Calif and WDW monorails - The DIS Discussion Forums

DisMN · 09-03-2009, 07:04 PM

The WDW monorail goes from park to park...it would appear to have a valuable purpose for WDW transportation.
The Disneyland has a monorail too but where does it actually go? I've always understood that park to be rather small, so does it just circle the park or is there an actual destination? Silly question I know..but there you have it.
LOL

Robo · 09-03-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisMN

The WDW monorail goes from park to park...it would appear to have a valuable purpose for WDW transportation.
The Disneyland has a monorail too but where does it actually go? I've always understood that park to be rather small, so does it just circle the park or is there an actual destination? Silly question I know..but there you have it.
LOL

It runs between Tomorrowland and the Disneyland Hotel complex.

buckylarue · 09-03-2009, 07:53 PM

Actually, since the expansion of the Disneyland resort, the monorail runs between Tomorrowland in DL and Downtown Disney, with a pass thru of DCA and the Grand Californian hotel.

Shoppingstaceysmom · 09-03-2009, 09:01 PM

On our very first trip to DW after years of trips to DL I mentioned to the Monorail driver (we were sitting up front) that DW's monorail was so much nicer that the DL monorail. He said rather smuggly 'That's because our monorails are transpertation DL's is just a ride' (He wasn't the friendliest CM we met didn't seem to like us up there).

Cheshire Figment · 09-03-2009, 09:04 PM

This last part is true. The monorail at DL is primarily an attraction. Most people get on at Tomorrowland and ride the full trip. Sometimes if is extremely difficult for people staying at the Disneyland Hotel to use the monorail to get to the Park as the train is packed with people for the round trip.

Ltl Mermaid · 09-04-2009, 01:39 AM

Every time I have ridden the monorail at DLR it is a one-way only. They announce it while you are waiting in line so that way people are not surprised when they are asked to exit. But I rarely ride the monorail so maybe they only do that during peak season.

In terms of which is "nicer"...obviously WDW is bigger but that is because WDW as a whole is much larger than DLR.

Ours at DLR is the original which I think makes it special in it's own way, but it doesn't serve the same transportation purpose that WDW does.

Rhonna · 09-04-2009, 01:50 AM

It is kind of cool to get off the monorail INSIDE the park at Disneyland - right in Tomorrowland. But it's a short ride compared to being "real" transportation like WDW's.

DisMN · 09-04-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheshire Figment

This last part is true. The monorail at DL is primarily an attraction.

Thankyou! That's exactly what I was wondering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ltl Mermaid

Ours at DLR is the original which I think makes it special in it's own way, but it doesn't serve the same transportation purpose that WDW does.

Again, thankyou. I've never been to DL so I didn't really know if there was much more to the monorail than mostly the park.

Thanks for all your replies!

DisMN · 09-04-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhonna

It is kind of cool to get off the monorail INSIDE the park at Disneyland - right in Tomorrowland. But it's a short ride compared to being "real" transportation like WDW's.

How does park ticketing work if you're let off IN the park?

Robo · 09-04-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisMN

How does park ticketing work if you're let off IN the park?

There is a ticketing center at the DL Hotel station.

You must have a valid DL ticket to board the monorail at that station.

snykymom · 09-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Just a bit of history, though - the WDW monorail didn't always run from park to park. It did always run from the TTC through the Contemporary to the entrance to MK, but remember that this was constructed well before EPCOT opened in 1982. (And it still only runs between MK and EPCOT; it doesn't go to AK or DHS.)

bradk · 09-04-2009, 10:07 AM

just to clarify, not a ticketing center per se at the DTD station (used to be Disneyland Hotel property), but yes, tickets and bags are checked there and handstamps are issued there (I believe).

so you need to have a ticket in hand to board there, you can't purchase a ticket there.

i haven't been to DLR since the reconstruction of DCA and the whole front re-do, but it was neat how the Monorail basically rode across the Golden Gate Bridge

CDNCA · 09-04-2009, 10:45 AM

Just got back from Disneyland. Stayed at the Disneyland Hotel.

The monorail is a transportation service from Tomorrowland to the Downtown Disney stop located near the Disneyland Hotel. Those are the only two stops and all of the riders had to get off. I did not see anyone turn around and get back in line to ride back the whole time I was there. We used the monorail many times to save walking. You do not get the same volume of riders as WDW as it is possible to walk out of the park to get to the parking lot trams, busses and Hotels.

It does pass through DCA and the Californian Hotel, but there are no stations there for stops.

