Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[Robo]

Word over on the DVC board (sourced to DVC Member Satisfaction) is that Resort Monorail will run to 11 every night. Express, presumably, will finish at Park Close + 1hr.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2763446

This doesn't solve the MK EMH problem, but it does solve the getting-home-from-Illuminations problem, and the going-somewhere-for-dinner problem.

We, of course, don't know if this will be the final decision in the short-term, but it is one that I have been preaching about, over-and-over in this thread (and others.)

It seems to be about the most logical thing to do, at least until they can get the trains and/or beams up to more reliable condition.

 

[maiapapaya]

Word over on the DVC board (sourced to DVC Member Satisfaction) is that Resort Monorail will run to 11 every night. Express, presumably, will finish at Park Close + 1hr.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2763446

This doesn't solve the MK EMH problem, but it does solve the getting-home-from-Illuminations problem, and the going-somewhere-for-dinner problem.

If this report proves to be true it sounds like a good compromise. I just hope that they ask for ID for those boarding at the MK or I'm sure there will be a lot of people trying to use the resort monorail to get to the TTC.

 

[Traveliz]

If this report proves to be true it sounds like a good compromise. I just hope that they ask for ID for those boarding at the MK or I'm sure there will be a lot of people trying to use the resort monorail to get to the TTC.

What would be wrong with that?

Liz

 

[Robo]

What would be wrong with that?

Liz

Not too much, under business-as-usual conditions...

However, with the MK Express trains all shut down for the evening, the Resort trains couldn't handle the overload.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just stated that I disagreed with how Disney didn't give enough notice on this for...

Understood. It would appear/I would guess WDW 'didn't give enough notice for' various people for various reasons because this decision wasn't made (or the need wasn't determined) until very recently.

 

[Traveliz]

Not too much, under business-as-usual conditions...

However, with the MK Express trains all shut down for the evening, the Resort trains couldn't handle the overload.

You know I don't know -- I have been there on several occasions when for the night at the time I leave only the resort monorail is operating. And everyone is directed to it.

Liz

 

[Robo]

You know I don't know -- I have been there on several occasions when for the night at the time I leave only the resort monorail is operating. And everyone is directed to it.

Liz

Not usually at 8PM.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Word over on the DVC board (sourced to DVC Member Satisfaction) is that Resort Monorail will run to 11 every night. Express, presumably, will finish at Park Close + 1hr.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2763446

This doesn't solve the MK EMH problem, but it does solve the getting-home-from-Illuminations problem, and the going-somewhere-for-dinner problem.

That's good news for the guests staying at the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, and Grand Flordian because if they are visiting the other Monorail Resorts at least they will be able to get back at a reasonable time. Plus 11:00 PM is when the stores at the Contemporary and Polynesian close for the evening, (Grand Floridian stores close at 10:00 PM) so I can see why they will run the Resort Monorail until that specifc time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If this report proves to be true it sounds like a good compromise. I just hope that they ask for ID for those boarding at the MK or I'm sure there will be a lot of people trying to use the resort monorail to get to the TTC.

Ah. So it's okay for Disney to back down to pressure from monorail resort guests, but guests from other onsite properties who parked at the TTC and ended their day at the MK are barred from the monorail? Is that elitist, or discriminatory?

 

[maiapapaya]

What would be wrong with that?

Liz

What Robo said. Especially if they decide to implement this new policy for party nights (which I understand is still undecided). Have you seen the monorail platform on party nights?

 

[maiapapaya]

Ah. So it's okay for Disney to back down to pressure from monorail resort guests, but guests from other onsite properties who parked at the TTC and ended their day at the MK are barred from the monorail? Is that elitist, or discriminatory?

Neither. It's providing the monorail resort guests with the service that they have paid a premium to enjoy.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If this report proves to be true it sounds like a good compromise. I just hope that they ask for ID for those boarding at the MK or I'm sure there will be a lot of people trying to use the resort monorail to get to the TTC.

I also hope during that time they will ask to see Key To The World cards for guests staying at the Monorail Resorts because it's only fair that they get the most space poossible. I am sure the Magic Kingdom would still be running the Ferry that goes to the TTC for those guests and it keeps the Resort Monorail less crowded for those guests not staying onsite.

 

[Traveliz]

What Robo said. Especially if they decide to implement this new policy for party nights (which I understand is still undecided). Have you seen the monorail platform on party nights?

