Disney Ends Evening EMH Monorail Service

[castleri]

DVC Member Satisfaction called me after I wrote to complain. They confirmed two things:

1. At present, unless there is an uprising, the change is PERMANENT.

2. If MK closes before Epcot, the monorail will close 1 hour after MK closing regardless of whether Epcot is still open for its regular hours. Therefore, in the low season (i.e., DVC season), when MK closes at 7 or 8, you will not be able to get back to the monorail resorts from Epcot after Illuminations, even when there is no EMH. You can ride the monorail to the TTC, but the Resort monorail will be closed.

As I said to the DVC representative, that strikes me as CRAZY. The response I got was crickets. I think DVC is not happy about this, and they are hoping that enough people will complain to get this to change eventually. But Disney is stuborn.
If you go in the low season, you can basically write-off riding the monorail to Epcot from BLT, POL, or GF, whether you are going for EMH or not.

So you are saying that both the Magic Kingdom monorail AND the resort monorail will be closing down early as well as the one between EPCOT and the TTC?

 

[Simba's Mom]

So when there's EMH at MK, or MK closes way before Epcot (as they do in January), how are the people staying at the Monorail-line, flagship resort, the Grand Floridian, supposed to return to their hotel? From the MK, they take a bus? One reason a lot of people choose to spend the money to stay at the Grand Floridian is the monorail access.

 

[jade1]

So you are saying that both the Magic Kingdom monorail AND the resort monorail will be closing down early as well as the one between EPCOT and the TTC?

In the quote is "You can ride the monorail to the TTC, but the Resort monorail will be closed."

 

[jade1]

So when there's EMH at MK, or MK closes way before Epcot (as they do in January), how are the people staying at the Monorail-line, flagship resort, the Grand Floridian, supposed to return to their hotel? From the MK, they take a bus? One reason a lot of people choose to spend the money to stay at the Grand Floridian is the monorail access.

Would think so, especially selling VGF.

 

[vellamint]

I predict the monorail will be back in full force when they start selling the GF DVC Villas....if not before....

 

[nolanboys]

There is also the possibility of a monorail resort bus loop since I'm sure disney is aware of the large number of monorail resort guests visit other restaurants on the loop. If they do that, the "large inconvenience" will be lessened quite a bit. Of course we won't know anything for sure until the MK line shuts down in a few weeks.

That would be a good compromise. I really don't want to spend money on a taxi after a late night meal.

 

[simmons_m]

I have been catching up on this today. How do you think this will impact a stay at BLT during the first two weeks of food and wine with many evenings planned at epcot?
I do not recall their being an Epcot bus at BLT, correct?
Also, I am missing the point on illuminations. Wouldn't the epcot track stay open until HR after the park closes?
Thanks...

 

[jade1]

I have been catching up on this today. How do you think this will impact a stay at BLT during the first two weeks of food and wine with many evenings planned at epcot?
I do not recall their being an Epcot bus at BLT, correct?
Also, I am missing the point on illuminations. Wouldn't the epcot track stay open until HR after the park closes?
Thanks...

Well its not for sure, but the MK loop sounds like its stopping at 7PM (8PM-1 hr after MK closes) on party nights. Since EPCOT is open until 9PM (later for ILL)-you can get a monorail to TTC but not back to the monorail resorts from TTC.

 

[DebbieB]

DVC Member Satisfaction called me after I wrote to complain. They confirmed two things:

1. At present, unless there is an uprising, the change is PERMANENT.

2. If MK closes before Epcot, the monorail will close 1 hour after MK closing regardless of whether Epcot is still open for its regular hours. Therefore, in the low season (i.e., DVC season), when MK closes at 7 or 8, you will not be able to get back to the monorail resorts from Epcot after Illuminations, even when there is no EMH. You can ride the monorail to the TTC, but the Resort monorail will be closed.

As I said to the DVC representative, that strikes me as CRAZY. The response I got was crickets. I think DVC is not happy about this, and they are hoping that enough people will complain to get this to change eventually. But Disney is stuborn.

