Just back - Monorail rumor

[umichigan10]

I actually don't think you'd want to know the numbers they would come up with for the cost of continued operation/ expansion...

because they would be gigantic...and if disney had them tossed around in their face - they would probably rather scrap the beams and trains they currently have altogether instead of even keeping them as is...

A per user fee would be a good idea - except that you can't trust them to keep their hands outta the cookie jar and keep it for what they state they are implementing it for...

the annual increases to tickets/ lodging/ some food and merchandise pricing is all ready well above standard inflation and cost of living anyway...so knowing that - how would you trust that whatever "improvement tax" they would charge would actually be used for what its worth? And their cost models are/ have always been ridiculously over budget - which means just because they start whacking everybody 5 bucks a head in 2012...doesn't mean they won't come back in 2014 and say it has to go up to 9 bucks a head....and that will be also without their standard "cost upkeep" percentage increases that they do one or more times a year for everything else already
We'll be lucky if they continue to do more regular upgrading of the beam/ electrical systems and managed to spring for the new Mark of trains in the next 10 years or so....IF we're lucky.

A ticket to a Disney park was 13 dollars in 1982...which means adjusted for inflation...it should be $28.00 now.
What is it? 87.00 plus tax

Granted - that was before the all inclusive gate fees where put into place - so the real cost was more then because of ticket books - but even still...say it was really like $25.00 a head back then...
...it's WAY off the charts in todays term still...


just some perspective.

they better replace the current trains or otherwise we'll be walking along the beams instead or riding trains

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

they better replace the current trains or otherwise we'll be walking along the beams instead or riding trains

Sadly,

The schedule 2 years ago when the cars reached 20 years old was continue to operate them for 15 more years.

Another reason we take the ferry.

By the way, the first set of cars were replaced at 20 years....but who is counting?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Sadly,

The schedule 2 years ago when the cars reached 20 years old was continue to operate them for 15 more years.

Another reason we take the ferry.

By the way, the first set of cars were replaced at 20 years....but who is counting?

with a total of 6 disney resort locations on line at the time....

now they have what? 22?

my point being that there is inherently much more on property traffic to use the monorails during their stays...not to say they should go ahead and run the trains through the dolphin :lol:

 

[umichigan10]

Sadly,

The schedule 2 years ago when the cars reached 20 years old was continue to operate them for 15 more years.

Another reason we take the ferry.

By the way, the first set of cars were replaced at 20 years....but who is counting?

Then I guess I can get ready to use the Disney beam walk on future visits

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Then I guess I can get ready to use the Disney beam walk on future visits

We can take tips from the gymnastic pixies in London at the Olympics! I'll try a Ytamarzuka with a triple twist, thank you very much!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

with a total of 6 disney resort locations on line at the time....

now they have what? 22?

my point being that there is inherently much more on property traffic to use the monorails during their stays...not to say they should go ahead and run the trains through the dolphin :lol:

That's crazy (unbelievably high amount of) money to build no matter how many guests it transports. Disney doesn't spend money without finding any solution other than writing checks. The person in Burbank who would lobby for monorail extensions would risk punishment along the lines of riding Small World for 24 hours straight after picking up turkey poo from the pardoned white house turkeys. Maybe even bathroom monitor after the fireworks.

They have already said the big money in the future will be in the Orient. I bet when done there, they turn to Disneyworld Brazil. That's where they are spending some big marketing going forward to keep WDW busy now that they can't count on guests from Europe.

 

[DCTooTall]

It might also be worth noting...

It used to be when the park first opened there was a "Transportation ticket" to the MK that required you show a ticket to ride the monorail. It was included in the ticket books, but you could also buy one seperately. (Ever wonder why it looks like the TTC used to have ticket gates/turnstyles where the gates are now?)

Even after they went to the inclusive ticket, it used to be you had to show your park ticket, or resort key, in order to board the monorails and buses.

The complete lack of needing to check any sort of "authorized user" media to ride disney transportation is actually a relatively recent development.

 

[ChrisFL]

It might also be worth noting...

