Front Seat on the Monorail

[100%Disney]

During our Dec. trip we were lucky enough to get to ride in the front seat of the monorail 2 times. The first time was afer our meal at Chef Mickey's, it wasn't busy, so I asked the CM if we could ride, she said sure. We really thought we were lucky, it was a short trip to the TTC, but we loved it . The driver was very nice, he told us to go down the ramp to the Epcot monorail and ask to ride up front there, because we were going to Epcot anyway, it was the only park still open and we needed to catch the bus to our resort. Well, the driver gave us each a monorail driver's card. We rushed down the ramp and were able to ride in the front car again, it was amazing, it's the only monorail route that goes into a park. We were so close to Spaceship Earth, I thought we could touch it, we rode over the Chrismas lights, it was so beautiful. We thought that the was one of the nicest things we were able to do. The driver was very nice, he gave us more monorail driver cards. My DS was so excited, he wants to stay at a monrail resort next time.

 

[QuickGold]

Sitting in the front of the monorail is the best way to start off a vacation!

 

[alyssa810]

A few trip s back we rode up front in monorail red- I have my card in my scrapbook! It was a lot of fun, and definitely not JUST for the kids!!

 

[sunking]

...we have tried to ride in the front of the monorail several times during our past trips but have never made it up front...always either someone there or someone waiting...i guess we will have to try again in june!!!!

 

[nkjzmom]

100%.....That's so awesome!!! It really is a neat thing to get to do....one of the highlights of our trip in Jan of last year. We rode up front while waiting to get into our room and then, on the last day, after we packed up the car we took one last spin.

Sunking...here's some PD for your next trip******

 

[sha_lyn]

Originally posted by sunking
...we have tried to ride in the front of the monorail several times during our past trips but have never made it up front...always either someone there or someone waiting...i guess we will have to try again in june!!!!

If you meant they were already up front when it pulled in....I thought if someone was already up front when it arrived that they had to get out if anyone else asked to ride.

 

[BethC1952]

On the night of December 7 (I remember because we were on our way to see SpectroMagic) we were waiting at the GF for the monorail. There were others waiting, and we weren't the first in line. As we went through the gate to board, the CM asked my Father-In-Law if he like the monorail. Of course, he said yes. This was the one thing he had really wanted to do (other than parks and cruise). Before we knew it, we were escorted to the front We all got our "Co-Pilot License" and some great memories.

Beth

 

[sconstantz]

We also got an upfront and personal ride in May last year. My family had no idea what I was up to. When we just missed getting on the monorail leaving, I smiled at my family and said no problem. We first in line to go for the next one, when I pulled a CM over and asked if it was possible, could we ride up front, we were escorted to the front. My 4 year old son thought we were suppoed to ride up front ALL the time (luckily we did get one more ride up front).

This kid also got to open Animal Kingdom Park (and we have the official photo's he looks at all the time), and he got to be in the Lion King Show at AK. All due to this site. My family now bows down to me as the Queen of all things Disney!!

Shelly

 

[t2simon]

That is the best. When my DH and I were at WDW on our honeymoon in '88, we rode in the front for the first time. I told the driver we were on our honeymoon and he told the entire train over the loudspeaker. They all applauded when we got off! No cards, though.

When we went in Nov 2001 with DS (2 at the time) we were staying at the Contemporary and rode up front again. What an awesome experience knowing that you are pulling into a hotel you are staying in! The driver wasn't as talkative, but did give us each a card, which are in my son's memory box!

A great experience, one I always try for when there!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Riding up front has always been one of my kids favorite things to do at WDW. When we were at DL this past November, we asked about riding with the driver....but their system is VERY different from the one at WDW, and the only *special* seat that you can request is the BACK. My kids weren't particularly interested in that though, so we passed.

 

[Banzai]

In November of 2001, I went off on my own from MK to Epcot, and got the front for both the Express and the Epcot Line, more fun that being in Epcot (Simple things for simple minds )

 

[bunnyfoo]

When is the best time to ask? How busy are the monorails in the middle of the afternoon?

 

[nkjzmom]

sha_lyn, there are certain color monorails for each monorail resort, for example red is for the Contemporary. If you are in the front and arrive at the Contemporary and there is someone waiting to get in front who is actually staying at that resort you have to change for them.

bunnyfoo, I guess the only really best time is the least crowded. Or you can wait if you REALLY want to ride up front. If you are staying in one of the monorail resorts, make sure you ask which color is for your resort. You should get priority, provided it's not too crowded.

Our opportunity came in Jan, so it wasn't that crowded. The first time, we asked a CM and since no one else was there he said sure and explained the rules to us. We caught the next one from the CR around to the TTC and then to the Grand Floridian where someone else was waiting, so we had to change. After we learned the system we didn't mind waiting for the red one that was specifically for the CR and were able to go all the way around the circle in front. The cards are really cute!

 

[bweagle]

DH & I did this on our trip two years ago. It was a GREAT magical Disney moment! We got on at the CR and the CM there said we couldn't sit in the front because it was full. So I told him I'd just wait for the next one!

 

[cgcw]

We made it a point to ride in the front of the monorail last month and would have gladly waiting for a turn in the front. We got on at the GF and just rode all the way around. John was our monorail driver and a wonderful CM. We remembered him from our trip 2 years ago when he was at the Poly. John was wonderful with the kids and made them feel extra special.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by nkjzmom
sha_lyn, there are certain color monorails for each monorail resort, for example red is for the Contemporary. If you are in the front and arrive at the Contemporary and there is someone waiting to get in front who is actually staying at that resort you have to change for them.

Really?! I had no idea there was such a rule ! We've never been *bumped* by someone else. I guess we must just have been lucky!

 

[100%Disney]

We did our rides late in the evening, it was 9:00pm, and it wasn't crowded, I suppose that's why we were so lucky.

 

[S. C.]

We rode in front 3 times July 2002. We arrived at wdw a day early and called allstar movies to see if we could check in a day early, there was no problem in doing this and we didn't have to change rooms we asked for a continuation of stay. same thing at end of trip we decided to add on a day and had no problem keeping same room. we were in toy story. for some reason crowds were not that bad july 7-14.

anyway afternoon we checked in, at night around 7pm we rode in front, the ride from mk to epcot was the longest, our driver was great he told us all about his training and gave GS a co-pilots card. and let GS sit in the drivers seat when we asked could we take a picture of him with our grandson. this was a fantastic way to start our disney vacation.

once there were others waiting so we asked the cm could we ride in front of next monorail and they said yes no problem.

 

[UKPhil]

A question ...

Last visit to WDW was 4 years ago and we were lucky enough to get to ride up front then. Just starting to plan for a trip this October and I felt sure I'd read somewhere in the interim that riding up front was now only available to WDW resort guests. Is this true or did I imagine it, or perhaps it was just the resort monorail and not the express or Epcot ones?

 

[Lisa3]

We rode up front twice on our Dec. trip. Only downside is that we are a family of 5 and they only allow 4 up front - someone was always left out. We also did not receive any cards. I wish I had known about them, the kids would have loved to have these for their scrapbooks.