If you go in the low season, you can basically write-off riding the monorail to Epcot from BLT, POL, or GF, whether you are going for EMH or not.

You will be able to get back to the monorail resorts by bus. From what a transportation cm has posted, there is a bus from Epcot to TTC & Contemporary and another bus from Epcot to Poly & GF (after the monorail closes).

 

[dancnorris]

So you are saying that both the Magic Kingdom monorail AND the resort monorail will be closing down early as well as the one between EPCOT and the TTC?

Yes. No. Resort monorail 1hr after MK closes. If you go to eat at GF and stay out too late, you will not have monorail transportation back to BLT. If Epcot closes later than MK, which it does in the off season, you will not be able to take the monorail to BLT from Epcot even at the regular park closing time (and forget Illuminations). As I said, that is beyond ridiculous.

 

[honeymo78]

I have been catching up on this today. How do you think this will impact a stay at BLT during the first two weeks of food and wine with many evenings planned at epcot?
I do not recall their being an Epcot bus at BLT, correct?
Also, I am missing the point on illuminations. Wouldn't the epcot track stay open until HR after the park closes?
Thanks...

You would need to return to BLT using the CR bus. They now have a bus stop at Epcot to service the monorail resorts. Right now they only run during Epcot EMH but will surely be in service for guests leaving Epcot after the resort monorail is closed.

 

[dancnorris]

You will be able to get back to the monorail resorts by bus. From what a transportation cm has posted, there is a bus from Epcot to TTC & Contemporary and another bus from Epcot to Poly & GF (after the monorail closes).

I do not consider buses and acceptable alternative. I have young kids and strollers. To get on a bus at park closing, I have to fold my stroller, wake up my sleeping child, and hold her and the stroller on a standing room only bus ride for several miles. For the money invested in DVC and the point cost of going to BLT, that is unacceptable.

 

[honeymo78]

Yes. No. Resort monorail 1hr after MK closes. If you go to eat at GF and stay out too late, you will not have monorail transportation back to BLT. If Epcot closes later than MK, which it does in the off season, you will not be able to take the monorail to BLT from Epcot even at the regular park closing time (and forget Illuminations). As I said, that is beyond ridiculous.

I agree that part really doesn't make sense. Why even keep the Epcot line running after MK line has closed? I can't imagine that there will be many people using the Epcot line at that point - only those that parked at TTC rather than Epcot.

 

[photobob]

I do not consider buses and acceptable alternative. I have young kids and strollers. To get on a bus at park closing, I have to fold my stroller, wake up my sleeping child, and hold her and the stroller on a standing room only bus ride for several miles. For the money invested in DVC and the point cost of going to BLT, that is unacceptable.

I agree.

 

[simmons_m]

Thanks for the info. Certainly not ideal, but it will be interesting to read the feedback when this is implemented.

 

[Sammie]

I know that this is an inconvenience for the monorail resorts and to some that want to make after park ADRs at monorail hotels etc. but WDW is open 365 days a year. In order to work on things there is going to be times someone is inconvenienced. It is the same with pools, attractions, etc.

I mean seriously some are saying buses are not acceptable. Do you not go to the Studios and Animal Kingdom?

If truly a bus is not acceptable your alternative is not to go during this time period.

There has been no official announcement of what they plan to do for MNSSHP or MVMCP but if they are not finished with the maintenance by then, then buses or boats will be used.

Honestly I just do not see this as the end of all things great about monorail hotels.

It's almost like some are saying, "I want these things maintained and fixed but don't you dare do it during my trip".

 

[aan1701]

I know that this is an inconvenience for the monorail resorts and to some that want to make after park ADRs at monorail hotels etc. but WDW is open 365 days a year. In order to work on things there is going to be times someone is inconvenienced. It is the same with pools, attractions, etc.

I mean seriously some are saying buses are not acceptable. Do you not go to the Studios and Animal Kingdom?