It used to be when the park first opened there was a "Transportation ticket" to the MK that required you show a ticket to ride the monorail. It was included in the ticket books, but you could also buy one seperately. (Ever wonder why it looks like the TTC used to have ticket gates/turnstyles where the gates are now?)

Even after they went to the inclusive ticket, it used to be you had to show your park ticket, or resort key, in order to board the monorails and buses.

The complete lack of needing to check any sort of "authorized user" media to ride disney transportation is actually a relatively recent development.

interesting

 

[chartle]

The complete lack of needing to check any sort of "authorized user" media to ride disney transportation is actually a relatively recent development.

Define relatively.

When did they stop because I'm pretty sure the number of years they have not asked outnumbers the number they did. I'm thinking by a large margin.

 

[AllieV]

what do you think the chances are of them building a second form of aerial transportation? For example, a gondola that runs along the side of the monorail (sorta). High speed gondolas are slow on each end for loading, fast in between for quick transport, and some of them are HUGE, as big or bigger than the monorail cars. You could also roll a stroller right on. With them evenly spaced, I'd think they'd be more efficient, handle more people, and require no driver. It's not as cool as a monorail, but it is a nifty form of transportation,.

 

[chartle]

what do you think the chances are of them building a second form of aerial transportation? For example, a gondola that runs along the side of the monorail (sorta). High speed gondolas are slow on each end for loading, fast in between for quick transport, and some of them are HUGE, as big or bigger than the monorail cars. You could also roll a stroller right on. With them evenly spaced, I'd think they'd be more efficient, handle more people, and require no driver. It's not as cool as a monorail, but it is a nifty form of transportation,.

and still not as cheap to run and flexible as a simple bus.

 

[AllieV]

and still not as cheap to run and flexible as a simple bus.

True, but I'd think the "monorail resorts" would require something more nifty than a bus. The boats are a great attraction, but cold in some months (or rainy days). If a ski resort can put up multiple gondolas up the side of a mountain, surely Disney could afford it. Not as clean looking, though.

 

[mitros]

I have been away from the boards forabout 14 months taking care of my Mom with cancer. At first I would peek. The last months I never had the heart.

Very sad to hear that. My prayers go out to you and yours.

 

[chartle]

True, but I'd think the "monorail resorts" would require something more nifty than a bus. The boats are a great attraction, but cold in some months (or rainy days). If a ski resort can put up multiple gondolas up the side of a mountain, surely Disney could afford it. Not as clean looking, though.

The reason they use gondolas is that they do have to get up a mountain. A mountain that may not have any roads to the top or have roads impassable in the winter. I see no reason to build them in Florida. Also they couldn't just attach the cables to the side of the pylons they would have to be much higher due to the slack in the cables.

The only place I have ever seen anything like a gondola outside needing to get to the top of a mountain is in NYC.

I'm afraid its the monorail or nothing and no expansion to the monorail system.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Very sad to hear that. My prayers go out to you and yours.

Thank you for the kind words. She is in a much better place, happy to be with Daddy. She is still with me, she just has a better seat for the fireworks!

I DID miss the Dis!

 

[DCTooTall]

Define relatively.

When did they stop because I'm pretty sure the number of years they have not asked outnumbers the number they did. I'm thinking by a large margin.

I remember early-mid 90's at least they still had signage and written on the tickets (and my AP), and even notices at the bus stops (back when the bus routes were identified by flags) mentioning the requirements for valid tickets and/or resort guest identification in order to use the transportation systems.

I do remember they were kinda lax in checking though, and there weren't really any checks for the TTC to MK express rails or to get into the TTC anymore (But I remember turnstiles still being there). I do however remember people often verifying you had a parkhopper ticket (AKA...not a one day single park ticket.. all multidays were parkhoppers) in order to board the EPCOT beam....which still had a turnstile onto the station at EPCOT. I can also recall that in order to board the Resort beam you couldn't just be a day-guest (you know... unless you had an AP).

Now, i don't know when the getting lazy on checking for valid ticket types turned into a full policy change, but I do remember that it was at least a on-paper requirement up into the 90's.


