Front of the Monorail No More

[Cherinva]

I went the to WDW 2 weeks ago and asked if I could ride in the front of the monorail. I was told that they don't do that anymore. Instead of getting the co-pilots license they now have collector cards that you can ask any CM in transportation for.

 

[NancyIL]

They haven't had passengers riding in the front compartment since the July accident that killed a CM.

 

[mikelan6]

Hopefully, they will allow guests to reide in front again some time in the future.

 

[Joshua_me]

^ I sure hope so...

I was 6 years old the first time I got to do it and I still remember it vividly.

Talk about one of those "magical memories" ! I felt like I was the most important kid in the entire park.

I'd hate to think of others not being able to ever experience that...

 

[WaltD4Me]

^ I sure hope so...

I was 6 years old the first time I got to do it and I still remember it vividly.

Talk about one of those "magical memories" ! I felt like I was the most important kid in the entire park.

I'd hate to think of others not being able to ever experience that...

ITA. It will be very sad if they never bring it back.

My niece was six when I took her and we rode in the front of the monorail. She still talks about it 4 years later. Sometimes out of the blue she'll just say... "Remember when we rode in the front of the monorial Auntie Lisa?" and then we both smile.

 

[Disney Anna]

I think you can still ride in the front at DL. I saw people in the very back on Thursday while walking in DCA.

 

[lttlmc3]

I rode in the front a long time ago. I wish I knew then that you could get something for that.

 

[AroundTheMouseBrian]

I have a feeling they won't be allowing rides in the front for a long, long time...if ever.

It's too bad, my kids rode it many times in the last 3-4 years and miss it. But I can honestly say I understand where Disney is coming from if they decide it's now permanently a thing of the past.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I have a feeling they won't be allowing rides in the front for a long, long time...if ever.

It's too bad, my kids rode it many times in the last 3-4 years and miss it. But I can honestly say I understand where Disney is coming from if they decide it's now permanently a thing of the past.

I understand where they're coming from, too, but I sure am bummed out that you can't ride up front anymore. That would have been such a cool thing for my brother & 3 kids to do this summer. I'm just really glad that I waited for the front with my son in 2007!

 

[sjs314]

It is one of my fondest memories of one of our trips and my boys even as adults talked about the time they rode in the front of the monorail.

 

[crazydisneyman]

I still have my Monorail Pilot's License form when we rode in the front.

I will miss it.

 

[adsrtw]

I was 28 the first time I rode in front. I cheesed the entire way to Epcot.

 

[disneysteve]

I can honestly say I understand where Disney is coming from

I can honestly say I don't understand it. One accident in nearly 40 years is not a good reason to stop doing something. Once the cause of the accident was confirmed and the publicity died down, they should go back to letting people ride up front.

 

[wdwscout]

They are still allowing it in Disneyland. DH & I just rode in the front at the beginning of this month.

That's why I don't understand the new policy- either it's safe or it's not. But be consistent.

 

[Sammie]

The reason they stopped it and the reason they more than likely won't bring it back is I don't think any of them realized how much damage could occur to the front in even a minor impact. Had a family been sitting there it would have been horrific.

 

[Joshua_me]

Well, I'd better not drive my car any longer - horrible accidents happen every day...

*sheesh*

But, I DO understand this from Disney's point of view. It's more a reflection of our litigious society than anything else...

Very sad.

 

[disneysteve]

Had a family been sitting there it would have been horrific.

Absolutely true, however...

It's more a reflection of our litigious society than anything else...

Exactly. Over the years, there have been numerous serious accidents and deaths on Disney attractions. They didn't shut down the attractions. They checked to make sure everything was in working order, fixed any safety issues and kept on operating. Why not do the same with the monorail?

 

[darrengs]

Though it is a shame that you currently can't ride in the front, it has become one of those "if I can't do it then my vacation will be ruined" type experiences.

It is unique and my family was able to experience it several times in 2008 during our trip, but on our trip of 2009 we were no longer allowed. However, my vacation was not ruined or any less fun because of it. Of course my kids asked if they could ride up front and once it was explained that it was no longer allowed it was forgotten about.

 

[BilltM]

All you have to do is look at the youtube video of the crash shortly the accident happened to see why WDW would limit/prohibit guests from riding in the front (at least for now). Why risk passenger safety?

 

[disneysteve]

All you have to do is look at the youtube video of the crash shortly the accident happened to see why WDW would limit/prohibit guests from riding in the front (at least for now). Why risk passenger safety?

The accident was terrible and tragic but accidents happen. People get hurt on the buses. People get hurt on the parking trams. At least one person has died on Splash Mountain, another on Big Thunder Mountain. A girl died on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster a few years ago. A kid was seriously injured or killed in Disneyland in ToonTown on a ride. A cast member was crushed to death by a parade float not long ago. Multiple people were hurt when California Screamin' trains collided a few years back. The list goes on and on. Every one of those rides and attractions is still up and running same as always.

You can't prevent every accident and every injury. The Disney World monorail system has had one death in nearly 40 years. That's not a reason to change the whole system of doing things. Given the chance, I wouldn't hesitate to ride up front again. I think it is just as safe as it has always been. I'm more likely to be killed in my car driving to the park.