Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[Princesca]

Serious question: I've heard people say there is an ignore feature on this website. How do you actually put someone on ignore?

Go to their public profile, up to lists, and use the drop down to select 'ignore user'.

 

[HelenParr]

I suspect the impact will be felt more by those of us who are hard core (which would include folks spending time on the Dis boards). For example, it very much lessens the likelihood that I would choose GF or Poly to stay or to eat (I like the walk from CR, so that's probably no change for me).

The average Disney guest/family who goes, let's say less than once a year, doesn't really know what to expect anyway. They do their best to follow the instructions given or whatever guidebook they've read (whether in date or not). Even when all transportation systems are up and running, leaving the MK after fireworks is so crazy and awful, there is no good way out, just lines. But folks still go, again and again.

We hard core Dis'ers will watch and learn, and figure out the best options for getting from A to B...and we'll adjust. And, the less than once a year guests won't really know anything is different.

Having said all of that, I think it's a total bummer.

 

[GadgetRick]

Looking at it as an "excuse" is off-the-mark. It is being presented as an explanation, not an excuse.

Explanation=excuse in this situation.

Except if the maintenance will take more than a year. We have no sound reason to believe that the maintenance being referred to won't require a multiple year effort.

Disney, being the PR juggernaut I believe all of us knows they are, would have used this as a PR move to talk about how they have the guests' safety in mind, etc. if this were the case. They didn't just board off the whole back of MK and Toon Town and tell us those parts are closed off to guests. They explained they're building something new. Besides, Disney never said it was for maintenance in any of the internal memos being referenced. Others have created this excuse (I mean explanation), for this.

Refusing to believe something isn't a good way to consider all the possibilities.

Believing in other possibilities does not make them true...

While I think you've hit on the one exception that proves the rule, the reality is that my family's admission prices did go down one year, comparing same-to-same. We had been buying 7 day passes for our trips every 18 months, for several years, and then one year the price was lower than the previous year - it was because the pricing changed to have expiring and non-expiring passes, but since we hadn't been using the passes on more that one trip that nuance didn't affect us. So effectively, Disney lowered its prices to folks who don't care to buy non-expiring passes.

However, it does rely on that specific set of circumstances: Otherwise, like you alluded to, price increases is indeed one thing, and perhaps the only thing, that is truly permanent at WDW.

Exactly. So, in essence, the cost of your tickets did not decrease since you weren't comparing apples to apples. If I were to (typically) buy a 7-day Park Hopper pass EVERY year I go then, one year, I decide to only buy 5 days, the cost of my tickets would have decreased but I'm not buying the same thing.

So, as I said, ticket price increases are permanent....

 

[GadgetRick]

I suspect the impact will be felt more by those of us who are hard core (which would include folks spending time on the Dis boards). For example, it very much lessens the likelihood that I would choose GF or Poly to stay or to eat (I like the walk from CR, so that's probably no change for me).

The average Disney guest/family who goes, let's say less than once a year, doesn't really know what to expect anyway. They do their best to follow the instructions given or whatever guidebook they've read (whether in date or not). Even when all transportation systems are up and running, leaving the MK after fireworks is so crazy and awful, there is no good way out, just lines. But folks still go, again and again.

We hard core Dis'ers will watch and learn, and figure out the best options for getting from A to B...and we'll adjust. And, the less than once a year guests won't really know anything is different.

Having said all of that, I think it's a total bummer.

You allude to a very good bit of fact here, the general public attending WDW (i.e. the other 99% of people who don't research things like people here) will have no clue about this until they show up. Quite frankly, most of them won't even realize something is different unless they're regulars. Unfortunately, this only helps Disney cut this service easier knowing it'll only be a small group of vocal people (like us) who will complain about it.

 

[Oglet]

Do you mean after the changes come into affect?

No, that is currently how it is. On nights where Epcot closes before Magic Kingdom the resort Monorail is scheduled to run 1 1/2 hours after Epcots close.

