Monorail Front Rides - GONE!

[Disney DieHard]

I know ... this was probably reported a long time ago and I must have missed it but it is REALLY hard to keep up with ALL the posts that go up ... and "I" just found it out so I will post for those that didn't know.

Disney used to enhance the Magic for some of its guests by giving them an opportunity to ride up front in the monorail ... however, this has been stopped for about two years now according to a cast member that I just spoke with.

I HONESTLY didn't realize that they stopped that ... I'm assuming that it was after the crash occurred. My family and I rode up in the front once and we made the whole loop in the nose and it was really fun!

It is a shame that Disney decided to stop it but I guess I can understand their apprehension given the potentially fatal situation that could arise.

Take Care and Be Safe!!!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[Deb & Bill]

Those ended with the accident.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

You have to head to Disneyland to ride in the front.

 

[Coconuts]

Yeah, these ended a few years ago after the accident. We lucked out and got a ride to Epcot on our last trip before the crash. It was awesome and it's a shame my youngest won't get a chance to do it. Really a shame and sad for the CM that died though.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I still have hope that they might bring back the experience for guests. It is a favorite memory from my childhood. Hearing that they still allow guests to ride in the front at Disneyland gives me hope.

For some reason, I watched Austin Wuennenberg and Christyan's video again just yesterday, and I shed a few tears--especially when Austin says, "It runs on magic! (also electricity)." And I cried a few more tears, when he gives Christyan his honorary monorail co-pilot's license at the end of the ride.

Here is the video from the Orlando Sentinel, if you haven't seen it. It is a beautiful tribute to Austin Wuennenberg. It would honor his memory and his work, if they brought back that special magic.

I would want to be respectful of the current monorail pilots, though. Perhaps it is easier for them, without guests in the front. Do we have any monorail pilots on the DIS? Is it something they have mentioned as missing? Or are they relieved not to offer the rides anymore?

To all monorail pilots, past and present, thank you for the service you have given! I have always felt the magic.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/vide...e54704b-0bb6-4551-99a8-a52a47764cb5&src=front

 

[gojoe]

I rode in the front in 1973 when I was 13. Our girl got to ride with the pilot when they where 13 too. It was a couple of years before the accident. Maybe someday they will do it again. This is a photo of them.

 

[bumbershoot]

Hearing that they still allow guests to ride in the front at Disneyland gives me hope.

It's a totally different monorail situation at Disneyland, the accident couldn't happen there as far as I understand, which is why it's allowed there. I personally don't let DLR's situation give me hope that WDW will *ever* allow it again.

 

[Disneymadhouse]

It is a real shame (but totally understandable) why they stopped it.
I rode in the front on a trip in 2002 with my then 4yo cousin. It was one of his favourite "rides" of the whole trip!!
The pilot was great too, he was telling us the story of how he had been on the weakest link. Anne Robinson found out that he also doubles as a character and she commented "it must be Pooh, because you are playing this game like it"!!!

Claire

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Before the accident in July 2009 my family and I got to ride up front on the Monorail a few times and it was a great experience, so at least we have the memories and pictures from that. Now it's a shame that others won't be able to experience this if they have never been to WDW, however the right decision was made to stop allowing guests sitting up front and I doubt they will start allowing that ever again.

 

[mmjm]

I never heard about it, does anyone know what caused the accident?

 

[Missytara]

I never heard about it, does anyone know what caused the accident?

Yes, it was an unfortunate incident. Here is a link; you can also google it to get more info.

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/walt-disney-world-monorail-accident-7441/

 

[kaligal]

No rides up there since the crash.

According to Disney, the monorail is safe. There won't be another crash. No cause for concern.

But they won't put anyone in the very safe area.

Gotta love Disney.

 

[Lynne M]

No rides up there since the crash.

According to Disney, the monorail is safe. There won't be another crash. No cause for concern.

But they won't put anyone in the very safe area.

Gotta love Disney.

I suspect that at least in the early days after the crash, banning guests from the cabin was as much about protecting the cast members as it was about liability. The monorail CMs were grieving the loss of a coworker and friend who had died on the job, and were also having to deal with a lot of guest curiosity, inappropriate jokes, etc. It was a really rough time for the CMs.

 

[Missytara]

I suspect that at least in the early days after the crash, banning guests from the cabin was as much about protecting the cast members as it was about liability. The monorail CMs were grieving the loss of a coworker and friend who had died on the job, and were also having to deal with a lot of guest curiosity, inappropriate jokes, etc. It was a really rough time for the CMs.

I have to agree; out of respect for Austin, I am glad they did what they did.

 

[princess barbara]

About 5-6 years ago, our family of 4 was approached at Epcot monorail station by a high level cast member. He asked if we wanted to sit in the nose cone of the empty train in the BACK of the monorail that was returning to MK. He had to use a set of keys to unlock the rear driver's car and of course there was no driver as he was up front. Then he had to turn on the radio and let the driver know that he had us with him in the back. Then he gave us a rundown on the history of the monorail on the way to the MK. Talk about magical and so cool to see Epcot get smaller and smaller as we drove away. We called customer service with a big atta boy for him!

 

[OrangeCat04]

I am glad that we were able to experience riding in the front of the monorail before they stopped this. It was very exciting especially when they gave the little ones their monorail license. Hope to see this back someday!

 

[Polydweller]

No rides up there since the crash.

According to Disney, the monorail is safe. There won't be another crash. No cause for concern.

But they won't put anyone in the very safe area.

Gotta love Disney.

Oh please, bashing Disney about this issue? They had an accident that killed a CM and if there had been a family in there would have killed them as well! It's already known that if something goes wrong it isn't a safe area. Since you know that if you put someone who is not required in the area and something does happen you have abolutely no defense. Maybe this accident's specific chain of causation may not occur again just like planes, a different chain of causation could occur. No safety person will ever say that it could never happen again.

It is about liabilty and insurability and that's why the rides haven't returned not something underhanded about Disney.

 

[WINTER]

We rode in the front the day of the crash.

 

[jcvalenti]

On our last trip, in June 2009, my sons (then 9 and 4) got to ride up front FIVE TIMES in one trip. It was one of the highlights of their entire Disney history. What a shame that little bit of magic is gone, though being a defense attorney, I totally understand the decision.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

With the old safety procedures back in place (and some new, better ones added), I really don't see how riding in the front of a monorail is too dangerous for Disney to allow it.

The risk seems much smaller than other things I do at Disney, for instance, piloting the small boats on Bay Lake. (I am surprised accidents do not occur with all the traffic that is on the lake.)

I wonder if the reason that Disney has still not opened the front of the monorail to guests might be to protect the cast members? If so, I understand. Guests might ask questions (about the accident, safety, etc.). The cast members do not need that.

Austin seemed to enjoy inviting guests into the front, though. It is sad.