How would you feel if Disney created a subway system?

[chartle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_yLodI1CQ

How about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpS5ess9VNc

At the time there was a big Rubber wheels on concrete vs Steel wheels on steel.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

isnt the monorail an "elevated" train per-say?

 

[umichigan10]

I agree with a PP who said how they like to see the parks approaching. If I gotta wait for the bus (or subway) to get out there, I wanna get a scenic ride.

IMO, I'd love to see them expand the monorail. The thing is, they'd most likely have to shut down the Epcot line for some time to expand it (to Epcot resorts and most likely DHS given the proximety.) Also might need to make a new TTC transfer station there (to get to DTD, or maybe a line to a third TTC in between DTD and AK and have their designated lines go from there.)

But this is all hypothetical anyway, seeing as they haven't even bought new trains to replace the old, twenty year old ones.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

MARTA, IIRC, was built in mid 80s - mid 90s. Construction costs were lower then. Figure that 40 - 50 miles would be required for all of WDW. Recent cost for Jacksonville monorail were $81 million per mile. Figure at the LOW end, in Orlando $100 million per mile. A low ball estimate would be $5 billion - probably more realistic at $10 billion and up. Disney would never make that kind of investment. Especially since approving and building it could take decades.

I can't even comprehend those numbers! Why would anything have to cost that much?!? Those numbers are quite disturbing, it's kind of scary too.

Well, Disney has to address the monorail problem at some point. I wonder if they can fix it without having to tear it down? If Disney doesn't expand the monorail, I hope they're at least looking into upgrading their fleet of buses to hybrid buses and help reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

 

[LSUfan4444]

thats one way for ticket prices to increase sky-high $$$$$$$

I'm not saying they SHOULD expand the monoral to Animal Kingdom, I'm saying id rather them spend the money on that than a subway system (even if it was feasible)

 

[chartle]

MARTA, IIRC, was built in mid 80s - mid 90s. Construction costs were lower then. Figure that 40 - 50 miles would be required for all of WDW. Recent cost for Jacksonville monorail were $81 million per mile. Figure at the LOW end, in Orlando $100 million per mile. A low ball estimate would be $5 billion - probably more realistic at $10 billion and up. Disney would never make that kind of investment. Especially since approving and building it could take decades.

On another forum they were discussing expanding the monorail all around WDW for 100 million. I made some snarky comment like add a few more zeros to the end and was flamed for being a complete idiot.

If I would have replied, I would have posted that if they could do it for 100 million. (The yearly amount they find it the couch cushions in the executive lounge .)They would have done it years ago. I didn't because the OP already had every one agreeing with him so I let it go.

 

[chartle]

I can't even comprehend those numbers! Why would anything have to cost that much?!? Those numbers are quite disturbing, it's kind of scary too.

Its more then just a mile of concrete, its all the design work and planing done before hand also the stations and any other support infrastructure like extra electric lines (which may be a problem because I had read a few months back they lost an electric supplier and the plans they had for an onsite nuclear power station never really worked out).

I don't think it would be that much, still a ton of money but sometimes there is also the cost of the right of way and relocating homes and/or business. Something that's not an issue at WDW.

 

[joelkfla]

If Disney doesn't expand the monorail, I hope they're at least looking into upgrading their fleet of buses to hybrid buses and help reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

They have had several different models of hybrid buses in for trial periods. Sadly, none of them were satisfactory.

I heard the latest one couldn't keep the batteries charged. I don't know whether it was the FL climate, Disney Transport's operating profile, or something else.

 

[bumbershoot]

I can't even comprehend those numbers! Why would anything have to cost that much?!? Those numbers are quite disturbing, it's kind of scary too.

Well, Disney has to address the monorail problem at some point. I wonder if they can fix it without having to tear it down? If Disney doesn't expand the monorail, I hope they're at least looking into upgrading their fleet of buses to hybrid buses and help reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

Not sure. But...

While lightrail isn't monorail, check this out:

Seattle's new light rail system is by far the most expensive in the U.S. at $179 million per mile, since it includes extensive tunneling in poor soil conditions, elevated sections, and stations as deep as 180 feet (55 m) below ground level.

 

[Colleen27]

They have had several different models of hybrid buses in for trial periods. Sadly, none of them were satisfactory.

I heard the latest one couldn't keep the batteries charged. I don't know whether it was the FL climate, Disney Transport's operating profile, or something else.

My understanding is that there are very few practical options for hybrid buses because of the weight factor - between the size of the vehicle and the load of the required batteries, buses are just too heavy for hybrid technology as it exists today. Our county runs their bus fleet on natural gas, which is cleaner and quieter than traditional diesel but requires specialized fueling stations. Something like that is more likely to be the "greener" alternative for a place like WDW than a hybrid fleet because hybrid technology hasn't reached a point where it can effectively scale up to mass transit applications.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Here is some information on that High Speed Rail that some of you are not that informed about that was "killed". It was NOT for the Airport to Disney only, it was not being paid for by Disney ... it was more for the State of Florida.. and yes, we the residents of Florida would have been paying in the long run for this, but we would have been benefiting from it too... I do think our Governor made the wrong call in killing this project.. it would have also provided many much needed jobs for our State too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_high_speed_rail

Thanks for the link! I agree with you about it being the wrong call, this would have been great for the environment too -- plus it would have been easier to simply extend additional routes over the years as needed to different destinations such as the airports and tourist attractions.

