Disney Ends Evening EMH Monorail Service

[dreaming4disney]

This change is NOT minor. I recently spent a significant amount of money to buy an interest in BLT. The one and only reason I wanted to join DVC (not hyperbole) was because I could now stay on the monorail line. My family and I love the monorail, and it is the only way we like to get around (at least for MK and Epcot). The change at MK service sucks, but you can walk to BLT. But what about Epcot? If I ride the monorail to Epcot for EMH, I am stranded and forced to take a bus or a cab back to BLT. I absolutely refuse to do either. I NEVER ride the buses at Disney any more because they are intolerable. I take a car to avoid using the bus to HS and AK. Now, with the change in monorail service, I am forced to take a car to Epcot to avoid the bus system, which means that 50% of the parks serviced by the monorail are no longer serviced by them for my purposes on nights with EMH. That is a big deal, and I am NOT happy about it at all.

I totally agree with your statement. Also, I like the option of using the monorail to get to the other monorail resorts for dinners, drinks, shopping, etc. which will also be diminished by limiting service.

 

[jade1]

I totally agree with your statement. Also, I like the option of using the monorail to get to the other monorail resorts for dinners, drinks, shopping, etc. which will also be diminished by limiting service.

If EPCOT is always open until 9PM-wont the monorail always be running until at least 10PM every night? 1 hour after closing? Or would it stop making certain loops if MK closes at 7PM?

 

[dreaming4disney]

That's a good question. Will only the Epcot line stay open till 10pm or will it include the monorail resorts also. I am not sure.

 

[jade1]

That's a good question. Will only the Epcot line stay open till 10pm or will it include the monorail resorts also. I am not sure.

I highly doubt they will tell a GF guest that EPCOT closes at 9PM but the monorail wont bring you back because MK closes at 7. What would one have to do with the other? Therefore you could always go from BLT to POLY to GF until 10PM every night.

 

[photobob]

I would say the majority of guests who line up at the Contemporary Monorail station during that time period don't even stay at the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower or the other Monorail Resorts, because I have seen a lot of them exit at the TTC. Now I also have seen a lot of guests exit at the Magic Kingdom, so it was either to actually go there or walking to the Disney Transport bus sections and getting a bus back to their WDW Resort.

With the Wave, Chef Mickey's and the California Grill at that resort that really isn't surprising!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

With the Wave, Chef Mickey's and the California Grill at that resort that really isn't surprising!

I would say that's also true at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian because they get a lot of guests not staying there to eat at their varuous restaurants, then those guests take the Resort Monorail when they are finished eating, which adds to the lineup just getting on and people in the Monorail cars.

 

[jade1]

I highly doubt they will tell a GF guest that EPCOT closes at 9PM but the monorail wont bring you back because MK closes at 7. What would one have to do with the other? Therefore you could always go from BLT to POLY to GF until 10PM every night.

Stand corrected-sounds like the MK loop will be down, so EPCOT to TTC but then its a walk/bus/boat/car/cab.

9 of 30 Sept nights and 16 of 31 Oct nights.

 

[dancnorris]

Can someone please post a list of resources for complaining (preferably by email) to various Disney entities. I want to complaint to DVC member satisfaction, but also Disney proper as well. If someone can post links or email addresses here, hopefully it can help mobilize some more of us to respond. I am NOT happy.

Regarding the maintenance issue, I don't buy it. Yes, the monorails have maintenance problems. Yes, they need downtime to conduct repairs. However, this is not a problem that money cannot fix. If necessary, buy new trains. Or add more trains. Add additional maintence crew to conduct the repairs in a shorter period. If they wanted to fix the maintenance problems, they can do it. They would just rather cut services than pay to upkeep them.

In fact, it is worth noting that, if the maintenance problems are truly insurmountable, they can solve the problem by closing the parks earlier or discontinuing EMH, which allows them to take the monorails offline earlier. Guests do not have set expectations on continued EMH or specific park hours. But, they will not do this because it cuts into their revenues. In other words, they want to keep the revenues but refuse to pay for the services that make them possible. While I do not have expectations on park hours, I expect to be able to use the KEY amenity affiliated with my membership at BLT. They can tell me all day long that monorail service is not gauranteed for BLT owners, and it is not. I don't care. That is like stating that operation of the MK is not gauranteed. It is there for legal reasons, but it cannot be justified from a customer service perspective.

I hate the bean counters. We MUST bring them down...

 

[honeymo78]

Wow you'd really rather lose extra magic hours and hence extended monorail hours as well rather than take a bus. The lack of monorail for a few extra hours in the evening doesn't diminish my BLT ownership. Perhaps complete closure would but I'm not willing to freak over a few hours.

