Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[asta]

I apologize if this has already been posted but I think that an effective way of expressing your disatisfaction would be to contact the manager of one of the monorail resorts. While WDW has a central place to send complaints, I would think that a manager of one of the resorts most impacted by this decision has a vested interest in keeping his guests happy. If you can explain or convince of them of the problem this is causing you, they have a stronger voice than individual guests.

For the amount that you pay to stay at these resorts, the management should be able to assist in smoothing over problems this new policy may cause.

 

[magicbob]

(Unless you are a minister who parked at a water park and took a bus......nevermind).

It's the thread that keeps on giving!

 

[doconeill]

Agreed. I would think that the number of people going back to the TTC late at night should be negligible. They would have to be resort guests, and resort guests who did not plan very well at that.

But it's not like Disney is calling up all the guests who have already booked and are telling them of this change. Not every Disney guests reads the DISboards, or WDWMagic, or the Orlando Sentinel.

The route exists, there is the possibility of people needing to use the route, so they will need to accommodate or have a CM prepared to direct them to some alternate method.

And since the TTC is pretty much on the way to CR, it isn't a big deal to share it - especially if, as you say, there numbers are negligible. And likely the driver would have the option to bypass if no one is going there (unless there is a need for the reverse, which is also possible.)

 

[morethananyonex]

But it's not like Disney is calling up all the guests who have already booked and are telling them of this change. Not every Disney guests reads the DISboards, or WDWMagic, or the Orlando Sentinel.

The route exists, there is the possibility of people needing to use the route, so they will need to accommodate or have a CM prepared to direct them to some alternate method.

And since the TTC is pretty much on the way to CR, it isn't a big deal to share it - especially if, as you say, there numbers are negligible. And likely the driver would have the option to bypass if no one is going there (unless there is a need for the reverse, which is also possible.)

Good point, I didn't think of that. When Epcot has EMH, MK is potentially still open depending on the time of year. If the TTC/Epcot monorail is shut down and any guest (offsite or onsite) started their day at Epcot they need a way back to their car too.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I have found Jason to be extremely reliable so I'm glad he wrote the article.

The two important things I took out of it:



Kind of what I figured. Most people don't have cars that old and if they do they probably spend quite a bit of time maintaining it.



As of now that means it is premature to worry about the monorail not operating during the hard ticket parties.

Good article. I can see the point in needing down time to perform maintenance on the monorail. But if that is all that's behind this, then there shouldn't really be much need to cut monorail hours in the Fall/Winter when the hours are already much shorter.

On a side note EMH may not be that busy from 12am-3am, but they certainly have been very busy the few times we've gone when they were from 8pm-11pm.

 

[Glenn]

The news says that with the monorail closing early guests will have to use the alternate transportation (current boats & buses). The interesting question is will they add additional buses to the routes to cover all the monorail folks or more likely just try to cram even more people on the existing number of buses? Maybe they can have some ride on the bus roofs. Hire bus stuffers to shove people into buses like they have on some Japanese subway lines. I can certainly see this impacting people with late night dining ideas. If its too much of a hassle some ADR might get canceled. Yes you have to eat but then there's order in, put up driving if you have a car or just look for alternative around where your staying that might be cheaper. This is just a good an excuse to save money in some sort.

 

[doconeill]

The news says that with the monorail closing early guests will have to use the alternate transportation (current boats & buses). The interesting question is will they add additional buses to the routes to cover all the monorail folks or more likely just try to cram even more people on the existing number of buses? Maybe they can have some ride on the bus roofs. Hire bus stuffers to shove people into buses like they have on some Japanese subway lines. I can certainly see this impacting people with late night dining ideas. If its too much of a hassle some ADR might get canceled. Yes you have to eat but then there's order in, put up driving if you have a car or just look for alternative around where your staying that might be cheaper. This is just a good an excuse to save money in some sort.

Given that there aren't existing buses in several of the affected cases, yes they will be adding buses...

 

[morethananyonex]

Given that there aren't existing buses in several of the affected cases, yes they will be adding buses...

