Does anyone remember that in WDW they were building a monorail stop?

[doconeill]

5) Buses are
. . . less expensive to buy
. . . easily adjusted up/down for changes in ridership
. . . can go directly from resort "A" to park "B"

Don't forget:

...able to easily reroute around blockages (breakdowns, accidents, etc.)

That is an important thing that rail enthusiasts (and I am one) often forget.

 

[KYMickey]

That number was the cost in the 70's -you don't wan tme to try and figure out todays cost. Ummm....carry to 2..minus the 6....aarrrrgggghhh!!! I NEED MORE TOES!!! Math is NOT my forte-lol.

NO, the numbers I quoted are for the Las Vegas System which was built quite recently and I interpolated an approximate cost for WDW based on that. The 1970s prices were quoted earlier and much lower.

 

[jfinke]

I don't understand why they don't look at light rail around the complex. From my understanding, the cost issue with monorails is the elevation, correct?

 

[Captain Bryman]

monorails look so much nicer in my opinion

 

[PoohsFan1]

During the construction of Epcot there was talk of running the monorail through Epcot and on to DTD, but that was 1982. The pilings were driven under WSC to suport the pylons and track but no further construction occurred.

There was also talk that Disney wanted to expand the monorail system to Orlando International Airport, but later found that it would be too expensive for them to put up that much rail, so that idea was nixed. I think it would of been cool if they did go ahead with that plan, being able to whiz by all the cars that are stuck on I-4 trying to get into the World

 

[Captain Bryman]

There was also talk that Disney wanted to expand the monorail system to Orlando International Airport, but later found that it would be too expensive for them to put up that much rail, so that idea was nixed. I think it would of been cool if they did go ahead with that plan, being able to whiz by all the cars that are stuck on I-4 trying to get into the World

That would of been awesome

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There was also talk that Disney wanted to expand the monorail system to Orlando International Airport, but later found that it would be too expensive for them to put up that much rail, so that idea was nixed. I think it would of been cool if they did go ahead with that plan, being able to whiz by all the cars that are stuck on I-4 trying to get into the World

That story needs some clarification.

A Florida state agency proposed a high-speed train from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World. Plans called for the train to serve International Drive attractions and the Orlando Convention Center en route.

Disney demanded nonstop service, or Disney would not allow a station on Disney property. The state agency reluctantly agreed to Disney's demand, with the justification that the line would need Disney's millions of guests to be successful. But, ultimately, this demand killed the project entirely.

 

[tjkraz]

1) Monorails to all the resorts would be a horrible mistake.
2) Additional to big bucks, it would be a logistical catastrophe.
3) There would have to be a Grand Central Station for changing trains.
4) Can you imagine up to 15,000-20,000 people hitting it at one time?
5) Buses are
. . . less expensive to buy
. . . easily adjusted up/down for changes in ridership
. . . can go directly from resort "A" to park "B"

NOTE: Environmental concerns are easily corrected. Converting diesel to biodiesel (can be done instantly without any changes to the buses) would reduce emissions by 78%. Converting diesel buses to natural gas would reduce emissions by 96%.

You, sir, are now charged with adding that post on to every future monorail expansion discussion.

The only thing that I would add is that a bus system has inherent redundancy. If a bus breaks-down, they dispatch a replacement with minimal inconvenience to guests.

Now let's imagine a monorail breakdown at Epcot closing with no bus service available. How long are those tens-of-thousands of guests going to be standing at the station while they tow the defective train out of the way? The only alternative is to build multiple tracks, which then doubles and triples the cost.

 

[KYMickey]

I don't understand why they don't look at light rail around the complex. From my understanding, the cost issue with monorails is the elevation, correct?

Actually, the problem is footings since the ground in the area is the soft and swampy. Roads, bridges and light rail (if ever done) also cost considerably more when built in the area. Another major problem with light rail is grade crossings and the potential for accidents and traffic problems at them.

