Preparing to Board
Find where you want to board the Monorail. The monorail runs only one loop: between Disneyland and Downtown Disney within the Disneyland Resort. It runs from Disneyland's Tomorrowland station (next to the Disneyland Railroad) to the Downtown Disney District station, directly across from the Lego Store to the east of the "Pop Up Disney: A Mickey Celebration" attraction. You will not be allowed onto the monorail if you don't have a valid park ticket. The Downtown Disney monorail location is relatively far from both parking lots but is conveniently located a few minutes' walk from the Disneyland Hotel.
Go through the bag-and-ticket check for the monorail ride. You will need to have your bags checked for weapons and security issues along with alcohol and other prohibited items if boarding from Downtown Disney. You won't need to present these again (since you already did before park entry) if boarding from Disneyland. Your park ticket and/or hand stamp will be checked for valid entry if boarding from Downtown Disney. If you are experiencing the "Extra Magic Hour" or "Magic Morning," you will also need to show your hotel room key (if applicable) to use the monorail.
Walk up the ramp to the waiting area just before the train platform. There will often be a gate at the top where passengers will be waiting for the next monorail to arrive. Another cast member will be stationed there to help organize passengers waiting to board. The Disneyland Monorail has a capacity lower than the monorail trains at Walt Disney World, so if it's busy, you may have to wait for several trains to pass through the station before you can board.
Wait in line for your monorail train to arrive. Depending on when you arrive, you may end up waiting for 10 minutes for your train to arrive.
Wait for the train to come to a complete halt and for the exiting passengers to exit. They will often be exiting near the entrance. Note the color of the train only in case you lose anything onboard. Disneyland Monorail trains have one of three colors (red, orange, and blue), but they all use the same route, so you don't have to worry about which one you board. However, if you leave anything on the train, it can help to note the color; lost items can be picked up from Disneyland City Hall just inside Main Street USA, just after you pass under the Walt Disney Railroad- Main Street station.
Wait for the aluminum white safety gate to open before crossing the platform and walking up to the train. There may be Cast Members there to open the gates to allow passengers to board. However, sometimes - especially during the morning and nighttime rush - they will open and close this gate remotely. Unlike monorails at Walt Disney World, Disneyland monorails only have one side that their doors open on, so expect to wait for those exiting guests before boarding.
Walk up and into the train once it's clear to board. Once you enter, take your seat and remain seated until the Monorail comes to a halt. As a courtesy to others, make sure to walk all the way to the end of the row if you are the first passenger to enter the monorail. If you wish to sit in the front or back cabin, you will need to ask a cast member. But keep in mind that the front cabin's capacity is four people, and it isn't disability-accessible, with an often tight fit. If you need help boarding a car, ask a Cast Member for help. They will often have a disability-accessible ramp that will make entry easier for you. When the time comes to exit, you'll need to stand near the door and wait for another Cast Member to help you deboard if necessary.
Listen to all safety announcements. As the train exits the Monorail station, a message over the PA system will remind you to make a note of the train color. All announcements will be made in both Spanish and English.
Watch the monorail doors as they close. The train will then begin moving forward.
On the Ride
Listen to the overhead narration in the PA system. As you ride past the Grand Californian Resort's back and throughout the ride, you will hear a narration of what you see out the left and right windows. As the train enters Disneyland, you'll see rides near the train in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland (Autopia, the Finding Nemo submarine ride, and many others) as well as Matterhorn Mountain (the site of the Bobsled roller coaster ride). The train will also ride along the front edge of the Disney California Adventure park, and you'll see Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street, and Hollywoodland. The Disneyland Monorail system never enters buildings. The Disneyland Monorail doesn't show too much of Downtown Disney as it nears and exits the station.
Allow the train to come to a complete stop when it arrives at the station. Wait for the instructions to exit the monorail. Remember to take your park ticket with you if you are deboarding at Downtown Disney, as you will need it to reboard the Monorail later. Often a Cast Member will re-stamp your hand with a UV-compatible ink if you are deboarding at Downtown Disney. During busy or peak hours, the Disneyland Monorail won't allow you to travel round trip; you will be asked to disembark the monorail and go through the line again for re-entry.
Head out the door of the Monorail and follow signage to the exit. These signs will often be found to the entry queue's right, but you may have to look around if you don't initially spot them.
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