Have you ever headed to Disney World and, when you got there, suddenly wished you had known about a secret path, a hidden gem, or a very important tip that everyone else seems to know? Sometimes you can plan and plan and still wind up not knowing something, simply because there is SO MUCH to know at Walt Disney World. Trust us, we’ve made plenty of mistakes in order to learn from them and become the Disney experts we are today.

Transportation around Disney World is one of the most efficient things at the resort, but it can also be challenging to know all the ins and outs. Plus, as Disney World changes over the years, the rules can suddenly change, too, especially on the Monorail. Mistakes can and do happen. That’s why we want you to know about these three Monorail tips before your next trip to the parks.

Don’t Expect a Magical Experience in the Morning

We really do love the Monorail and all the magic that it makes us feel as we take the highway in the sky to Magic Kingdom. It’s a wonderful feeling pulling up to the park and seeing Space Mountain, Main St, U.S.A., and Cinderella Castle out the window, knowing you’re about to have a great day.

However, the Monorail is not so magical right away in the morning, and we want you to be mentally prepared for the lack of magic first thing as you’re headed to Magic Kingdom. Right away in the morning, the Monorail is super CROWDED. There are so many people trying to board the train that it gets to be like packing sardines in a can. Each car is full of bodies, strollers, and heat.

If you’re hoping for a better Monorail experience, try going later in the day to Magic Kingdom.

If You Get Overwhelmed by Crowds, Try the Ferryboat

If being packed into the Monorail for rope drop sounds terrible to you, we suggest trying the Ferryboat! Typically, fewer people opt to take the boat to the park, making it a more comfortable ride. Plus, it’s open and airy, making it feel way better, even if there are a lot of people.

We’ve actually timed a trip to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center via Monorail and Ferryboat, and it’s about the same amount of time! So either transportation option is great for getting you there first thing in the morning.

You Can Get On and Off the Monorail at the Resorts

There are two Monorails that can get you to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center: the Resort Monorail and the Express Monorail. We have come to really enjoy taking the Resort Monorail and hopping off at each of the three Magic Kingdom Resorts.

You can stop at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort to dine, drink, or shop. This has become one of our favorite non-park day activities!

This Sneaky Hidden Stairs Hack

Alright, listen up, folks. This is a hack you’re definitely going to want to know. As the overcrowded Monorail approaches Magic Kingdom, you’re going to want to beat the crowds, not get stuck in them, and this hack will help you do it.

When you hop aboard the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center to reach Magic Kingdom, make sure you find yourself in the right-side monorail queue. Walk all the way to the end, specifically gate 12. As the monorail arrives, aim to be the last one to board, positioning yourself closest to the door.

Then, when the doors open upon arrival at Magic Kingdom, take a sharp left and swiftly descend the “hidden stairs.” You’ll go right past the giant crowd of people trying to get down the ramp and be out of the gaggle, striding up the gate as the magic of the park surrounds you.

We learned these things the hard way, so you don’t have to. We hope you can make the most of your time at the parks, and being prepared for the Monorail will help you do that. Take advantage of the Resort monorail when you can, and remember, the monorail isn’t always as magical as you might hope it to be.

We go to the Disney World parks every day and experience every magical and not-so-magical aspect in order to bring you the most up-to-date information. So keep following DFB for more tips and tricks!

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What is your favorite Disney World transportation hack? Let us know in the comments!