The monorail has 5 cars that hold twenty people seated. There is no standing. The front cab holds the driver plus 5 passengers (when allowed). the back end has a cabin that holds 7 people. There are no driver controls in the back.

Blue and Orange were working while Red was in the shop. Three monorails at a time are able to work on the beam but this has not been done for years.

When it gets hot out, they limit the cars to 15 people so you are not packed in as tight . The cars have windows that open, but no air conditioning. The driver compartment and back end are air conditioned, but fog up in the heat so they do not allow people up with the driver if weather conditions do not allow it.

Each car has a seat at the front (rear facing) for 4 people, a seat at the back (forward facing) for 4 people, and a two sided seat running from the front to the back (facing the sides of the car) for six people on each side.

The monorails are shorter and thinner than the WDW monorails due to clearance issues. The beam loops under itself and beside the old TTC track making clearances pretty tight.

The run from Tomorrowland to DTD takes only 5 minutes. The trip into the park takes longer as you loop around Tomorrowland, past Small World and go around the Matterhorn.

There is a bag check and a ticket scanning turnstile at the entrance to the monorail station. They can also provide hand stamps for re-entry when you exit.

Stinky_Pete · 09-04-2009, 02:51 PM

Last time I was DL we were disappointed that the monorail was not operating at all a few times during park hours. It was a "slow" time of the year and I guess they decided they just didn't need it running.

09-03-2009, 07:04 PM	#1
DisMN ~I have a very naughty friend who feeds the squirrels at WDW~ Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Up Nort Posts: 3,836	Calif and WDW monorails The WDW monorail goes from park to park...it would appear to have a valuable purpose for WDW transportation. The Disneyland has a monorail too but where does it actually go? I've always understood that park to be rather small, so does it just circle the park or is there an actual destination? Silly question I know..but there you have it. LOL __________________ Come on ABC, let the baby bunny grow!!

09-03-2009, 07:53 PM	#3
buckylarue Can't decide who's Statler and who's Waldorf... Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 3,477	Actually, since the expansion of the Disneyland resort, the monorail runs between Tomorrowland in DL and Downtown Disney, with a pass thru of DCA and the Grand Californian hotel. __________________ 'We're all here because we're not all there!' Bucky LaRue DLR 1956, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 84, 86, 89, 99, 05 WDW 1977, 79, 81, 83, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96(3x), 97, 98, 99, 00, 01(3x), 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 Next trip - solo WDW Saratoga Springs 12/6-11/09 Partner next trip solo DLR GCV 1/28-2/2/10

09-03-2009, 09:01 PM	#4
Shoppingstaceysmom Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 198	On our very first trip to DW after years of trips to DL I mentioned to the Monorail driver (we were sitting up front) that DW's monorail was so much nicer that the DL monorail. He said rather smuggly 'That's because our monorails are transpertation DL's is just a ride' (He wasn't the friendliest CM we met didn't seem to like us up there). __________________ DISNEY GIRLS RULE! DISNEYLAND (TOO MANY TO COUNT) MAY 1979-APRIL 2009 DISNEYWORLD AUGUST 2004 MOVIES DISNEYWORLD SEPTEMBER 2005 POP DISNEYWORLD JUNE 2006 WINDSOR HILLS DISNEYWORLD SEPTEMBER 2006 POP DISNEYWORLD SEPTEMBER 2007 POP DISNEYWORLD JUNE 2008 WINDSOR HILLS DISNEYWORLD DECEMBER 2008 OFF SITE DISNEYWORLD/CRUISE SEPTEMBER 2009 POP DISNEYWORLD/2ND CRUISE SEPTEMBER 2010 POP

09-03-2009, 09:04 PM	#5
Cheshire Figment Friend of Figment Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Poinciana, FL (20 miles to WDW) Posts: 20,478	This last part is true. The monorail at DL is primarily an attraction. Most people get on at Tomorrowland and ride the full trip. Sometimes if is extremely difficult for people staying at the Disneyland Hotel to use the monorail to get to the Park as the train is packed with people for the round trip. __________________ 41 WDW Stays Totalling 321 nights between 1987 and mid-2003. Animal Kingdom Lodge; All Stars(2); Beach Club; Boardwalk Inn; Caribbean Beach (9); Contemporary Tower (13); Courtyard (2); Disney Institute; Dixie Landings; Grand Floridian; Grosvenor; Hilton; Old Key West; Polynesian; Port Orleans; Royal Plaza; Shades of Green; Wilderness Lodge; Marriott World Center (3); Other Off-Property (Other Than just 1st or last Night) (8). Now Working Part Time at Walt Disney World! (Guest Services/Ticket Sales/Turnstile Greeter) A few very helpful links which are on DisBoards: Everything About WDW Tickets and this one disABILITIES FAQs

