Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[MoonFaerie]

I think if Disney could justify having a hard ticket event every night of the year they would. They haven't really replaced the Pirate & Princess parties.

I'd pay extra for a Villians themed event any time of the year! (Bonus points if it's in a park where I can enjoy an adult beverage or two. )

I just spoke to someone in transportation at WDW and was told this change will be at least for a year. Buses will be used in between monorail resorts after the monorail closes.

I hope this is true.


Side note: Are Robo's maps available for printing anywhere? I feel like maybe I should stick a copy of the monorail resorts paths, just in case. A leisurely stroll becomes less so when in heels and lost in the cold and dark. Maybe Robo could make an app.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'd say that makes it "official"...

Interesting notes...they have not decided anything about hard-ticket events yet, .

Didn't the original memo state "events"? Are they backing off "events" and only going after EMH?

 

[Traveliz]

Didn't the original memo state "events"? Are they backing off "events" and only going after EMH?

That's what it read like to me also.

Liz

 

[morethananyonex]

Didn't the original memo state "events"? Are they backing off "events" and only going after EMH?

The original definitely said events, which would have the monorail closing down at 8 for a good chunk of September to December. Whether or not they close it down early for the parties makes a huge difference, IMO. EMH is tolerable, and the park doesn't close early for them, so it wouldn't effect the ADR's at the monorail resorts the same way the parties would. That was my biggest concern.

 

[GadgetRick]

If anyone was there on July 3rd and noticed the monorail not running it is because a part fell off (part of the electrical infrastructure). There have also been reports by the CMs that operate the boat that there have been fires started by electrical parts fall off in the past.

Of course they could be full of it but the July 3rd incident seems to be true.

Never said there weren't issues but you said, "parts flying off," which implies the things are falling apart all of the time when this is just not true. So, yes, you did exaggerate about that part.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Maybe this has already been addressed?

Wouldn't everyone benefit if just the express line was closed during the stated times. It would free up how ever many trains to be worked on. Leave the resort monorail still running for guests dining and at parks. And take it one loop at a time with the maintanence.

Well on nigths when the Magic Kingdom closes at 7:00 PM no matter if it's during a slow time like in the month of September or because of a hard ticket event, won't that mean a lot of extra guests on the Resort Monorail? It's already crowded enough during the busy times and when guests choose to take that over to the TTC instead of the Express Monorail. This might not sound like the best idea but maybe those guests not staying at the Monorail Resorts should be told to take the Boat when going to the TTC and leaving the Resort Monorail for guests staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian.

 

[morethananyonex]

Never said there weren't issues but you said, "parts flying off," which implies the things are falling apart all of the time when this is just not true. So, yes, you did exaggerate about that part.

Looks like all sides have the doom and gloom exaggerations going for them .

 

[klmall]

Definitely looks like Disney is definitely cutting back on monorail hours and will work on monorail maintenance; anything beyond that is uncertain.

And as most DIS vets will tell you; Disney changes in a flash!

As for my as-yet-unplanned next trip this makes the Swan and Dolphin look even more likely.

 

[GadgetRick]

Definitely looks like Disney is definitely cutting back on monorail hours and will work on monorail maintenance; anything beyond that is uncertain.

Nothing indicates they will work on monorail maintenance, this is one of the excuses being given by others here.

And as most DIS vets will tell you; Disney changes in a flash!

And those changes (lately) have been for the worst...

 

[FireDancer]

Never said there weren't issues but you said, "parts flying off," which implies the things are falling apart all of the time when this is just not true. So, yes, you did exaggerate about that part.

I was implying that on more than one occasion (at least two possible more) parts have fallen off the monorail or the track infrastructure while it was in operation. On at least one occasion that caused the monorail to need evacuation and on at least one (and it seems more from the person I heard it from) occasion a part fell off and started a fire on property.

I never said or implied it happens every day but if we know about these two instances there are surely more we don't know about.

Nothing indicates they will work on monorail maintenance, this is one of the excuses being given by others here.

If you read Jason's article you'd see that is exactly what Disney is saying and that is, so far, the only official statement on the matter. The original memo was never verified as authentic so it is worthless as a source of information.

 

[doconeill]

Nothing indicates they will work on monorail maintenance, this is one of the excuses being given by others here.

