Getting around Walt Disney World can already require a little patience, especially when guests are moving between Magic Kingdom, nearby resorts, and the Transportation and Ticket Center.On September 16, that trip became considerably more complicated.Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World experienced problems with two of its major Monorail routes, leaving guests without the usual transportation option between Magic Kingdom and several key locations. What initially appeared to involve one line eventually spread to another, forcing Disney to direct guests toward alternate transportation.The good news is that another major Monorail route appeared unaffected. Still, for anyone trying to leave Magic Kingdom or travel around the resort area, the disruption created an unexpected change in plans.Express Monorail Service Goes DownThe trouble initially centered on the Express Monorail.This route normally provides a direct connection between Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Unlike the Resort Monorail, the Express route doesn’t make stops at the hotels surrounding Seven Seas Lagoon.That makes it one of the easiest options for guests traveling between the park and TTC.However, the Express Monorail was unavailable on September 16.Guests approaching the station at Magic Kingdom encountered a sign explaining that Monorail service wasn’t operating and directing them toward other transportation options.At that point, guests still had another Monorail option.The Resort Monorail continued operating for at least part of the disruption. Because that route also travels between Magic Kingdom and TTC, guests could still use it to make the trip.There was one major difference, though.Instead of traveling directly between those two locations, the Resort Monorail makes additional stops around Seven Seas Lagoon. That means the trip takes longer, but it still gave guests a familiar alternative while the Express line remained unavailable.Unfortunately, that option didn’t last.Resort Monorail Begins Having Problems TooWhile riding the Resort Monorail, reporters spotted trains sitting on the Express line at both the Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.At the time, there was no confirmed explanation for why the Express Monorail had stopped operating.Then the situation changed again.The Resort Monorail train carrying guests was taken out of service after reaching Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Everyone aboard had to leave the train at the resort.Shortly afterward, the entire Resort Monorail line closed as well.Credit: DisneyThat turned what had initially been an Express Monorail problem into a much larger transportation disruption.The Resort line serves several important destinations around Seven Seas Lagoon, including Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.It also connects those resorts with Magic Kingdom and TTC.When both the Express and Resort lines become unavailable at the same time, guests lose two of the most convenient transportation options in that area.For families trying to leave Magic Kingdom, return to their hotel, or connect with transportation at TTC, that can mean changing plans on the fly.Disney Hasn’t Confirmed What Caused the ClosuresOne of the biggest questions surrounding the situation is also the one that remains unanswered.It isn’t clear what caused the Express Monorail to stop operating.It’s also unclear whether the Resort Monorail’s later closure was connected to whatever happened on the Express line.The Resort train involved in the incident left Disney’s Contemporary Resort after guests exited. Another train then arrived and parked at the station.Without additional information from Disney, it’s difficult to know whether guests were dealing with one larger Monorail problem or two separate issues happening around the same time.Either way, the result was the same for guests on the ground: two Monorail routes became unavailable.There was at least one encouraging sign.EPCOT Monorail Appears UnaffectedThe transportation problems didn’t appear to extend across the entire Walt Disney World Monorail system.The EPCOT Monorail continued operating normally at the time of the report.Weather also didn’t appear to be responsible for the problems affecting the other two routes.That’s an important distinction because the Walt Disney World Monorail system operates multiple routes that serve different purposes.Credit: Don Henry, FlickrThe EPCOT line connects EPCOT with the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests traveling between EPCOT and Magic Kingdom typically transfer between Monorail routes at TTC.So, while EPCOT’s route remaining operational prevented this from becoming a complete Monorail shutdown, guests trying to continue toward Magic Kingdom could still encounter problems once they reached TTC.That could create confusion for visitors who don’t realize the Monorail operates as separate routes.Seeing trains operating elsewhere around Walt Disney World doesn’t necessarily mean every line is available.Guests Still Have Another Way Across Seven Seas LagoonFortunately, Disney didn’t leave Magic Kingdom guests without a way to reach the Transportation and Ticket Center.Ferryboat service remained available.Guests could continue traveling between Magic Kingdom and TTC by water, while boat transportation also remained available to nearby resorts.For many guests, the ferryboat is already a normal part of a Magic Kingdom day.Guests who park at the Transportation and Ticket Center generally need to take either the Monorail or ferryboat across Seven Seas Lagoon before reaching the park entrance.When one of those options disappears, however, the remaining transportation methods can become much more important.That’s particularly true around busy arrival and departure periods.Thousands of guests can leave Magic Kingdom after nighttime entertainment or park closing, creating significant demand for Disney transportation. Having fewer options available can make that process less predictable.Guests staying at nearby resorts also need to pay attention because the Resort Monorail isn’t simply transportation between Magic Kingdom and TTC.For some visitors, it’s part of their normal hotel transportation.Monorail Problems Can Quickly Affect a Disney DayTransportation issues may not sound as significant as a major attraction closing, but they can have an immediate impact on a Walt Disney World vacation.A family might leave its hotel expecting a quick Monorail ride to Magic Kingdom. Someone leaving the park may need to reach TTC before continuing to another destination. Other guests may simply be trying to return to their resort after a long day.When transportation changes unexpectedly, those plans can unravel quickly.Credit: DisneyThat’s especially important at Magic Kingdom because reaching the park works differently than arriving at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.Guests who drive don’t simply park outside the Magic Kingdom entrance.Instead, the primary parking area sits across Seven Seas Lagoon at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From there, guests generally complete the final portion of their journey using another form of transportation.That makes the Monorail an especially visible part of the Magic Kingdom experience.When both the Express and Resort routes experience trouble at roughly the same time, guests notice.Guests Should Watch Transportation Options CloselyAt this point, the most important thing for Walt Disney World visitors is flexibility.Disney hasn’t provided a confirmed cause for the Express Monorail shutdown described in the report, and it’s unclear whether the Resort Monorail problem was directly related.That also makes it difficult to determine how long the disruption might last.Guests heading toward Magic Kingdom should pay attention to transportation signs and Cast Member directions rather than assuming their normal route will be available.Those leaving the park may need to use ferryboats or other available transportation depending on where they’re going.The situation also serves as a reminder that Disney transportation can change during the day.A route that works in the morning isn’t guaranteed to remain available several hours later. In this case, the Resort Monorail initially provided an alternative after the Express line went down, only for that route to experience problems of its own.A Difficult Day for Walt Disney World’s Monorail SystemFor now, the transportation situation around Magic Kingdom remains one worth watching.The Express Monorail became unavailable, removing the direct Monorail connection between Magic Kingdom and TTC. The Resort Monorail initially continued operating, but a train was later taken out of service at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, forcing everyone aboard to exit.The Resort line then closed as well.Meanwhile, the EPCOT Monorail appeared to continue normal operations, and ferryboats remained available between Magic Kingdom and TTC.Credit: Inside the MagicThe biggest unanswered question is what caused the disruption in the first place.Until Disney provides more information or regular service resumes, guests visiting Magic Kingdom may want to build some extra transportation time into their plans.At Walt Disney World, losing one transportation route can create an inconvenience. Losing two major Monorail routes around Magic Kingdom at nearly the same time can change how thousands of guests move around one of the busiest areas of the resort.The post Disney World Monorail Trouble Escalates After Backup Option Also Goes Down appeared first on Inside the Magic.