Monorail Upgrade Warning

[pogopossum]

We are staying at Grand Floridian right now. In addition to monorails starting late in the morning and shutting down earlier at night. Which makes it inconvenient for EMH.

This morning monorails were not ready to run by normal time. We knew that something was up when we got on and didn't take off right away. Announcement was made to indicate that we had to wait as "routine" maintenence was being performed on the train ahead of us. Second clue was at MK station where express monorail was stopped and no passengers were on it. We finally left and then we stopped again before CR. When we finally got to TTC, now the final warning sign monorails were stopped and empty on the express and epcot tracks. Everyone was told that they would have to use busses to MK and epcot. They thought that trains would have been running on time and were very sorry. MK seemed to have plenty of busses waiting to handle crowd, which I get, because most traffic there is to the MK. But at the queue for epcot, there were no busses and it seemed to take longer than necessary to get them routed over. Seems like a contingency plan should already have been in place and ready to be implemented. I know they are doing all they can.

It looks like they are back on schedule now, but we should have used the bus straight from the resort and will the rest of the stay. Everyone should know that in the morning it may not be a short hop to the MK or epcot on the monorail, and be prepared for the alternative.

 

[SpringSprite]

That really stinks! I would hate to stay at a monorail resort without full access to the monorail!

 

[rock_doctor]

We have officially given up on the monorails when we have to be someplace on time. We drive most places now a days. I can get from my BLT room door to the AK gate in less then 15 min with no frustration or waiting.

Once again Disney does not do technology well. I can't wait to see how bad computerizing the monorails will be. With our luck we will get on at the Contemporary and end up at Universal.... due to computer glitches, no need to jump into the fireplace...all monorails will lead to Diagon Alley...

 

[Skywise]

With our luck we will get on at the Contemporary and end up at Universal.... due to computer glitches, no need to jump into the fireplace...all monorails will lead to Diagon Alley...

Y'know... some would say that's not necessarily a bad idea...

Or maybe they link the hogwarts train with the Magic Kingdom railroad...

 

[ajwolfe]

We were hoping to stay at a monorail resort next time, but I'm not sure we will if they don't get this figured out. The only allure of them to me is being on the monorail and not having to always use our car if we don't want to. Can't imagine paying to stay there and still end up using the busses.

 

[Missyrose]

We are staying at Grand Floridian right now. In addition to monorails starting late in the morning and shutting down earlier at night. Which makes it inconvenient for EMH.

This morning monorails were not ready to run by normal time. We knew that something was up when we got on and didn't take off right away. Announcement was made to indicate that we had to wait as "routine" maintenence was being performed on the train ahead of us. Second clue was at MK station where express monorail was stopped and no passengers were on it. We finally left and then we stopped again before CR. When we finally got to TTC, now the final warning sign monorails were stopped and empty on the express and epcot tracks. Everyone was told that they would have to use busses to MK and epcot. They thought that trains would have been running on time and were very sorry. MK seemed to have plenty of busses waiting to handle crowd, which I get, because most traffic there is to the MK. But at the queue for epcot, there were no busses and it seemed to take longer than necessary to get them routed over. Seems like a contingency plan should already have been in place and ready to be implemented. I know they are doing all they can.

It looks like they are back on schedule now, but we should have used the bus straight from the resort and will the rest of the stay. Everyone should know that in the morning it may not be a short hop to the MK or epcot on the monorail, and be prepared for the alternative.

This was an announced change in the monorail schedule as Disney does work on the system. Here's the changes (which went into effect June 22 with no known end date):

As of 6/22/14: The monorail will have a different operating schedule than normal as an automation upgrade takes place. An automated monorail will allow for faster switching times, more frequent dispatching of trains, and accurate arrival information. Additional buses and watercraft will be available during this time (guests who have early breakfast reservations can also use watercraft or bus service). This schedule will be in place for a few months, but no specific end date has been set. The schedule will be:
Epcot - 9:00am-11:00pm
Resort monorail - 8:30am-midnight
Express monorail - 9:30am-11:30pm

 

[serene56]

the monorail was never running for an EMH night time. Monorail closed when the park closed at the regular time.

Found that out the hard way last visit.

 

[pogopossum]

Having seen the statement at home before our vacation, we were aware of the change in schedule, but as was the case with the Disney transportation employees who had expected as anyone who had read the announcement would expect that at 9 am the would be up and running.

I merely wanted to report in on our experience this morning, so that others could adjust their transport choices to their needs.

 

[LilyWDW]

That really stinks! I would hate to stay at a monorail resort without full access to the monorail!

Well, to be blunt, this happened all the dang time anyway. The monorail is just too old at this point. It would break down quite consistently and has been for years now. To the point that there is no way I would have trusted it to get me somewhere if it was time sensitive.

