Monorail. So what's the big deal?

[timC]

Ok. I'm not a monorail basher. They're cool. Walt liked them...I like them.

Simply. We're staying at the GF for Thanksgiving. I've stayed at many WDW resorts over the years, mostly BWV and VWL. Boats are better than buses. I know that. But I've never stayed at a monorail resort.

I know there are a lot of monorail resort fanatics out there. So please tell me what's so special about being on the monorail? AND, please help me with your tips on some ways to really take advantage of it.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am jealous of the GF...one that I have never gotten to stay at.
I loved staying in the Poly and CR..it was nice to hop on the monorail each morning and WOW was it convienent for going back mid morning. I had my daughter in a stroller and didn't have to worry about waking her to get on.

Tip: Everyday your hotel has a different color monorail assigned to it...if that monorail comes up and you want to sit in the front ( and you are the first to ask) you get to sit in the front...a "perk" of staying there...you can ask to sit in any of them, but you are pretty much assured of getting your hotels monorail...
hope that made sense...

 

[awdwnut]

I have only been fortunate enough to stay at deluxe resort once, and that was the Poly. I must say that the convenience this adds when visiting the MK is huge. The time you save in transit is quite enough to make me a monorail fan. All I have to do now is to win the Power Ball lottery, and can take advantage of the monorail again!


awdwnut

 

[BethC1952]

I've never stayed at a monorail resort (and probably won't--I prefer the moderates because I like outside corridors), but I love the monorail! It's comfortable, quick, relatively quiet, gives you a great view, and is just plain fun! They can accomodate lots of people and get them where they want to go with no detours or traffic delays.

One of our favorite things to do on our first night at WDW is ride one of the monorail lines and just look around and soak up the atmosphere. You can see a lot of WDW from the windows of the monorail.

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to sit in the front...you don't always even have to ask. We were asked twice last year if we wanted to ride in the front (both times at the GF), but I think it's because my FIL was more excited about the monorails than any little kid every could have been! If you get to ride in the front, take some pictures out the windows. Some of my favorite shots from WDW are from the front of the monorails over the past 25 years!

Beth

 

[Tink]

With the exception of my honeymoon, we always stayed at a moderate. Our first two trips with DD #1 were at moderates. We were used to the bus thing. When I was pregnant with DD #2, we satyed at the Polynesian. When you have kids in strollers who love the MK, the monorail hotels are the way to go, if you can. you can stroll the kid right on the monorail and not have to fold and carry the stroller. We don't bring the large stroller, we bring smaller ones. Now that we have kids, they like the MK best and we spend far less time at the other parks.

Last year we had two DDs with us and stayed at POFQ. That place is my favorite, but since it is closed, and we got that fiary tale package, I talked DH into the Polynesian again.

After my kids are older, and that excuse flies out the window, I'll talk DH into it by saying we are older now and deserve it

 

[cworld]

10. They're too quiet.
9. They are so high up in the air.
8. They have those annoying announcements "Please stand clear of the doors, Por favor...".
7. They are so high up in the air.
6. They go directly from the hotel to the front gate of the park, I don't get enough exercise.
5. They are so high up in the air.
4. The resort monorail is not usually crowded enough to engage someone in good conversation.
3. They are so high up in the air.
2. When you pull in to Epcot, you can see how crowded it really is.
1. They are so high up in the air.


not really

 

[Tonyspad]

We have been lucky enough to stay at deluxe hotels during our past 5 trips. Two years ago we tried the YC and even though it was a great resort with a great pool and location we felt like we were never at WDW because of the fact there wasn't any monorail. The MK is our favorite park and we seem to spend most of our time there. The GF was our hotel during our last stay and we LOVED IT! I guess it all depends on your budget and your favorite park.

 

[Micca]

I hear what you're saying. Having stayed at many WDW resorts, we enjoy in the monorail resorts. After a few times, the novelty wore off for us. We spend about an equal amount of time at the various parks, and we always have a car. For transpo to MK, it's great. It's also great to go on a monorail run for drinks and shopping. There is something special about staying at a monorail resort, but after staying at WL and AKL, we can forfeit that privilege.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Well staying at the GF, you get to use ALL types of transportation! Not only the monorail but also boat to the magic kingdom, and depending upon which location / building your in at the GF you could be actually closer to the boat dock. Boats run to mk, poly & gf during park hours. OR you can continue to enjoy the wdw bus transportation, to mgm, AK, or water park of your choice. And then of course monorail to mk and ttc where you can change to the epcot monorail.

