Despite Promises of a 2022 Return, These Disney Parks Are Still Without Parking Trams

The Walt Disney World Resort has largely returned to normal since reopening during the pandemic, right? …Right?

While most experiences around the Resort have indeed returned, some challenges remain when it comes to running the world’s most visited tourist destination. With staffing being the primary challenge, select restaurants, shops, and even attractions have remained closed in the almost three years since the pandemic began. And though we have seen progress in several of these experiences returning to the Parks and Resorts, there is one amenity we have not heard about in some time: Parking trams.

RELATED: Guest Exits EPCOT to Find Their Car Wrecked in the Parking Lot

When the Walt Disney World Resort reopened in July 2020, the lack of parking trams was noticeable, but often manageable as the initial, very limited, theme park capacity meant fewer cars were in the parking lots and those who did drive had a decent chance of parking closer to the entrance. (Central Florida’s heat and humidity still makes a case for wanting a tram, but it was at least manageable.)

As park capacities were able to increase and more experiences began to reopen, parking trams were one noticeable amenity that remained missing for most of 2021. Finally, in December of last year, Walt Disney World announced that trams would be returning to the Magic Kingdom (or rather the Transportation & Ticket Center) that month and to the other theme parks throughout 2022:

Driver you are clear…to spread a little holiday cheer! Parking trams will be returning to Magic Kingdom Park later this month and other Walt Disney World theme parks throughout 2022!✨ pic.twitter.com/KpJyBZfTBu

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) December 2, 2021

RELATED: Several Disney World Experiences Were Supposed to Return in 2022; Is There Still Time?

Since this announcement, trams have also returned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they have been running since May 2022. As for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios….it looks like we’ll have to continue to wait and see. While it is still possible that parking trams will return to the remaining Disney Parks this year, especially with the busy holiday season upon us, Disney has not made any additional announcements.

Courtesy trams in Disney’s parking lots offer an easier way for Guests to arrive and depart the theme parks as they are able to get off their feet and often save time with a short tram ride as opposed to a long walk to their car. For Guests with mobility issues, the trams are often an easier alternative to the Resort’s courtesy wheelchairs as well, which have remained available to help Guests move between the parking lot and Park entrances without the use of a wheelchair or ECV they would be renting in the Park.

It should also be noted that while courtesy trams are not running in EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, preferred parking spaces closer to the entrances remain available for $45-50 per day (vs. Disney’s standard parking fees of $25 per day.)

With 2022 drawing to a close, we at Disney Tips will continue to monitor updates out of Walt Disney World and will be back with additional information on parking at the theme parks as it is available.