Walt Disney World Railroad Review
Steamtrain Willie
Tchoo-tchoo! Theme parks looove trains. Universal Orlando has the Hogwarts Express, while Walt Disney World has the Railroad. Both are magical in their own way, honestly. Sure, Harry Potter can cast spells like Wingardium Leviosa, but the Walt Disney World Railroad? It's under the potent spell of Nostalgius Classicus, making this iconic train ride truly stand apart from the rest.
The Walt Disney World Railroad offers guests a nostalgic journey aboard a historical steam locomotive through the Magic Kingdom. More than just a ride, it's a trip back in time, allowing guests to explore the park from a unique perspective. The train moves pretty slowly, since this is just a leisurely stroll around Disney World’s premier theme park, which explains why an entire lap can take up to twenty minutes.
The Good
This train ride is perfect for families with toddlers and lovebirds that just want to have a good time. I mean, is there anything more romantic than a train ride through the Magic Kingdom? The answer is yes, as you can also go to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, but this is a pretty good second option.
The Railroad also offers amazing opportunities for pictures. You are going to visit some beautiful spots that you can see up close, like Magic Kingdom’s main entrance with the amazing garden in front, Frontierland as you travel close to the tracks of Big Thunder Mountain and Tomorrowland as you pass under Tron Lightcycle Run and have the chance to see the vehicle zipping above you. You also go inside the old Splash Mountain… mountain… which is now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, giving you the chance to see complete new setpieces.
There are three stations scattered across Magic Kingdom: Main Street USA, Frontierland and Fantasyland. A whole lap takes around 20 minutes, but you can always exit before that in one of those three stations if you are just using the train to move around and rest your legs for a bit.
Not only do the vistas offer great photo opportunities, but the train stations are awesome as well. Stepping into them feels like a trip back in time, with a Wild West vibe that's hard to describe, full of aged wood and old images on the walls. Sometimes I come here and it instantly reminds me of the game Red Dead Redemption.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Families with young children and toddlers will love it. Is there anything more charming than a young couple with their little ones taking a train ride across the Magic Kingdom? That’s hard to beat. Toddlers enjoy riding this... curious... thing we call a train and seeing so many different things in front of them.
Teenagers might find the experience a bit slow-paced. The train moves slowly, primarily offering scenic views. A full 20-minute ride might be too lengthy for guests aged 13-17, though it ultimately depends on individual preferences. You can always use the train just to move from one station to the next one and take pictures on the way.