 

[soniam]

Thanks for the update. We'll be at Poly in 16 days. I'm regretting that decision now with the remodeling and the monorail. Luckily, this is a short trip before our cruise. Keep us informed. Are the buses running correctly for morning EMH? We really want to get to Epcot and MK for rope drop. Thanks

 

[goopysolelady]

We are staying at Grand Floridian right now. In addition to monorails starting late in the morning and shutting down earlier at night. Which makes it inconvenient for EMH.

This morning monorails were not ready to run by normal time. We knew that something was up when we got on and didn't take off right away. Announcement was made to indicate that we had to wait as "routine" maintenence was being performed on the train ahead of us. Second clue was at MK station where express monorail was stopped and no passengers were on it. We finally left and then we stopped again before CR. When we finally got to TTC, now the final warning sign monorails were stopped and empty on the express and epcot tracks. Everyone was told that they would have to use busses to MK and epcot. They thought that trains would have been running on time and were very sorry. MK seemed to have plenty of busses waiting to handle crowd, which I get, because most traffic there is to the MK. But at the queue for epcot, there were no busses and it seemed to take longer than necessary to get them routed over. Seems like a contingency plan should already have been in place and ready to be implemented. I know they are doing all they can.

It looks like they are back on schedule now, but we should have used the bus straight from the resort and will the rest of the stay. Everyone should know that in the morning it may not be a short hop to the MK or epcot on the monorail, and be prepared for the alternative.

THANKS FELLOW TEXAN! We're leaving Sunday and have breakfast reservations at Kona Tuesday morning. We're with DGD's group there to play soccer at the Disney International Youth Soccer Tournament and game time that day isn't until 1:15...a good time to get over to the Poly for my FAVORITE DW breakfast...Pineapple/Macadamia pancakes! We'll be at CB and now know to add a little extra time to get over to the Poly. I do appreciate the "heads up"!

 

[Robo]

the monorail was never running for an EMH night time. Monorail closed when the park closed at the regular time.

Found that out the hard way last visit.

"Never" is a pretty big word.

The monorails ran during PM EMH for years. (A decade, give or take?)

It has just been in the last couple of years that they stopped running during PM EMH.

 

[pogopossum]

i thought that i remembered that they used to run later than park closing during emh as well. as recently as four years ago, i think that we would go for rides that went well past midnight.

i would also say that if they were as unreliable as stated, why would monorail dvc membership be as popular as it is. i recall members anticipating blt and vgf with fervor unmatched for any other resort, wouldn't think that would be the case if people all believed that the monorails were so unreliable.

but the main point is a monorail resort is booked for one main reason, the monorail.

 

[jhaig]

Thanks for the update. We'll be at Poly in 16 days. I'm regretting that decision now with the remodeling and the monorail. Luckily, this is a short trip before our cruise. Keep us informed. Are the buses running correctly for morning EMH? We really want to get to Epcot and MK for rope drop. Thanks

I would like to know this as well

 

[DaisyNY]

Does anyone know how long these updates will take? They were working on the monorail back in March when we were there...hopefully it will be up and running for our December trip...

 

[momto3gr8boys]

"Never" is a pretty big word. The monorails ran during PM EMH for years. (A decade, give or take?) It has just been in the last couple of years that they stopped running during PM EMH.

Yes, we never noticed the monorails not running during EMH until our last visit. It was inconvenient because there were no where near enough boats to get everyone back - those were our longest transportation waits.

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[Robo]

Does anyone know how long these updates will take? They were working on the monorail back in March when we were there...hopefully it will be up and running for our December trip...

No end date for the maintenance-schedule has been announced.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well, to be blunt, this happened all the dang time anyway. The monorail is just too old at this point. It would break down quite consistently and has been for years now. To the point that there is no way I would have trusted it to get me somewhere if it was time sensitive.

I agree with you 100%.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, we never noticed the monorails not running during EMH until our last visit. It was inconvenient because there were no where near enough boats to get everyone back - those were our longest transportation waits.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I have found that is always a good idea to keep an extra $20 on hand, for a taxi. If the lines are too long you can always walk over to the closest taxi stand.

 

[JJsmama]

Thanks for the info, OP. I am already annoyed with the shortened schedule, but definitely would have expected them to be ready by the designated opening time-- especially since they were letting passengers get on. I'm sure you all would have rather taken the bus to begin with than sit on the stopped monorail all those times.

We are paying extra for the monorail line because of the monorail. Luckily we will be at the CR, so we can walk to MK. We are rope droppers and AM EMH people, so those early morning convenience minutes are important to us. If I were paying premium for GF or Poly, I would have changed the ressie to somewhere else cheaper since the convenience has disappeared.