Monorail phobia

[kandb]

I really don't have a phobia of the monorail but I do have a phobia of getting stuck on it. I would consider myself having slight claustrophobia. I can go on rides because if they stop or get stuck "theoretically" I could get out. However, on our last trip, I was on the monorail with my family and the monorail stopped in mid air and was pretty high up and we just sat there for 5 to 10 minutes. I kept calm but if it turned into 45 minutes, I would of been beside myself. I know it's a feeling of being out of control but I don't know if I should risk getting stuck on the monorail when we go in Sept. I feel bad because my kids like to ride it. We are also flying. I always used to make my dh drive from NY, but we have a 3 year old now and we flew last time we went because it is just sooooo much easier. I just take valium with me in case I need it. For anyone out there who hates to fly, I find that sitting in the front of the plane really helps me. Hate being in the back. Can the monorail get stuck for long periods of time? Should I just take the boat to the MK?

 

[Illinistifler]

I think the longest I have ever been "delayed" on the rail was 10minutes. Too bad they took away riding up front with the conductor.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Oh, I feel your pain! I am mildly claustrophobic too, and also had some of the same thoughts as you. There were also a few rides that I cannot ride again because of this. I think for the most part, we have only sat on the monorail for about 5 min because of a delay. I just focused on something else, such as talking to my kids, DH, or someone else in the car, and tried not to think about the fact we were stopped. The boat is fun too though, not sure what to say except I understand!!

 

[livndisney]

I really don't have a phobia of the monorail but I do have a phobia of getting stuck on it. I would consider myself having slight claustrophobia. I can go on rides because if they stop or get stuck "theoretically" I could get out. However, on our last trip, I was on the monorail with my family and the monorail stopped in mid air and was pretty high up and we just sat there for 5 to 10 minutes. I kept calm but if it turned into 45 minutes, I would of been beside myself. I know it's a feeling of being out of control but I don't know if I should risk getting stuck on the monorail when we go in Sept. I feel bad because my kids like to ride it. We are also flying. I always used to make my dh drive from NY, but we have a 3 year old now and we flew last time we went because it is just sooooo much easier. I just take valium with me in case I need it. For anyone out there who hates to fly, I find that sitting in the front of the plane really helps me. Hate being in the back. Can the monorail get stuck for long periods of time? Should I just take the boat to the MK?

Actually that stop was most likely very controlled! We ride the monorail all the time. It is routine to stop for short periods for track clearance etc. We stop all the time between GF and MK on the resort loop and between Cont and MK. It is a safety step to allow the monorail in the station to pull out. No worries!

 

[SueM in MN]

My DH and DD were stopped on the monorail a few weeks ago for almost 20 minutes, waiting for traffic to clear.
The stops are for safety and are controlled, slow stops.

You could always send the other members of your group on the monorail, take the boat yourself and meet up before going into the park.

 

[Pmctn]

Of course it could get stuck, and probably will. Or it may plunge off the track into a firey mess that will cue up a breaking news headline on Fox News. Why would you subject yourself to that?

 

[KristiKat]

I have issues with the Monorail also due to claustrophobia. I really try not to think about it. Of course the kids love it. I find that I can't ride it at night or facing backwards, it just makes me feel worse when I can't see.

 

[jmaycheer2012]

I really don't have a phobia of the monorail but I do have a phobia of getting stuck on it. I would consider myself having slight claustrophobia. I can go on rides because if they stop or get stuck "theoretically" I could get out. However, on our last trip, I was on the monorail with my family and the monorail stopped in mid air and was pretty high up and we just sat there for 5 to 10 minutes. I kept calm but if it turned into 45 minutes, I would of been beside myself. I know it's a feeling of being out of control but I don't know if I should risk getting stuck on the monorail when we go in Sept. I feel bad because my kids like to ride it. We are also flying. I always used to make my dh drive from NY, but we have a 3 year old now and we flew last time we went because it is just sooooo much easier. I just take valium with me in case I need it. For anyone out there who hates to fly, I find that sitting in the front of the plane really helps me. Hate being in the back. Can the monorail get stuck for long periods of time? Should I just take the boat to the MK?

most places have busses that take you to parks that could be an option. or if your staying at the CR theres a path from where the busses pick you up at to the main gate at MK.

 

[DisneyFamilyMomof5]

i understand. I dont really feel uncomfortable in the monorail, but i dont like when it stops over the water, but i dont like bridges in general.. its weird.. i get a strange uncomfortable feeling..

but the good news is ive spent alot of time on the monorail and i have rarely been delayed at all and if it had it was a few mins.

