Hold onto your Mickey ears, folks, because a day at Walt Disney World just got a whole lot weirder. November 5th rolled around, and while most of us were still contemplating Thanksgiving turkeys, Magic Kingdom was already drowning in Christmas cheer. That’s not the headline, though. The real head-scratcher? Disney’s iconic Monorail System decided to throw us all a curveball, running an express line *backwards*. Yes, backwards.
Adam the Woo, a seasoned Disney vlogger, chronicled this day of delightful disorientation. He initially set out to capture the surprisingly early Christmas decorations and the much-anticipated Jingle Cruise overlay for Jungle Cruise. But what he stumbled upon was far more unexpected and, honestly, a little unsettling if you’re a theme park regular.
For decades, the Walt Disney World Monorail System has operated with distinct loops. The Resort Monorail stops at Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian, running one direction. The Express Monorail, on the other hand, zips directly between Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) in the opposite direction. Or, it *used* to. On this particular November 5th, the Express Monorail was observed cruising in the *same* direction as the Resort Monorail.
Imagine this: instead of seeing the Polynesian Village Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on your way *back* to the TTC, they were suddenly zipping past on your approach to Magic Kingdom. Adam, initially skeptical, confirmed the bizarre reversal. “Holy cow, they are going the same direction. Take a look. Wow, this is so trippy. Going the opposite way. It never goes this way,” he exclaimed, capturing the collective bewilderment of anyone familiar with the system. He even tried to capture a “monorail race,” though the timing never quite aligned. While the exact reason for this directional shift remains unclear – whether it’s a test, a temporary change, or something more permanent – it certainly sparked conversation among park veterans. For those who visit only once a year, it might go unnoticed. But for passholders, it was a subtle yet significant shift in the rhythm of the park. Adam himself admitted a preference for the “crisscrossing” original direction, feeling it offered a better visual flow.
Beyond the monorail mystery, Magic Kingdom was indeed embracing the festive spirit well ahead of schedule. Christmas decorations were out in full force, from the towering tree on Main Street, U.S.A., to the festive overlays on attractions like Jingle Cruise. The early launch of Jingle Cruise, however, came with a catch: monstrous wait times. What started as a predicted 25-30 minute wait ballooned to 55 minutes, then dipped to 30 after a parade, only to soar past an hour shortly after. Adam, unwilling to commit to such a long queue for a single attraction, pivoted to exploring other areas. He perused the new Christmas-themed pins and ornaments in Frontierland, noting the year-round Christmas shop was particularly well-stocked. He also observed the surprisingly warm Florida weather, where misters were still on to cool guests, creating a unique backdrop for holiday cheer. Attractions like Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion saw shorter waits, as crowds flocked to the novelty of Jingle Cruise.
The day concluded with a dose of pop culture nostalgia at Disney Springs. Adam joined friends Andrew and Danielle for a special 40th-anniversary screening of “Back to the Future.” This wasn’t just any viewing; November 5th marks the fictional date in 1955 when Doc Brown first invented time travel. To celebrate, Andrew proudly showcased his DeLorean, which he’s actively converting into a fully functional time machine, currently “about 85% done.” Complete with a flux capacitor sequence and plans for a Mr. Fusion, it was a tangible nod to the beloved film.
From an unexpected monorail route to premature Christmas festivities and a real-life DeLorean time machine project, Adam’s day at Walt Disney World was anything but ordinary. It’s a vivid reminder that even the most familiar places can surprise you, offering new stories and unique experiences, especially when you’re willing to look beyond the usual attractions.