Monorail's are just fun, quiet, air conditioned, & fast. Enjoy the GF, its a great resort, has great transportation (unless you walk to the self parking lot).

MKY

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by cworld
10. They're too quiet.
9. They are so high up in the air.
8. They have those annoying announcements "Please stand clear of the doors, Por favor...".
7. They are so high up in the air.
6. They go directly from the hotel to the front gate of the park, I don't get enough exercise.
5. They are so high up in the air.
4. The resort monorail is not usually crowded enough to engage someone in good conversation.
3. They are so high up in the air.
2. When you pull in to Epcot, you can see how crowded it really is.
1. They are so high up in the air.

 

[dawgfan]

It is a matter of simple convenience.

 

[BCV23]

The monorail resorts are magical to us. From the GF we like to take the monorail to the MK and then take the little launches back to the resort. GF is the first stop each way.

BTW if you don't have a car the bus to Epcot would probably be faster than transferring monorails at the TTC.

Enjoy your stay. It's a beautiful resort.

 

[Harambe]

Taking the monorail loop at night - and just enjoying the sites - priceless!

We are staying at the AKL next trip and I am really looking forward to that resort's unique offerings - but I'll miss the monorail.

 

[DinDin233]

I've stayed at the GF and Contemporary...the convenience factor makes it great. Plus my 4 year old goddaughter loved being able to get on it every morning....I think it was her favorite ride!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I'm just playing Devil's Advocate here... I used to work in Monorails prior to my transfer into Bus Operations, and there's one thing I've noticed...

I used to be based at the Grand Floridian station. On a typical morning, trains would pull into the GF mostly to completly full. Often times, most of the people on my platform would not be able to board the first train, and would have to wait for the second train. Very few people would ever get a seat during the busy times.

These are common complaints about the buses, yet you never hear a peep about them in regards to the Monorail. People have nothing but praise for the monorail, even though it has the very same problems encountered with the buses.

*shrug* Just my observation.

 

[sm4987]

Honestly, I just liked being able to hop on them whenever you wanted to. It was really great for the MK. That is our main reason for staying at the Contemporary Resort. Being on the monorail line. Plus going to Epcot was really cool too! Crowds, I never experienced them. Even on nights, it was great. We are going for 9 nights in May. I really hope it is as pleasant as it was when I was there this past summer.

 

[Sammie]

Chip 'N Dale Express,

Well you have a supporter in me. I love the monorail resorts, but not for the monorail. In fact we usually take the boat transportation. The monorail is fun, something of a novelity at first, but not really the best form of transportation.

Also the monorail resorts are great for being close to the MK, but really not convenient to the other parks, even Epcot.

The moderates and value resorts actually, to me, have the best overall transportation to all locations.

 

[PTarbay]

The convenience is great not just for the Magic Kingdom but to get to the other monorail resorts.We like to stay at the Poly but usually hop over to the Grand Floridian and Contemporary for dinner.We love The California Grill,Chef Mickeys,Narcooses and occasionally Victoria and Alberts.If we were at another resort away from the monorail the commuting time is outrageous.During the hotter months you can get back to your hotel quickly for a swim and back to the MK again.During the cooler months you can hop back to the room to change into warmer clothes when it starts to get cool.You can only get the Magic Kingdom ,EWP and Wishes fireworks views from these resorts too.They're also some of the nicest resorts on the property.

 

[TerriBelle]

I have to agree with Chip 'n Dale. We use to stay at the CR before we joined DVC and our last few trips we ended up walking to the MK. The monorails were so crowded first thing in the morning that it was not worth it! We only used the monorail to get to the other resorts or to EPCOT. I also preferred the old monorails that had more seats.

My kids love the monorail so now we use it to get to/from Epcot and the MK once or twice during our stay. This works great since we have been staying at the Epcot resorts. We may start the day at MK and then when it gets crowded we ride the monorail to Epcot and walk back to the hotel.

 

[goofy4tink]

We stayed at the Polynesian last August. Using the monorail was a lot of fun. We found that the walk to TTC to use the monorail to Epcot was terrific. We have just bought into DVC and will miss being able to do this. We just can't get excited about GF and Polynesian isn't our favorite either but you sure can't beat the convenience in transportation.