Actually, I heard the plan was to have Contemporary guests tuck and roll out the backdoors of various other resort buses as they drive by. They won't even have to wait for a bus, just hop on any of them .

 

[doconeill]

Actually, I heard the plan was to have Contemporary guests tuck and roll out the backdoors of various other resort buses as they drive by. They won't even have to wait for a bus, just hop on any of them .

Funny, I was just told that they are going to give everyone a parasail and just sort of fling them over in the general direction of the CR, and hope there isn't a crosswind...otherwise you have to stay at Fort Wilderness.

 

[morethananyonex]

Funny, I was just told that they are going to give everyone a parasail and just sort of fling them over in the general direction of the CR, and hope there isn't a crosswind...otherwise you have to stay at Fort Wilderness.

What a bargain, free parasailing! Does anyone know how much they charge for the daytime parasailing at the CR?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Well, at first glance this does seem logical, and correct. But EMHs are for resort guests only. So if your plan for the day is to go to the MK during the day, and then to Epcot for EMH knowing that the monorail will stop working at 10:00 p.m., you'd have to be pretty stubborn to have driven to the TTC to start your day. Obviously, if you were an off-site guest you would do it that way. (Unless you are a minister who parked at a water park and took a bus......nevermind). But if you are a resort guest and this was your itinerary, you would take a bus to the MK in the morning (or monorail if you were at one of those resorts) and then a bus back to your home resort when Epcot closed. In other words, if you are staying at All-Star, you bus to MK, monorail to Epcot and bus from Epcot back to All-Star. Why on earth would you drive to TTC, then monorail to Epcot, only to have to bus back to TTC then drive back to All-Star? I mean, you could. But who would? People who hate buses? Well, sorry. They are going to have to get on a bus whether they like it or not. Or else skip EMH. So if you have to take a bus, why make it extra complicated by driving to the TTC?

Edit to add: I suppose there could be off-site guests with late ADRs at Epcot who miss the last monorail and need to get to TTC. But tht number should be few. So CR guests won't have to share with too many TTC people, I would think.

meaning those who stay @ any of the All Stars or AK, would have to start their day off by bus as opposed to driving. ... logically I might be forced to bus it... some do drive then hop on that monorail and leave their car.. it is easier for some as opposed to looking for another spot. this means that people will have to alter the plans they have done in the past..and forced to move their car.. or bus it right from the start.. Me, I would move my car to Epcot, but some don't... not with strollers etc.. it is easier to monorail it over..

 

[kaytieeldr]

And since the TTC is pretty much on the way to CR, it isn't a big deal to share it - especially if, as you say, there numbers are negligible. And likely the driver would have the option to bypass if no one is going there (unless there is a need for the reverse, which is also possible.)

I'd think the bus would go to the Contemporary first, since it would have to circle around out of the TTC parking lot and loop back around, backtracking pretty much, to the CR.

 

[doconeill]

I'd think the bus would go to the Contemporary first, since it would have to circle around out of the TTC parking lot and loop back around, backtracking pretty much, to the CR.

Yes, I was thinking that was possible as well...and if they have a CM at the TTC monitoring, they'd know if they need to pick up or not.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'd think the bus would go to the Contemporary first, since it would have to circle around out of the TTC parking lot and loop back around, backtracking pretty much, to the CR.

In the late 1990's and early 2000's the Contemporary buses use to only stop at the TTC before going Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney. However after the bus left those destinations it would first drop off guests at the TTC before going back to the Contemporary.

 

[racefanof88]

That would make sense except there are many people who don't plan their days, and might decide to go to EMH on a whim after driving to the MK that morning, resort guests do drive to all 4 parks. Who knows what their reasoning is for driving, that doesn't matter. What does matter is if Disney allows it and at least 1 person does it, they're going to have to compensate for the lack of monorail and bus people back there.

IMO Contemporary wins with that one, as I would assume that more people would be using the Poly/GF bus then the Contemporary/TTC one.

We drive our car to the parks. My husband refuses to take the busses after a horrible vacation at POR several years ago(long story). I usually take the busses when I go to the parks without him as I am not crazy about driving in Orlando, so yes there are resort guests that take their car to the parks. Not everyone wants to eat on property either, think declining quality and increasing prices. We have started our day at MK and ended it at Epcot, and visa versa, on many occasions and did not move our car, we just jumped on the monorail.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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....).

