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Credit: DisneyThe Walt Disney World Railroad, which typically gives Guests the grand circle tour of Magic Kingdom, has been closed since December 2018. This had to be done in order for Disney World to begin construction and make way for the upcoming TRON attraction, which will be located in Tomorrowland once complete.
Though we do not yet have a reopening date, we have confirmation that the Walt Disney World Railroad will begin testing today!
According to reporter Scott Gustin, the Walt Disney World Railroad will begin testing today at Magic Kingdom! It is important to note that even though testing will begin, the Disney World Railroad will not reopen to Guests until the TRON construction is complete.
Per Gustin:
NEW: Testing of the Walt Disney World Railroad will begin TODAY.
This testing is just part of the overall refurbishment – the train will reopen to guests when TRON construction allows.
NEW: Testing of the Walt Disney World Railroad will begin TODAY.
This testing is just part of the overall refurbishment – the train will reopen to guests when TRON construction allows. pic.twitter.com/PSrzAleYA2
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) December 8, 2021
Even though Guests will not be able to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad during testing, it is exciting to see the train once again make its way around Magic Kingdom!
“We’re doing a lot of things that either haven’t been done since Walt Disney World opened, or just kind of really revolutionary things,” Greg Kelsaris, a project planner with the facility asset management department at WDW, told Orlando Sentinel.
“It was the first time that we actually took everything apart for the railroad. And we’re able to say, ‘OK, we have everything down to the bare bones. What can we do to either improve the guest experience with the ride, or bring it back to where it was, kind of, in the ‘70s when it first started?’” Kelsaris continued.
Though parts of the track have been replaced, and even moved a few inches, the train stations in Frontierland, Fantasyland and near the entrance on Main Street, U.S.A. will remain the same.
“That kind of rebuild process hasn’t really been done since park opening,” Kelsaris said. “It’s really incredible to return them to their glory and, honestly, improve some things on them.”
Kelsaris continued “We really took the time to go through each part and say, ‘Hey, should we improve this? Is it good where it is? Should we replace it?’”
At this time, Disney World still has not announced a reopening date for the Walt Disney World Railroad, but thanks to the Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar, we can confirm the refurbishment is officially extended into 2022. And as Scott Gustin reported, the Walt Disney World Railroad will not reopen to Guests until the construction on the upcoming TRON attraction in Tomorrowland is complete.
Inside the Magic will continue to update you as we get information regarding the Walt Disney World Railroad.
More on the Walt Disney World Railroad
If you’ve never had the chance to ride the grand circle tour around Magic Kingdom, check out the official Disney description here:
Listen to the clamor of the engine, the chug of the wheels and the call of the whistle aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Ride 1 of 4 meticulously restored, vintage narrow-gauge steam trains—originally built between 1916 and 1928—and enjoy a relaxing 20-minute, 1.5-mile scenic round-trip tour.
It’s a convenient—and nostalgic—way to get around Magic Kingdom park!!
Find a Station
You can board or disembark at any of 3 stations:
- Near the entrance to the park on Main Street, U.S.A.
- The Frontierland station
- The Fantasyland station
If you want to visit Walt Disney World on your next vacation, let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation. You won’t want to miss everything the Parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district has to offer!