 

[Captain Bryman]

WDW isn't like New York it doesn't need a complete mass transit system they just need an easy way of getting around

 

[Captain Bryman]

monorails are cooler

 

[k5thbeatle]

I think if there ever was a plan this is the reason it was dropped:

$1,000,000 per mile is the estimate cost to build the monorail system back in the 1970's cost.

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Just think how much that would cost us!!???!!!

From yesterland.com:


"Legend: “The reason the Walt Disney World Monorail system has not been expanded is that it would cost a million dollars per mile.”

Status: False
The figure of a million dollars per mile keeps coming up in Internet discussions about expanding the Walt Disney World Monorail system. Someone will post that it would certainly be nice if Walt Disney World would replace the stinky diesel bus fleet with sleek “highway in the sky” Monorail lines. Then, someone will reply that they heard that the cost would be a hefty million dollars per mile, and that’s just prohibitive.

Actually, if the Walt Disney Company could add ten miles to the Monorail system for just $10 million, they would jump at the opportunity. The truth is that the cost would be much, much higher.


Make sure you get on the correct Monorail.
The Las Vegas Monorail, which opened in 2004, cost $654 million for just 4.4 miles. It uses the same Bombardier technology as the Walt Disney World Monorail. Bombardier acquired the technology from Disney. There were some issues in Las Vegas—such as having to deal with many various property owners, structures in the right-of-way, and municipal politics—that Disney would not face. So maybe Disney could hold the costs under $100 million per mile.

A Monorail expansion would a be huge capital expense that would not generate direct revenue. Sure, Monorails could reduce bus fleet expenses. And, for guests, the Monorails add to the “magic” of a Disney vacation. But it’s still hard to justify the business expense, even if Disney could hold the costs to “only” $50 million per mile.

The Walt Disney World Monorail has not been expanded since the opening of the Epcot line in 1982. It’s safe to say that the reason is cost—a much higher cost than the oft-repeated million dollars per mile. "

You are correct.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Legend: “The reason the Walt Disney World Monorail system has not been expanded is that it would cost a million dollars per mile.”

Status: False

Hmmm...

The post by k5thbeatle is plagiarism, lifted from Yesterland, without any acknowledgment of the source or link to it.

I posted a link to the same article back in post #11 of this thread. The URL is http://www.yesterland.com/monoraillegends.html, where there are also pictures.

 

[Captain Bryman]

Please everyone no plagiarism at least say where you got the info from

 

[KYMickey]

Shame on you Beatle!

 

[mickeymedic]

Its a shame they wouldn't extend the monorail line to all the resorts cause personally I don't like the bus and the monorail is faster and doesn't have to wait in traffic and it is more environmental as well

If the monorail system was expanded to all the resorts it would no longer be special. Think about it: if the monorail was the primary form of transportation around The World, then there would be threads upon threads of people on the Dis talking about how bad the monorail system is. As it is now, you don't really hear people complaining about getting delayed on the monorail or waiting 30 minutes to get on the monorail. Because, even when these events DO happen, most people are enthralled with the magic associated with just being ON the monorail. If the monorail system expanded to all resorts, it would risk losing that magic.

 

[Captain Bryman]

If the monorail system was expanded to all the resorts it would no longer be special. Think about it: if the monorail was the primary form of transportation around The World, then there would be threads upon threads of people on the Dis talking about how bad the monorail system is. As it is now, you don't really hear people complaining about getting delayed on the monorail or waiting 30 minutes to get on the monorail. Because, even when these events DO happen, most people are enthralled with the magic associated with just being ON the monorail. If the monorail system expanded to all resorts, it would risk losing that magic.

well what I was thinking of was all the parks and DTD

 

[mickeymedic]

well what I was thinking of was all the parks and DTD

I agree - that would be pretty cool. I guess we can always dream

 

[k5thbeatle]

Hmmm...

The post by k5thbeatle is plagiarism, lifted from Yesterland, without any acknowledgment of the source or link to it.

I posted a link to the same article back in post #11 of this thread. The URL is http://www.yesterland.com/monoraillegends.html, where there are also pictures.

Oops, sorry. Just an oversight.

 

[Captain Bryman]

its ok its a common mistake