How would you like to take a train ride on an authentic steam-powered locomotive in one of the most popular theme parks in the world? On a Disneyland Railroad way, you can hear the real sounds of an authentic steam train including the whistle. You can also save your feet as you preview many of the Disneyland attractions without having to walk for miles.
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Which Parks Have a Disneyland Railroad?
There are just 5 Disneyland Railroads in the entire world. Here they are, ranked from longest (at the top) to shortest (at the bottom).
- Florida Walt Disney World has the Walt Disney World Railroad (WDWRR) – 3-foot narrow-gauge railway, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long.
- Paris Disneyland Park has the Disney Railroad (DRR) – 3-foot narrow-gauge railway, 1.35 miles (2.2 km) long.
- California Disneyland Resort has the Disneyland Railroad (DRR) – 3-foot narrow-gauge railway, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long.
- Tokyo Disneyland has the Western River Railroad (WRR) – 2 foot 6-inch narrow gauge railway, 1.0 miles (1.6 km) long.
- Hong Kong Disneyland has the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad (HKDLRR)– 3-foot narrow-gauge railway, 0.95 miles (1.5 km) long.
So which Disneyland Railroad is the best in the world? Read on for some key facts and comparisons. If you have the time then take a ride on all 5 trains, by clicking on the YouTube links. I’ll give you my opinion at the end.
Disneyland California Resort
Then oldest and finest of all Disney Railroads, this Railroad follows the “Grand Circle Tour” at Anaheim, California. The first thing visitors see when they enter Disneyland California is the Main Street Station, which is a great starting point to see the rest of Disneyland Park. Visitors can board the train and stay on for as long as they want.
This Disney Railroad has undergone 2 recent closures – 3 months in 2004/2005 for refurbishment, then 18 months in 2016/2017 to make way for the new Star Wars Galaxy Edge attraction.
Did You Say Diesel?
You might be surprised to learn that all the California locomotives burn diesel fuel instead of the usual steam locomotive fuel of coal, wood or bunker oil. They are still steam-powered locomotives, however, they produce far less pollution than traditional steam trains. Good on you for thinking Green, Disneyland!
These California Disney Railroad trains make over 13,000 trips per year. Since they started they have covered enough ground to circle the globe more than 150 times.
This Disney Railroad transports a whopping 6.6 million passengers per year, that makes it one of the most popular steam trains on earth. Well, this is the second most popular theme park on earth with around 18 million visitors annually.
Key Facts
Ride duration: 18 minutes
Stations: 4 – Main Street, Frontierland, Mickey’s Toontown, Tomorrowland
Opening Date: July 17, 1955
Number of Trains: 5 trains with varying numbers of passenger cars
Number of Locomotives: 5 – CK Holliday, EP Ripley, Fred Gurley, Ernest S Marsh, Ward Kimball
Attractions you will see on the journey: Main Street Station, Adventureland, Splash Mountain Log Flume, Critter Country, Rivers of America, Frontierland, Mickey’s Toontown Depot, Dark Ride, Tomorrowland Station, Grand Canyon Diorama, Primeval World Diorama, Main Street Station.
Walt Disney Resort World Florida
Florida has the most classic locomotives of all the Disney Railroads, with all 4 trains being built between 1916 and 1928. So if you want to unlock the most authentic steam train experience, Florida is your key.
But you won’t be alone, this busy Disney Railroad transports more than 3.7 million passengers per year! Note that the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney Resort World is the number 1 theme park in the world, with over 20 million visitors annually.
The trains were purchased from a narrow-gauge railroad in Mexico and were then heavily modified to resemble steam-powered locomotives from the 1880s. With a whole new look, they started work at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Locomotive #1, Walter E Disney, was named after Walt Disney himself, the man behind Mickey Mouse. This locomotive was sent away for a make-over in 2016 and should return to service in 2019.
Key Facts
Ride duration: 20 minutes
Stations: 3 – Main Street, Fantasyland, Frontierland
Opening Date: October 1, 1978
Number of Trains: 4 trains of 5 passenger cars each
Number of Locomotives: 4 – Walter E Disney, Lilly Belle, Roger E Broggie, Roy O Disney
Attractions you will see on the journey: Main Street Station, Adventureland, Splash Mountain Log Flume, Frontierland Station, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rivers of America, Animatronics and Native Americans, Fantasyland Station, Tomorrowland, Space Mountain Roller Coaster, Main Street Station
Paris Disney Railroad
This railroad is similar to other Disney Railroads, in that the Main Street USA Station is the prominent attraction when you enter the park. It may be the first attraction you experience when you enter Paris Disneyland Park and is the best way to see the park before you start walking around.
