Update: 7/14/2021
Although Disney has been testing the EPCOT monorails recently, it has recently been announced that the EPCOT Monorail is not reopening due to physical distancing concerns. These space issues mainly come from the resort monorail stations, where there is simply not enough area at this time to open with the current social distancing guidelines.
Previously it was thought that the EPCOT Monorail would be opening soon, possibly even in the upcoming month. This speculation was due to the fact that Cast Members had been working on the queue for the monorail recently, as well as the new return of park hopping.
However, instead of opening the EPCOT Monorail, Disney has decided that the EPCOT Monorail line will be better served at this time as overflow for the Express Monorail. Cast Members have been placing physical distancing stickers in the line for the EPCOT Monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center for this purpose.
Currently the monorails that are operating at this time are the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express Monorails. The EPCOT Monorail currently does not have a reopening date. Although, when it does open guests should expect a refreshed look. Disney took the opportunity to refurbish the EPCOT Monorail queue while it has been closed.
For those looking for a way to EPCOT from their resort, bus services are still available at this time, as well as the Friendship Boats from the Boardwalk. Click the following link if you’d like to get an update on the current Disney World transportation as of late 2020.
Does the lack of the EPCOT Monorail due to physical distancing affect your trip? What is your favorite form of transport to the parks from your resort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
I’ve booked a two week stay at the grand floridian In august but I will definitely have to cancel until the epcot monorail is open
We love the monorail too! But remember that if the Epcot Monorail is closed, there will be buses and the Magic Kingdom monorail. And of course it’s always nice to take advantage of the lesser crowds at the parks. Hopefully that will make up for the amount of time you have to wait for a bus.
Will it reopen when the COVID-19 pandemic is over? Because maybe it will plan to reopen once everybody is vaccinated.
It’s definitely a possibility but Disney hasn’t announced anything officially yet. Chapek did say they will be increasing capacity (read about it here) at the parks throughout the year. Maybe as COVID numbers go down and capacity goes up they will feel the need to start running the EPCOT Monorail again.
I understand the necessity to keep safe during this time but if the monorail is not running to Epcot using the bus system is a nightmare. The wait times especially if you are using a wheel chair or scooter are horrible. There must be more access to the parks instead of using the time waiting to get their.
Hopefully as they begin to open up capacity at the parks they’ll feel the need to bring back all the transportation services. Now with social distancing and mask requirements at the parks slowly going away maybe we’ll see the EPCOT monorail service return soon. Fingers crossed!