Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[TiggerTrigger]

I feel like I should be entitled to a discount for our room at the Contemporary next month (as should anyone who booked for this reason). We booked on the monorail line specifically for the convenience... especially during evening EMH. 2am EMH at MK or 12am EMH at Epcot sound a lot less exciting without that monorail.

 

[LaLaDisney]

I read the link and it says that it appears that this will be permanent. Let's cross our fingers and hope that it will be just maintenance. You know, like when the standby time says 45 min. and you are pleasantly surprised that it took less time.

 

[Minnesota!]

I don't get all the doom and gloom (no point in staying at a monorail resort? can't go for a late dinner or for drinks?). The monorail will still be running most of the day. It will stop running 1 hour after park closing. Busses and boats will be provided. It's not like you will be stranded somewhere or can't make late plans. EMH is usually only 1 night a week.

This doesn't seem like a big deal at all.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, for us we always take the monorail at night, so yes, I'm sure I will need to find "another way" to get back to the GF!

I guess I'm confused over the part about needing to "find" alternate transportation, since WDW will be providing it in the form of buses (in place of the monorail) and existing water transportation where such transportation already exists.

 

[momatater]

I guess I'm confused over the part about needing to "find" alternate transportation, since WDW will be providing it in the form of buses (in place of the monorail) and existing water transportation where such transportation already exists.

Ok, so I should have said we need to "use" other transportation, which I prefer NOT to do. Why? I get off the monorail, walk in the door, go to the elevator and up to my room.

 

[amg35]

If Magic Kingdom closes at 7 and say you have dinner reservations at California Grill at 8:30, how would I get back to the Polynesian? Is there a boat between resorts? Or bus? Because if I'm reading this right, the monorail would have stopped by then.


Not too worried. I hardly did EMH at night anyways. Just more concerned about the above scenario. Taking the bus back to the to Beach Club from MK at night was never fun anyways, so I guess it will be the same taking the bus back from EPCOT to the poly!

 

[DDM101]

Considering the premium room charges to stay in a "monorail" resort, this new decision to delete monorail service during most of the PM EMH hours is abominable. While boat service (can be) lovely, bus service (can be) less than desirable... I have yet to stay at a "monorail" resort, and my desire to do so has just been curbed indefinitely.

 

[Traveliz]

If Magic Kingdom closes at 7 and say you have dinner reservations at California Grill at 8:30, how would I get back to the Polynesian? Is there a boat between resorts? Or bus? Because if I'm reading this right, the monorail would have stopped by then.


Not too worried. I hardly did EMH at night anyways. Just more concerned about the above scenario. Taking the bus back to the to Beach Club from MK at night was never fun anyways, so I guess it will be the same taking the bus back from EPCOT to the poly!

If there is a party going on you could walk back to MK and then take the boat. Otherwise it appears you choices would be take a bus to an open park (passing the Poly on the way) and then a bus back (hardly time efficient) or taking a bus to DTD and then back (WAAAAYYYY out of the way). As far as Disney transportation I can't think of any efficient way with the new system.

A cab of course is an alternative and will get you back to the Poly more quickly but with a cost involved.

Liz

 

[morethananyonex]

If Magic Kingdom closes at 7 and say you have dinner reservations at California Grill at 8:30, how would I get back to the Polynesian? Is there a boat between resorts? Or bus? Because if I'm reading this right, the monorail would have stopped by then.


Not too worried. I hardly did EMH at night anyways. Just more concerned about the above scenario. Taking the bus back to the to Beach Club from MK at night was never fun anyways, so I guess it will be the same taking the bus back from EPCOT to the poly!

That scenario is where I see a problem too. According to the info in this thread, unless you are going between GF and the Poly, you would have to bus/boat back to MK (or potentially another park/DTD if the MK transportation has stopped) and then bus/boat/whatever back to your hotel. IMO that is one of the huge appeals of the monorail resorts, the fact that the 3 are so well connected.

I see the loss of the "late night" monorail in between as a bigger problem for me then the transportation to the actual parks, especially when the monorail has the potential to shut down by 8 on party nights.

 

[SaraJayne]

not if you know people

That has nothing to do with having an AP.

 

[Invisable89]

I just cannot get my head round why on earth Disney think this is a good idea! Surely they must know how much of an inconvience this is for EVERYBODY - not just Monorail Resort guests. It doesn't just affect EMH nights it effects the guests who are eating at one of the Monorail Resorts restaurants after park closing (the guests that are staying at a Monorail Resort in the first place, that is). I thought the main reason why it costs so much money to stay at a Monorail Resort is because of the ease of using the Monorail? The cost doesn't seen so justifiable now.

It's beggers belief! I'm not sure how the buses work as i don't use them when i visit (we always hire a car) so i'm not sure how awkward/long winded it will be to get from Monorail Resort to another Monorail Resort or Park to Monorail Resort without the use of the Monorail. I'd imagine it'll take longer via bus at the very least.

