Monorail problems, July 5 & 6

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by ducklite
Excuse me?

Stepharoonie attacked me by imlying I was lying about bus service from the MK to the TTC. Had it been her daughter I think she'd be equally upset.

Whoa whoa whoa...I did NOT attack you. I was saying that *I* had never personally heard of a bus running from the MK to the TTC. How in the world is that attacking you????

If my daughter had to take a bus instead of the monorail to the TTC, I wouldn't have been worried. Then again, I'm thinking of when she's 18. She's 3 right now, and I wouldn't leave her alone in a room for more than 2 minutes.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Anne, we had a similar problem 2 years ago. We were at MGM, when a storm hit, and they stopped running the boats to Yacht and Beach(and the other Epcot resorts). THAT is not the problem, the total confusion of how we were supposed to get back to our hotel was the problem! We were drenched (me and 10 year old DD) , and security had no clue, told us to wait for a boat, that they WERE running. The transportation window, said boats were running. We waited and waited. We walked back to guest relations, who said NO, none were running, and maybe we should take a cab? WHAT?? They also suggested we walk. I said, if it is too dangerous to drive a boat, walking along a canal seems like a bad idea. We walked back towards the boats, and finally were met by more security guards, and a dozen more people like us, wandering around. They THEN said, get on the AK bus, it will take you back to the Epcot resorts, (This was about 1 hour, 15 minutes later). They need to run busses when boats are shut down, and should put up a sign, go to busstop #2, or whatever. Something. There was NO system in place, and my solution is to drive to this park from now on.

Like with you, the problem is WDW response to the situation.

 

[Planogirl]

Pat McDuck, you reminded me of a bad situation that we got caught in!

Once, we were waiting for Fantasmic at MGM and a bad rainstorm hit. Disney CM's announced that the show was cancelled and we all hurried out as best we could in that bad storm. We took refuge for a while in a shop which was a mistake because by the time we made it to our Allstar bus stop, it seemed that there was at least 1000 people in line. The line snaked around up and down the parking lot and it continued to rain. I saw no sign of any buses for at least 10 minutes and then I got impatient.

We grabbed a taxi with another couple and I was so grateful that they included us that I paid for the trip myself. I had been asking CM's what to do and I saw nothing but blank looks and shrugging shoulders. Yuck, it was a big mess that night. Disney is not prepared for bad weather when people are exiting a crowded park.

A bit off topic I guess but maybe they aren't prepared for anything that differs from the norm.

 

[dg39]

I'm reading this thread as it goes as back and forth. We all get lost every now and then. I get lost, just going around the corner sometimes. I read most of the posts here and although I don't always agree with some of them, its fun to read about disney and some experiences people have regarding there trips. The point is the kid got lost and was upset, as were his parents. We all have had that knot in your stomach feeling when things don't go well with our kids. Its a lousy feeling and unless you have kids you don't know how it feels. Wether we agree with the OP or not, her child did get sidetracked.
It doesn't matter whose fault it was, it already happened. So to say "he should have, or he shouldn't have" is pointless. Thankfully he made it back to the resort in one piece.

 

[ajksmom]

As I see it-
Ducklite reported a problem with transportation they encountered on their visit. I hope it has been reported directly to Disney because transportation is a HUGE part of what the guests pay for to be staying onsite. It will not cost Disney one dime to respond better in the future when problems arise like these if they know there are problems to solve.
When one mode of transportation breaks down the employees need only to be educated on "plan B,C, or D" so they can INFORM all guests of the alternate travel arrangements available to them. Knowing the alternatives and having them in place is good butletting the guests know of them would be most useful . There would be no need for phone calls or riots if guests were informed of these options. It is called customer service.
With respect for others opinions, I suggest that we not judge Ducklite's parenting skills from her OP. Not one of us should be walking anywhere (even WDW) alone after 2am.

Kristy

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Stepharoonie!
Whoa whoa whoa...I did NOT attack you. I was saying that *I* had never personally heard of a bus running from the MK to the TTC. How in the world is that attacking you????

It sounded to me like you were accusing me of fabricating a bus to the Polynesian. In this case, there was (supposed) to be one. Apparantly when the monorail goes down, they bus people to the monorail resorts when the boats aren't running.

If my daughter had to take a bus instead of the monorail to the TTC, I wouldn't have been worried. Then again, I'm thinking of when she's 18. She's 3 right now, and I wouldn't leave her alone in a room for more than 2 minutes.

I AM NOT UPSET THAT HE WAS TAKEN ON A BUS INSTEAD OF A MONORAIL! I could care less if it was bus, boat, or monorail, surrey bike, whatever. What I am upset about is that he was directed to a bus, told the driver he was going to the Polynesian, and instead of being taken there he was taken to the TTC and told to walk to the Polynesian. He was NOT trying to get to the TTC! He was trying to get to his resort, the Polynesian! Being told to walk from the TTC to the Polynesian, especially at night was deplorable guest service.

