How the Parking Trams Work at Disney World (For Each Park)

When it’s hot outside, you’re probably going to want to take the tram. For the record, it’s hot here most of the time. Parking trams service all four of the theme parks at Walt Disney World. Typically, you’ll find two to six trams servicing the parking lots, depending on which park you visit.

Since we visit Walt Disney World regularly, we often drive our car and park in one of the lots. Often, we’ll walk to the park out of habit. But most guests, especially first-time visitors, will want to take the tram. Additionally, if you’re traveling with a multi-generational group that includes elderly guests or small children, the tram is a lifesaver. Below, we’ll discuss what to expect and how to use the trams.

When you first arrive at a theme park, you’ll have to stop at the main gate to pay for parking. Select guests will have parking included. For example, we’re annual passholders, and parking is included with our admission. Also, parking is included if you’re staying at a Disney Resort Hotel. You’ll need to scan your MagicBand or ticket at the gate, and the cast member will allow you to continue. Of course, if you’re staying at a resort hotel, in most cases, it will be much simpler to take complimentary transportation to and from the parks. But some prefer to drive to the parks, which is also understandable.

After passing through the gates, you’ll follow along with other cars. Eventually, you’ll run into a parking lot cast member who will direct you to a row. Once you turn down that row, you’ll usually see four to five more cast members directing you to the next available parking space. You’ll park where directed, gather your belongings, and continue to the front of the row. (You don’t want to walk on the row behind your car because it’s usually still filling up.)

Two cars are parked per space, one on the front and the other behind. I always like to note whether I park in the front or back of the parking space. Then, when I reach the end of the row, I take a photo. You can also use the Car Locater in the My Disney Experience app. The most important thing is that you do something to remember your location. Below is a photo of the end of row Crush 204 at Epcot.

Once you get to the tram’s loading area, you’ll have to cross the road that runs through the parking lot. The only cars that would be coming through at this point are those who are continuing to the handicapped lot or paid for preferred parking. We have a separate guide that discusses how parking works at Disney World.

You can board the tram as long as it’s available and loading. Sometimes, you might have to wait for the next tram to arrive. They typically run every couple of minutes. So it shouldn’t take long. You can continue on the marked walking path to the park if you prefer. It will run adjacent to the tram’s route.

If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, you’ll also want to remember the parking lot. Magic Kingdom has two lots: heroes and villains. The lots are easily identifiable because they are named after Disney heroes and villains. For example, the heroes have the following names: Rapunzel, Mulan, Peter Pan, Simba, Aladdin, and Woody. The villain’s lot is named after Cruella, Ursula, Scar, Hook, Jafar, and Zurg.

While all the other parking trams drop you off at the park’s main entrance, the Magic Kingdom trams drop you off at the Transportation and Ticket Center. You’ll walk through security when the tram drops you off at the TTC. After that, you can board the monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom. You will remain in a secured area, so you don’t have to walk through security again to enter the park.

At the end of the day, when you return to the Transportation and Ticket Center, you’ll notice that separate tram picks up for heroes and villains. If you parked in the villain’s section, you’ll want to board the villain’s tram. They are clearly marked. (It’s also important to note that trams do not service the disability parking lots. If you park in preferred parking or a disability lot, you’ll have to walk to the entrance. However, they are pretty close.)

Once you board the tram from the theme park, you’ll want to listen for the bus driver to call your stop. The tram driver will alert guests and let them know not to exit until the tram comes to a complete stop. They will then remind you of the rows. If, for some reason, you don’t remember where you parked, you can ask a cast member for assistance. They keep a list of times when the rows were parked. So, if you have a ballpark idea of what time you got to the park, they should be able to get you pretty close.

Key Takeaway for Disney World’s Tram Service

Parking trams are available at:

• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Trams run approximately every 5-10 minutes. Each tram car has five rows, with the front row being a double row. Rows seat about five guests. The tram driver will remind you where you parked when you depart the parking area. During the ride, they will also share valuable information about the park’s operating hours for the day, times for the nightly fireworks, and how long the trams will run on that specific day. Those who listen to the spiel will likely benefit from the tips offered.

Accessibility: Strollers and wheelchairs must be folded or collapsed before boarding the tram. Trams are not accessible for guests who must remain in wheelchairs.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found this guide helpful in learning your way around Walt Disney World. We provide a good deal of information regarding transportation at Disney World. You might benefit from some of these other popular guides:

• Everything You Need to Know About the Disney Skyliner
• The Disney FriendShips Route and Guide
• Disney World’s Resort Bus Schedule Guide
• Tackling Transportation at the Disney Resorts

In the Comments

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