All Aboard Walt Disney’s Railroad: A Journey Through the Heart of Magic Kingdom
Imagine the gentle chug of a steam engine as you step onto the platform, the whistle blows, and you’re whisked away on a grand circle tour around Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney’s Railroad isn’t just a mode of transportation; it’s a passage through time and imagination, circling the entire park and offering guests a unique perspective on the magic below. The railroad, with its meticulously restored vintage locomotives, travels through Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Fantasyland, providing a scenic overview of the park’s vast landscape.
📍 Magic Kingdom | Main Street U.S.A.
📍 Magic Kingdom | Frontierland
Riding the WDW Railroad
Walt Disney and His Love for Trains
Walt’s fascination with trains began in his childhood and persisted throughout his life. His own backyard, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, was a testament to his passion for railroading. This love laid the groundwork for the railroads in his theme parks, embodying his belief that trains could transport guests not just physically but emotionally, into a world of imagination and wonder.
The Walt Disney World Railroad
Walt Disney’s Railroad isn’t just a means of getting around; it’s a heartbeat that brings life to the entire Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This steam-powered voyage offers guests a unique blend of relaxation, sightseeing, and immersion into the storytelling magic that Disney is famed for. Circling the park, the railroad provides a picturesque overview of the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World Railroad has 3 stations located around the Magic Kingdom, on Main Street U.S.A., in Frontierland, and in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland. The railroad makes a 1.5-mile clockwise circle around the perimeter of the park, which takes around 20 minutes to complete. Guests can board and get off at all of the stations.
Standard seating on the train cars are front facing bench seats. Each bench seat can hold up to 5 passengers. Wheelchair roll-on service is available. Trains depart every 4 to 7 minutes depending on if 2 or 3 trains are running.
While riding the train from Main Street, you will see the foliage along the perimeter of Adventureland, go through 2 tunnels, 1 alongside Pirates of the Caribbean, and the other through Splash Mountain/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and then arrive at the Frontierland Station. From Frontierland you will pass Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then round the back side of the park. Along the way you’ll pass a Indian village complete with non-moving animal and human figures. The next milestone will be passing under the large bridge that connects the back of the magic Kingdom with a huge backstage area. Shortly thereafter you will arrive at the Fantasyland Station. From Fantasyland Station you will enter a tunnel under the walkway to TRON Lightcycle / Run, pass by Space Mountain, and then see the Contemporary Resort off to your left before arriving at the Main Street U.AS.A. Station.
Walt Disney World Railroad Stations
Here are the Walt Disney World Railroad Stations in the order (clockwise) around the Magic Kingdom.
Main Street U.S.A. Station
Main Street, U.S.A. Station: This is where the magic begins. Perched at the entrance of Magic Kingdom, the Main Street station is a nod to turn-of-the-century American train depots. Its location offers a panoramic view of the park’s entrance and Cinderella Castle in the distance, setting the stage for a day full of adventure. As you step onto the platform of the Main Street station, you’re transported to an era of nostalgia and charm, reminiscent of America at the turn of the century. This station is filled with intricate Victorian details.
The Main Street Station is the original single opening day station; at that time your trip on the railroad was a round-trip around the whole park.
Frontierland Station
Frontierland Station: Nestled in the heart of the wild west, the Frontierland station embodies the rustic charm of the pioneering days. It’s a gateway to thrilling attractions and serves as a reminder of the American spirit that inspired Walt Disney’s visions of a frontier-themed land.
The Frontierland Station opened in May of 1972, 7 months after opening day. This original Frontierland Station was demolished to make way for the new Splash Mountain ride and was replaced by the current Frontierland Station, which opened in December 1991 between the Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Fantasyland Station
Fantasyland Station: The newest addition to the railroad’s route, the Fantasyland station, is whimsically designed to blend seamlessly with the fairy-tale ambiance of its surroundings. It’s a stone’s throw away from the enchanting attractions that define Disney’s storytelling legacy.
This station, opened in June of 1988 was originally built for Mickey’s Birthdayland, which has become the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland. In mid 2004, Mickey’s Toontown Fair Station was demolished and completely rebuilt. It was again demolished, rebuilt, and opened as the Fantasyland Station in March of 2012.
Walt Disney World Railroad History
Construction of Walt Disney World Railroad: The creation of Walt Disney World’s Railroad was fueled by Walt Disney’s lifelong love affair with trains. From laying tracks around his Hollywood home to conceptualizing a steam-powered railway encircling his theme parks, trains were an integral part of Walt’s dream. Admiral Joe Fowler, a key figure in the construction of Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, oversaw the ambitious project, ensuring the railroad became a cornerstone of the Disney park experience.
Construction of the Walt Disney World Railroad was overseen by Roger E. Broggie, who had previously supervised the building of the Disneyland Railroad in Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The 2 train engines at Disneyland were built from scratch, which was a very big undertaking. For Disney World, Broggie determined that it would be easier and cheaper to use existing steam locomotives.
Four locomotives that had been built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia were located in Mexico and were purchased from their owner, the Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatán, a railroad company in Mexico, and shipped to Tampa. In Tampa, the locomotives were refurbished, and then they made their way to Disney World.
Train Names and Histories: Each of the four locomotives boasts its own story, tracing back to their origins in the early 1900s. Each locomotive is named after a Disney legend.
- #1 Walter E. Disney, named after Walt himself – Red with red cab and red passenger cars
- #2 Lilly Belle, named after Walt’s wife – Green with green cab and green passenger cars
- #3 Roger E. Broggie, named after the man behind the WDW Railroad – Green with red cab and yellow passenger cars
- #4 Roy O. Disney, naked after Walt’s brother who brought Disney World to completion after Walt’s death – Red with green cab and blue passenger cars
Note- Occasionally the passenger cars will be swapped on trains due to refurbishment.
Wrap Up
Today, Walt Disney’s Railroad continues to enchant visitors, serving as a tribute to the man whose dreams laid the tracks for the happiest places on Earth. It’s more than just a ride; it’s a journey through the very heart of Disney’s magic, offering a moment of reflection on the legacy of innovation and storytelling that Walt Disney left behind. As the train rounds the bend, with the whistle echoing through the air, it’s a reminder of the enduring magic that Disney parks hold, inviting guests of all ages to believe in the impossible and dream of a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
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