09-04-2009, 01:39 AM	#6
Ltl Mermaid Spreading Disney Magic with the push of a button Join Date: May 2006 Location: Near the Original House of Mouse...Disneyland Posts: 509	Every time I have ridden the monorail at DLR it is a one-way only. They announce it while you are waiting in line so that way people are not surprised when they are asked to exit. But I rarely ride the monorail so maybe they only do that during peak season. In terms of which is "nicer"...obviously WDW is bigger but that is because WDW as a whole is much larger than DLR. Ours at DLR is the original which I think makes it special in it's own way, but it doesn't serve the same transportation purpose that WDW does. __________________ Hi from your super friendly DisneyLand Resort Cast Member!! My Past Disney Trips : Disneyland : Too many DL trips to count and worked for the mouse at the Blue Bayou in college! I currently work at the Walt Disney Travel Company! Disneyworld :January 97: All Star Sports, June 99: Caribbean Beach Resort, June 00: Coronado Springs Resort, May 01: Animal Kingdom Lodge (opening month), June 02: Beach Club Resort, December 02: Wilderness Lodge Resort, September 03: Contemporary Resort, Febuary 05: Grand Floridian Resort, December 05: Port Orleans Riverside, December 06: Wilderness Lodge, December 08: Pop Century Upcoming October 2009: Boardwalk Resort Disney Cruise Line Febuary 05: 7 night Western on the Magic August 05: 7 night Mexico on the Magic May 2007: 11 night Mediterranean Cruise on the Magic

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09-04-2009, 01:50 AM	#7
Rhonna DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 840	It is kind of cool to get off the monorail INSIDE the park at Disneyland - right in Tomorrowland. But it's a short ride compared to being "real" transportation like WDW's.

09-04-2009, 09:37 AM	#11
snykymom DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,646	Just a bit of history, though - the WDW monorail didn't always run from park to park. It did always run from the TTC through the Contemporary to the entrance to MK, but remember that this was constructed well before EPCOT opened in 1982. (And it still only runs between MK and EPCOT; it doesn't go to AK or DHS.) __________________

09-04-2009, 10:07 AM	#12
bradk She runs to get away from you. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 18,132	just to clarify, not a ticketing center per se at the DTD station (used to be Disneyland Hotel property), but yes, tickets and bags are checked there and handstamps are issued there (I believe). so you need to have a ticket in hand to board there, you can't purchase a ticket there. i haven't been to DLR since the reconstruction of DCA and the whole front re-do, but it was neat how the Monorail basically rode across the Golden Gate Bridge __________________ Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter with Tiana

09-04-2009, 10:45 AM	#13
CDNCA Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 72	Just got back from Disneyland. Stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. The monorail is a transportation service from Tomorrowland to the Downtown Disney stop located near the Disneyland Hotel. Those are the only two stops and all of the riders had to get off. I did not see anyone turn around and get back in line to ride back the whole time I was there. We used the monorail many times to save walking. You do not get the same volume of riders as WDW as it is possible to walk out of the park to get to the parking lot trams, busses and Hotels. It does pass through DCA and the Californian Hotel, but there are no stations there for stops. The monorail has 5 cars that hold twenty people seated. There is no standing. The front cab holds the driver plus 5 passengers (when allowed). the back end has a cabin that holds 7 people. There are no driver controls in the back. Blue and Orange were working while Red was in the shop. Three monorails at a time are able to work on the beam but this has not been done for years. When it gets hot out, they limit the cars to 15 people so you are not packed in as tight . The cars have windows that open, but no air conditioning. The driver compartment and back end are air conditioned, but fog up in the heat so they do not allow people up with the driver if weather conditions do not allow it. Each car has a seat at the front (rear facing) for 4 people, a seat at the back (forward facing) for 4 people, and a two sided seat running from the front to the back (facing the sides of the car) for six people on each side. The monorails are shorter and thinner than the WDW monorails due to clearance issues. The beam loops under itself and beside the old TTC track making clearances pretty tight. The run from Tomorrowland to DTD takes only 5 minutes. The trip into the park takes longer as you loop around Tomorrowland, past Small World and go around the Matterhorn. There is a bag check and a ticket scanning turnstile at the entrance to the monorail station. They can also provide hand stamps for re-entry when you exit.

09-04-2009, 02:51 PM	#14
Stinky_Pete DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,250	Last time I was DL we were disappointed that the monorail was not operating at all a few times during park hours. It was a "slow" time of the year and I guess they decided they just didn't need it running.

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