 

[fishacura]

FWIW, confirmed with a WDW chat representative:

Thank you for contacting Disney. I'd be happy to help out. The monorails will cycle down one hour after the regular park closing hours. There will be return service from evening Extra Magic Hours by watercraft (where applicable) and bus transportation back to your resort. You can offer your feedback to us at wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[bicker]

Explanation=excuse in this situation.

Why would you say that? For something to be an excuse, there would necessarily need to defend or justify a fault or offense. Disney never promised that monorails would run until after evening EMH. If there is a fault, therefore, it is in the minds of those who expected something not promised. As such, all Disney, and folks in this thread in outlining why Disney would do this, can provide, is an explanation.

Believing in other possibilities does not make them true...

Ignoring the other possibilities doesn't help ensure you have a comprehensive view of the situation. To be fair, if the desire is to be upset, or to spread upset, then considering non-prejudicial possibilities doesn't serve the aim. However, that doesn't actually help anyone understand anything better.

Exactly. So, in essence, the cost of your tickets did not decrease since you weren't comparing apples to apples.

I actually was, from my perspective, which is exactly what you're doing in your condemnations. You can't have it both ways: Either my example of where Disney lowered prices prevails, or your claim that these are excuses instead of explanations falls apart. :shrug: What I wrote implies that I believe the latter is a stronger argument.

 

[doconeill]

No, that is currently how it is. On nights where Epcot closes before Magic Kingdom the resort Monorail is scheduled to run 1 1/2 hours after Epcots close.

So, we still need to find out if this exception still will exist after implementation.

 

[GadgetRick]

Why would you say that? For something to be an excuse, there would necessarily need to defend or justify a fault or offense. Disney never promised that monorails would run until after evening EMH. If there is a fault, therefore, it is in the minds of those who expected something not promised. As such, all Disney, and folks in this thread in outlining why Disney would do this, can provide, is an explanation.

Ignoring the other possibilities doesn't help ensure you have a comprehensive view of the situation. To be fair, if the desire is to be upset, or to spread upset, then considering non-prejudicial possibilities doesn't serve the aim. However, that doesn't actually help anyone understand anything better.

I actually was, from my perspective, which is exactly what you're doing in your condemnations. You can't have it both ways: Either my example of where Disney lowered prices prevails, or your claim that these are excuses instead of explanations falls apart. :shrug: What I wrote implies that I believe the latter is a stronger argument.

Arguing the semantics of what's happening doesn't change what's happening. We could go off on a tangent and keep arguing this but I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish.

Am I trying to get others upset? Not at all. I'm trying to get others to open their eyes and complain to Disney so maybe they'll stop the madness of cutting more and more while raising prices (still not sure how you can argue how your prices dropped when you aren't buying the same thing but that's for another time).

Putting a spin, or making an excuse or giving an explanation does not change what they're doing. Do we truly know why they're doing this particular thing? Of course not. Only the people making the decisions know this for sure. However, it sure does look like another way they can increase their bottom line and there have been more and more of these things over the years and many are bothered by this. Others would rather just make an excuse for why they're doing it. To each his (or her) own...

 

[angelmav]

Wow, I go away for a weekend and come back to find all heck breaking loose. Aside from the usual group of apologists, this idea seems to be getting its (deserved) thrashing.

I am more amazed at the reduction in value for the resorts on the rail than the parks though. Losing all that restaurant access and flexibility has to have an impact, and I am just glad I didnt sell myself on owning at BLT for $140pp based on location.

If maintenance of the rail is that big an issue, then the track needs to go offline until it is done. If its the trains that have outlived their use, then they need to be replaced. Neither are accomplished by the present approach besides saving a small amount of $ for Disney in operations costs (This amount is what your headache is worth to them).

 

[BLTLDZ]

Actually, it is. My wife and I have started researching other vacation options, or may just stay off property instead. She even mentioned just staying at Universal all week and spending all of our time there instead. We hate the bus system that much.