 

[Figment43]

If it helps, you can "theoretically" get out of the monorail, too.

There are escape panels on the ceiling that would allow you to walk along the roof to the front of the train where you could then use a rope to help you shimmy down the windscreen. Then you can walk along the track to the nearest station. This is if the worst should happen, though.

If it's a mechanical breakdown, you probably wouldn't have to wait long for one of their tow vehicles to hitch up and get your train to the nearest station.

I just figured it might help to know that there are ways out even if it doesn't seem that way. Disney thought of everything.

 

[lucas]

I know what you mean. I have a fear of getting stuck and not being able to get out of some rides, too. There are a few rides I won't go on. It is just the idea of not being about to get OUT.

 

[kandb]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Like I said , if it's 10 minutes, I can deal with it. I remember reading a post a while back about someone getting stuck on it for like 45 minutes. I know if I got stuck for that long, it would be horrendous. I guess it's boils down to the probability that it probably "won't" happen but am I willing to take the risk. I will probably just talk the family into taking the boat.

 

[DVCMikey]

When I think about it, I rather be stuck on the monorail for hours rather than be at work.

 

[hockeymomNS]

I would def. go by boat.
I knew someone like this, kinda country mouse girl. Married and started to travel and the more that she flew, rode rides, stayed in strange cities, the easier it got.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Monorail makes me nervous, too - I have a stomach issue that gets worse if I feel trapped, so I'm always a bit nervous when I step onto the monorail. I actually take a garbage bag with me in case I have to get sick or use the bathroom. I've never used it, but it calms me a LOT when I have it on me because I know I'm covered in an emergency. If I don't bring it, I'm very nervous the entire ride.

Imagine my rude awakening when I headed to MK EMH (drove to TTC), and headed towards my beloved ferry - only to find that they only run the monorail on EMH mornings! I hadn't brought my bag, and I was almost sick standing in line until this wonderful CM came by and started chatting with me. Our conversation calmed me down considerably, and I was able to ride comfortably over to MK. I wonder if he saw how distressed I was?

I feel for you. I'd take the ferry over the monorail any day.

 

[buffettgirl]

We've been stuck for a significant period of time, more than once, during an electrical storm in the summer. Not fun.

 

[goofy4tink]

We had taken the monorail from Epcot to the TTC to get to MK. Okay..fine. We were going to just head over to FtW for HDDR and figured this would be a nic way to go....monorail then a boat. Yeah, right. It was Oct..it was hot and a bit steamy that afternoon. Well...we were not too far out from the TTC..maybe another 3 mins, when we stopped...dead. Our car was chock a block full. After about 8-10 mins, it started getting very steamy in there..and kids were starting to get restless and very nervous. Well....we got to the 20 min mark...the adults are now nervous and agitated!!! It wasn't pretty. We spend almost 30 mins up there....the highway in the sky!!! Evidently, there was some track issue up ahead. We had no time to dilly dally in MK before we had to head over to FtW by the time we got to the TTC. We were frazzled and cranky, not to mention sweaty. Not a good way to start a fun evening...my dd's birthday dinner no less.
And I have to say that they would be hard pressed to get me to crawl out of the top, walk along the top of the monorail and shimmy down a rope!!!
Same with EE....no way am I moving out of that car when it's stopped on that overpass area. Yeah, send up a pillow and a blankie....I'll be down when the car gets down!!!

 

[kandb]

Oh my gosh, I will never set foot in the monorail again. Being stuck for 30 minutes in that incubator, no airconditioning and stuffed with people would not be pretty for the people around me. I will stick to the nice boat with the air blowing threw my hair, with life preservers on board.

 

[Ali]

I didn't want to scare you but since someone else already has posted about a 30 minute wait in the heat I will tell you that this is why I won't ride the monorail any longer. I have ridden it for 30 years but now with the increased mechanical issues, the number of people it is dragging around, my increased phobia, and IBS issues as another poster commented on, I just can't do it.

I have been stuck on it for 20 minutes before and I know I can not be a good parent when i am having an anxiety attack so we use the boat now.

And riding in the front section was so much worse for me due to how hot it was with the full sun shining in on us from the huge window. That was the worst thing I ever did.

So, just go on the boat or take the resort bus to MK. You will feel safer and you won't be so frazzled when you go to the parks.

 

[DVCMikey]

I know this is probably an easy answer I can find, but, can you get from the MK to epcot by bus anywhere? I was wondering if they added bus transportation in from the ticket center.