The monorail at Disneyland Resort is a great form of transportation included with your park ticket and an early morning perk to skip lines. It’s another option for transportation into the parks. Plus it’s a great way to see the parks from above. Or if you need a break from the crowds it’s a nice ride to Downtown Disney and back.
Here’s an early morning arrival tip!
The monorail opens when the park opens. So if the park opens at 8 am and you arrive after park opening you could hop on the monorail and bypass all the people waiting in line at the front gates to get in! You get on the monorail in Downtown Disney near the Lego store. So it’s perfect if you park at the Mickey and Friends parking structure. You enter the monorail station and scan your park ticket. Now you ride the monorail into Disneyland and it drops you off right at the Finding Nemo ride. You’re in a great spot to hit up the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Autopia etc.
Starting next month with the addition of Early Entry for Disneyland Resort hotels we will see if they bring back the Monorail perk. I will be there on the first day Early Entry starts and share how it will work. For all the perks and benefits of staying on property read here.
Monorail tips and information …
The monorail has two stops one in Downtown Disney near the LEGO store and the other at the Finding Nemo ride inside the parks.
The monorail takes you on a scenic ride through both parks. You can get off at either stop or just stay on for the full loop. You have great aerial views of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland in Disneyland plus views of Buena Vista Street inside Disney California Adventure. It gives you a great visual perspective as well as a fun ride!
The hours of operation change depending on the park hours. Sometime during the hottest part of the day in the summer it doesn’t operate. So be sure to use the Disneyland app to check if it’s in operation.
Also you can use the Monorail at the end of your day. Note the Monorail closes hours before the park does, so check the time in the app. Hop on the monorail at the Finding Nemo attraction and it will take you back to Downtown Disney. Then take a short walk back to the Mickey and Friends parking structure if that’s the direction you’re headed. Or use it to take a ride to Downtown Disney for dinner!
And if you’re in the parks on a crowded day and you need a break. I would suggest hopping on the monorail and taking the full ride around the parks. The views are fantastic and it’s a nice rest for your feet.
NOTE: On excessively hot days the monorail will shut down at times due to the heat. It just depends on the park operations department so check the app as seen below under attractions.
For those traveling with a stroller you must fold your stroller before you get on the Monorail. 
Pro Tip: Ask the cast member if you can ride in the front for a great view! This opportunity has not returned since the parks reopened. But you can always ask!
Hope these tips will help you on your next visit. If you are visiting Disneyland for the first time read more here.
And read these post about… arrival tips, rope drop strategies, how Disney Genie+ works, mobile ordering and entertainment.
