Monorail and BLT

[keitha]

We are seriously considering purchasing at Bay Lake Towers. I have a reservation for a 2 bedroom (non-lock out) through disney for the last week in October. I am serious enough to make that kind of commitment so that I can experience it first hand before I make a final decision.

In reviewing the documents from DVC, they say over and over again not to depend on the existing Monorail system in choosing DVC. How realistic do y'all think it is that the monorail would no be running through the contemporary just as it is now 50 years from today?

Thanks for all the great information on this site. Any other advice you might have would be much appreciated.

 

[DenLo]

I was surprised when I read your thread regarding the monorail and BLT. Neither my DH nor myself remember any clause regarding the monorail in our two contracts at BLT. It is not part of the DVC and therefore Disney could change it, remove it or replace it whenever they desire.

Since the monorail is an icon of WDW, I would be surprised if they remove it. However, if safety becomes an issue, Disney would be forced to remove it or replace it at a great expense. It sure would destroy the Contemporary Resort's design though.

 

[BBG-BLT]

Hummm - 50 years from today maybe not but the monorail is as much Disney World as the Castle and CR and GF are... I don't see it going anywhere soon.

Even if the monorail goes away you can walk from BLT to MK. That's one of the main reasons we like it - the fact that we can take the monorail to Epcot is a bonus.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Quilter007]

A long time ago (OK 10 - 15 years???) in a land far away (Anaheim), the monorail went to the Disneyland Hotel. Well, some (insert your own adjective here) person at the city of Anaheim decided that the Monorail couldn't be a "ride" if it was actually used for transportation and so they made Disney stop using the Monorail to take guests from the Hotel to the Park. Stupid. Absolutely stupid. That kind of thing is outside Disney's control.

I think that if Disney had their way, the Monorail in CA would make stops @ the Grand CA & DH, but it isn't worth the regulatory hassle to get there right now.

Disney is not required to keep the monorail running as part of BLT. If that's a deal killer for you, don't buy. At VGC, they don't say that they are going to keep the spa going. I imagine they have something similar at other DVC's as well. The only thing you are gauranteed is the amenities which are part of the resort.

Also keep in mind that once Disney does something that ruins the value perception in the marketplace, that will greatly affect their ability to sell future timeshares. So as long as they are planning future timeshares -- like Hawaii, they are not going to do something stupid at their existing timeshares. Now, Disney does make the occasional odd dumb decision, but in general they are very good at sales.

Just my two cents.

 

[AKV707]

This is likely just a clause for Disney to cover themselves. We own all of our points at AKV, and I believe that there is a clause somewhere that says the animals are not guaranteed forever. I think it is just cya talk. It would be quite expensive to remove the monorail, especially from the Contemporary. Just as removing the animals from AKV would remove the animal from Animal Kingdom Villas.

 

[Advent]

A long time ago (OK 10 - 15 years???) in a land far away (Anaheim), the monorail went to the Disneyland Hotel. Well, some (insert your own adjective here) person at the city of Anaheim decided that the Monorail couldn't be a "ride" if it was actually used for transportation and so they made Disney stop using the Monorail to take guests from the Hotel to the Park. Stupid. Absolutely stupid. That kind of thing is outside Disney's control.

They didn't move the monorail. They moved, more correctly demolished part of, the hotel. The monorail station is in exactly the same place it's been for decades.

If you were staying in a tower room you still have to walk just as far to the station as you always did. If you want to ride from GCH you can walk the same distance. This way they serve both hotels with one station.

 

[Quilter007]

Hmmmm.......You could be right about that.....doesn't seem that way.....DH keeps saying that they will put a monorail stop in Grand Cal & I keep asking him what they put in his diet Coke that they didn't put in mine?

However, the main point is that if you are buying BLT because of the Monorails or buying VGC because of the spa, don't do it because they are not part of what you are buying & that is disclosed up front. As with anything else read the paperwork carefully, ask lots of questions from unbiased folks & this is a good place to ask because you'll get answers from people who don't get a commission from the answer.

 

[dizfan]

While the monorail could go away, I highly doubt Disney would let that happen.

They make far too much money from the monorail resorts (GF, Poly, and CR). No monorail would likely mean millions of lost revenue for Disney every single year.

Also, for many guests, no monorail would be like taking away the castle or the Epcot ball. I suspect every Disney executive who wants to receive a bonus will work to ensure the monorail is there for a long, long time.