Why did Disney stop the tram?

Until December 2021, parking trams were out of service at all four Walt Disney World theme parks since they reopened in July 2020 due to physical distancing requirements and labor shortages. Guests are still required to walk from their cars to the main entrances at both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.



The Disney parking lot trams were originally paused in March 2020 due to the global pandemic and social distancing requirements. While most Disney World services returned quickly, the trams faced a significantly longer delay in resuming full operations due to staffing shortages and maintenance cycles for the aging fleet. However, as of late 2023, all parking lot trams have officially returned to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. In 2026, the tram system is fully functional, though Disney has heavily promoted the use of other "frictionless" transport like the Skyliner and improved walking paths to reduce the reliance on trams. Guests should still be aware of temporary closures for refurbishment, such as the scheduled Skyliner maintenance in late January 2026, which can increase the demand for bus and tram services.

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Until December 2021, parking trams were out of service at all four Walt Disney World theme parks since they reopened in July 2020 due to physical distancing requirements and labor shortages. Guests are still required to walk from their cars to the main entrances at both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

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The open-air rides returned to Magic Kingdom in late 2021, then at Disney's Animal Kingdom in early 2022. In December 2021, Disney said that tram service would return to all four parks over 2022.

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Ride the historic, high-speed zero-emission transportation system that rockets along a single rail through the Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland Monorail will be closed for refurbishment from July 5, 2023, to August 31, 2023.

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Parking Lot Trams at EPCOT Parking trams have been absent from EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios since March 2020, when tram services were suspended at all four Walt Disney World Parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The system provides free transportation to guests of the resort and consists of buses, a monorail system, a gondola lift system, watercraft, a rideshare system, and parking lot trams.

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But Disney officials said the Skyway's safety has never been a problem, and its closure was simply a matter of popularity and work force needs. Demand for the ride has fallen off and the 10 workers who staff it will be needed to tend an “Indiana Jones” ride scheduled to open in February.

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Magical Express, the free bus transportation between Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Orlando International Airport (MCO), was discontinued at the end of 2021 after more than 15 years in operation. Here's a roundup of your new, for-pay options when planning to get between the airport and Disney World.

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Disney announced plans to close Splash Mountain – at Disneyland and Walt Disney World – in 2020 after a petition to change the beloved water ride's theme went viral.

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On July 5, 2009, an operator was killed after Monorail Pink and Monorail Purple collided on the Epcot line near the Transportation and Ticket Center. Before the collision, up to four guests could sit in the front cabin with the operator. After the incident, no passengers are allowed in the operator's cabin.

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Refurbishments:
  • Splash Mountain. CLOSED May 31, 2023 - TBD (will reopen as Tiana's Bayou Adventure)
  • Mark Twain Riverboat. CLOSED Sept. 17, 2023 - TBD.
  • Astro Orbitor. CLOSED Nov. 27, 2023 - TBD.
  • Indiana Jones Adventure. CLOSED Nov. 27 - 30, 2023.


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The accident occurred when the Pink monorail backed through an improperly aligned switch-beam and struck the Purple monorail. An operator and six passengers were on board the Purple monorail at the time of the collision.

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The Walt Disney World Railroad, which has transported guests around the Magic Kingdom since opening day in 1971, shut down in December 2018 for construction on the yet-unopened TRON roller coaster. Just before Christmas 2022, the railroad finally reopened for peak holiday crowds and is now running daily once again.

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Complimentary Resort transportation begins 45 minutes prior to Disney theme park opening time and up to 1 hour after Disney theme park closing time. Additionally, buses operate until 11:00 PM from the Disney Springs area.

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