Monorail upgrade

[smbowtie]

Beginning 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. 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 - 9:30am-11:30pm
Express monorail - 8:30am-midnight

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

"Automated monorail" makes me bummed. One of my favorite WDW pics is me as a 4 year old "driving" the monorail while the conductor looks on smiling.

 

[SchmittyUD]

"Automated monorail" makes me bummed. One of my favorite WDW pics is me as a 4 year old "driving" the monorail while the conductor looks on smiling.

They stopped doing this anyway. We checked.

 

[Missyrose]

They stopped doing this anyway. We checked.

They stopped after someone died in the Monorail crash.

 

[PrincessesX3]

We are staying at the Contemporary in August. I booked dining according to the old monorail schedule. One of the benefits of staying at a monorail resorts is the convenience of the monorail. I hoping this will be completed by August 20th.

 

[rock_doctor]

I suspect there will still be an operator in the head car "just in case". Even a small mis-hap on property makes the world papers. ...and Disney does not have the best track record when it comes to new computer systems...

 

[andyman8]

I suspect there will still be an operator in the head car "just in case". Even a small mis-hap on property makes the world papers. ...and Disney does not have the best track record when it comes to new computer systems...

Exactly! Disney's just one tiny glitch away from CNN Breaking News. If anything, this is a good change as it will make the monorail more efficient. That said, it's time for new monorails, but at this rate, we won't be seeing anything remotely close until at least 2021 for the 50th but even that's a stretch.

 

[polyfor4]

Robots are taking over... Kidding but really I'm going to have to start self checking out at the Emporium at this rate

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

They stopped after someone died in the Monorail crash.

Yep

 

[Anonomom]

I don't care either way about automation, but I'm super bummed that using the monorail to get to MK and/or Epcot for rope drop won't be possible for my summer trip. Booked the GF depending on that monorail service. The boats take 2-3x as long, IIRC.

 

[andyman8]

By the way, I think the OP might have the Express and Resort hours reversed. These are the hours I am aware of.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to midnight
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 11:30pm
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm

That said, let me don some more looking around to confirm.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

By the way, I think the OP might have the Express and Resort hours reversed. These are the hours I am aware of.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to midnight
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 11:30pm
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm

That said, let me don some more looking around to confirm.

I have seen conflicting reports as well... it would be nice to know the right times

 

[andyman8]

Based on all indications, the correct times are indeed listed in my previous post. Not the OP's fault though. It seems to be a typo on the DIS's page.

 

[helenb]

I am very disappointed because this puts a real crimp in our MK rope drop plans.

How early does bus service start from the resorts? Another thought: is the ferry still running from the TTC? What time does that start?

 

[bjs1228]

I'm very disappointed with this news & how it will affect our August 6-12th stay at the Contemporary. One of the reasons we choose to stay there was because of the ease of transportation via the monorail, especially to Epcot. We have an ADR at 8:05 one morning and also rope drop there another morning. Wonder if it would just be better to drive than take the bus? We drive our on car to HS and AK so I guess this might just add one more park to that list. We also had an early breakfast planned at the Poly to get our Tonga Toast fix. lol It's not the end of the world, but it does change things!

 

[Networth]

When is this supposed to be completed? I love the grand stay every trip but a large part of that is the monorail if it stays down till December may cancel this trip completely.

I miss the monorail from the 90's the current trains are almost 25 years old and they look/smell /feel it. They need to be replaced.

 

[lizzyb]

Guess now I need to take the bus to Epcot for rd. So much for spending extra money to be on a monorail resort.

 

[maddiebee]

So there isn't any chance that this means the monorail will be operating earlier than these hours but that it would switch over to an automated system at the times posted?