We'll wait to see if Disney gets their heads out of their nether regions on this, but if they don't, there's a very good chance we'll cancel our ADRs, cancel our 7 day park hoppers, cancel our MVMCP passes, cancel our Segway tour of EPCoT and cancel our Poly CL/Theme Park View rooms.

PLEASE WRITE THIS TO DISNEY!!!
They need to hear this!
DH & I were also discussing a universal trip, and we are DVC members...makes you seriously re-think things...

 

[lugnut33]

Quick question. We always rent a car and drive to the parks, so when we go to the MK we park at the TTC. Does anybody know how people will get to the TTC if the fairy has to close for weather conditions (and yes, it does close frequently for weather)?

Probably just a safe bet to take the bus to MK and forget driving.

 

[TriSeb°o°]

...my pet peeve is when they decide to load express guests on the resort trains at TTC, its simply unfair and wrong for all the resort guests who have to deal with over crowded trains.

I saw this myself in Late May 2011, Early June 2011 (This summer) coming from CR and could only sympathize for the Poly and GF guest show couldn't board.

 

[mmay60046]

I love reading through threads like this one. They make me glad to be me.

 

[nytimez]

Ignoring the other possibilities doesn't help ensure you have a comprehensive view of the situation.

I think Disney did it because an astrologer told them to. There -- now my view is more comprehensive than yours.

This game is fun!

 

[WDWPolyFan]

www.mouseplanet.com also has info posted....

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9682/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

 

[FireDancer]

I suspect the impact will be felt more by those of us who are hard core (which would include folks spending time on the Dis boards). For example, it very much lessens the likelihood that I would choose GF or Poly to stay or to eat (I like the walk from CR, so that's probably no change for me).

The average Disney guest/family who goes, let's say less than once a year, doesn't really know what to expect anyway. They do their best to follow the instructions given or whatever guidebook they've read (whether in date or not). Even when all transportation systems are up and running, leaving the MK after fireworks is so crazy and awful, there is no good way out, just lines. But folks still go, again and again.

We hard core Dis'ers will watch and learn, and figure out the best options for getting from A to B...and we'll adjust. And, the less than once a year guests won't really know anything is different.

Having said all of that, I think it's a total bummer.

And this point is often forgotten. The majority of guests are not as hard core as the average poster here and these changes doesn't effect them the same because, well, they don't really know any better.

When Disney makes business decisions it is not us who they factor in, it is the majority of guests. The guests who have no idea that at one point there was park-specific merchandise, better dining options, don't realize that the Lights of Winter are gone or that LeCellir used to be one dining credit.

They'll get there and see that the monorail doesn't run after some point and they'll just go with the transportation that is available.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

And this point is often forgotten. The majority of guests are not as hard core as the average poster here and these changes doesn't effect them the same because, well, they don't really know any better.

When Disney makes business decisions it is not us who they factor in, it is the majority of guests. The guests who have no idea that at one point there was park-specific merchandise, better dining options, don't realize that the Lights of Winter are gone or that LeCellir used to be one dining credit.

They'll get there and see that the monorail doesn't run after some point and they'll just go with the transportation that is available.

This is the truth. All of us here can say we spend "X" amount every trip, and it seems like more than the average Disney tourist. However the average Disney tourist, while spending less, makes up probably 3/4 of the visitors during any given time. So, all of those other people actually create a bigger bulk of Disney's bottom line, than we do, when everything is totalled.

These changes will happen, and I'm certain that for every 1 of us who cancel a room at the Poly, there will be plenty of other tourists waiting to snap up that reservation.

 

[doconeill]

www.mouseplanet.com also has info posted....

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9682/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

Interesting...they also say that Coral is in the process of being "de-TRONified", so they are down to 10 trains...

 

[WDWPolyFan]

Interesting...they also say that Coral is in the process of being "de-TRONified", so they are down to 10 trains...

We just got back on Wednesday. They were still running the Tron train so this must have just happened within the past couple of days.