Yea or Nea...? Subway vs. Monorail

[agame2323]

The Monorail should have been built underground instead of overhead.

Transportation to the parks and resorts would work like a subway system (for those of us who have been in a subway). Guest would be kept out of the heat and rain as they would be stationed in an underground transporation dock. Good idea?


Yea or Nea?

[Robo]

Good idea?


Yea or Nea?

Sorry, not in FLORIDA!

In the sandy/boggy soil, the tunnels could collapse and/or fill with water! :scared1:

[wildeoscar]

that would make for a lousy view of bay lake?

[lbklyn]

I would have to say a big nea. I live in New York and hate the subway. Being underground and feeling so claustrophobic. I LOVE the views from the monorail! It would not be enjoyable at all underground!

[disnut8]

While in practicality, that does make sense, I think one of the charms of the monorail is the view. I've been on the Atlanta and DC subway systems and when you are underground, you have nothing to look at except your fellow passengers. Pretty boring.

But at Disney World, you can see and experience things before you even get there. I'm thinking about getting an underground subway at the TTC and then having the next stop at the Polynesian. You wouldn't get to see how beautiful that resort is. Or see the Wedding Pavilion or the Grand Floridian. Or see the Magic Kingdom getting closer and closer and closer. You'd miss going into the Contemporary.

And who would want to miss the entire loop around Future World before you get to the Epcot monorail station?

Quite honestly, if you don't want to be out in the rain and the heat, don't go to Florida. Actually, don't even go outside your front door.

[sassystamper31]

No.

If they built the mono rail as a subway, they may as well build submarines instead. ;)

The water table in Florida is much too high to have it be feasible. :goodvibes

[Wishing0nStars88]

that would make for a lousy view of bay lake?

I agree!
My fav thing about riding the Monorail is looking out the windows and seeing the great view of everything =]

Underground like a subway is sooooo boring!

[Chuck65]

Sorry, not in FLORIDA!

In the sandy/boggy soil, the tunnels could collapse and/or fill with water! :scared1:

Very true. You go much deeper than 4 - 5 feet, if that much, and you run the risk of water problems.

[MapleGirl]

No way! I love the monorails and can't stand the T (what the subway in Boston is called). I love just riding the Epcot line and seeing everything.

[Golf4food]

The high water table is exactly why the MK is built UP - they piled something like 30 feet of earth up to build the MK so that the tunnels underneath it would be above the water table, so when you are on Main Street USA you are actually already 1 or 2 stories above the "real" ground.

Underground monorails would never work. No place in Florida has subways, very few homes can have basements, tornado shelters, etc. We do have wells, though, plenty of wells and springs and swimming holes. :)

[mom2aredhead]

I would have to say a big nea. I live in New York and hate the subway. Being underground and feeling so claustrophobic. I LOVE the views from the monorail! It would not be enjoyable at all underground!

I have to agree...I'm picturing the 6 train after a Yankee game (where there is absolutely no such thing as personal space) and adding in the Florida heat and theme park sweat, no windows/no outside light...:faint:

[Goofy'slady]

Sorry I'm gonna say Nea. My whole family loves to look out the windows and see all the resorts, Space Mountain and Cinderall Castle; gets us so excited.

T.

[ligirlz]

A big nea. It would flood and would be too hot down there. I love riding the monorail from above and see all the things along the way.

[disneylala310]

Nea. I love being able to look out the windows. And I hated being underground the one time I went on the subway. Too claustrophobic.

[bas71873]

I'd have to be a "nay" too.....I will never forget the bus trip to (sorry we didn't do the monorail, but I would imagine this aspect might be the same) to Magic Kingdom on Sunday morning (we arrived on Saturday) and when the castle came into view, all the children just squeeled with delight, including my own DD....it was a priceless moment and if we had to travel underground, we would have missed out on that and other beautiful views!!!

[StratMan]

I think it's unanimous.

[Robo]

I think it's unanimous.

Does the unanimous ride underground or above??

[StratMan]

Does the unanimous ride underground or above??

It's all above ground since the renovation, but I believe there was a time when it was partially sub-terranean. There's a guy around here with all kinds of maps and areal photos. He might have some more detailed info.

[rt2dz]

Southern states don’t have basements for a reason; things can not be built underground. Heck, WDW is raised up over the ground because of soil and sea level issues. Besides, riding in the air is kind of cool—what a view!!

Now, what I would like to see is a light rail system instead of the bus system, or in addition to the bus system. Light rail is basically a street level subway system.

[MickeyNicki]

No Way!

[Robo]

It's all above ground since the renovation, but I believe there was a time when it was partially sub-terranean. There's a guy around here with all kinds of maps and areal photos. He might have some more detailed info.

Maps?

Why did it have to be MAPS?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/WDW%20Pictures/Indy.jpg

[tazdev3225]

I vote NAY. Part of the fun of the monorail is the approach to MK and seeing the castle or the ride around SE as you approach the station. Seeing the look on my children's faces are priceless.

[mom2aredhead]

Maps?

Why did it have to be MAPS?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/WDW%20Pictures/Indy.jpg

Speaking of Robo and maps
(kind of going to hijack here for a minute)
We were at the Pirate and Princess Party last week, and sat in what I thought was going to be a great spot for the fireworks very last minute as we were held up on a ride and didn't get to the hub as early as I would have liked. As soon as they started, I realized I was blocked by a tree - you know, that tree that you warn people about all the time? So I don't know if you're flattered or frightened that you actually crossed my mind on vacation, but I found myself thinking - Oh, that's the tree Robo was talking about. Then I mentally pictured your map and moved to a great spot to watch the pirates storm the castle. Thanks!

[Rora]

Nea.. how sad would it be to not be able to see the parks from above?

