MONORAIL CLOSURE - What a BUMMER!

[cmwade77]

I am new here to the disboards and I need some advice.

Our family booked our vacation over 6 months ago and we are staying at the Contemporary Resort for 10 days in early March.

I just found out today that the monorail will be closed weekdays from 11:30AM-7PM during our stay. I have 9-month-old twins and we needed to rely on the monorail for our mid-day breaks. And feedings/naps. And for our transportation to the Poly and Grand Floridian for lunch & early dinner meals. And for park hopping to Epcot, etc. And my elderly parents needed to rely on the monorail too.

I don't want to take buses and boats. We are paying a premium for the convenience of the monorail at a DELUXE MONORAIL RESORT, which is why we selected a monorail resort over 6 months ago.

And I am confused why Disney hasn't notified us of this monorail closure information? A letter or an email or something. Anything. It was upsetting to read about it on another website.

And they just announced this closure 1 month ago? That is ridiculous considering they encourage customers to book dining reservations 180 days out and FP+ 60 days out.

Is anyone else affected by this? Have you complained? I understand the monorail needs maintenence. But the LACK OF NOTICE and SHORT NOTICE is frustrating and unacceptable.

We are considering cancelling our trip. Our infant twins won't remember the trip anyways.

I suggest calling them and asking about it, at bare minimum say something if and when you check in.

 

[Spunky946]

We stayed at the poly in October when they decided last minute to close the monorail. We actually preferred the boat', which was relaxing. They were also running buses between the three resorts and the ttc.

Look at it this way. I'd rather them repair it then be stuck in the air in one for hours.

 

[zela02]

I actually got a letter about a month ago. We are staying at the Contemporary Feb 2-8. Not thrilled about it, but since our kids are older, it doesn't have as big of an impact.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I recently made a reservation at another resort in Orlando for August. I got an email right after I made the reservation stating that there would be construction noise due to a roofing project. This is for a trip that is seven months away. Full disclosure. I think it's just slimy for Disney not to notify customers of a major inconvenience like this.

 

[Bonacker]

Is anyone else affected by this?

Uh, um, well, yeah. Thousands upon thousands of guests are going to be affected by this, over the next few months.

Us included. We have two small kids, one with a physical disability, both who need afternoon naps, and it's our first visit to WDW, too. Obviously, we're not thrilled. But I don't really think it is a big drama, for us, no.

Maybe I'm not that wildly irked because our trip, later this month -- like many other peoples' -- was booked off-season so we could get a huge room discount. We chose off-peak month/week so we could get a 35 percent room discount (which goes thru dates in March/April), understanding that, obviously, closures of rides and attractions are more likely than not during the off season. Like, it's a trade-off.

No one has notified us of the closure. But I read about it maybe two or three weeks ago, on here and also on other WDW-centic websites and blogs.

Riding on the boats sounds like fun to me, anyway.

My understanding was that it isn't ALL the monorails, but the monorail that runs between the resorts and Magic Kingdom . . . ? During our 9 days, we will only be spending two days at Magic Kingdom, and both mornings we can ride the monorail to the park before 11. So, really, this only effects the afternoon return to the Polynesian. So we have a boat ride in the afternoon? Eh, whatevs. Still worth it to me to be close to the action.

 

[PAcpl]

Uh, um, well, yeah. Thousands upon thousands of guests are going to be affected by this, over the next few months.

Us included. We have two small kids, one with a physical disability, both who need afternoon naps, and it's our first visit to WDW, too. Obviously, we're not thrilled. But I don't really think it is a big drama, for us, no.

Maybe I'm not that wildly irked because our trip, later this month -- like many other peoples' -- was booked off-season so we could get a huge room discount. We chose off-peak month/week so we could get a 35 percent room discount (which goes thru dates in March/April), understanding that, obviously, closures of rides and attractions are more likely than not during the off season. Like, it's a trade-off.

No one has notified us of the closure. But I read about it maybe two or three weeks ago, on here and also on other WDW-centic websites and blogs.

Riding on the boats sounds like fun to me, anyway.

My understanding was that it isn't ALL the monorails, but the monorail that runs between the resorts and Magic Kingdom . . . ? During our 9 days, we will only be spending two days at Magic Kingdom, and both mornings we can ride the monorail to the park before 11. So, really, this only effects the afternoon return to the Polynesian. So we have a boat ride in the afternoon? Eh, whatevs. Still worth it to me to be close to the action.

