Using the monorail and train in DLR

[surfmontana]

On our first trip we did not use the monorail or the train (I really don’t even remember seeing them)

Any tips on situations that it is good to take advantage of the transportation? Are they pretty cool to ride just for fun or are they both mostly for transport?

We are staying at Grand Californian, plan on doing Fantasmic on a Sunday night

 

[figment_jii]

You could potentially use the monorail to get from DTD to Tomorrowland. It's a fun ride because the track does go through DL and DCA, so you can get glimpses into the park while riding. You do need to have a valid DL ticket to ride the monorail. The trains aren't very big, so I don't tend to think of it as the most efficient way to get from DTD to DL.

The train goes around the perimeter of DL. There are stations on Main Street, NOS, Toontown/Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. It takes about 30 minutes for a full circuit. There is the Grand Canyon/Dinosaur diorama between Tomorrowland and Main Street. I like to use it as both a transportation mode and as a chance to relax. You also need to have a valid DL ticket to ride the train because all of the stations are inside the park.

 

[DisneyBiskit]

If you are seeing the 2nd Fantasmic show you could hop on the train in New Orleans Sq. and get off in Tomorrowland and then hop on the Monorail to go to Downtown Disney to get into the GC. It might help in terms of not having to navigate the outgoing crowds on through the hub and Main Street, although, never having stayed there I dont know if this is a viable plan. Just a suggestion.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On our first trip we did not use the monorail or the train (I really don’t even remember seeing them)

Any tips on situations that it is good to take advantage of the transportation? Are they pretty cool to ride just for fun or are they both mostly for transport?

We are staying at Grand Californian, plan on doing Fantasmic on a Sunday night

Unlike WDW, the monorail is really a ride more than it is transportation. You can take the monorail from Downtown Disney into Tomorrowland, but that's it. Same with the train, just goes around the perimeter of Disneyland, stopping in New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland and Main Street.

We've sometimes taken the train from New Orleans Square to Main Street or Tomorrowland to New Orleans Square when we just didn't feel like walking all the way. My mom used to like to ride the train 2 or 3 times around at a stretch sometimes.

 

[tarheelalum]

The train is fun to ride regardless if your using it to go somewhere or just because you want to ride the train! The monorail is pretty hot when its warm outside. Its like a microwave on a hot day.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Don't try to take the monorail in if your EMH is for Disneyland, walk to the gate instead. We found it advantageous to walk to the gate for DCA EMH as well as the entry line at GCH was wrapped around the building. At night our sore feet preferred to wait for the monorail instead of fighting the Main Street and downtown Disney crowds.

As for the train our party utilized it all the time for getting around the park because we needed frequent rests and a place to sit. If you're a park trooper you probably won't find it the most efficient way of getting places as the park is so small. (Unless it's in station just about to depart Main Street for New Orleans and that's where you're headed, that's a case where it's quicker than walking.) But I encourage at least one round the kingdom tour as it's an attraction in itself with narration included (it even goes through Splash Mountain).

 

[surfmontana]

Thanks for the replies!

I think we will give the train a go. We have been on other monorails and I am not a fan of hot anything, so we'll have to see on that one.

 

[bayoulife4me]

I'd give the Monorail another chance, though it could be either a long wait or no wait at all. In fact, if there's no wait, ask for an opportunity to sit in the front section with the ride operator. It's one of those little experiences that make Disneyland fun.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I have a son who is a huge fan of anything that runs on a track. We always ride the Monorail loop at least once, from Tomorrowland and back. Riding the train is a great way to rest our feet, and DS gets his rail fix. Sometimes DH and younger DS will hop off to hit rides that older DS doesn't like. I'll stay on the train with him for another loop and we'll all meet up later.

 

[Tyggress]

I think both have their benefits...

DH and I were there this past Friday evening. We ate dinner at House of Blues in DTD, then hopped the monorail to get into the park. Later in the evening, we hopped from DCA to DL and wanted to ride HM, so we grabbed the train at Main Street and rode it to NOS, as it disembarks literally right next to the HM ride...and we were able to avoid the crowds coming and going through Adventureland/Frontierland between Fantasmic! performances. So, definitely a good way to get around the parks quicker, if needed.


Also, the DLRR has the Dinosaur diorama, as PP mentioned, which can only be seen by riding the train between Tomrrowland and Main Street.