 

[dancnorris]

No. I do not prefer to lose EMH. My point is that there are other solutions to the problem that Disney could pursue. They don't consider them because it cuts into their revenues. Yet, when it comes to paying for services that have been in place for the entire history of the park, they are perfectly willing to cut services rather than pay a few extra dollars to resolve maintenance problems. These monorails are 22 years old, which makes them the oldest monorail fleet in Disney history. There's no excuse for refusing to upgrade the trains at the expense of those of us who have paid tens of thousands of dollars to buy an interest in a monorail resort (much less all the cash guests at monorail resorts that pay full freight). Plus, they would not have to eliminate EMH, anyway. They can just shorten them so they do not go until 3 am. Problem solved.

 

[gray52]

Don't care about MK EMH so much but not pleased about Epcot as we like to take the monorail back as it is easier with a stroller.

Also wonder - are they going run a bus to/from the contemporary/MK then? Or expect people to walk?

My thoughts exactly! This doesn't give you much incentive to book a monorail resort, does it? That's a main draw for those of us with STROLLERS, which is probably 50% of the Disney population (i might be exaggerating).

Get used to it folks... it's the glory of being tied to a publicly owned company... it's not about the smiles, it's about stock prices.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

I would say the majority of guests who line up at the Contemporary Monorail station during that time period don't even stay at the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower or the other Monorail Resorts, because I have seen a lot of them exit at the TTC. Now I also have seen a lot of guests exit at the Magic Kingdom, so it was either to actually go there or walking to the Disney Transport bus sections and getting a bus back to their WDW Resort.

Did it ever occur to you that the people exiting at the TTC might be transferring to the Epcot line? And those exiting at the MK were actually going to the MK? I concede that there are folks not staying at CR or BLT lining up at the CR monorail station, but perhaps those people were enjoying the restaurants and shops the MK resorts have to offer, not just coming in to ride the monorail... Just a thought...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Did it ever occur to you that the people exiting at the TTC might be transferring to the Epcot line? And those exiting at the MK were actually going to the MK? I concede that there are folks not staying at CR or BLT lining up at the CR monorail station, but perhaps those people were enjoying the restaurants and shops the MK resorts have to offer, not just coming in to ride the monorail... Just a thought...

If you read my post again I said yes it's possible that some of those people might have been going to the Magic Kingdom. As for the chance those getting off at the TTC they might have been going to Epcot however considering that by the time the Monorail got to the TTC Epcot was closing in half an hour, so they wouldn't have made it and other times it had already closed for the evening.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

Can someone please post a list of resources for complaining (preferably by email) to various Disney entities. I want to complaint to DVC member satisfaction, but also Disney proper as well. If someone can post links or email addresses here, hopefully it can help mobilize some more of us to respond. I am NOT happy.

Regarding the maintenance issue, I don't buy it. Yes, the monorails have maintenance problems. Yes, they need downtime to conduct repairs. However, this is not a problem that money cannot fix. If necessary, buy new trains. Or add more trains. Add additional maintence crew to conduct the repairs in a shorter period. If they wanted to fix the maintenance problems, they can do it. They would just rather cut services than pay to upkeep them.

In fact, it is worth noting that, if the maintenance problems are truly insurmountable, they can solve the problem by closing the parks earlier or discontinuing EMH, which allows them to take the monorails offline earlier. Guests do not have set expectations on continued EMH or specific park hours. But, they will not do this because it cuts into their revenues. In other words, they want to keep the revenues but refuse to pay for the services that make them possible. While I do not have expectations on park hours, I expect to be able to use the KEY amenity affiliated with my membership at BLT. They can tell me all day long that monorail service is not gauranteed for BLT owners, and it is not. I don't care. That is like stating that operation of the MK is not gauranteed. It is there for legal reasons, but it cannot be justified from a customer service perspective.

I hate the bean counters. We MUST bring them down...

One recommendation for you, try anger management...

If complaining makes you feel empowered, by all means have at it... You can complain for me too if it makes you feel better...

Are you an expert on the maintenance needs of a 40-year-old transportation system??? Didn't think so... And your solutions seem to be a bit out of touch... Buy new trains??? Sure, easy fix... Now who do you think the tens of millions of dollars in costs will be passed down to??? Mickey's not gonna pick up the tab on it... Add more trains??? Where??? There's only so much room on each of the beams... Do you enjoy holding short of a station because the previous train has yet to clear it??? Add more maintenance techs??? This one is plausible, but there is no real evidence to conclude that this option would actually improve efficiency and cut repair times... Personally, I am not an expert on monorail operations, but I do know that the monorail system is 40 years old. Aging technology requires more maintenance as time passes... That's a simple fact...

