Following the closure of the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad has begun its “shuttle mode” operations due to the upcoming expansion of Frontierland.
Walt Disney World Railroad Now in “Shuttle Mode”
The updated operations for the railroad debuted on Monday, July 7, following the permanent closure of the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat. These closures are ahead of a major expansion to Frontierland, which will include a new “Cars” themed area dubbed Piston Peak National Park.
With this new route, the railroad now travels backward and forward between the stations in Fantasyland (Storybook Circus) and Main Street, U.SA. The Frontierland station is closed during construction (and was recently refurbished as part of the transformation of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).
To accommodate guests who do not want to face backward of the train’s forward motion, several benches onboard have been modified to face in the opposite direction.
According to Cast Members, only the Walter E. Disney locomotive has been set up for shuttle mode. All trains will be outfitted with reverse benches within the first few weeks of operation, in case the Walter E. Disney goes down or has issues.
In addition to the new route, a new overhead narration has also debuted when traveling backward from Main Street, U.S.A. to Fantasyland, with the conductor detailing that the “shuttle mode” is an “experiment” — and none other than Stitch makes a spoken appearance!
Read our transcription of the new narration below:
Conductor: By now, you’ve probably noticed I’m not just conducting the train today, I’m also conducting a bit of experiment. You know the old saying, “Sometimes you have to go backward to go forwards.” Well, today we’re putting that to the test by heading to Storybook Circus caboose-first, and Tomorrowland is the perfect palce for experimentation. That’s why I invited by favorite little experiment to ride along with us today. Folks, say hello to Experiment 626, though you might know him as…
Stitch: Stitch! Mr. Conductor, can Stitch drive the train? I can do it! Choo choo, all aboard!
Conductor: Well, Stitch, I was thinking you could be my co-conductor for a spell, and help me tell our passengers about the wonderful sights and sounds in Tomorrowland.
Stitch: Yeah! Stitch got this! Welcome to Morrow. To left, Morrow. To right, more Morrow! Did Stitch do good?
Conductor: You’re a natural, Stitch!
Stitch: Thanks! Can Stitch blow the whistle?
Conductor: Oh, not just yet, my friend. There are so many more exciting things to talk about in Tomorrowland.
Stitch: More exciting than whistle?
Conductor: You bet! You see that Astro Orbiter, Stitch? From up there in those rockets, you can see everything in Tomorrowland, including the Tomorrowland Speedway!
Stitch: Oh, but Stitch have no drivers license!
Conductor: You don’t need a license to drive in Tomorrowland, Stitch.
Stitch: No license? No problem! Stitch love going fast! Almost as much as Stitch loves to blow the whistle.
Conductor: If you want to go fast, Stitch, why not race across the Grid with Team Blue on TRON Lightcycle / Run?
Stitch: Team Blue? Stitch is blue!
Conductor: Stitch, I think you’d make a wonderful addition to the Grid.
Stitch: Yay!
Conductor: Well, would you look at that! It’s almost whistle time!
Stitch: Ah! Yay! Hahaha!
Conductor: Scurry on down to the other end of the train and use that big old “please” on the engineer. And don’t forget to use those “thank yous!”
Stitch: Hehehe! Hey! Please! Please! Stitch is coming! Just wait, I’m coming! Please! Hey! Thank you! Thank you!
Conductor: Well done, Stitch! Say, you wanna stick around and help me introduce these fine folks to Storybook Circus?
Stitch: Yes!
Conductor: I think you’ll love it, Stitch. You’ll see great feats of strength!
Stitch: Oh, Stitch is strong! Watch!
Conductors: Animals of all shapes and sizes!
Stitch: Oh, are they cute and fluffy?
Conductor: You bet your bottom dollar! There are even elephants with ears so large they can fly as high as the rockets we just left behind!
Stitch: Flying elephants!
Conductor: At Storybook Circus, and in Tomorrowland, anything is possible!
Stitch: Ooh! Maybe Stitch join the circus!
Conductor: Sounds like you’ve got some experimentin’ to do!
Stitch: Hehehe, goodbye!
Conductor: So long, Stitch!
The Walt Disney World Railroad will operate in “shuttle mode” for the foreseeable future, until the opening of the previously announced Disney Villains land in Magic Kingdom. The last time that the railroad operated in shuttle mode was in 2011-2012, during the demolition and reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown Fair (previously Mickey’s Birthdayland) into Storybook Circus.
Watch our video of the “shuttle mode” route for the Walt Disney World Railroad below:
You can also check out our last full loop POV:
What do you think of the “shuttle mode” for the Walt Disney World Railroad? Do you enjoy the new overhead narration with Stitch? Share your thoughts with us in the comments and on social media.
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