Monorail what is its purpose?

[Lakewood]

Ok, I know it runs around the park and stops and picks up at Downtown Disney. But if you are in Downtown why not just hoof it to D Land or DCA?

It seemed before the Downtown Disney area was built it stopped at the D Land Hotel to pick up and drop off guests... Why not have it run to all three hotels and both parks. Make it a legitimate form of transportation.

Obviously our park here is tiny compared to WDW, but their monorail system actually worked very well.... And could be operated on days that are over 80 degrees... I guess it never gets that hot here in So Cal.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Wrong post...I like the ride though. It does get above 80, try going in August.

Jack

 

[Lakewood]

Ha, it happens. I know it gets above 80 degrees, I just read somewhere that they are not capable or will not be ran when it is over 80 degrees... Lame

 

[LavenderPeach]

Well, it's original purpose was to be a revolutionary new transporation system. Sort of like an experiment to see if cities/states would pick up on the idea and use it as a form of public transportation. I was thinking that they didn't change the track when they put in DTD and DCA but just built those things around the existing track but I'm not sure about that. I'm sure a real expert will chime in and say if that's true or not. But if they didn't change the track then it is understandable why it is more of an attraction and not so much an important mode of transportation.

 

[GrandBob]

Are you saying the monorail no longer goes to Disneyland Hotel? I haven't been to DL for years, but I well remember that it used to.

How far is the walk from DL Hotel to the station at DTD?

 

[mechurchlady]

The monorail was first and foremost a ride showing the latest technology which then went on to be used world wide. For my friend it was a thrill to ride the monorail and he loved every minute. The monorail station is on the exact same spot, from what I have heard, as the original station. I might be wrong. Anyhow it is a ride foremost and transportation for guests of the hotels.

I love taking the monorail from DLR to Downtown Disney then eating at a nice restaurant then back to parks.

 

[LavenderPeach]

The monorail station is on the exact same spot, from what I have heard, as the original station. I might be wrong.

That's what I thought I had heard too.

Are you saying the monorail no longer goes to Disneyland Hotel? I haven't been to DL for years, but I well remember that it used to.

How far is the walk from DL Hotel to the station at DTD?

Assuming the station is in the same spot, like mechurchlady and I are thinking, then the reason it's not actually at the DLH anymore is because they took out all the shops/restaurants at the front of the hotel to make room for DTD. So it should be the same walk from the rooms to the station, but the station is now in DTD. It doesn't take that long to walk but I don't think it feels like it's going to the hotel either.

 

[Lakewood]

The walk from the monorail station at DTD is not that far. Sometimes it takes longer to wait in the line for the monorail than walk to the front gates. It would make more sense to me if they had stations at each of the hotels and at DTD. It would totally draw business (food and bar) into their hotels and lengthen the route the monorail takes...

 

[Amy&Dan]

Here is some interesting information on the history of the DL Monorail:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_Monorail_System

For now, even when I stay onsite, I rarely take the monorail into the park. I like to enter the park from Main Street and because the loading area in DTD is crowded and the train doens't begin to run until the park officially opens, its easier for me to just walk down DTD in the mornings.

Now at night, the monorail can be a slice of heaven. We often see the fireworks back by Its a Small World, and to be able to easily get over to the monorail easily and then be very near the DLH after a long day is nice. We also often take it back and forth for midday breaks.

You can't compare WDW to DL in most ways, the monorail issue being one of them. The vast size of WDW and the fact the hotels near the MK are accessed to the MK and Epcot via monorail make it a whole different thing. At WDW the monorail is transporation. You can ride it around all you like, no park ticket necessary. They hold more people, you can stand on them, put a scooter on it or a stroller (unfolded), its truly transportation. At DL, its really a ride and always has been. I believe it was even an "E" ticket ride.

I have never heard about the 80 degree thing, although I know that after its recent refurb, you couldn't open the windows and it was hot as all get out in those monorail cars so maybe that's just a suggestion to not ride one if its over 80!

The walk from the monorail station to the DLH is maybe 2-3 minutes if that.

 

[mechurchlady]

The walk from the monorail station at DTD is not that far. Sometimes it takes longer to wait in the line for the monorail than walk to the front gates. It would make more sense to me if they had stations at each of the hotels and at DTD. It would totally draw business (food and bar) into their hotels and lengthen the route the monorail takes...

I get free valet parking for 5 hours I think it is at the Grand Californian, Fee 5 hour parking at the other two hotels and Downtown Disney. What more could I want?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Ha, it happens. I know it gets above 80 degrees, I just read somewhere that they are not capable or will not be ran when it is over 80 degrees... Lame

Did not realize you live in the LA area. Momorail in Seattle does a good job of taking you places and I agree it would be more functional if it was more of a tranportation, but we enjoy the ride when we are there. Hope you enjoyed the park today.

Jack

 

[iheartdisney]

I know its super-goofy, but I love taking the monorail into the park. We never get there at opening, so there usually isn't a wait to board, just wait for the next train. The entrance turnstiles and bag check don't have the line that the esplande entrance has after a full tram unloads.
I know it probably takes longer, but just the perception in my mind is worth it. Then you kick back on the monorail and cruise through the park!

 

[mmlover74]

In WDW, you can ride with the driver on the monorail. Can you do the same at DL monorail?

 

[charmama4]

In WDW, you can ride with the driver on the monorail. Can you do the same at DL monorail?

yes, though I haven't done it (at least not yet) I know many people have. It's been years since I have ridden on it at all and understand it's really not a mode of transportation as it is in WDW, more like a ride or attraction. Enjoy!!!

 

[Lakewood]

Yeah, you can. You just have to ask the person working the gate. You may have to wait a few laps but you can get up front.

 

[mmlover74]

You made my day. I asked a CM when I had to call Disney about something and they said no. My DS will think its cool if "he" gets to drive it.

 

[Lakewood]

You can also talk to the people at the main street station and see if the kid can sit up front with the engineers for the steam train...

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

You made my day. I asked a CM when I had to call Disney about something and they said no. My DS will think its cool if "he" gets to drive it.

I surprised my DS with this when we were there celebrating his birthday. We were leaving the park to go to Goofy's Kitchen to have his birthday breakfast there, and I asked if he could sit up front for the ride. He was so surprised and he just loved it. It's fun for any time, but on the way to his birthday party, it was just so special!

 

[mmlover74]

You can also talk to the people at the main street station and see if the kid can sit up front with the engineers for the steam train...

That is a great idea. He would love that...all this Disney Magic I was unaware of.

 

[mechurchlady]

That is a great idea. He would love that...all this Disney Magic I was unaware of.

It is called "tender ride" or hot seat, lol. Only the two engines that Walt built are able to do this. It is a 20 minute full park trip. It is only available at Main Street station and only at the whim of the people in charge of the engines.

It took us over 30 minutes and no luck then later that evening we waited about 20 minutes. Keep your eye out for the caboose which is sometimes open to the public and you can ask about that. The Lily Belle private car is only available on tours.

The cab on the monorail seats 5 people and is a one way trip between two stations. If you are doing a loop then you can get off and get back in line for another cab ride or in our case we got back in the first car we saw.

The wheelhouse is also neat. Ask the greeter CM if you can do the pilothouse and it may take a couple of trips on busy days. You will have to climb to the top of the ship and it is a full trip of about 20 minutes. Great views up there and photo opportunities.