Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[kaytieeldr]

Someone had posted a while back that Disney spends a lot of money to build and maintain attractions. Well, Disney also gets millions from the corporations that sponsor some of the attractions, think GM and TT, which I guess in a round about way, through the bailouts..........US..........

I have a great sense of humor and don't get the joke here . Sponsorship or subsidies is what allows Disney to apply more revenue toward attractions, etc. not sponsored by outside companies. How many people would genuinely be pleased were each monorail train be completely wrapped outside with a big, blatant non-Disney advertisement?

 

[mom2rtk]

There is a big difference between "unsafe" and "likely delays."

From various guest reports, we know that the monorails have exhibited some increased "delays" as of late.

If they reduce the hours of operation of (many of) the trains, they can do more maintenance on them and/or simply reduce the "aging" due to the former longer hours of operation.

In this case, it would be similar to a commuter deciding to car pool, which would mean that his own car would experience less wear due to the days that it was not driven to work.


As I have posted today, I am not SURE that they will be closing the RESORT loop nearly as early as the MK loop.
We just don't know yet.

I do think that would be the best answer. But it's going to be hard for guests to see a monorail going around the track but not be able to take it themselves back to the TTC.

I guess I'm just really happy not to have to deal with it. It might be a long walk to the POP stop at the MK bus terminal...... but it's still better than taking the bus.... to the tram..... to the car.

I wonder what they could charge for parking if they filled in the lagoon and put in a big parking garage???

 

[kaligal]

Exactly what sort of maintenance is it that isn't so important that the thing has to be shut down to fix it, but does require fixing at night for an extended period of time?

And why is it that it can be fixed at night and run during the day, but has to shut down early? What is so crucial about those extra 3 hours?

My guess is that Disney, once again, is lying.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Exactly no shopping or grabbing a late dinner or drink at another monorail hotel. As a DVC member, we can also swim at other hotels at specified times of years, there goes that w/o the monorail or if you don't have a rental car too!

Okay, you're right. It appears likely one would need to walk between the Polynesian and the GF, or even take a taxi to/from the CR during the few affected hours if a true aversion to buses exists.

Seriously, though - are there so many DVC members pool-hopping to the three monorail resorts after the MK closes that stopping the monorail the same time the park-to-resorts buses stop can even be considered an issue? Respectfully, those people just need to plan:

• Pick a different night
• Pick a different pool
• Use your own vehicle if you have one
• Take the resort bus to Downtown Disney, then a bus 'home'

 

[GadgetRick]

Why is it that if you remotely suggest that this is not as big a deal as some of the Oliver Stone-esque type posters say it is, your opinion doesn't seem to count as you are a Disney apologist? There are some on this thread that seem to spin everything single thing negatively & chide you for even suggesting otherwise. I don't get this mentality, but I guess Disney still must be doing something right as many of them have tickers for their next trips.

And this goes both ways. Why is it people who complain are all told to lighten up, take some pixie dust, etc.? They get chided for even thinking Disney could do something wrong...

 

[KSDisneyDad]

You and me both. So I would venture to say there's a fair number of others just like us. They better be careful messing with this piece of the puzzle. Every single time we go, my husband asks why we don't go to Sea World or US. I say sure we can, here's the cost of tickets, and here's the cost of transportation. And every single time we pass. It wouldn't take much to push us the other way though. And honestly, if we have a car...... and we're going to US....... why NOT spend a night or two at their resorts to get the early entry............ and so it goes......

We don't use DME anymore. It's a trap!!!

Anyway, the point is that we rent a car and we still don't venture off-site.

An extra park day for Disney is less than $10 per person. A park day at SW or Universal is $80+ per person. That's still $350+ for our family of 5 just for park tickets to visit another park.

If we ever do US, it will be to stay at their resort for two nights before/after a Disney cruise.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We will not be paying the extra money to stay at a monorail resort that does not have it available during the hours I may want to enjoy a Alcoholic drink, and not drive or fight crowds for the bus. I'm disappointed but it just means changing our schedule a bit. First if I have to rent a car, WL or one of the moderate resorts. Stay away from the MK for EMH late hours. No shopping after park closes. And not doing any parties at MK . So be it, I love going to WDW and this will not diminish my happy time at the parks. It will save us money. So I'm staying postive Tina

Could I ask why you'd consider shooting yourself in the foot like that?

I don't see (not saying I'm right at all, just projecting) the hordes on the buses many are predicting - especially the Poly/GF run. Not all your fellow guests will be at the park, not all would be leaving at the same time, and - yes, I'm stereotyping - most would be polite and considerate. My point is, I'm not seeing any need to fight crowds.

But if you want to have a drink or drinks and not have to drive, and WDW is going to provide a form of transportation that allows you to do that safely and stay at a resort you love, why would you instead stay at one that's only okay and rent a car - thus preventing you from drinking responsibly?

