For many guests, the parking tram is the unofficial first ride of any Walt Disney World trip—and it’s just received an update.
Walt Disney World’s parking lot trams have long been a staple for guests arriving by car, shuttling them from sprawling surface lots to the park entrances. Introduced in the early 1970s, these open-air trams were designed to ease the transition from vehicle to vacation, offering the first glimpse of Disney’s commitment to guest convenience and efficiency.
Each theme park has its own fleet of trams, with operations historically beginning before park opening and running through closing. The trams were temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but since then, Disney has gradually reintroduced and updated its service, improving accessibility and comfort as part of broader park transportation enhancements.
Disney World Updates Tram Service
These trams – which are also present at Disneyland Resort – have undergone a series of updates over the years, with the latest seeing automated safety messages introduced to the spiel.
This new spiel warns guests about boarding procedures, safety expectations, and prohibited items before departure. It reminds riders to lower their heads, watch their step, and secure strollers and wheelchairs in advance. Once underway, guests must remain seated facing forward, as sudden stops may occur.
The announcement also notes that all bags are subject to screening and that both weapons and selfie sticks are banned.
After this automated spiel, the existing message still plays, warning guests to stay seated and keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the vehicle. Cast members driving the trams continue to make their own, non-recorded announcements as necessary.
At Walt Disney World, parking lot trams serve as the first mode of transportation for guests who arrive by car. Each of the four theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—offers tram service from their main surface parking lots to the respective entrance areas or transportation hubs.
Tram boarding zones are clearly marked with signage and typically include shaded waiting areas and safety instructions. These areas are located near the ends of each parking section, allowing guests to avoid long walks in the Florida heat.
At Magic Kingdom, the tram drops guests at the Transportation and Ticket Center, where they continue by monorail or ferry to the park itself. EPCOT’s tram delivers guests directly to the park’s front entrance. At Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, trams also bring guests to their respective main gates, offering a short ride from the more distant parking sections. Tram service typically begins shortly before park opening and continues until after closing, making it a convenient and familiar part of the Disney arrival experience.
Do you get the tram on every Disney World visit?