(For trivia purposes... Here's a post in another thread that has a picture of the old prices for the MK, including the transportation ticket. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45102804&postcount=2423 )

 

[brea]

Maybe that's what the testing of that new "dragon" like thing is out on CA?

I've been following this thread and it's concerning to hear about these things. Not really sure what to say past that. I spoke to my wife about it and she ssid if the monorail is that much of a concern then there's no need to stay at a monorail resort then because you're not really gaining enough to cover the extra costs of those resorts and I'd bet others would feel the same.

With DVC being added to the GF and coming soon to a Polynesian resort near you I don't see how they can ignore the monorail. If the poly is going to be the most expensive DVC as most expect then it just makes no sense. they'll have to address it.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Maybe that's what the testing of that new "dragon" like thing is out on CA?

I've been following this thread and it's concerning to hear about these things. Not really sure what to say past that. I spoke to my wife about it and she ssid if the monorail is that much of a concern then there's no need to stay at a monorail resort then because you're not really gaining enough to cover the extra costs of those resorts and I'd bet others would feel the same.

With DVC being added to the GF and coming soon to a Polynesian resort near you I don't see how they can ignore the monorail. If the poly is going to be the most expensive DVC as most expect then it just makes no sense. they'll have to address it.

Why would DVC make a difference? It hasn't with BLT. In fact they are limiting service and experiencing more frequent breakdowns due to "mature" equipment since BLT opened.

With the reduced schedule, I'm happy I got my Grand Floridian visits out if my system years ago......when you didn't run the risk of being trapped in a dead, cramped, stinky car. LOVE the ferry now. With my handicapped tag, parking is a breeze.

They have already told us we have 13 more years with 22 year old cars and limited future spending at DL and WDW until construction in the Orient is done. I don't see Burbank too worried about DVC. As long as people buy, they will change nothing. After all, they already have your money! DVC is guaranteed attendance.


Oh my....let's hope they do better with THIS dragon!

Remember the promotions for DL Summer Night-tactic? Everything was centered around the new Fantasmic dragon (kind of like Everest and the Yeti). Well the dragon is beyond great but not THAT summer. Dress rehearsal the night before the first show.......the dragon's head fell off. The dragon finally did debut in September after the "summer of the new dragon"......was over.

Let's hope they do better. Hey....they haven't solved Fantasyland's train ride yet.

 

[DCTooTall]

They have already told us we have 13 more years with 22 year old cars and limited future spending at DL and WDW until construction in the Orient is done. I don't see Burbank too worried about DVC. As long as people buy, they will change nothing. After all, they already have your money! DVC is guaranteed attendance.

Um...

I think you forgot something..... They could care less about the DVC Attendance.... DVC is guaranteed major upfront money in their pockets now. They probably could care less about your future attendance since the Maint Fee's cover property upkeep, and they just got your $15k-$30k+ from your buy in......which they can then either resell to you or someone else in a couple decades when your lease expires. Just look at the cheap furnishings they threw into BLT when it opened, it's obvious they aren't spending that buy-in money on decking the place out.


IMO.... I kinda think DVC is just another part of the problem with WDW over the past few years. They continue to build capacity with DVC rooms, obviously taking away from the regular guests they used to pack their regular resorts with, then complain about how they can't fill the regular resorts. Then of course, they pretty much use the DVC income to just pad their bottom line, without any of that money going back into parks and resorts, even to the extent of helping to upgrade or refurb the resorts or services which the DVC resorts are adding too. If you think about it, The money they made/will make off BLT and the new Grand Floridian resort could easily cover a major overhaul of the monorail system which those new DVC properties are heavily utilizing. Instead, They'll continue to neglect the monorail system, while actively using it's existence to sell BLT, GF-DVC, and even the inevitable Poly-DVC. I also doubt we'd see much of a MK Boat capacity increase at GF or Poly to account for the increased guest capacity at those resorts when you factor the inclusion of a new DVC wing. [BLT I'll be willing to conceed that an argument could be made that MK transportation capacity didn't need to be added due to the walking path]

 

[manning]

I guess that means as time goes by there will be more appearance at Disney by Donald Duct (tape).