Yep many many times

Liz

 

[Brian Noble]

just hope that they ask for ID for those boarding at the MK or I'm sure there will be a lot of people trying to use the resort monorail to get to the TTC.

Once you get to an hour past closing on a regular night, the crush of folks has mostly left. At that point, the ferry will be faster than the Resort monorail, with its multiple stops (and sometimes long waits between trains). Add to that the likelihood that CMs will probably be shouting "Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian to the right; Transportation and Ticket Center to the left" and most people will follow instructions. I doubt it will be that big of a deal.

Right at closing when the Express monorail is swamped is a different story. At that point, some people do slide over to Resort. But, Express' trains come by more frequently so that even that is a bit of a wash.

 

[Cafeen]

I also hope during that time they will ask to see Key To The World cards for guests staying at the Monorail Resorts because it's only fair that they get the most space poossible. I am sure the Magic Kingdom would still be running the Ferry that goes to the TTC for those guests and it keeps the Resort Monorail less crowded for those guests not staying onsite.

To toss out a theoretical with specific regards to this, and not asking how they will handle it at all.

Let's say I'm staying at CSR (because I like it there) and I have 9pm ADRs at Citricos (assuming they have 9pm ADRs). I am at MK. Under the above scenario, if implemented, what option would that leave me. Consider the fact that right now Epcot buses have 0 overlap (It's TTC/CR and Poly/GF).

(Yes, I'm aware of a few options, but I want to see how the monorail resort guests would answer).

(Edited in the being in MK because that was just a *small* detail that I forgot to put in ><).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Right at closing when the Express monorail is swamped is a different story. At that point, some people do slide over to Resort. But, Express' trains come by more frequently so that even that is a bit of a wash.

Even when the Express line is swamped I always say it's still faster for those guests to wait there and not take the Resort Monorail. One time I was on the Resort Monorail at the Magic Kingdom the Express line looked very long. However I remember seeing at least 2 or 3 Express Monorail's arrive at the Magic Kingdom station and left before our Resort Monorail did. So if there was guests on the Resort Monorail waiting to arrive at the Transportation & Ticket Center because it was shorter line, well it took them a lot longer then they thought. Plus let's not forget having to first stop at the Contemporary, waiting for guests to off and others getting on from there.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Now, Disney is only shutting down, the monorail, for EEMH? What's the reason again?

 

[mom2rtk]

The problem with the hard ticketed parties is that most people leave between 11 and midnight when the park closes. On our way out from a party at 11:30 last December, there were so many people in line just to return locker keys that we gave up and ate the $5. Can't even imagine what the monorail platform looked like at that point.

 

[maiapapaya]

Once you get to an hour past closing on a regular night, the crush of folks has mostly left. At that point, the ferry will be faster than the Resort monorail, with its multiple stops (and sometimes long waits between trains). Add to that the likelihood that CMs will probably be shouting "Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian to the right; Transportation and Ticket Center to the left" and most people will follow instructions. I doubt it will be that big of a deal.

Right at closing when the Express monorail is swamped is a different story. At that point, some people do slide over to Resort. But, Express' trains come by more frequently so that even that is a bit of a wash.

My intial comment was wrt mainly to party nights. If TPTB implement the monorail shutdown 1 hr after park close on those dates as well as EMH nights (which, again, I understand hasn't been decided yet). If they do, the express monorail would shut down at 9:00, so it wouldn't be an option after that time. Many families with young kids head out from the parties after the first firework show. If there is a large volume of people being directed to the ferry/buses I was just speculating that there would probably be several who decide to slip to the monorail side (and hop the resort loop to the TTC).

 

[maiapapaya]

To toss out a theoretical with specific regards to this, and not asking how they will handle it at all.

Let's say I'm staying at CSR (because I like it there) and I have 9pm ADRs at Citricos (assuming they have 9pm ADRs). Under the above scenario, if implemented, what option would that leave me. Consider the fact that right now Epcot buses have 0 overlap (It's TTC/CR and Poly/GF).

(Yes, I'm aware of a few options, but I want to see how the monorail resort guests would answer).

If you re-read my inital post I said I hope they check ID's boarding at the MK. Obiously there would be guests at the monorail resorts for dining and who should still have access to the TTC. I just ancipate that there would be people trying to use the resort monorail from the MK, to avoid potential long waits for the ferry or who don't want to take the bus.