They have had several different models of hybrid buses in for trial periods. Sadly, none of them were satisfactory.

I heard the latest one couldn't keep the batteries charged. I don't know whether it was the FL climate, Disney Transport's operating profile, or something else.

Thanks for the update! That's SO disappointing, but I am pleased to know that Disney is attempting to find a better alternative to replace the buses. Let's hope for the best.

Not sure. But...

While lightrail isn't monorail, check this out:

Thanks for the article, it's very interesting! Of course, I had to google more and "Sound Transit" looks awesome! The first thing I thought was how nice it must be to have Bill Gates as a resident, lol. Because where else would you get the funding for something like this?! But no, I see the $3.9 Billion was funded by voting to increase sales taxes and vehicle excise taxes -- that's very impressive.

On another forum they were discussing expanding the monorail all around WDW for 100 million. I made some snarky comment like add a few more zeros to the end and was flamed for being a complete idiot.

If I would have replied, I would have posted that if they could do it for 100 million. (The yearly amount they find it the couch cushions in the executive lounge .)They would have done it years ago. I didn't because the OP already had every one agreeing with him so I let it go.

Awww, that's terrible, especially when you were right all along. Well, now you are vindicated, lol!

Its more then just a mile of concrete, its all the design work and planing done before hand also the stations and any other support infrastructure like extra electric lines (which may be a problem because I had read a few months back they lost an electric supplier and the plans they had for an onsite nuclear power station never really worked out).

I don't think it would be that much, still a ton of money but sometimes there is also the cost of the right of way and relocating homes and/or business. Something that's not an issue at WDW.

That's a lot! Yes, you're right, I would imagine all of those issues would drive costs through the roof.

 

[honeydiane1953]

If it would improve transportation I'd go for it. I realize they do an amazing job with the numbers of folks they do get from here to there. It is sorely lacking IMO. Disney plz COME UP WITH SOMETHING!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

How would I feel if Disney built a subway?

I'd wonder why they spent all that money instead of doing a light rail. It's not like there isn't some open space to put the tracks.

 

[Mickey Gator]

Florida is sea level or below.

 

[RedfromNL]

Mickey Gator Florida is sea level or below.

So?

So is much of my country, much of the rest is below riverlevel. We have plenty of tunnels and even some subway systems.

It isn't that which is the reason it won't be, it's simply the cost of building miles and miles of subways in that kind of soil.
Trust me: it IS possible. I work for an engineering company that designs tunnels and yes underground trainnetworks etc. I have seen the designs for some , plus the prices!!

A tramnetwork would be far cheaper to build. Still not cheap though! Just cheaper. Doubt if they'll do that either.

 

[larryz]

So?

So is much of my country, much of the rest is below riverlevel. We have plenty of tunnels and even some subway systems.

It isn't that which is the reason it won't be, it's simply the cost of building miles and miles of subways in that kind of soil.
Trust me: it IS possible. I work for an engineering company that designs tunnels and yes underground trainnetworks etc. I have seen the designs for some , plus the prices!!

A tramnetwork would be far cheaper to build. Still not cheap though! Just cheaper. Doubt if they'll do that either.

You might as well propose a one-way roller coaster ride from theme park to theme park...

Oh, wait. Somebody already did that...

 

[hakepb]

I still wonder how much fuel money they would save if they had fully automated, fast raising (1 second or less) gates (with a green light so bus drivers did not have to wonder if it might close)
Then also eliminate the stops at theme park parking lot entrances, too.
Also could they eliminate all MK busses driving over the speed bumps in front of the Poly? (Althought I heard someone created mechanical speed bumps that generate electricity)

Would dedicated 2-lane "express" bus only roads be cheaper than monorail expansion? Technology is almost there for automated driving...

 

[mesaboy2]

To answer the titular question, I would feel that Disney was really stupid to squander such an exorbitant amount of cash on infrastructure when several other (and far cheaper) alternatives exist.

 

[chartle]

1. I still wonder how much fuel money they would save if they had fully automated, fast raising (1 second or less) gates (with a green light so bus drivers did not have to wonder if it might close)

2. Then also eliminate the stops at theme park parking lot entrances, too.

3. Also could they eliminate all MK busses driving over the speed bumps in front of the Poly? (Althought I heard someone created mechanical speed bumps that generate electricity)

4. Would dedicated 2-lane "express" bus only roads be cheaper than monorail expansion? Technology is almost there for automated driving...

1-3 I would think there would very little savings.

extra note for 2, not sure what you mean.

4. With out some sort of elevated road crossings they would still have to stop at every traffic light.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

You might as well propose a one-way roller coaster ride from theme park to theme park...

Oh, wait. Somebody already did that...

who?