Have you ever asked to ride with the monorail driver?

[Taximom]

I would like to "surprise" my family and ask to ride with the driver (or do you call him a "pilot"?) Have you done this before?

 

[allshookup]

Yes we asked one of the CM's at the TTC. We had to wait for a couple of monorails because there was already a family waiting but we didn't mind. The "pilot" we had was not friendly at all and she did not even acknowledge us but I have read other posts saying the pilots sometimes give out pilot licenses to the children that ride in front.

 

[CoasterAddict]

I've been in the front of both the Magic Kingdom monorail and the one to Epcot. I think you actually stand a better chance with the Epcot route because fewer people seem to think of it. And the view as you go around Spaceship Earth is great. Have your camera ready! We had to ask for our "monorail driver's licenses," but we did get them. (Driver seemed a tad surprised that two adults were interested in them)

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We asked last week and all 4 rode. She was very friendly and gave both kids a license without me asking ! She even let DS and DD sit in her seat(when we stopped!) and I took some pictures.
We have done this in the past too, but first time to get the license.

 

[Blueberry]

In September 2001 DH and I rode twice in one day in the front of the Monorails.Once going from TTC to the Magic Kingdom and once going over to Epcot.Both times the drivers were very friendly and so were the people we shared the ride with. Since there were only two they put two others got to ride each time up front with us also....Great experience we loved it...

 

[PrincessDana]

We asked on our trip last June. It was only DD and myself so two other people sat up front with us. We were riding the EPCOT loop and once we stopped at EPCOT, the other two people got off but we asked the driver very nicely if we could ride the entire loop and he very graciously let us. He was super nice and he completely freaked me out by guessing my hometown!!!!

He asked the obligatory, "where are you all from" question and when I said, "Kentucky." He then proceeded to say that he could guess my hometown. He then said, "You're not from Louisville (that was right), you're not from Lexington (also right) and you're not from Bowling Green (also right)." But I said that he was getting close when he said Bowling Green. He then said, "I know, you're from Munfordville". Well I was like.. because Munfordville is a VERY small town. I almost wondered if somehow he managed to get a look in my purse when he told me that he had some close family that lived in Munfordville!! We then both said at the same time "SMALL WORLD!!"

It was a fun moment and he was a really nice guy, I wish I had gotten his name since he was so nice to us, but maybe we'll see him again in October.

Gosh, this was long wasn't it?? Anyway, yes, we have ridden with the monorail driver.

 

[donna in Oz]

One of our favorite things to do on arrival night is to have a nice dinner at one of the MK resorts, then take the monorail loop over to EPCOT and back while riding with the driver.

EPCOT after dark is just gorgeous, especially when seen from the elevated vantage point of the monorail. We've been successful, too, in riding the entire loop with the driver several times, although there have been occasions when we've been asked to disembark at EPCOT because others were waiting for the front. No problem, though; you just simply take another seat.

 

[jilljill]

We ask all the time and most of the time we do get to ride up front. It is really neat to watch the fireworks from there, especially when the kids are afraind of the loud noise.
Sometimes you can get your own pilot's licence from the holder to the left of the driver's seat.

 

[jaysue]

On a magical night on our May trip, DS (3 1/2) and myself were able to ride the resort monorail out of the TTC after dinner and a stroll at the Poly. It was about 9pm and the MK had closed at 7pm so there was basically nobody around on the resort loop. It was dark and we were able to see the MK lit up and the EWP on Seven Seas Lagoon and the GF lit up etc. We actually were able to ride twice around the loop to the CR.

DS was amazed and wanted to ride in the front all the time after that

The driver was a great young fellow who chatted with us and along the loop, his wife and son joined him and us as well and we had a nice 20 minute chat or so about the monorail, resorts and Disney.

We could have gone around again, but I needed to get DS to bed

Very very magical night

Thanks
Jason

 

[MouseClubMom]

We love to ride up front! A CM friend of ours told us that sometimes during busy times there is a short wait to ride "in the nose" since each station has a certain color monorail that they are responsible for as far as filling the seats up front.