Key Facts
Ride duration: 20 minutes
Stations: 4 – Main Street, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Discoveryland
Opening Date: April 12, 1992
Number of Trains: 4 trains of 6 passenger cars each
Number of Locomotives: 4 – George Washington, CK Holliday, WF Cody, Eureka
Attractions you will see on the Journey: Main Street Station, Grand Canyon, Rivers of the Far West, Frontierland Depot, Adventureland, Temple of Peril, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasyland, Peter Pan’s Flight, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, It’s a Small World, Star Tours, Captain EO, Main Street Station.
Tokyo Disneyland Western River Railroad
TDWRR does not circle the entire theme park like the USA versions of Disney Railroads. Instead, it passes mainly through Westernland, with smaller sections passing through Adventureland and Critter Country. As such this railroad has a real Wild West America feel about the journey.
Also, there is only 1 stop on this railroad, due to peculiar Japanese regulations at the time of construction where they would have had to charge fares to passengers on non-fully enclosed cars.
This means that you cannot use the Tokyo Disneyland Western River Railroad as transportation to travel through the park. It’s strictly a scenic railroad.
Key Facts
Ride duration: 15 minutes
Stations: 1 – Adventureland
Opening Date: April 15, 1983
Number of Trains: 4 trains of 3 passenger cars each
Number of Locomotives: 4 – Colorado, Missouri, Rio Grande, Mississippi
Attractions you will see on the journey: Adventureland Station, Western Themed Train Station, Forest with Native Americans, Critter Country, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Westernland, Primeval World, Adventureland Station
Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad
HKDLRR is the only Disney Railroad with non-steam powered locomotives. Thanks to the strict emissions standards at Hong Kong (and cost-cutting) diesel locomotives were used instead of steam engines.
The Diesel engines power electric generators, which power electric traction motors, which power the trains. They have hidden speakers to make them sound like a real steam train with all the huffing, puffing, shunting and whistling.
This railroad is similar to California, in that the Main Street Station is the first thing you see when you enter the park. It may be the first attraction you experience when you enter Hong Kong Disneyland and is a great way to see the park before you start walking around.
Key Facts
Ride duration: 15 minutes
Stations: 3 – Main Street, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland
Opening Date: September 12, 2005
Number of Trains: 2 trains of 5 passenger cars each
Number of Locomotives: 3 – Walter E Disney, Roy O Disney, Frank G Wells (spare)
Attractions you will see on the journey: Main Street Station, Adventureland, Jungle River Cruise, Fantasyland, Fantasyland Station, Fantasy Gardens, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, It’s a Small World, The Golden Mickeys, Tomorrowland, Space Mountain, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Little Green Men, Main Street Station.
Which Disneyland Railroad is the Best in the World?
- Florida Walt Disney World is my pick for the best Disney Railroad. Not only is it the longest of all Disney Railroads, but it also has the most historic locomotives and passenger cars.
- California Disneyland Resort is my pick for the second-best Disney Railroad. Whilst not quite as long as the Florida WDWRR, California does rank highly for historical value. After all, it is the original Railroad and over 60 years old. Also, it includes the “Grand Circle Tour”, and it’s also had a couple of decent make-overs to keep the railroad up to date.
- Paris Disneyland Park is another long track and is similar in overall concept and layout to California. That is to say it encircles the entire park, following the “Grand Circle Tour” just like California.
- Tokyo Disneyland Railroad is considerably shorter and has the disadvantage of having just a single station. Thus it is purely scenic and not to be used for transportation. I’ve been on this railroad and I’m amazed that it still feels brand new, even though it opened in 1983.
- Hong Kong Disneyland is my bottom choice. Sorry Hong Kong but you need to have real steam engines to qualify for a great Disney Railway. That is to say, Hong Kong only has electric trains. I’ve been on this train and it’s very awesome, but the authentic feel of a real steam train is sadly missing.
Even the worst of the 5 amazing Disney Railroads is an amazing experience that will definitely impress you. These are memories that your family will cherish for the rest of their lives. If you ever have the opportunity to ride on an authentic Disney Railroad, you absolutely must go for this wonderful experience.
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