Monorail for Disney Hotel Guests

[GatorChris]

Is there any special monorail benefits to Disneyland Hotel guests? Like maybe getting on before the park gates open. Seems like it would be cool to start rope drop from inside the park.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

If anything, it's a disadvantage. If you talk to most the people who work there, they suggest NOT taking the monorail at park opening because you might get there after the park opens, while everyone who goes to the main entrance gets onto Main St. a little before rope drop.

 

[pirate_smiles]

I guess it depends on what your priorities are. For us it was a huge advantage not having to walk ALL the way into and out of the parks with a 4,5, and 6 year old. We always made it into the park within 5 minutes of rope drop. Waiting in the long line before opening and rope drop is not a priority for us, especially with 3 young kids.

 

[krispin41]

No. And there were a few times during my trip in December, where it wasn't open until a bit after opening. But very convenient in walking back at the end of the night when I was super tired.

 

[SeaDis]

Our friends tried it once for early entry and there was only one monorail running for some reason. They missed the first one and were left waiting for what they thought was over 15 minutes for the train to return. They just kind of panicked and stayed put-- But GatorChris you would know better. Anyways, it kinda ruined their morning and they had trouble getting back in the groove.

We went once out of curiosity from GCH and the line was back to Rainforest Cafe. I stood there for 5 minutes and said "no thanks!"

If staying at DLH I would only ride it out of the Park for afternoon break. Besides-- gotta walk up Main Street to the Castle. Music, please! Right?

 

[DizMe]

They used to have a special line for hotel guests at the monorail station in the park. It was really cool, because you could bypass the regular line and get right on the monorail to go back to the hotel. That was done away with several years ago, though. As far as using it in the morning, I agree with PPs who like it when you're not interested in making rope drop. The line first thing in the morning is usually too long for me, but a little later it's ok.

 

[StormyCA]

If you can catch the first monorail into the park for EMH, it's great. They're supposed to hold you on the train til rope drop, but they've always let us go maybe 5 mins before so you're already in FL or TL when the rope drops on Main St. If you don't make the first one in though you'll miss probably 30 mins of EMH. Another problem is that for whatever reason there seems to be frequent 'breakdowns' for that EMH time. We tried it 3 times during our last visit and it was only running once. We had to hoof it quickly to the Esplanade to make it for EMH rope drop the other 2 times. We've decided it's not worth it.

 

[Heymy]

I wish. Back in the 80s and early 90s my family would be one of the first to eat breakfast at the Monorail Cafe at 6am and then my dad would run up to the top of the steps of the Monorail station and would do his best to be first in line. We'd ride in the front of the Monorail and would be the first down the ramp into Tomorrowland, way before anyone else entered the main gates. Ahhh the memories.

 

[jenjersnap]

If you can catch the first monorail into the park for EMH, it's great. They're supposed to hold you on the train til rope drop, but they've always let us go maybe 5 mins before so you're already in FL or TL when the rope drops on Main St. If you don't make the first one in though you'll miss probably 30 mins of EMH. Another problem is that for whatever reason there seems to be frequent 'breakdowns' for that EMH time. We tried it 3 times during our last visit and it was only running once. We had to hoof it quickly to the Esplanade to make it for EMH rope drop the other 2 times. We've decided it's not worth it.

What time does that first pre EMH monorail typically leave? (I know EMH opening time can vary, but I mean, how far in advance before opening time does it leave...20 minutes? 30 minutes?)

 

[planningjollyholiday]

We have been there when the monorail gets into the parks early, and also when it gets into the parks late. It seems like it is very inconsistent. We generally like starting the day off walking down mainstreet anyway, so we only utilize the monorail when leaving the park.

 

[StormyCA]

What time does that first pre EMH monorail typically leave? (I know EMH opening time can vary, but I mean, how far in advance before opening time does it leave...20 minutes? 30 minutes?)

It's 'supposed' to leave around 10-15 mins before EMH start time but it is inconsistent. When we've managed to 'make it work' we've gotten to the station about 45 minutes before that (i.e. if EMH is 8 am, we'll be at the station, in line, around 7 - 7.15 am. A line forms for bag check and they start checking you through (IIRC) around 20 minutes before departure. The line moves slowly and they don't keep count so you won't know if you'll make the first train until you're standing on the platform and have 'jostled' for position.

Seriously though, if you are really serious about getting in for your full hour of EMH, I'd head to the Esplanade & just go through the gates. With the Monorail, there is limited capacity on the trains so there's no guarantee you'll be able to get the first train. Plus they don't tell you 'sorry, no EMH Monorail today' until you're standing there and it's almost time. Then you have to run down to the Esplanade and the Main Gate.

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks for the info, StormyCA! I do intend to go through the main gate to hit the EMHs hard, just wanted to assess our options in case we have some super draggy feet the last couple days. .

 

[mom2rtk]

It only took once where we were standing in line for the monorail for rope drop, and finding out too late in the game that the monorail was having technical difficulties for us to decide never again.

We had gotten there early, then had to spend the time to hoof it down to the main gates and enter behind all those other people.

We now always use the main gates for rope drop entry.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I wish. Back in the 80s and early 90s my family would be one of the first to eat breakfast at the Monorail Cafe at 6am and then my dad would run up to the top of the steps of the Monorail station and would do his best to be first in line. We'd ride in the front of the Monorail and would be the first down the ramp into Tomorrowland, way before anyone else entered the main gates. Ahhh the memories.

This was my family, too. I miss the way the monorail used to run back then. It's still fun, but not half as convenient and "special" as it used to be.

 

[GatorChris]

Thanks for the replies. After reading them all, I conclude this: If the Monorail is the transportation of the future, the future will be late.