Limited Monorail? NOOOOOOOOO

[JanaDee]

The monorails are still there. There are just a few hours every day (not rush hours by any means) that you need to take a bus, boat or walk. Geez.

Seven hours is more than a "few".

I'd be annoyed, too...and if the monorail is still on limited hours when we arrive, yes, the front desk will hear about it from me.

 

[JanaDee]

I find it funny that no monorail throws that big of downer in your vacation but its all ok if you get compensated? Your still out of a monorail. Thats the problem with the world...nobody wants to give without getting something in return.

I gave Disney thousands of dollars ~ I expect a monorail resort with a working monorail in return.

 

[JanaDee]

You are entirely correct. Your resort is a bundle, priced according to the amenities/features of the particular resort you are staying at. I've no interest in arguing my point; I know it won't help!

You're right, it won't. The Disney apologists will have excuses for whatever Disney does. If you hang around long enough, they're easy to spot and oh-so-predictable.

 

[maxiesmom]

Seven hours is more than a "few".

I'd be annoyed, too...and if the monorail is still on limited hours when we arrive, yes, the front desk will hear about it from me.

And what good will that do? Will it make you feel better to vent at some poor CM who has no control over if the monorail is operation or not?

Honestly some posters remind me of some of the customers I had to deal with at work today. Our elevator broke down, and we had people insisting we still let them in it, even though we couldn't promise they wouldn't get stuck in it. Stuff breaks down, things have to be worked on. Not liking it doesn't make it less true. And getting upset with someone who has no control over it doesn't help either. There is a difference in being an apologist and someone who understands that sometimes you have to put on your big girl panties and deal with a little inconvenience.

Appropriate compensation is the extra boats and buses Disney is running to make up for the lack of the monorail. Getting cash back will not get you back use of the monorail. And goes to show that too many people still think a fist full of money fixes everything.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I'm not normally on the side of the Disney apologists, but I have to agree here. They key is this: would you expect the same of any other company you deal with?

If you checked into a Sheraton hotel and their pool was closed, or a Hilton and the free breakfast didn't have the items you wanted, would you expect "compensation"?

If I paid for a first class seat on an airplane, I would expect to get a first class seat. First class seats usually come with better food, better entertainment, etc. than in coach. But if my in-seat entertainment system wasn't working properly, or if they ran out of the steak before I got any, I wouldn't expect "compensation". However, if they stuck me back in coach, I would expect "compensation" - the cost difference between a coach seat and what I actually paid.

Similarly, if I paid for a room at the Poly but they put me in a room at All-Star movies, I would expect compensation. If I paid more for a "Theme Park View" and got a dumpster view, I would expect compensation for the premium I actually paid.


Here's another way of looking at it. Presumably, Disney is still taking reservations for the Poly, even during construction. Do you think they're charging super-low rates because of the construction?

If they are charging lower rates now, you might want to cancel your reservations and re-book.

If they are not charging lower rates now, then clearly the part-time loss of the monorail isn't worth anything.

 

[Babsy]

I booked the CR in part because of the reviews indicating the unreliability of the monorail lately. It was my thought that with walking distance to the MK, we wouldn't be stuck with transportation issues. Partial shut downs makes me very happy with the CR as my choice.

For anyone that would find that 5 - 15 minute walk difficult, I certainly agree that Disney's closing of the monorail for 7 hours a day during a stay at a monorail hotel would be upsetting news. The ease of transportation on the monorail line to the MK is a major factor in most people's decision to stay in one of these 3 resort hotels, IMO. It certainly was a huge factor in our decision to stay there, despite taking steps to stay where a potential problem with it would be less of an issue.

OP, I hope that your trip is great and that the monorail is running when you are there. In case it helps to know this, I think that you may be in the least affected resort on the monorail line and have the easiest means of circumventing the issue (by walking to the MK). If this won't work for you, perhaps you should consider changing resorts to another area such as to a hotel near Epcot.

If you are unhappy with the way that Disney has dealt with you, you do have the right to complain and see if they can accommodate you in a way that improves your experience. We have always found the CM's in WDW to be extremely helpful when there is a problem. They won't be able to start up the monorail for you, but they will do whatever they can.

It is upsetting, but in the end all anyone can do is try to make the best of an imperfect situation. Good luck!

 

[Shaden]

I'm not normally on the side of the Disney apologists, but I have to agree here. They key is this: would you expect the same of any other company you deal with?

If you checked into a Sheraton hotel and their pool was closed, or a Hilton and the free breakfast didn't have the items you wanted, would you expect "compensation"?

