Monorail broken down on Epcot line.

[surferdave]

On your next trip, everybody spend about 10 minutes at a different DVC kiosk every day talking seriously about buying in, then tell them you're holding off for the monorail to get overhauled.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Only once on our last trip did we rely on the monorail when timing was important to us, and we got bit. It was our first Epcot day and we wanted to be there at park opening. We were staying at CR, took the resort monorail to TTC, got all the way to the Epcot monorail platform to find that it wasn't operating. They sent us to the buses. We had a loaded up double stroller (rental) that we hadn't tried to collapse yet and moved over from the bus line to let people pass while we figured it out. Finally got on a bus and arrived at Epcot around 9:30. We just drove on our second Epcot day - much easier. The only times we used the monorail after that were for the 500 yard trip from MK to CR.

Based on the frequency of problems with the monorail, and more importantly the very long time it can take to resolve problems and Disney's lackluster performance in making up for the inconvenience, we won't ever again rely on the monorail to get us somewhere on time.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Sounds like ppl need to really relax. Does everyone have tons of anxiety now?!
Chill out and live life-things could be worse !!!

I think you're reading too much into what others are saying. They'll be okay.

 

[mom2rtk]

Great. Now Disney ADRs are going to come with directions to allow 4 hours travel time.

 

[mom2rtk]

On your next trip, everybody spend about 10 minutes at a different DVC kiosk every day talking seriously about buying in, then tell them you're holding off for the monorail to get overhauled.

Now that's funny. And a great plan.

 

[Laz]

Only once on our last trip did we rely on the monorail when timing was important to us, and we got bit. It was our first Epcot day and we wanted to be there at park opening. We were staying at CR, took the resort monorail to TTC, got all the way to the Epcot monorail platform to find that it wasn't operating. They sent us to the buses. We had a loaded up double stroller (rental) that we hadn't tried to collapse yet and moved over from the bus line to let people pass while we figured it out. Finally got on a bus and arrived at Epcot around 9:30. We just drove on our second Epcot day - much easier. The only times we used the monorail after that were for the 500 yard trip from MK to CR.

Based on the frequency of problems with the monorail, and more importantly the very long time it can take to resolve problems and Disney's lackluster performance in making up for the inconvenience, we won't ever again rely on the monorail to get us somewhere on time.

Combine this with the thought of being crammed into a standing room only bus, you will see why I try do drive everywhere I can within WDW.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

So if we can't count of the monorail, what should our family do in this case? We stay off-site and always get an ADR at CP before RD. We are usually in the MK parking lot between 7 and 7:15. We have always taken the resort monorail since it was the only one running at the time. From my understanding, the boat also would not be up and running yet.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

So if we can't count of the monorail, what should our family do in this case? We stay off-site and always get an ADR at CP before RD. We are usually in the MK parking lot between 7 and 7:15. We have always taken the resort monorail since it was the only one running at the time. From my understanding, the boat also would not be up and running yet.

I don't think there's much choice in that case. Maybe park at DTD and take the bus to CR then walk?

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Combine this with the thought of being crammed into a standing room only bus, you will see why I try do drive everywhere I can within WDW.

That's what we'll do on future trips. We're talking about staying at BC next trip, so walk/boat to Epcot and DHS and drive to AK. We'll probably try the bus to MK and see how that goes before we drive and park at TTC. Kids will likely be 6, 9 and 12 then.

 

[LovinPooh]

Great. Now Disney ADRs are going to come with directions to allow 4 hours travel time.

Yup!! Lol!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

They really should honor ADRs missed because of Disney transportation issues.

The resulting domino effect can sometimes be partially alleviated by seating early ADR arrivals early instead of taking walkups.

I haven't come up with an opinion regarding breakdowns but if guests are delayed getting to the airport because of the need for accident investigation including for a park to resort bus then Disney should see them home. In some of these situations an airline's flat tire rule will reduce the cost to Disney.

 

[surferdave]

Despite the events like this I would be surprised if the monorail wasn't still the most statistically reliable means of transportation at the parks. I'd bet that traffic, fender benders and parking problems are enough to make driving yourself less reliable.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Despite the events like this I would be surprised if the monorail wasn't still the most statistically reliable means of transportation at the parks. I'd bet that traffic, fender benders and parking problems are enough to make driving yourself less reliable.

There's frequency of problems, then there's duration. We only go every 3-4 years, so it's the duration risk that will keep me off the monorail when timing is important. I can leave a little earlier to account for any normal traffic risks.

 

[cajunprincess]

Despite the events like this I would be surprised if the monorail wasn't still the most statistically reliable means of transportation at the parks. I'd bet that traffic, fender benders and parking problems are enough to make driving yourself less reliable.

This and we find it very confusing to maneuver around everywhere in WDW and Siri tries to take us in service only entrance. Call me Goofy but I prefer to just wait for a bus... Lol

 

[lugnut33]

I would like to know what other people on that monorail got for compensation.

 

[bumbershoot]

This and we find it very confusing to maneuver around everywhere in WDW and Siri tries to take us in service only entrance. Call me Goofy but I prefer to just wait for a bus... Lol

GPS is often less than helpful on property. What IS helpful is knowing the area you are in and the area you are going to. If trying to go somewhere in the Epcot area, first find those signs, follow them, then narrow it down to the exact place you are going. The signage is incredibly good in our opinions, as long a you aren't being confused by GPS telling you other things.

 

[larryz]

Despite the events like this I would be surprised if the monorail wasn't still the most statistically reliable means of transportation at the parks. I'd bet that traffic, fender benders and parking problems are enough to make driving yourself less reliable.

I don't know if I'd agree with that

1) I've never had to wait for my car more than 5 minutes -- the time it took me to walk to it
2) One thing WDW is good at is moving cars (and buses, when they're running)
3) I've never been unable to park at a WDW destination, and that includes DTD -- I might not get as close as I'd like, but I've always found a parking place
4) I have yet to see a traffic accident at WDW that shut down an entire route, and if it did, it seems there are plenty of alternate methods of getting someplace from anyplace else

The one time my own car DID fail me, Alamo was "kind enough" to rent me a replacement until it was repaired...something WDW doesn't have for the Monorail system and can't seen to get right with the buses...

 

[lucas]

On your next trip, everybody spend about 10 minutes at a different DVC kiosk every day talking seriously about buying in, then tell them you're holding off for the monorail to get overhauled.

LOVE it!

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Just read on facebook posted about an hour ago that the yellow monorail on the express rail was down. But it was posted that no one was stuck.

 

[surferdave]

I don't know if I'd agree with that

1) I've never had to wait for my car more than 5 minutes -- the time it took me to walk to it
2) One thing WDW is good at is moving cars (and buses, when they're running)
3) I've never been unable to park at a WDW destination, and that includes DTD -- I might not get as close as I'd like, but I've always found a parking place
4) I have yet to see a traffic accident at WDW that shut down an entire route, and if it did, it seems there are plenty of alternate methods of getting someplace from anyplace else

The one time my own car DID fail me, Alamo was "kind enough" to rent me a replacement until it was repaired...something WDW doesn't have for the Monorail system and can't seen to get right with the buses...

Your experience is anecdotal; chances are you've never experienced a monorail problem either, but even if you have it's relatively rare. I think that if car delays got the kind of attention around here that monorail problems do we would see a lot more reports of them. There was a thread here recently about someone who drove to AK for rope drop but found the parking lot to be late opening and watched bus after bus drop off people ahead of them while they watched, and other people reported that to be a common problem.