Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[MarieA]

Disney should study why the reaction to this has been so logically inappropriate and disproportionally passionate.

The terms 'tipping point' and 'declining by degrees' are really loud with this one. A good portion of the message board communities seem to have realized all at once that we are not a favored demographic.

I think you are right. This might well be the 'tipping point'. As I said in a previous post, it is not this one thing that has caused my DH and I to vacation elsewhere (we used to do 2 WDW trips per year, now we only vacation at WDW once per year) but the many changes made over recent years. When we do vacation at WDW in the future, we will not be using the DDP (as we have done every trip since the 1990's) and will not purchase many items because we do not like the generic merchandise. If this change to the monorail schedule is permanent it will make me think twice about booking at BLT in the future.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I still say this has less to do with maintenance and cost cutting, and more to do with the fact that the construction walls for the GF DVC have now been put up at the Grand Floridian between their pool and the Wedding Pavillion, with the construction walls extending to all the way under the monorail, and the rumor that the Poly is in such bad shape that they are going to close it and completely rebuild it next year after the AoA opens.

I think the timing is suspect, and I think they are making the monorail resorts "less accessible" and "less attractive" for a reason. Purely speculation, but it's what I, personally, am leaning towards.

I respectfully disagree. Most, if not all, work on the GFV would be done during the day while the monorail is in full operation. This is the one aspect where I agree the old Disney 'magic' is missing - you never used to be able to see work being done. It was always hidden by tall-enough walls, or happened literally overnight.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow, yet another winning decision made by the Disney powers that be.

So, suppose I'm at Epcot finishing up my shopping after park closing. It's about 9:30 and I walk to the Epcot monorail. I wait and wait and wait in the crowds and then bam, it's 10:00 and the monorail shuts down? So I've been waiting in line well before the hour cut off and still I'm going to be denied monorail transportation? I can't even imagine how crowded the buses and wait times will be once this begins.

I think it's a very bad idea. We've always been Poly and GF vacationers but this will seriously make me reconsider. A huge perk of paying those ridiculous Poly/GF prices was the ease of transportation via the monorail. I'm thinking that this is a test to see if Disney can somehow phase out the monorail altogether. Especially since they're closing ALL of the monorail loop one hour after closing. Why not do one loop and then the other if it were maintenance related?

Good grief, is Scrooge running Disney now? Is he going over the property with a fine tooth comb looking for areas to squeeze? Monorail hours, no character meet-n-greets at evening EMH, increased ticket prices, increased room prices, increased dining plan prices, phasing out of discounts, resort mug rfid chips...

 

[larryz]

Monorail backups are no fun, 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.

Oglet for President!

 

[Traveliz]

Interesting. How do we get from Ep after Illuminations to MK EMH now? I'm thinking since it's not EMH after Illumination ride the monorail to the Contemporary and then walk to MK?

Honestly I think it would be very rare that you wouldn't be able to make it to a MK EMH by riding the monorail to TTC and then over to MK. The only time you wouldn't be able to make it is if MK closes before 9 for EMH and that doesn't happen very often...occasionally yes, but not often.

If it is the case I would still monorail to TTC (assuming you leave right after Illuminations) and then ferry over. I would think that would be way faster than taking a bus to the Contemporary and walking over.

Liz

 

[Experiment_626]

Because I said so.

That's what I figured.

Scott

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, suppose I'm at Epcot finishing up my shopping after park closing. It's about 9:30 and I walk to the Epcot monorail. I wait and wait and wait in the crowds and then bam, it's 10:00 and the monorail shuts down? So I've been waiting in line well before the hour cut off and still I'm going to be denied monorail transportation? I can't even imagine how crowded the buses and wait times will be once this begins.

Are you actually concerned about that exact scenario, or are you hyperbolizing? Could I ask if you've ever been sent away from an attraction line after waiting and waiting and waiting because bam, park closing time came?
If not, why would you think that would happen with a monorail wait?

 

[FireDancer]

Am I the only one thinking that maybe before embarking on the huge Fantasyland Expansion, maybe they should have considered replacing some monorails? Or heck, maybe even just the ONE they lost in the crash 2 YEARS ago?

I think the Fantasyland expansion was in response (either directly or indirectly) to WWoHP so it was prioritized over the monorail.

In reality the monorail trains probably need to be replaced and the infrastructure needs maintenance. The trains have been fixed multiple times and as they have gotten older their required work has gone up (from expanding hours of operation, from the increased weight of guests, and from the increased number of guests they load into each car).

Part of the issue with the monorails is that it is hard to justify the expense and its ROI. The monorails are nice and part of the "show" but they are not the most efficient form of transportation when you factor in the huge fixed cost when they need replaced.

 

[asta]

Originally Posted by Oglet
Monorail backups are no fun, 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.

Oglet for President!

I second that. The resort loop hasn't always been open to everyone. I really hope that resort IDs are checked for those taking the GF/Poly boat. That will make this change more agreeable.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally Posted by Oglet
Monorail backups are no fun, 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 second that. The resort loop hasn't always been open to everyone. I really hope that resort IDs are checked for those taking the GF/Poly boat. That will make this change more agreeable.