You're absolutely right, after further investigation I found this:

The Walt Disney World Monorail system will be closing during non-peak periods in early 2014.
Starting January 21 2014, the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express Beam will close on weekdays between 11:30am and 7pm for maintenance. The work is expected to be ongoing through the end of March 2014. The Epcot beam will operate as normal.

During the work additional busses and watercraft will be available for resort transportation.

Disney has recently been installing infrastructure to support automation of the monorail system, although it is not clear if this closure is related to this.

I wouldn't worry about it much OP, as the PPs have said you can easily walk to the MK. Now if Disney would actually communicate this kind of stuff there wouldn't be miscommunication online.

 

[mom2aandj]

We originally had planned to stay at BLT our entire spring break, but ultimately decided to split and change to BCV for the second half of our trip. SO glad I made that decision! We were planning on walking to MK anyway, so that isn't impacted. We did make ADRs at the Poly and GF which we will now have to figure out though. I feel it is very deceptive of Disney to not notify guests of this huge issue. When the BC pool was closed a few years ago during our stay, Disney sent letters well in advance letting people know. That is what they ought to be doing now.

 

[MomtoFourinMA]

We are also upset. Staying at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort in March. Fully booked our trip on/at a monorail resort for a REASON. Paying big money for the location and convenience of the monorail. We haven't even started our vacation and we already feel irritated and inconvenienced.
THAT.IS.NOT.THE.PURPOSE.OF.A.VACATION.

What upsets me MORE is Disney not giving guests full disclosure about an issue that they know is a huge factor in choosing to stay there in the first place. It is not okay that we have not personally heard anything from them about the closure. It is actually ridiculous. They have all of our personal contact information and could easily email, write, or call us.

As another poster said, "They haven't notified people because they don't want to lose business at some of the most expensive resorts on property" and "There is no way I would be paying CRs rate with the monorail down. No way."

After reading this post and others, we have contacted our TA to try to switch us to a different resort. Maybe Wilderness Lodge.

The other issue is OVERCROWDED buses and boats when the monorail is down. It is an issue.

At least we have this information NOW so we can make changes to our vacation. I suspect a number of folks are going to be quite angered when they show up on their vacation to this little surprise.

 

[katallo]

Our friends booked a week with their grandchildren at the GF. They learned about it through me (and Disboards). They called and were told they could cancel, but there will be additional busses. Needless to say they are very upset. This is their first trip since 2003 and are really discouraged that no one from the resort informed them about this. They booked at the monorail resort since the grandchildren all need naps.

 

[Happyjen27]

I absolutely agree Disney should inform all of it's guests at monorail resorts of the resort monorail loop closure times.

After my stay at CR last month, I can say that walking to and from the MK won't be too bad for you, but your elderly parents may need to take a bus. Depending on how many days you're doing the MK, the impact might not be as significant as you think.

If Disney will add boating from CR-MK to their transportation plans I would probably keep the reservation at CR. However, if they won't, I would consider saving some money and moving to WL. The Poly would be great for transportation with a down monorail, but, I wouldn't stay there with the construction.

I would absolutely change my ADRs rather than trying to sort out transportation to other monorail resorts with the resort monorail loop down during dinner time. From what I've had of Disney food, not very much of it is worth the headaches of resort to resort travel without a monorail.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Thank you so much for all of the insightful thoughts & helpful suggestions.

I really, really appreciate it!

I just think it is UNACCEPTABLE that Disney has made ZERO effort to notify us and other arriving guests of the monorail closure. We are paying BIG MONEY for the perk/convenience/whatever you want to call it of staying at a Deluxe Resort on the Monorail line and having that convenience taken away is frustrating.

I can only imagine how many people will be showing up to the Contemporary, Poly, and Grand Floridian WITHOUT even knowing about the closure.

Again, thanks for sharing your $0.02 with me.

This happened to us in October. We were not notified until we checked into the Poly that the monorail would be down. I was NOT happy but there was no changing at that point as my girls love the Poly and were so happy to be there. Terrible customer service. We aren't staying on a monorail resort in April because of possible pool closure/monorail downtime. It's frustrating to pay as much/more than guests pay other times of the year and get fewer amenities.....I would really consider WL or stay with the CR. Walking back from MK would be faster than busing/driving to another resort.