We think it is well worth the wait!

MCMom

 

[phyllis1966]

Yes - DH, DD (3 1/2) and I asked to right with the pilot from TTC to EPCOT and it is a beautiful ride, epecially when Spaceship Earth comes into view and you ride around it! DD was given a pilot's license without us having to ask.

 

[admiral nelson]

Yes, and then he asked me to go back to his place with him.

Seriously, when I was a young lad I did, he asked the fam if we wanted to ride in the front. A good time was had by all.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I did this three times on our last trip! Once around the resort loop, TTC to Epcot and Epcot to TTC. None of the drivers offered me a pilot's license... but that's probably because we were two adults Ah well!

We had one really grouchy driver the time we rode from the TTC to Epcot. There were two little girls (I think they were 4-6, I'm not sure) and he really didn't want them to be there. I thought they were cute and very well behaved They *tried* to ask him lots of questions like how fast the monorail went, but he just sort of gave them one word answers. They stopped talking after a while... well to him anyway

 

[Taximom]

How many people can fit in the front? There are 6 of us...is there only room for four?

 

[jaysue]

I think 6 should fit if some of them are kids

On our ride between myself, DS, and the Driver's DW and his DS there were 4 of us and there was still some room

Thanks
jaysue

 

[WiscMomof2]

We rode 3 times last year. Twice during the day it was a little busier so we could only ride through one stop, but on our first night there we we lucked out and rode the entire MK loop since nobody else was waiting. All the drivers were pleasant, but only one gave out pilot licenses. It is a one of a kind experience. Your family will love it!

 

[AimeeM]

We rode up front in the monorail on our trip this past January. They will only let 4 people up front. We had 5 and a baby, and our driver would NOT let us all up there, even though there was room for at least 6 people. We had Grumpy for sure on our ride. He didnt speak ONE word to us. Not even a hello or anything!! not a single word. my husband took the baby and rode in the train, but the girls loved it. It was our first time in the front car in 6 trips to WDW!!! When my husband took his turn in the front car the next time, he said the driver was talking to them, but they didnt get their licenses. Oh well... there is always next time!!! (like this October!) hehehe

 

[gonga]

WE ride in front as much as possible....it's so much fun! Only 4 passengers allowed, no matter what size (adults or children).

Here's a tip not many know about: When going to Epcot from the TCC you will see a purple bench with seating for 4 (Its all the way up front where the driver stops). If you sit on that bench you are guranteed a ride with the driver, that's what it is there for. To ride in front going to the MK, its first come first serve. Tell the gate guy and he will check with the driver for you to see if there is availability.
IMHO the ride to Epcot is the best. Its a longer ride and the view is the best because you suddenly come upon the "Ball" then do a sweeping ride around the park.

 

[mom2of2]

We rode in front in March from TTC.
When we got up there and got in line I walked over to a CM and asked about riding in the front, he asked "how many" and then asked another CM if he had been asked by anyone else, he replied "nope they just sat themselves down on the bench themselves" The first CM told me to walk down to the end and that he would remember me. I grabbed the rest of the clan out of line and told them to follow me (of course DH and the DS's thought I was NUTS!) When the monorail pulled up the first CM walked up to the cab and said something to the driver and then yelled over to me to come there. The people that were on the bench weren't happy and said something to the CM who responded with a "they ASKED!" So on we went! What a thrill for my boys..all 3 of them! The pilot was really nice and explained all kinds of things to the boys and handed us all co-pilot licenses. We wanted to be fair so once we got to Epcot we thanked him and got out of the cab so that another family could experience the magic, we hopped into another car and enjoyed the ride.
My advice is to be polite, ask the CM and if there is a wait ... and if there is, WAIT! It's truly a thrill for young and old and the co-pilt licenses are a big hit in my scrapbook with pictures taken out of the front!!!

 

[grinningghost]

I haven't yet done this, but my DH and DD did on our last trip. They enjoyed it and said the driver was very friendly and told them little facts about the monorail. CM magic at it's finest.