Now let's head to Fantasyland... You're ready to e-mail Member Services because they are cutting monorail service by 6 hours each week, but then you propose cutting out EMH and cutting park hours??? Really??? I mean you state that you don't expect the parks to maintain EMH or specific hours, but you expect the monorail to run on your terms??? Sarcasm or not, I think you're slightly off base here... I don't think you should really worry about bringing down the bean counters... Seriously, consider some form of therapy...

 

[Donut23]

One recommendation for you, try anger management...

If complaining makes you feel empowered, by all means have at it... You can complain for me too if it makes you feel better...

Are you an expert on the maintenance needs of a 40-year-old transportation system??? Didn't think so... And your solutions seem to be a bit out of touch... Buy new trains??? Sure, easy fix... Now who do you think the tens of millions of dollars in costs will be passed down to??? Mickey's not gonna pick up the tab on it... Add more trains??? Where??? There's only so much room on each of the beams... Do you enjoy holding short of a station because the previous train has yet to clear it??? Add more maintenance techs??? This one is plausible, but there is no real evidence to conclude that this option would actually improve efficiency and cut repair times... Personally, I am not an expert on monorail operations, but I do know that the monorail system is 40 years old. Aging technology requires more maintenance as time passes... That's a simple fact...

Now let's head to Fantasyland... You're ready to e-mail Member Services because they are cutting monorail service by 6 hours each week, but then you propose cutting out EMH and cutting park hours??? Really??? I mean you state that you don't expect the parks to maintain EMH or specific hours, but you expect the monorail to run on your terms??? Sarcasm or not, I think you're slightly off base here... I don't think you should really worry about bringing down the bean counters... Seriously, consider some form of therapy...

Wow! I had no idea DVC had on-board staff therapy ready to dispense free sessions!

Now before you get any more "fluffy" with those of us offering opinions......I believe the concern of this person was the obvious deterioration of maintenance issues around WDW.

DH is a 30+ year castmember and has seen the recent changes from the inside. Yea, two years ago when all the layoffs happened they all drank the magic koolaid about desperate $$$ positions. They were willing to make the sacrifice....for "the cause". Funny thing, very few at the high executive level were affected. Only problem now, they publish their quarterly reports and they are back to making BUCKETS of profits.

What HAS been affected the last two years is maintenance. There is just no budget to maintain the physical plant of WDW as has been in the past.

Yes, we have every right to be worried about that.....and to express our worries to the Disney ears who might listen.

After all, how on earth are they going to know we are watching and see what they are NOT doing.....if we don't tell them.

.....and as far as your free advice, I guess you get what you pay for!!!!!

 

[Sammie]

Can someone please post a list of resources for complaining (preferably by email) to various Disney entities. I want to complaint to DVC member satisfaction, but also Disney proper as well. If someone can post links or email addresses here, hopefully it can help mobilize some more of us to respond. I am NOT happy.

Regarding the maintenance issue, I don't buy it. Yes, the monorails have maintenance problems. Yes, they need downtime to conduct repairs. However, this is not a problem that money cannot fix. If necessary, buy new trains. Or add more trains. Add additional maintence crew to conduct the repairs in a shorter period. If they wanted to fix the maintenance problems, they can do it. They would just rather cut services than pay to upkeep them.

In fact, it is worth noting that, if the maintenance problems are truly insurmountable, they can solve the problem by closing the parks earlier or discontinuing EMH, which allows them to take the monorails offline earlier. Guests do not have set expectations on continued EMH or specific park hours. But, they will not do this because it cuts into their revenues. In other words, they want to keep the revenues but refuse to pay for the services that make them possible. While I do not have expectations on park hours, I expect to be able to use the KEY amenity affiliated with my membership at BLT. They can tell me all day long that monorail service is not gauranteed for BLT owners, and it is not. I don't care. That is like stating that operation of the MK is not gauranteed. It is there for legal reasons, but it cannot be justified from a customer service perspective.

I hate the bean counters. We MUST bring them down...

Google is your friend, simply Google, how to contact Disney or Disney World and you will find the info.

As to replacing trains, system is outdated, track is outdated, it is not an easy fix.

 

[pluto2417]

Wow!! I can't believe people are so upset about this. The Monorail is closing a few hours earlier. What's the big deal? Your on vacation!!! You should be happy your on vacation at Disney. There are a lot more important tings to worry about in the world then having to take a bus, ferry or walk back to your resort after EMH. The Monorail is still going to be running during the day. If Disney did nothing to try to fix the Monorail, would complain that they're not doing anything and they should? You can't have it both ways!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Wow! I had no idea DVC had on-board staff therapy ready to dispense free sessions!

Now before you get any more "fluffy" with those of us offering opinions......I believe the concern of this person was the obvious deterioration of maintenance issues around WDW.