If truly a bus is not acceptable your alternative is not to go during this time period.

There has been no official announcement of what they plan to do for MNSSHP or MVMCP but if they are not finished with the maintenance by then, then buses or boats will be used.

Honestly I just do not see this as the end of all things great about monorail hotels.

It's almost like some are saying, "I want these things maintained and fixed but don't you dare do it during my trip".

Very well said. I agree with you 10000%

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's almost like some are saying, "I want these things maintained and fixed but don't you dare do it during my trip".

I think part of the problem also is that Disney has gotten used to doing so much marketing spin on their announcements that many (including myself) often don't believe reasons they give.

This one has a problem passing the sniff test b/c it's a permanent change that will not vary based on the time of the year. If it was summer only because EMH's go so late and they can't do daily maintenance in an hour then sure, but the fact that it will occur year round when that sometimes means 10 or more hours of down time then it becomes less believable. It's also doubtful that they work on every single monorail at one time when it is off the tracks and one would think they ought to be able to keep at least the resort line going on the same schedule that it has for many years.

And that leads to belief that much of this is for Disney's convenience or savings rather than anything else needed. Or that they've been required to for other reasons but that also doesn't make much sense with the varied hours throughout the year.

 

[dancnorris]

I know that this is an inconvenience for the monorail resorts and to some that want to make after park ADRs at monorail hotels etc. but WDW is open 365 days a year. In order to work on things there is going to be times someone is inconvenienced. It is the same with pools, attractions, etc.

I mean seriously some are saying buses are not acceptable. Do you not go to the Studios and Animal Kingdom?

I take a car to AK and Hollywood Studios. I do not take a bus there. I do not take a bus anywhere (I feel a Dr. Seuss moment coming on here).

If truly a bus is not acceptable your alternative is not to go during this time period.

Disagree. Why is that my alternative? Why isn't the alternative that Disney simply pays more money to better maintain their monorails without discontinuing services to guests? Why would you be an advocate for less transportation options?

There has been no official announcement of what they plan to do for MNSSHP or MVMCP but if they are not finished with the maintenance by then, then buses or boats will be used.

Honestly I just do not see this as the end of all things great about monorail hotels.

Maybe not. That depends on your point of view. But, at a minimum, I think it makes it harder to sell them as "Monorail Hotels." Maybe they should call them the "Buses and Boats Resorts" instead

It's almost like some are saying, "I want these things maintained and fixed but don't you dare do it during my trip".

Not what I'm saying at all. What I'm saying is that Disney has maintained the monorails without discontinuing service for 30+ years. They just don't want to pay the icnreased cost of that maintenance now as their monorail fleet gets older. They can fix the monorails whenever they want, but they should not fix them when guests want to use them for transportation to "Monorail Resorts." This is hardly a major request.


Finally, I'll note that people complain on these boards about the most inane things conceivable. I have seen numerous people pitch a fit about rusty shower curtain rings or a ding on a piece of furniture at BLT. Yet, when monorail service that is the heart and soul of BLT (i.e., the monorail hotel) is diminished in a meaningful way, some people don't seem to care. I think those people are either short sighted on this issue or they are wearing some seriously rose-colored glasses.

 

[dancnorris]

i think part of the problem also is that disney has gotten used to doing so much marketing spin on their announcements that many (including myself) often don't believe reasons they give.

This one has a problem passing the sniff test b/c it's a permanent change that will not vary based on the time of the year. If it was summer only because emh's go so late and they can't do daily maintenance in an hour then sure, but the fact that it will occur year round when that sometimes means 10 or more hours of down time then it becomes less believable. It's also doubtful that they work on every single monorail at one time when it is off the tracks and one would think they ought to be able to keep at least the resort line going on the same schedule that it has for many years.

And that leads to belief that much of this is for disney's convenience or savings rather than anything else needed. Or that they've been required to for other reasons but that also doesn't make much sense with the varied hours throughout the year.

i agree 1,000,000%