If I paid for a first class seat on an airplane, I would expect to get a first class seat. First class seats usually come with better food, better entertainment, etc. than in coach. But if my in-seat entertainment system wasn't working properly, or if they ran out of the steak before I got any, I wouldn't expect "compensation". However, if they stuck me back in coach, I would expect "compensation" - the cost difference between a coach seat and what I actually paid.

Similarly, if I paid for a room at the Poly but they put me in a room at All-Star movies, I would expect compensation. If I paid more for a "Theme Park View" and got a dumpster view, I would expect compensation for the premium I actually paid.


Here's another way of looking at it. Presumably, Disney is still taking reservations for the Poly, even during construction. Do you think they're charging super-low rates because of the construction?

If they are charging lower rates now, you might want to cancel your reservations and re-book.

If they are not charging lower rates now, then clearly the part-time loss of the monorail isn't worth anything.

Actually yes I would ask for compensation for some of those things. This isn't about entitlements, its about getting what you PAY for. If you booked a window seat on the plane and paid for it, but when you were seated there was no window ... would you demand the money back for the window seat ? I sure as hell would. Would my flight still work ? Would I still get to where I was going, yup, but its not what I paid for.

I, nor anyone here, is asking for anything for free (an entitlement) they are asking for what the PAID for, the exact opposite. Its a transaction.

And you are right, Maxie's you are paying for the resort as a bundle, and part of it is the convenience and availability of the monorail. I wouldn't reserve the Poly thinking, here is my premium money for extra busses and boats, I would book it thinking ... MONORAIL !!!

Why not buy a Porche and have them give you a 2 KIA's instead ... be happy ? Pay for a Pizza with the works and get a cheese pizza instead ? How about if you bought a living room and when it showed up it was missing the ottoman, but came with a throw rug ?

You get what you pay for, its the entire basis of a capitalist economy. When you don't, you get compensation.

 

[linco711]

And what good will that do? Will it make you feel better to vent at some poor CM who has no control over if the monorail is operation or not?

Honestly some posters remind me of some of the customers I had to deal with at work today. Our elevator broke down, and we had people insisting we still let them in it, even though we couldn't promise they wouldn't get stuck in it. Stuff breaks down, things have to be worked on. Not liking it doesn't make it less true. And getting upset with someone who has no control over it doesn't help either. There is a difference in being an apologist and someone who understands that sometimes you have to put on your big girl panties and deal with a little inconvenience.

Appropriate compensation is the extra boats and buses Disney is running to make up for the lack of the monorail. Getting cash back will not get you back use of the monorail. And goes to show that too many people still think a fist full of money fixes everything.

Perfectly stated

 

[DPCummerbund]

Actually yes I would ask for compensation for some of those things. This isn't about entitlements, its about getting what you PAY for. If you booked a window seat on the plane and paid for it, but when you were seated there was no window ... would you demand the money back for the window seat ? I sure as hell would.

I, nor anyone here, is asking for anything for free (an entitlement) they are asking for what the PAID for, the exact opposite. Its a transaction.

Why not buy a Porche and have them give you a 2 KIA's instead ... be happy ? Pay for a Pizza with the works and get a cheese pizza instead ? How about if you bought a living room and when it showed up it was missing the ottoman, but came with a throw rug ?

You get what you pay for, its the entire basis of a capitalist economy. When you don't, you get compensation.

You are correct in that you get what you paid for. Nowhere in any agreement that you signed with Disney does it stipulate that you get a monorail. Disney never promised, quoted, or even mentioned a monorail in any kind of agreement with you. Ask the people who buy DVC contracts - they explicitly state that they won't even promise that WDW will even EXIST after you sign the papers! Sure, people EXPECT that WDW will continue to operate, and that's why DVC has some value. But they get no compensation if all the parks close their gates entirely.

I think the cars & the furniture that you mentioned are a good example. With the furniture and such, you have some sort of agreement as to the specific pieces you're going to get, and how much you paid for them. If you don't get what you paid for, as stated in the contract, you get some sort of compensation. Same thing with the cars.

In many cases, you paid more to get a product of a certain "quality". Perhaps it was well made, and has a reputation for reliability. You paid more for that, but it's certainly not guaranteed (sure, if there's some kind of warranty coverage, you're compensated during that period). But after the warranty is up, you're out of luck if it breaks - even if you paid more because you expected some kind of quality.

Sure, you're upset - just like the guy whose car broke down a month after the warranty expired. But just like that guy, you don't get anything for it. It may make you mad, and you may choose not to do business with that company again, but you got exactly what you paid for.

