Front of the Monorail No More

[FireDancer]

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.

While true the decision might be coming from Disney's underwriter. They might have pushed Disney into making that decision so they don't have to pay out a future claim by not only an employee but a guest.

Not saying I like it or agree with it but see where it could be coming from.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't think it's just the safety issue that's holding WDW back. I think part of the reason is guest (in)senstivity. A number of guests have made VERY insensative, rude comments. The monorail operators have lost a friend. I think it is difficult to imagine having one of those rude guests up front. I think the pliots may not WANT guests back up front while the experience is still fresh. Imagine this from their perspective. Guests are and ahve been asking every day since it happened why they can't ride up front. It's probably still very fresh in their minds.


Even here, rather than thinking of the CM's feelings first, many of us are focused on OUR 'loss.'

Just sayin...

 

[disneysteve]

I don't think it's just the safety issue that's holding WDW back. I think part of the reason is guest (in)senstivity. A number of guests have made VERY insensative, rude comments. The monorail operators have lost a friend. I think it is difficult to imagine having one of those rude guests up front. I think the pliots may not WANT guests back up front while the experience is still fresh.


Even here, rather than thinking of the CM's feelings first, many of us are focused on OUR 'loss.'

Just sayin...

I do agree that they need to wait some appropriate period of time for people's memories to fade and have the incident be out of folks minds before allowing riders again. They shouldn't start up right away. Maybe after a year. I don't recall exactly when the accident was.

A kind of related example happens in medicine when some report comes out suggesting there is a possible health risk from a certain drug. We stop prescribing it for a while until the publicity dies down and then we go right back to using it (assuming the report really didn't represent a true risk or something we didn't already know).

 

[MaleficentRules]

Honestly, what a bummer.

We rode in front on our last trip down - it was a tip that I found out about by reading these boards! It was fanatastic; what a great memory.

 

[declansdad]

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.

There is a difference between an attraction and a part of the transportation system. Was it nice to sit up front in the the monorail, yes; but that wasn't the intended purpose of the monorail. If Disney wants to say no, that's there prerogative.

I find it hard to believe that this is still being discussed.

 

[zulemara]

I'm not 100%, but I had heard they were not letting guests ride up front while the investigation was on going by the various authorities. I don't think one of the government agencies has concluded the investigation yet. I might be wrong. There are so many different articles, it is hard to keep track.

I work on Sunday...if I see the monorail manager I like who will give me the real answer, I will ask him and report back.

 

[Sammie]

Absolutely true, however...

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?

Were the attractions found to be at fault in the accident. I think this accident revealed that even a minor accident could be fatal to someone in the front car.

It would be like Disney put someone in harm's way even though they knew it was risky.

If they find that riding in the front car is as safe as riding in any car, I am sure they will allow it again.