Use This Tip When You Find a Long Line for the Monorail at Disney's Grand Floridian

Disney’s Grand Floridian is a destination within itself. However, there are times when guests tend to flock to the resort. For instance, more guests than average visit during Christmas and Easter to see the seasonal displays. Often, these types of events mean longer lines for the monorail. By longer lines, I’m referring to when you find a fully roped queue on the platform and a line that extends inside, down the hall of the second-floor lobby.

Another time to be aware of is if you’re visiting between August through December. During these months, the Magic Kingdom closes at around 6:00 p.m. on select nights for seasonal events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We try our best to entirely avoid the resort monorail on these evenings between 5:30 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. With Magic Kingdom closing early, many guests will be leaving the parks via the express and resort monorail. Since the monorail is so full, things tend to get backed up. These are the evenings you’ll encounter the longest lines.

Thankfully, if the weather is cooperative, you can avoid the long line and enjoy a far more pleasant way to travel from the resort. I’m talking about a boat ride. It’s one of the most relaxing routes around Disney World. All you need to do is exit at the lobby’s back entrance near the Grand Floridian Cafe. You can then take the walkway around either side of the Courtyard Pool directly to the boat dock.

an outdoor walking path that leads through the Grand Floridian

You’ll pass Conch Key on your left just before you get to the boat dock. At this point, you’ll be able to see the water ahead.

Conch Key building at the Grand Floridian

A sign indicates that you’re on the right path.

a sign that reads Boat Launch to Magic Kingdom with an arrow directional

Narcoossee’s, one of the resort’s three signature restaurants, sits on the right.

Here is the path looking back to the resort.

a look back to the resort from the boat dock at Grand Floridian

A line for the boat service forms down the dock. The smaller boats that service this dock seat an average of 30 guests. (Note the smaller boats do not accommodate ECVS. Guests in wheelchairs and those with strollers will need to collapse them before boarding the boat. These boats require a step down to board.)

the boat dock on the water with a deck and loading area at the end

At the edge of the dock, you can see across the water to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Contemporary. The boat service that picks you up will be traveling from Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian. We have a separate overview of what the return boat service from Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian looks like from that end.

a view of Magic Kingdom and Disney's Contemporary in the distance from the Grand Floridian's boat dock

When you board the boat, you’ll head directly next door to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. There, you’ll make a short stop to load and unload guests. Then, you’ll be on your way to Magic Kingdom.

It’s a beautiful ride, and it sure beats being packed inside the monorail.

a view of the Grand Floridian when exiting the boat dock

As far as travel time, the boat takes a little longer. However, if the line for the monorail is exceptionally long, the boat is by far the better way to travel.

the bat dock has a small covered area with a red roof and bench

Here are a few views of the Grand Floridian from the water as we pull away from the dock.

how the resort sits with rooms facing the water

a wide angle view of the Grand Floridian on the lagoon

Final Thoughts

This travel tip may or may not save you a little time. But the real tip is being aware of and enjoying the beautiful (complimentary) boat ride across Seven Seas Lagoon. For more on Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, you might enjoy the following:

Or you might enjoy our Complete Guide to Boat Services at Disney World. For more on getting around Disney, see our Disney World Transportation Guide.