Birt Family Focus

Magic Kingdom Railroad -- 8/28/01
Photos by Susan Turner, Mike Corbo and Michael Walsh

The Magic Kingdom Railroad...just saying the name starts me relaxing. Of all the parks, the Magic Kingdom is the one more people "go commando". The Railroad is a great tool for surviving a "commando" in your family!

Walt Disney LOVED trains, so it is no surprise that he made sure to include a train ride in his parks. The Magic Kingdom Railroad, like it's predecessor in Disneyland, is a real train- steam driven. The pace is a leisurely 12 MPH- or less- around a 1.5 mile track with 3 stops. If you need to rest, I recommend going the whole route. In fact, many don't know this but you do not have to get off this ride. That's right- If you are pooped- just take a seat and ride until you are rested. I can't think of a more pleasant way to give your feet a break.

Our family never goes to MK without riding this train at least nce. No matter how hot our Florida weather gets, you can count on a sweet, cool breeze being generated by the train as it cruises along past dioramas natural and contrived. Don't want to walk from Mainstreet to Toontown? Take the train. The thought of hoofing it from Splash Mountain to the exit gate just wears you out? Take the train!

Green Engine Leaving Toontown

The cars are all open air, and there are 4 engines. At peak times, all four run, but most often, only 2 are out. My friend Bruce, is a CM on the trains. He will tell you that the engines are named for the original 4 members of Walt Disney Productions, Walt, his wife Lily, brother Roy, and friend Roger Broggie. They are working steam engines that originally toiled in the Yucatan hauling bananas. They have since retired to WDW- and by all accounts, they are happy. ;-) If you would like more info about the trains, there is a book out by the son of Roger- Michael Broggie. There is also a Steam Train Tour offered by the MK- but no one under 16 is allowed. I don't know what could be r-rated about them, but I haven't taken the tour, so there ya go. ;-)

From the station on Mainstreet, you will take a leisurely trip around the west side of the park and past a few animatronic animals. But keep a sharp eye- you may just as well see live ones. On your left you will see the undeveloped wilderness (and an amazing amount of it) that WDW sets aside as a wildlife refuge. On the right, the view will be the back of some of the attractions and some funny scenes of forest life set up for you by the WDW Imaginears. Be sure to look closely when you pass the Indian Village- my friend Bruce has been known to set up some hidden Mickey's there. The first stop is Splash Mountain station.

Red Steam Engine Leaving Main St

From Splash, you continue around the back of Tom Sawyer's Island and behind the Haunted Mansion. You then continue on to your next stop- Mickey's Toon Town. There is a short path from here that leads right to Space Mountain- it borders the park and has benches. If you don't use the railroad, you might miss it and that would be a shame, because it is generally quiet, relatively free of crowds, and a nice place to munch on those snacks in your backpack.

Green Engine Leaving Frontierland

Stayed on at Toon Town? Then your next stop is back where you started at Mainstreet Station. You have ridden in breezy comfort for 20 minutes. Feel better? Fancy another ride? Remember- you can stay here all day if you want.

ALL ABOARD!