DH is a 30+ year castmember and has seen the recent changes from the inside. Yea, two years ago when all the layoffs happened they all drank the magic koolaid about desperate $$$ positions. They were willing to make the sacrifice....for "the cause". Funny thing, very few at the high executive level were affected. Only problem now, they publish their quarterly reports and they are back to making BUCKETS of profits.

What HAS been affected the last two years is maintenance. There is just no budget to maintain the physical plant of WDW as has been in the past.

Yes, we have every right to be worried about that.....and to express our worries to the Disney ears who might listen.

After all, how on earth are they going to know we are watching and see what they are NOT doing.....if we don't tell them.

.....and as far as your free advice, I guess you get what you pay for!!!!!

I've noticed a difference in maintenance from when we first visited in 1992. The bathrooms outside MK and on Main Street are in need of being totally ripped out. That goes for the restroom inside LTT as well.

I recall going into one of the booths outside the "Sound stage" attraction at MGM on our first visit. I re-visited this area a couple of years ago...and it was embarrassing. The phones were ripped off the walls with big white spots of exposed sheetrock . Now, I know that some people are destructive, and that is a difficult thing to overcome...but come on!

That doesn't give me warm fuzzies about Disney.

 

[jade1]

I've noticed a difference in maintenance from when we first visited in 1992. The bathrooms outside MK and on Main Street are in need of being totally ripped out. That goes for the restroom inside LTT as well.

I recall going into one of the booths outside the "Sound stage" attraction at MGM on our first visit. I re-visited this area a couple of years ago...and it was embarrassing. The phones were ripped off the walls with big white spots of exposed sheetrock . Now, I know that some people are destructive, and that is a difficult thing to overcome...but come on!

That doesn't give me warm fuzzies about Disney.

Yea usually they at least hide stuff like that. You would not believe how horrible the conditions are under BTMR. I know thats OT and not your point, but we had to walk when the train stopped through tunnels-OMG what a pit. They would not allow even cell cameras, it was so embarrassing. I at least just expected a sidewalk, a railing and some cement steps. Nope, just a dirt/mud path and some sharp corners you had to help folks around-junk and tools laying everywhere. Actually very odd no one was in charge of that area.

 

[dancnorris]

One recommendation for you, try anger management...

If complaining makes you feel empowered, by all means have at it... You can complain for me too if it makes you feel better...

Are you an expert on the maintenance needs of a 40-year-old transportation system??? Didn't think so... And your solutions seem to be a bit out of touch... Buy new trains??? Sure, easy fix... Now who do you think the tens of millions of dollars in costs will be passed down to??? Mickey's not gonna pick up the tab on it... Add more trains??? Where??? There's only so much room on each of the beams... Do you enjoy holding short of a station because the previous train has yet to clear it??? Add more maintenance techs??? This one is plausible, but there is no real evidence to conclude that this option would actually improve efficiency and cut repair times... Personally, I am not an expert on monorail operations, but I do know that the monorail system is 40 years old. Aging technology requires more maintenance as time passes... That's a simple fact...

Now let's head to Fantasyland... You're ready to e-mail Member Services because they are cutting monorail service by 6 hours each week, but then you propose cutting out EMH and cutting park hours??? Really??? I mean you state that you don't expect the parks to maintain EMH or specific hours, but you expect the monorail to run on your terms??? Sarcasm or not, I think you're slightly off base here... I don't think you should really worry about bringing down the bean counters... Seriously, consider some form of therapy...

"Empowered"? Really? You're going to make fun of me? Let's review:

I am a DVC Member at BLT. I own 800 points there, spent $85,000 in up front costs to obtain that interest, and I will spend much more in maintenance fees for the next 50 years. I have been going to Disney since I was 2 years old. The monorail is my favorite part of WDW. To me, it is a Disney icon and a huge part of the guest experience, especially for someone staying at BLT.

In light of those facts, I am concerned about the reduction of monorail services to guests. In addition to my own preferences for transportation, I am concerned as an investor in BLT. You may not be, and that is your prerogative. But, I think this thread alone shows that many other people are bothered by this, especially when the only apparent justification is to save money at the expense of the guests' experience.

Because I (and others) care about this issue, I cam onto this board and posted for a specific purpose: (1) to get information about how to best direct my complaints, and (2) to attempt to convince others that this is an issue they should care about as investors in the mouse. Did I do this to feel "empowered"? Please. I did this because I am not an idiot and I like to protect my investment and things that I care about.

You, on the other hand, came and posted on this thread to make fun of someone that you don't even know. With all due respect, I think you did that to feel "empowered," and I think YOU could use some therapy on how to act like an adult. Maybe if you actually cared about your view point, you might contribute to the discussion. As it is, I have a difficult time taking you seriously.