Umm...it is the official "excuse" being given by the official spokesperson to Jason Garcia per his article, as well as stated in the CM internal memo.

It still may only be an "excuse" - we'll have to see what comes of it.

 

[DebbieB]

Didn't the original memo state "events"? Are they backing off "events" and only going after EMH?

I never took "events" to mean the hard ticket parties. I think they meant events like private parties. I just can't see it happening for parties with thousands parked at the TTC (I know I'm repeating myself....).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I'd say that makes it "official"...

Ditto.

 

[JimmyV]

Didn't the original memo state "events"? Are they backing off "events" and only going after EMH?

Looks like they are back-pedaling already. Careful or they will pull a hamstring.

 

[asta]

Maybe this has already been addressed?

Wouldn't everyone benefit if just the express line was closed during the stated times. It would free up how ever many trains to be worked on. Leave the resort monorail still running for guests dining and at parks. And take it one loop at a time with the maintanence.

I think that the express line is already closed during those times but this does bring up a good idea. For longer time periods than just EMH, WDW could just close all traffic on the MK monorail except for monorail resort guests. The big ferry could be used for day and off-site guests. Other disney resorts have bus service that they could use. That would free up even more trains for maintenance and reduce the wear and tear that is hurting the monorail in general.

This would help the people out who apparently rate the convenience/necessity of the monorail high enough to pay higher rates to stay at the monorail resort. The one group of people who are really affected by this are those who select those hotels because of easier mobility for whatever reason. In addition to wheel chairs/ECVs, many young families choose these hotels for the ease of using strollers. I know, I know that these people can use buses but they are much harder than using the monorail and who wants to put up with that on vacation. And the existing boats at the GF and Poly just can't handle them.

 

[focusondisney]

The original definitely said events, which would have the monorail closing down at 8 for a good chunk of September to December. Whether or not they close it down early for the parties makes a huge difference, IMO. EMH is tolerable, and the park doesn't close early for them, so it wouldn't effect the ADR's at the monorail resorts the same way the parties would. That was my biggest concern.

Mine too. After 18 years of going to WDW, we finally decided to try a monorail resort. Booked 2 nights at GF this Sept. First night the MK closes at 6 PM for a private event. Second night @ 7 PM for MNSSHP. So I had planned to spend the evenings visiting the other resorts because of the monorail convenience.

Epcot will operate on normal hours til 9 PM. I wonder if the resorts rail will continue to run until 1 hour after Epcot closes. At least then it would be 10PM before everyone needs a bus, not 7 or 8. Since we're there during the first 2 Halloween parties, I won't know til I'm there. I won't give up hope for that just yet.

 

[morethananyonex]

Question regarding the Contemporary/BLT. I've only done the walk from MK once or twice, so maybe it's just my foggy memory, but assuming they have bus service there after the monorail closes, wouldn't the walk to the bus stop practically put you at the Contemporary anyways? Seems like doing anything but walking/monorailing there would be a royal pain.

 

[Robo]

Question regarding the Contemporary/BLT. I've only done the walk from MK once or twice, so maybe it's just my foggy memory, but assuming they have bus service there after the monorail closes, wouldn't the walk to the bus stop practically put you at the Contemporary anyways? Seems like doing anything but walking/monorailing there would be a royal pain.

I doubt that there will be a Contemporary bus.
Yes, the MK - Resort Bus Depot is not much more than "across the street" from the Contemporary.

 

[joelkfla]

Can someone speak with authority as to how late the resort monorail operates currently? If it is later than one hour after MK close, then all this "it only affects people one or two nights" is false.

The current schedule is the later of:

1. 2 hours after MK regular close
2. 90 minutes after Epcot close
3. 11 p.m.

The Epcot close is moot, because Epcot is never open later than 9:30, except NYE and maybe 7/4.

For MK EMH, service continues until the park clears of guests. Nothing is mentioned in the current schedule about Epcot EMH.

So to sum up, it's 2 hours after MK closes, but on nights when MK closes before 9, it's until 11 p.m.

 

[morethananyonex]

I doubt that there will be a Contemporary bus.
Yes, the MK - Resort Bus Depot is not much more than "across the street" from the Contemporary.

Thanks .

In that case, I wonder how they would handle people with mobility issues or ones who just don't feel like walking, even though the walk isn't too bad at all. Maybe they would add it on to the WL boat launch?