Well, this is what Disney World lists as "special EVENTS".

Special Events | Walt Disney World Resort
Learn about the various special events that occur throughout the year at the Walt Disney World Resort.
disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-events/ - Cached - Similar


Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Epcot International Food & Wine ...
Star Wars Weekends
Candlelight Processional
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series
Epcot International Flower & Garden ...

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I wonder how many people are now switching resorts. The Contemporary, must be getting a lot more reservations.

I'm not switching. We're booked at the Poly for our 1st stay there in late Aug. Out of 4 nts, it would only affect us 1 nt, the Fri Epcot E-EMH. It will still be ultraconvenient in the am to get to MK & Epcot in the am and if we want to take an afternoon pool break. I don't know if we'll even want to do the full 3 hrs of E-EMH. So we'll be bussed instead if we stay late.

I'd rather them fix the monorail so it's around for future enjoyment.

FWIW, I take a similar train to Philly every day. Not nearly as cool looking as the monorail but same idea. (electric, elevated track, fast) It was built in 1969 and even though the trains are amazingly well maintained, they still have more than occasional switching problems, delays, etc. They are finally getting around to much need renovating of stations, new ticketing system, repaving parking lots, etc. I believe they are finally talking about new train cars.
There are plenty of times during off-peak hours when trains only run every 30 mins due to track work. They post signs at each station and we all just learn to deal with it. It doesn't make them a bad comapny nor do we accuse them of just trying to cut costs. I appreciate that they do it on a Sunday afternoon instead of M-F 8-5.
Anyhoo, we'll still have a great trip to Disney World.

 

[morethananyonex]

I'm not switching. We're booked at the Poly for our 1st stay there in late Aug. Out of 4 nts, it would only affect us 1 nt, the Fri Epcot E-EMH. It will still be ultraconvenient in the am to get to MK & Epcot in the am and if we want to take an afternoon pool break. I don't know if we'll even want to do the full 3 hrs of E-EMH. So we'll be bussed instead if we stay late.

I'd rather them fix the monorail so it's around for future enjoyment.

FWIW, I take a similar train to Philly every day. Not nearly as cool looking as the monorail but same idea. (electric, elevated track, fast) It was built in 1969 and even though the trains are amazingly well maintained, they still have more than occasional switching problems, delays, etc. They are finally getting around to much need renovating of stations, new ticketing system, repaving parking lots, etc. I believe they are finally talking about new train cars.
There are plenty of times during off-peak hours when trains only run every 30 mins due to track work. They post signs at each station and we all just learn to deal with it. It doesn't make them a bad comapny nor do we accuse them of just trying to cut costs. I appreciate that they do it on a Sunday afternoon instead of M-F 8-5.
Anyhoo, we'll still have a great trip to Disney World.

I agree that if they're actually using this time to better maintain the monorails then by all means, reduce the hours. However, I'm still not convinced that's the only reason this is happening, especially if they choose to shut down the monorails at 8 for a good chunk of September to December.

Also, I don't think Disney is stupid. I think they would realize that announcing this as maintenance and not as something permanent would be much more well received then cutting down hours permanently (according to what we've heard so far).

 

[JeffZ]

Well now all the Deluxe resort guests will feel the pain of us Value resort slugs and get to wait 2 HOURS just to board the bus @ MK to return to POP after MNSSHP. Never Again.Never. Always drive yourself to the park.If you don't have a car --rent one.If you can't rent one --steal one

 

[morethananyonex]

Well now all the Deluxe resort guests will feel the pain of us Value resort slugs and get to wait 2 HOURS just to board the bus @ MK to return to POP after MNSSHP. Never Again.Never. Always drive yourself to the park.If you don't have a car --rent one.If you can't rent one --steal one

LOL.

But you still have the bus problem, gotta get to the TTC somehow to pick up your stolen car! But on that note, will the GF now cost as much as POP? If so, sign me up for reduced monorail hours!