 

[xipotec]

1. The monorail closure cannot be compare to a ride closure announced months in advance. Disney clearly dropped the ball here. Guests at the resort NOW got a message under their doors this AM .

2. The closure is due to construction (adding sensors to the line) not emergency repair work.

3. This WILL be a major inconvienece to some and a annoyance to others. But the fact is that they make a very big deal out of the fact that the monorail is available to these resorts.

A few visits back the monorail broke down several times we were there. It caused major waits at the launches, and no one could tell us what to do or where to go for a time. If WDW is going to do things like this they MUST be sure to accommodate the expectation they set up. More launches , buses etc too make up for the missing transportation option. Should guest have major wait times getting to and from the park they should be compensated somehow.

 

[maxiesmom]

1. The monorail closure cannot be compare to a ride closure announced months in advance. Disney clearly dropped the ball here. Guests at the resort NOW got a message under their doors this AM .

You know, I would like to agree with you. As someone who has check in to a resort only to find a main amenity not functional, I get being upset. Been there, done that! And actually made the trek to the front desk to speak with the manager about their lack of communication. It seems that Disney is unsure of exact construction/upkeep dates for some reason, and if you are one of the unlucky ones to arrive just when the construction/upkeep starts, you get an unpleasant surprise.

But the truth is, Disney guarantees you nothing when you make a resort reservation. They don't even guarantee you will get a room at the resort you book! They are free to shuffle you to another resort if they so choose. And all operational hours--pool hours, bus hours, and yes monorail hours are subject to change.

It stinks for those who show up at the Poly and get the note under their door. But the only thing Disney can do to fix the problem of the monorail being down is to add more boats and more buses to get people back and forth. Which is exactly what they are doing.

 

[Darthbane2007]

I honestly do not see big deal. It is only lasting a couple weeks...

 

[pieface]

The big deal is you pay a $1,000 more to stay at a monorail resort and no monorail. Rooms should be discounted during that time period for the loss of the monorail that is only fair.

 

[Darthbane2007]

But who do you give discounts to?

 

[maxiesmom]

The big deal is you pay a $1,000 more to stay at a monorail resort and no monorail. Rooms should be discounted during that time period for the loss of the monorail that is only fair.

It is no different from Disney not discounting park tickets when they have some of the rides down for refurbishment. This actually isn't even as bad, at least the monorail is still running, just on a limited schedule.

And as was pointed out earlier, there are multiple Disney resorts that cost more than the Contemporary resort. People are not necessarily paying more for a monorail resort. They can be paying more to stay at a resort without one.

 

[islandtimect]

It is no different from Disney not discounting park tickets when they have some of the rides down for refurbishment. This actually isn't even as bad, at least the monorail is still running, just on a limited schedule.

And as was pointed out earlier, there are multiple Disney resorts that cost more than the Contemporary resort. People are not necessarily paying more for a monorail resort. They can be paying more to stay at a resort without one.

I font agree. Most folks stay on monorail resorts because of the monorail. When thats one of your primary reasons to stay there and its down i would ask fir a discount. Little comparison to one great ride of many many rides being down in the park. Im a travel agent and if I had a client affected i sure would be on the phone trying to help them.

 

[Kristibo42]

The big deal is you pay a $1,000 more to stay at a monorail resort and no monorail. Rooms should be discounted during that time period for the loss of the monorail that is only fair.

You pay that much more for a Deluxe not just for the monorail. What about the refrigerators? People pay for them and didn't get them. Stop whining.

 

[RedStars]

Are they bussing people between the resorts? That's where it would be highly inconvenient.

When we stayed at the Poly last year, our main motivator was the convenience of the monorail. We took advantage of eating in restaurants along the monorail.

Not to mention, we had two young kids with a double stroller. There were many days we went back and forth in the middle of the day.

And if you booked BC and they told you SAB was closed AFTER you checked in, wouldn't you be mad?

 

[poohgirl6]

OP, so sorry this is happening during your visit. I would totally be upset if we were there and the "down times" were occurring on our time and money.

CR is where we have stayed recently, and the monorail is an big draw for staying there. Yes, you can walk to MK (but what if it's inclement weather or you're really tired or have a family member that can't make the walk?) but there is no boat launch to CR (although I think several years ago there was ). Those launches from Poly and GF to MK are very small and don't seat many people at a time, so I would imagine the lines would build up there, esp during peak times.

Hope they get whatever fixes, maintenance, etc done and resume the normal operating schedule soon. Would hate to hear that this is how things will be in the future.

 

[SSR]

Would it be fair to say that Disney is aiming to have this work completed and the monorail up and running at full tilt in time for the 10/23 opening of the Grand Floridian Villas?