[iHEARTflorida]

i'd say if i there wasn't the boggy soil or risk of filling up with water, i would have a subway system for AK and MGM or just the monorail system

[Robo]

Speaking of Robo and maps
(kind of going to hijack here for a minute)
We were at the Pirate and Princess Party last week, and sat in what I thought was going to be a great spot for the fireworks very last minute as we were held up on a ride and didn't get to the hub as early as I would have liked. As soon as they started, I realized I was blocked by a tree - you know, that tree that you warn people about all the time? So I don't know if you're flattered or frightened that you actually crossed my mind on vacation, but I found myself thinking - Oh, that's the tree Robo was talking about. Then I mentally pictured your map and moved to a great spot to watch the pirates storm the castle. Thanks!

Those "invisible" trees have ruined many a view, I'm afraid.

I think it's nice to be thought of at WDW for just about any reason. :)

Thanks for letting me know.
:thumbsup2

[iHEARTflorida]

Speaking of Robo and maps
(kind of going to hijack here for a minute)
We were at the Pirate and Princess Party last week, and sat in what I thought was going to be a great spot for the fireworks very last minute as we were held up on a ride and didn't get to the hub as early as I would have liked. As soon as they started, I realized I was blocked by a tree - you know, that tree that you warn people about all the time? So I don't know if you're flattered or frightened that you actually crossed my mind on vacation, but I found myself thinking - Oh, that's the tree Robo was talking about. Then I mentally pictured your map and moved to a great spot to watch the pirates storm the castle. Thanks!

what tree is that?

[Robo]

what tree is that?

The "sweet-spot" for Wishes is Main Street and the Hub.
A good spot is near the "Hub-end" of the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland.
And over on the same side of the street as CP, along the area with the umbrella tables for Casey's restaurant.
These spots are where the show is "centered" and designed to offer ALL effects.
And that's where MOST people try to see it.

But...
Many view it from near the dock for the paddle-wheel Steam Ship in Liberty Square.
Some watch from the bridge that links the main Frontierland street to Splash Mountain.
Some find spots to sit in other areas of Liberty Square and Frontierland.
All of these areas offer a good view of many/most of the effects, but not all... and certainly not in the "foreground-background/dual-layer" manner in which the show is created.

I will tell you where NOT to view it.
No matter how TEMPTING it may appear before the show:
Do NOT stand on the sidewalk between the Hub and Frontierland,
or on the sidewalk between the Hub and Adventureland.
Trees nearly totally obscure the main larger fireworks, and the audio is (most-likely INTENTIONALLY) MISSING (no speakers) in these areas.

Also, the upper level of the Main Street train station (a great place to see the "SpectroMagic" Parade) is a tempting but BAD choice for "Wishes".
They DON'T turn off the LIGHTS on the last few buildings on this end of Main Street (or on the train platform) during the show, so the lights are in your eyes the whole time.

Another "ought-to-be-GREAT-but-ISN'T choice is from the "Noodle Station" seating area (the open-air counter-service restaurant that's between Main Street and Tomorrowland).
Not only do they NOT turn off the lights here (and the sound is not clear), most of the fireworks are hidden from view by the roof of the restaurant and/or the large PYLON that's on the bridge to Tomorrowland.
(I will say that there ARE a very few spots in this restaurant area that DO offer GOOD unobstructed views, but you MUST be in those exact spots and not mind the ceiling lights being on and the lack of good sound.)

Below is a rough estimate of the Fireworks viewing spots
based on other posters' info on the boards and personal experience.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/RoboWDW/Silly%20Stuff/MK-Wishes_BE_4-14.jpg

[wildeoscar]

Does the unanimous ride underground or above??

you might be thinking of the ubiquitous ?

[Need An E Ticket]

If they did it underground they could do it like the old 20,000 Leagues ride. I'm all for that.

But it could lead to a slow agonizing death by drowning.

[bellaDisneydncr]

Nea. As everyone said before- I love the views and the water table would be an issue

[wildeoscar]

Another "ought-to-be-GREAT-but-ISN'T choice is from the "Noodle Station" seating area (the open-air counter-service restaurant that's between Main Street and Tomorrowland).
Not only do they NOT turn off the lights here (and the sound is not clear), most of the fireworks are hidden from view by the roof of the restaurant and/or the large PYLON that's on the bridge to Tomorrowland.
(I will say that there ARE a very few spots in this restaurant area that DO offer GOOD unobstructed views, but you MUST be in those exact spots and not mind the ceiling lights being on and the lack of good sound.)




these spots are very exact only constitute about 9 seats, finding them is an 800 level course best reserved for the pros.

[afcgirl]

Nea!

The best part about the monorail is that you get to see so much of Disney!

[StratMan]

A good spot is near the "Hub-end" of the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland.

I want to clarify something about this particular spot. I watched wishes from there on May 7th and found that you pretty much have to be right at the end of the bridge to have a clear view. There is a fairly large area just onto the bridge "near the Hub-end" that is significantly obscured by trees. Maybe those trees have grown since you last watched from there? In any case, they weren't in our way because we got there early enough.

We were with our 3.5yo daughter so I figured we'd go for the Tinkerbell angle. When we picked out our spot, my wife asked me why we wanted to be right there. I pointed to the wire and she said, "oh, cool." I replied, "Robo's the man." :thumbsup2

[Sleeping Becca]

The water table is so high here in South Louisiana, we can't even bury our dead, our cemetaries are above ground. You can be buried below the surface but have to have a huge concrete cap on your vault to keep you from floating up.

Sorry so morbid, just trying to point out how high the water table is here.

So having a subterainean system is a no go.

[abc999]

Even if there were no water table issues, the cost would probably be a huge issue. There is probably a cost issue linked with why most of WDW is now linked by bus and not by monorail. Why build double the infrastructure needed when it still al works?