If the driver wasn't planning on taking him to the Polynesian, he should have said so when my son boarded, and directed him to a bus that would.

I'm sure if this had happened to your daughter (when she's older) you would also be upset. I'm upset that it could/would happen to any guest.

Anne

 

[justhat]

Just to clarify, I am not referring to buses running from the MK to the monorail resorts. I am referring (like I said) to buses running from the monorail resorts to MGM, or AK depending on what resort you're staying at. My point is that if for some reason you are stranded at the Contemporary and are staying at the Poly or the GF and the monorail is not running, hop on the MGM bus and it will stop at the Poly, then the GF before heading off for MGM. This way you can avoid taking a cab like the OP had to since she was unaware of this option. You can also do this from the MK if necessary by walking to the Contemporary and taking the bus from there.

 

[gina2000]

I guess I'm the only one who has hopped on the wrong bus and had the bus driver take me to my resort despite the fact that it was not on his route. And I appreciated it because I was pretty damned disoriented at that point and had he left me off when he discovered I was on the wrong bus, you might still find me wandering around WDW.

I think Disney, despite its reputation for customer service, could have been a bit more responsive in this situation. I guarantee others were also left stranded and uneasy. You just may not read about them here.

Walking around at 2am alone is an eerie experience for anyone. I would hope a bus driver wouldn't just drop me off with the simple plan of having me walk in an area I had never walked before. The bus driver couldn't have know of this young man's special situation but I can't imagine him just letting someone off and telling them to walk anywhere. But that's me.

In an establishment where customer service is the goal, I think this situation may be termed a failure no matter what the age or capacity of the individual. The situation was unusual but the response was not up to standard. Hopefully, your son will be better capable to handle a detour in the plan more confidently in the future. And even more hopefully, it won't happen again.....to anyone.

 

[PatMcDuck]

To me, the point was that Disney transportation needs a Plan B. That was why I related my MGM, rain, no boats, no way to get back to Epcot resorts story. I could not understand why, as soon as the boats stopped running, there was not a plan in place to handle the resort guests left stranded. Same thing for Anne's situaton, but hers was a lot more complicated, and potentially serious.

Write SOPs for these situations, and follow them. (Does WDW use SOPs, LOL?)

I leave for WDW in 30 days, and can't wait to be "home" again.....

 

[ScarlettO]

Can I ask a "dumb" question. I've always gone to WDW when it closes at 9 or 10pm......does it really close at 2am in the summer?

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

This was on an E-night. They close the MK and only people with E-night tickets can stay. Yes, it is open very late.

Lori

 

[Kristi1357]

I cannot believe how long this thread is!

Anne, I would be really upset also. Your son's abilities and/or disabilities are really not the issue here. NO PERSON should be left at the TTC, rather than their resort, PERIOD! If I was in that situation, I would have been pretty hoppin' mad if the driver did that to me. And I am 32 and know the path to the Poly well. I would not walk it alone at night! It's not safe, even if it's Disney. I understand the monorail was down, but Disney does need to have a good plan b in place - AND, most importantly, all cast should know what it is and be making sure all guests know what is going on. I too have seen the Disney "magic" fail in situations like these, unfortunately. Communication is such a downfall for them sometimes!

Don't let the people on these boards get you down! I know first-hand how cruel some people here on the boards can be. Luckily, most are great people though!

Kristi

 

[sugermouse]

Yeah, I was there at the time too. It was just the express monorail track that was hit I think. It wasn't too fun with out that line, the resort monorails were packed

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by sugermouse
Yeah, I was there at the time too. It was just the express monorail track that was hit I think. It wasn't too fun with out that line, the resort monorails were packed

Both the Express and Resorts run off of the same power grid, so if only Resorts were running, then chances are it might have been a train problem.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Anne-
I've only read the first page of this thread and wanted to let you know I can relate to your concerns regarding your son. I have DS some disabilities as well which impacts his maturity level. He has limitations but we try to keep him mainstreamed as much as possible, planning carefully and praying that things go as planned. I would have been scared for him in your situation. That is not a walk I would want to take by myself at that time of night, let alone a 14 year old!

In 2002, we were staying at the YC and had PS for Chef Mickeys (three adults and 2- 9 year olds). We took the bus to TTC to get the monorail. It started to pour rain and by the time we got to the TTC, the track was also hit by lightning. There were no buses going to CR so we waited for the rain to subside. Of course, this was a rain event that lasted longer than the normal 20 minute storm. To keep our PS, we had to walk to the CR (never thought about a taxi!). We were thoroughly soaked by the time we got there!!! Fortunately, we had a great time and the rain let up in time for E-night. My SIL and I refused to have our picture taken that night. Vanity!!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[TammyC]

Originally posted by ducklite
Excuse me?

Some of these people have made it their mission to thinly veil personal attacks against me for quite some time. This is exactly what's going on here.

Anne

Did I miss something here?