That doesn't seem practical. Many people dine at the resort hotels after they leave MK and Disney won't stop that. Those people need a way to get to their restaurant.

Maybe this is the tipping point for some people. We all have different priorities and some of you saying that this is no big deal doesn't mean that that is true for everyone. I said it earlier but the monorail resorts aren't worth the money without the monorail IMO. I could deal with shortened hours but I can't blame those who are unhappy either.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Honestly I think it would be very rare that you wouldn't be able to make it to a MK EMH by riding the monorail to TTC and then over to MK. The only time you wouldn't be able to make it is if MK closes before 9 for EMH and that doesn't happen very often...occasionally yes, but not often.

If it is the case I would still monorail to TTC (assuming you leave right after Illuminations) and then ferry over. I would think that would be way faster than taking a bus to the Contemporary and walking over.

Liz

Thanks. MK closes at 9:00 for EMH, Illuminations is at 9:00(as usual), so I'm thinking by the time we make it to the front of the park it could be as late as 10:00 depending on where we watch Illuminations.

 

[cindyfan]

ugh!!!
I havent' read through this entire thread.... lots of info and opinions!
But I think it's unanimous.... we are NOT happy about this decision!

And......... They haven't decided about the monorail running for MNSSHP or MVMCP??!!!

That would be NUTS not to run the monorail for those!!!

I really think reservations at the 3 resorts are going to DROP in a HUGE way!
And we will see a big increase in Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club!
do you agree??

It's all about "location" and the few times we stayed at Poly or Contemporary was because of the monorail...... AND that it ran early and late!!

We went to MNSSHP twice when we stayed at Poly.
And took full advantage of EMH for both Epcot and MK simply because it was so convinient to hop on the monorail!!
After this..... I don't see us doing EMH if we ever stay there again! We just hate the whole bus thing so late at night!!!!

Really takes away from the reasons to stay at a monorail resort for us!!

 

[Bell30012]

I can't help but notice WDW wait until BLT was pretty much sold out cutting down the evening monorail service. Coincidence?

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks. MK closes at 9:00 for EMH, Illuminations is at 9:00(as usual), so I'm thinking by the time we make it to the front of the park it could be as late as 10:00 depending on where we watch Illuminations.

I have found that despite the crowds if you keep moving you are out fairly quickly. I can't imagine that you wouldn't make the monorail after Illuminations (assuming you don't stop and shop, get a snack, etc) If not though the ferry will be right there. And typically there are alot of people doing the same thing.

Liz

 

[JimmyV]

Disney should study why the reaction to this has been so logically inappropriate and disproportionally passionate.

What do you perceive to be the logically inappropriate reaction to this change?

As for the passion part. Well, that is easy. People love them their monorail!

 

[mom2rtk]

I have found that despite the crowds if you keep moving you are out fairly quickly. I can't imagine that you wouldn't make the monorail after Illuminations (assuming you don't stop and shop, get a snack, etc) If not though the ferry will be right there. And typically there are alot of people doing the same thing.

Liz

Well, hold the phone!

Disney's doing something that might discourage you from leaving your last dollar in the parks on your way out???

The monorail must REALLY be on its last leg!

 

[jade1]

ugh!!!
I havent' read through this entire thread.... lots of info and opinions!
But I think it's unanimous.... we are NOT happy about this decision!

And......... They haven't decided about the monorail running for MNSSHP or MVMCP??!!!

That would be NUTS not to run the monorail for those!!!

I really think reservations at the 3 resorts are going to DROP in a HUGE way!
And we will see a big increase in Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Club!
do you agree??

It's all about "location" and the few times we stayed at Poly or Contemporary was because of the monorail...... AND that it ran early and late!!

We went to MNSSHP twice when we stayed at Poly.
And took full advantage of EMH for both Epcot and MK simply because it was so convinient to hop on the monorail!!
After this..... I don't see us doing EMH if we ever stay there again! We just hate the whole bus thing so late at night!!!!

Really takes away from the reasons to stay at a monorail resort for us!!

I don't see how that could happen if EPCOT monorail runs to BLT/CR/POLY/GF every night until 10PM-wouldnt it also just stop at MK anyway? Or would they drive right by just to prove a point?

 

[doconeill]

I don't see how that could happen if EPCOT monorail runs to BLT/CR/POLY/GF every night until 10PM-wouldnt it also just stop at MK anyway? Or would they drive right by just to prove a point?

Ummm...the Epcot monorail line doesn't even go past the resorts or MK...

 

[jade1]

Ummm...the Epcot monorail line doesn't even go past the resorts or MK...

Yea I was thinking along that line-but do you think they mean EPCOT will not bring any guests back just because MK closed?

 

[Traveliz]

Yea I was thinking along that line-but do you think they mean EPCOT will not bring any guests back just because MK closed?

Epcot will bring guests back to the TTC until 10/10:30 depending on the regular close time- not to the MK specifically. From the TTC the guests will have other options aside from the monorail (assuming it is all ready closed down) to get across the lagoon to go to MK (if it is open for a special event or EMH). If the resort monorail line is still running the Poly/Gf/Cont/TTC - it will stop at all the stops.

Liz