's a kid train ride at DS that you have to pay extra

Thank you for the quick response this is very informative. Our son is right around 40 inches so we think he may make cut off for those but will be cutting it close.

 

[Carol_]

Everything else @yulilin3 said, and
Seven Dwarves Mine Train in Magic Kingdom
Rafiki’s in Animal Kingdom. (I know she said it but it’s a real train, so... just don’t let it eat up your whole day as social distancing means getting back on it in the afternoon can take up an hour waiting in line.)
Barnstormer in Magic Kingdom. Not a train but close and awesome nonetheless.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios.
My kid is 40 inches and rode BTMR. Liked it but not as much as Splash mountain.
The Skyliner. Also not a train but a great ride with wow factor for a 40 inch 3 year old.
In the Future:
The WDW railroad is great and I simply can’t wait for it to come back.

Also, at Wilderness Lodge’s Boulder Ridge, there’s a quiet lobby themed to trains that’s cool if you’re waiting in the area for some reason.

 

[yulilin3]

Everything else @yulilin3 said, and
Seven Dwarves Mine Train in Magic Kingdom
Rafiki’s in Animal Kingdom. (I know she said it but it’s a real train, so... just don’t let it eat up your whole day as social distancing means getting back on it in the afternoon can take up an hour waiting in line.)
Barnstormer in Magic Kingdom. Not a train but close and awesome nonetheless.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios.
My kid is 40 inches and rode BTMR. Liked it but not as much as Splash mountain.
The Skyliner. Also not a train but a great ride with wow factor for a 40 inch 3 year old.
In the Future:
The WDW railroad is great and I simply can’t wait for it to come back.

Also, at Wilderness Lodge’s Boulder Ridge, there’s a quiet lobby themed to trains that’s cool if you’re waiting in the area for some reason.

Can't believe i forgot MMRR. There's also cute merch, train whistle and conductor's hat

 

[PollyannaMom]

Be sure to stop in the Christmas shop as well. When DS was little, we got him a Mickey train ornament as a souvenir of the trip.

 

[NH-to-FL]

When I last visited MK in March the train was parked at the Fantasyland station and you could walk right up to it. I was hosting first time visitors and they enjoyed at least seeing the train. Riding the train around the loop is one of our favorites at MK.

 

[WEDWDW]

Also, at Wilderness Lodge’s Boulder Ridge, there’s a quiet lobby themed to trains that’s cool if you’re waiting in the area for some reason.

That is the Carolwood Pacific Train Room and features 2 of the original pieces from Walt Disney's famous "backyard Train"!

One of the largest Hidden Gems in all of WDW!

 

[Carol_]

Oh! And never forget the Monorail! The coolest futuristic train ever.

(And if you’re flying in to MCO, walk all the way to the front of the ATM, so he can ‘drive’ to the other side of the airport.)

 

[yulilin3]

When I last visited MK in March the train was parked at the Fantasyland station and you could walk right up to it. I was hosting first time visitors and they enjoyed at least seeing the train. Riding the train around the loop is one of our favorites at MK.

The train is not at either station rn

 

[NH-to-FL]

The train is not at either station rn

That's too bad. It was nice to at least be able to see it.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

I have a 3 year old son who loves everything there is to do with trains. We have an upcoming trip scheduled for mid January 2021. I know there is pretty strong influence of trains in Disney history and have heard of train exhibits/rides in some locations but it wasn’t something I’ve looked into on previous trips. To help plan, I thought would be nice to reach out here and see if anyone had any suggestions for attractions/exhibits with train theming to check out when we visit. We will have future trips as well so please feel free to highlight and note things which aren’t open if worth checking out in future. Thank you for your help and discussion.

This is closed right now but:

https://www.centralfloridarailroadmodelers.com/#visit

 

[WorldOfPooh]

I would also suggest spending a day at Universal and get the park hopper Hogwarts Train
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-attractions/hogwarts-express

Florida Rail Road Museum
Near Tampa
http://www.frrm.org/

 

[Mome Rath]

I know this is a stretch, but sitting here thinking about other train-connected things; Journey into Imagination in EPCOT has a train "effect" in the sound section of the ride that stands out enough that I remembered it specifically. lol

ETA: Oh, and Casey Jr. Splash and Soak station in MK. I have no idea when it is actually active, but would make a neat picture.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

the peoplemover

 

[ChanaC]

Expedition Everest is technically a train themed coaster. It's probably too intense for a 3 year old, but there are plenty of places around the Asia section of Animal Kingdom where you can watch it go.

If your going to other parks in Orlando, SeaWorld has a tiny kid train ride in their Sesame Street section. I think Legoland has one or two as well.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

My son is also a train fan... I ordered these on magic your band ..

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Tampa:



https://www.hrtrains.com/

 

[hp_lovecraft]

My kids do miss riding in front of the monorail. Often the highlight of the day. And the steam train tour was run by train engineers back then. Now they use cast members. Still great, but not as able to answer technical questions.

Our trip earlier this year was a bit of a bummer- no MK train, no AK train, monorail broke most days. Though my kids were happy to ride the skyliner all afternoon! lol