 

[JanaDee]

OP, I understand your frustration about not being notified. That is unacceptable (but par for the course with Disney).

You are paying for the monorail and it will be available very limited hours. Two of the three monorail beams will be unusable for a majority of the day.

If I were you, I'd switch to a moderate resort and change your ADR's, so you don't have to deal with the hassle of figuring out how to get places with no monorail.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

It seems like this is happening more often. We were there last April and had the same situation. I understand they need to do repairs but rates should be lowered for those staying at monorail resorts. That is why we choose them!

 

[KilroyWasHere]

I am new here to the disboards and I need some advice.

Our family booked our vacation over 6 months ago and we are staying at the Contemporary Resort for 10 days in early March.

I just found out today that the monorail will be closed weekdays from 11:30AM-7PM during our stay. I have 9-month-old twins and we needed to rely on the monorail for our mid-day breaks. And feedings/naps. And for our transportation to the Poly and Grand Floridian for lunch & early dinner meals. And for park hopping to Epcot, etc. And my elderly parents needed to rely on the monorail too.

I don't want to take buses and boats. We are paying a premium for the convenience of the monorail at a DELUXE MONORAIL RESORT, which is why we selected a monorail resort over 6 months ago.

And I am confused why Disney hasn't notified us of this monorail closure information? A letter or an email or something. Anything. It was upsetting to read about it on another website.

And they just announced this closure 1 month ago? That is ridiculous considering they encourage customers to book dining reservations 180 days out and FP+ 60 days out.

Is anyone else affected by this? Have you complained? I understand the monorail needs maintenence. But the LACK OF NOTICE and SHORT NOTICE is frustrating and unacceptable.

We are considering cancelling our trip. Our infant twins won't remember the trip anyways.

How long is this down for? Long-term or just a temporary thing?

 

[JanaDee]

How long is this down for? Long-term or just a temporary thing?

January 21st-end of March, every single day from 11:30am-7pm, affecting both Resort and Express monorail loops.

 

[Denise W]

I thought it was Monday through Friday only and not the weekend?

Denis

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

I thought it was Monday through Friday only and not the weekend?

Denis

Yes, you are right.

From the Transportation section of the DIS website:

Monorails to run on shortened schedule

Beginning 1/21/14, the Magic Kingdom resort and Express monorails will be unavailable on weekdays between the hours of 11:30am to 7:00pm. This is a planned maintenance and will be in effect until the end of March 2014. There will be extra watercraft and buses available.

The Epcot monorail will run as usual.


Can anyone clarify the routes of the Resorts, Express, and Epcot monorails, please? I just want to make sure I am clear so that I can plan accordingly when the monorails are down. Thanks!

 

[morethananyonex]

Yes, you are right. From the Transportation section of the DIS website: Monorails to run on shortened schedule Beginning 1/21/14, the Magic Kingdom resort and Express monorails will be unavailable on weekdays between the hours of 11:30am to 7:00pm. This is a planned maintenance and will be in effect until the end of March 2014. There will be extra watercraft and buses available. The Epcot monorail will run as usual. Can anyone clarify the routes of the Resorts, Express, and Epcot monorails, please? I just want to make sure I am clear so that I can plan accordingly when the monorails are down. Thanks!

Resort monorail stops at MK, CR, TTC, Poly, and GF.

Express monorail goes between MK and TTC following the same path as the resort monorail.

Epcot monorail goes between Epcot and TTC. When the MK monorails are down, people will need to walk/bus/ferry from TTC to get to various resorts and MK.

 

[JanaDee]

I thought it was Monday through Friday only and not the weekend?

Denis

Yes, you're right. Thanks for the correction.

 

[MommaBarb]

I wish they gave a date and not just "end of March" especially because it's a Monday-Friday sort of thing. We're arriving to stay at CR on 3/31, which is a Monday. So is it going to be down that day after being open all weekend and then open the rest of the week? I suppose there isn't any way to know since the work hasn't even started yet, but it's spring break time. You'd think that would be taken into consideration, too. We're okay with walking to MK, and busses for everything else if need be, but a specific end date would be nice.