 

[morethananyonex]

I just cannot get my head round why on earth Disney think this is a good idea! Surely they must know how much of an inconvience this is for EVERYBODY - not just Monorail Resort guests. It doesn't just affect EMH nights it effects the guests who are eating at one of the Monorail Resorts restaurants after park closing (the guests that are staying at a Monorail Resort in the first place, that is). I thought the main reason why it costs so much money to stay at a Monorail Resort is because of the ease of using the Monorail? The cost doesn't seen so justifiable now.

It's beggers belief! I'm not sure how the buses work as i don't use them when i visit (we always hire a car) so i'm not sure how awkward/long winded it will be to get from Monorail Resort to another Monorail Resort or Park to Monorail Resort without the use of the Monorail. I'd imagine it'll take longer via bus at the very least.

There's two possible reasons I can think off why they would think it's a good idea:

1) Allows the monorail to have much more downtime in order to perform much needed maintenance on it. In the long run, this works out better for everybody.

2) (Sadly, the one that IMO is more likely) Allows Disney to pull in the same amount per guest while cutting costs. Also, allows Disney to wait longer before maintaining the monorails because they are now running less.

 

[sdzman]

The offsite condos and home rentals are starting to look better and better. More room, more privacy, full kitchens and much less expensive than a WDW resort. If they keep cutting EMH I hope they see the exodus.

 

[Invisable89]

There's two possible reasons I can think off why they would think it's a good idea:

1) Allows the monorail to have much more downtime in order to perform much needed maintenance on it. In the long run, this works out better for everybody.

2) (Sadly, the one that IMO is more likely) Allows Disney to pull in the same amount per guest while cutting costs. Also, allows Disney to wait longer before maintaining the monorails because they are now running less.

Yep, either one is a possibility. It's a shame that Disney can't just get rid of the current Monorail fleet & buy some new trains. People say it's a money issue, but i don't think it's just down to that. If they were so short of cash then why are they putting so much money into Shanghai Disneyland Resort, for example? I think Disney need to get their priorities right.

 

[puntagordabob]

Oh this will be SWEET when the MK closes early for parties and you are at EPCOT, or having dinner at a sister resort along the monorail line... because it is a safe bet the resort MK line will be shut down..... I wonder if they are going to run a bus to the CR from the MK becuase my boy is disabled and this is part of the appeal of the monorail line is the ease of his entry PLUS the fact that let us be honest the Busses are not "The Funnest" part of WDW now are they?

This change is a load of Cow Manure .....its not like it is inexpensive staying at the CR, Poly, or the GF....the prices across the board at WDW rise and rise....and the features fall and fall... when does it come to a point where ENOUGH IS ENOUGH?

Shutting down the express monorail I could understand.....but the Resort one is pure BS! I see a lot of peeved people about this when this goes into effect... and for those who defend this as a cost cutting procedure then please explain to me why then have we been subjected to TWO price increases in one year and where is all this money going? It is certainly not apparently covering the expenses of the monorail.....

Sorry to rant on... but right is right and wrong is wrong.

 

[joelkfla]

My take on a few items brought up in this thread:

1. There is no indication that the resort monorail will continue to run until 1 hour after Epcot closes. The current schedule says "past the closing of MK or Epcot, whichever is later." The new advisory only says 1 hour past the regular closing of MK. Disney hasn't said yet how guests will get from Epcot to the monorail resorts when MK closes earlier.
2. Some people have speculated that it will be necessary to go to DTD or an open park to travel from one monorail resort to another. Again, nothing has been announced, but it's quite possible buses will be looping between resorts, in essence running the resort monorail route with buses. This is what's done now when the resort monorail is down due to a lightning strike or other problem.
3. Nothing has been announced about what kind of bus service will be provided from Epcot. Will it be a single bus route serving Co-Po-Flo? Will there be 2 routes serving WL-GF and Co-Po, as is done from DAK & DTD? Will there be a separate bus to TTC? Or will there just be a bus to TTC with guests transferring to a loop bus, duplicating what they do now with monorails? We just don't know yet.

 

[disney_bob]

Boy won't this be funny to look at when it comes out that this isn't the nuclear holocaust some are making it out to be.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Co-Po-Flo

 

[TLSnell1981]

Boy won't this be funny to look at when it comes out that this isn't the nuclear holocaust some are making it out to be.

I would love, your scenario, but realistically....a lot a folks are going to be unhappy.

We hate buses, and now, Disney is shoving them down our throats. No way to avoid them, unless we abandon, after hours and parties.

I also feel bad for monorail resort guests. We The Poly! Definitely, a fav, but losing the monorail...for evening use IS big.. IMO.

 

[ppony]

I would love, your scenario, but realistically....a lot a folks are going to be unhappy.

We hate buses, and now, Disney is shoving them down our throats. No way to avoid them, unless we abandon, after hours and parties.

I also feel bad for monorail resort guests. We The Poly! Definitely, a fav, but losing the monorail...for evening use IS big.. IMO.

Same here! The monorail use as much as it was was BIG for us as well and we always rent a car because we hate busses. Just because it's not an issue for some doesn't mean it isn't for others. Everyone has their reasons and everyone vacations differently. No need for some to minimize the disappointment of others. Be respectful. (not directed at you, the poster I'm quoting, I'm with ya! )