MonoRails..Broken or not? Best way to get around from deluxe resorts?

[xipotec]

On our last trip to the POLY we ended up using the launches much more often because the Monorails were broken or running late. They actually said on monorail was off the tracks for repairs.

So whats going on now? Are they more reliable?

Whats the best way to get from place to place from the POLY these days?

 

[Jestocost]

On our last trip to the POLY we ended up using the launches much more often because the Monorails were broken or running late. They actually said on monorail was off the tracks for repairs.

So whats going on now? Are they more reliable?

Whats the best way to get from place to place from the POLY these days?

The monorails are old and prone to breakdowns. That can compromise one's experience at the monorail resorts (not all deluxe resorts, as most do not rely on monorail service).

Park access from the Poly includes boats to MK, buses to DHS and AK, and monorail to Epcot (although if the monorails are down they will run busses to Epcot).

 

[baloony]

Stayed at the Poly and took the monorail to the Grand Floridian on Thursday. Had lunch at the Grand Floridian cafe (it was WONDERFUL). Went to take the monorail to MK and were told that it was broken down and told to take the bus. Waited 30 minutes for a bus to mk. Only had 3 days at Disney this time. Was a little upset about the wait. Why pay prime rates to be on the monorail if you can't take advantage of it???

 

[PHLtoMCO]

Returned from a 10-day stay at the Poly roughly 2 months ago. Not one time did we get held up because of the monorail breaking down. We had less than a 5 minute wait essentially every time. I think it just depends. I still feel if you like MK and Epcot the best, the monorail resorts are the way to go.

 

[Micca]

Monorail is best if you're going from one monorail resort to another, or to MK(unless you're at CR in which case you might as well walk). If it's anything else, I'd avoid the monorail.

This is a tough spot for Disney to be in. They get top $$ for the resorts on the monorail, and it is such an icon of the parks. Evidently it is prohibitively expense to for a major overhaul or replacement, yet the condition of the trains and track will only decline over time.

 

[xipotec]

Its really a huge shame because the monorail is part of the reason I PAY huge bucks for the Deluxe resorts. Its one of those WDW moment where i feel like a kid again. (Please stand clear of the closing doors!!!)

But last trip it became a source of frustration. I like the ability to jump on and off at MK EPcot and all the other resorts....but only if its working. We really did have to use the launch last time alot.

We also had the monorail break down and NO launched running at all for an hour!!!!! There were like 30 people stranded at POlY and we couldn't get out to MK!

It was weird.

I sorry to hear reports of the breaking down again.....come one WDW. Lets get those awesome machines back to top shape! I hope this doesn't come down to run it till it crashes and kills tons of people, to save money..... ( I am knocking wood)

 

[buzznina]

3 years ago we were stuck on it for over 3 hours and our oldest DD still does not want to go back on it. At least with a bus you can transfer over to another one if it breaks down. They really need to do a major re-haul on the system.

 

[JJsmama]

Either 2 or 3 summers ago (can't remember which trip...) my mom got stuck on it for about 45 min between GF and MK. We had ADRs at Chef Mickey's and she needed to do a quick errand. We knew we couldn't be late for CM (summer crowds!) so the boys and I went on over. When she didn't show and didn't show, we had to go ahead and let ourselves be seated.

Meanwhile, the monorail sat still for a looong time. It never got going. They had to bring another monorail to tow/ push it back to GF. Everyone got off safely at GF but there were no busses there to MK or CR or Poly at all. It took a long time to get the busses there to pick up all the stranded passengers.

By the time she finally got to CM, she had basically missed the whole experience and was close to tears. The only reason I wasn't panicking about her not showing up was because I could SEE the monorail not moving and knew that must be the cause of her delay to CR, but I didn't know that she was on the stuck one.

BUZZNINA, If I were stuck on it for 3 hours I would have had a serious panic attack.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I am little concerned about this since we are leaving in two weeks and staying at the contemporary. I'm going to be traveling with my son and mother, but during the day my mom is going to work remotely from the hotel room, and I'm going to take DS to the parks.

The whole reason I chose the CR is because I could get DS and the stroller to the MK and Epcot without having to fold the stroller. Do you guys think that if we encounter difficulties and have to transfer to a bus that I could get a CM to help me out? I would just need someone to hold DS's hand to make sure he didn't run off while I folded the stroller, and maybe someone to help me get it on the bus (it would be tough to get both the stroller and DS onto the bus at the same time).

I planned this out just so I could do it solo, I don't know what I would do if I was stuck in a situation where I had to transfer to a bus or boat. I guess if worse came to worse I could call my mom to come get me.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I just got back a little over a week ago from GF.

The monorails were running perfectly and never waited even five minutes to board.

 

[reiella]

Monorail is best if you're going from one monorail resort to another, or to MK(unless you're at CR in which case you might as well walk). If it's anything else, I'd avoid the monorail.

This is a tough spot for Disney to be in. They get top $$ for the resorts on the monorail, and it is such an icon of the parks. Evidently it is prohibitively expense to for a major overhaul or replacement, yet the condition of the trains and track will only decline over time.

Quite, and to do a full overhaul would most likely result in the monorail being shutdown for a season while work is done.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We never experienced a problem with the monorails when we were at the Poly at the end of August. We usually took the monorail to MK and the boat back (since it always seemed to be pulling into the dock as we left the MK).

 

[kddisney502]

I haven't had any problems on the monorail either. I think it's just the luck of the draw. Just like when a bus breaks down, you don't when it's going to happen.

so to Candleonthewater, I would try not to worry about it. Unfortunately it's not in your control. Btw, if you're staying at CR. You can walk to and from MK with the stroller...it's actually faster than the monorail. Walking is about 7-10 min, while the monorail can take 30-40 min.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I just got back a little over a week ago from GF.

The monorails were running perfectly and never waited even five minutes to board.

Great to hear!! Thanks for the update!

 

[JJsmama]

I posted the story about mom getting stuck on monorail and slow busses during the incident, etc. Nonetheless, CR is still our first choice of resorts and thinking that the monorail 'might' breakdown does not stop us from loving it or booking it if we can get it.

It doesn't happen often enough to panic about it. (However I reserve the right to panic during...

 

[DisFanEY]

I am little concerned about this since we are leaving in two weeks and staying at the contemporary. I'm going to be traveling with my son and mother, but during the day my mom is going to work remotely from the hotel room, and I'm going to take DS to the parks.

The whole reason I chose the CR is because I could get DS and the stroller to the MK and Epcot without having to fold the stroller. Do you guys think that if we encounter difficulties and have to transfer to a bus that I could get a CM to help me out? I would just need someone to hold DS's hand to make sure he didn't run off while I folded the stroller, and maybe someone to help me get it on the bus (it would be tough to get both the stroller and DS onto the bus at the same time).

I planned this out just so I could do it solo, I don't know what I would do if I was stuck in a situation where I had to transfer to a bus or boat. I guess if worse came to worse I could call my mom to come get me.

Posting on my iPad, hope this works! But wanted to say that I was in this position often when my DH and I went down and part of the time he was at a convention...I never once had trouble doing the bus with my 3 DD's... Yes, the bus drivers were always awesome... I knew I'd find a way to enjoy the parks any way I could! Will be at CR in Nov, and am praying too that I won't need the bus to get to EPCOT, though. Promised DS she could bring her 3 month old to both MK and EPCOT and never take him out of the stroller...don't want to disappoint!