 

[mom2rtk]

Exactly what sort of maintenance is it that isn't so important that the thing has to be shut down to fix it, but does require fixing at night for an extended period of time?

And why is it that it can be fixed at night and run during the day, but has to shut down early? What is so crucial about those extra 3 hours?

My guess is that Disney, once again, is lying.

My growing impression is that it is not a maintenance plan, but just a need to rest an aging system as much as possible....... which explains why it was initially announced as a permanent "until further notice" change. No more, no less. And it seems pretty short-sighted to me. The marketing folks are charged with packing the resorts and the parks. The equipment is aging and needs to rest more. The two issues seem to be at cross purposes.

I stand behind my prior statement. If this truly is the case........ then they needed to address this problem before making their big capital investment in Fantasyland. And I say that as a person who visits Disney FOR Fantasyland. I've been excited about the changes from the day they were announced.

Is it as flashy and exciting as a big new improvement/addition to the park? Of course not. But it would have been the responsible thing to do.

"Resting the equipment more" just doesn't seem like a long-term plan to me.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

And this goes both ways. Why is it people who complain are all told to lighten up, take some pixie dust, etc.? They get chided for even thinking Disney could do something wrong...

Not at all. It's only when you spin every single positive thing posted negatively to make a point that I don't get it. If you actually read my whole post rather than cutting and pasting what was appropriate to make your point, you would have seen I've complained in the past about several issues and even agree that I understand the frustration and disappointment with this issue and will write Disney to complain about it.

But as long as you're on this board and have another trip planned to WDW, I assume that Disney is still doing some things right in order for you to part with your vacation $$'s.

 

[mom2rtk]

An extra park day for Disney is less than $10 per person.

That's all part of the trap too you know!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Keep the pixie dust, just bring back the service we expect from Disney.

Well, WDW is continuing the service you expect - just not in the format you want.

 

[hookedonears]

It may truly be a maintenance issue. If there have been budget cuts and staffing cuts, they may not be able to keep up with the maintenance of the trains, etc. That would be a budget issue. I have a difficult time believing that it would be a safety issue, especially since the monorail has been one of the safest transportation systems in the world for the past 40 years. If there have been budget cuts and staffing reductions, there may truly be a strain on cast members during the late night shifts, but that again, that would be a budget issue. In the past several year, during times when we’ve had the opportunity to ride up front in the monorail, I’ve always ask the drivers when or if he thought Disney would ever expand the monorail to serve DHS and AK. All of the drivers have said the exact same thing. The monorail is an extremely expensive system for Disney to build and operate. They all doubted whether Disney would ever expand it. In my opinion Disney is doing nothing more than reducing services offered during a bad economy. I guess there could be worse places that Disney could be cutting. They could start cutting extra magic hours completely.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think you missed the main point of my post. As long as Disney undercuts the market, people are still going to take the DME and become "captives". It is not the fact that it is free that makes it attractive. It is the fact that it is the cheapest option. And of course, free is the cheapest. But what if DME was $10 per family round trip? You'd still opt for it. What if it was $20 per family? You'd still opt for it. And so on. At some point there would be a price of diminishing return. But the point here is that it doesn't have to be "free" for people to take it. It just has to be the most attractive option.

It's not necessarily, or solely, about undercutting the market. Convenience counts for a lot, too. And honestly, every time I've used DME without also having a rental car (it's not always about the money ), it's been with my full awareness that I've been a 'captive' audience.

 

[snykymom]

And that is the point. Don't get too hung up on $75. That is just a number that I made up. But WDW is clearly doing market surveys involving DME and I am sure that price breaking point is part of that. So maybe they lose you at $75. Would they lose you at $10 per family? Would they lose you at $25? All I am saying is that they are leaving money on the table and with the price of gas, it would be natural for them to see what they can charge and still keep 90% of the people who now use the system.

I understand and know what you're saying. But honestly, charging anything, even a small amount will probably just tick me off. Charging too much will push me to get a car. But someone who has never known free DME would likely have a different reaction.

Exactly. There is a major psychological shift between a "complimentary" service and a fee-based one, even if the fee is small. Say "complimentary" or "free" and no one looks further. Put in a fee, even $10, and people start weighing options. Even if you discount all the folks who remember when it was "free."

After all, how many people do you see on these boards who complain vociferously about a $10/day internet charge? Up the room charge by $10/day and give f"ree" internet, and most people won't even notice.

 

[momatater]

Just got this reply from Disney about my concerns:



Dear Ms. XXXXX,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the Walt Disney World® Resort.
Your continued enthusiasm and passion for the Disney brand is very
important to us. We value your feedback and are sorry to learn of your
disappointment with the recent decision to revise the operating hours of
the monorail system.

From time to time, we make adjustments to our operations to accommodate
for ongoing, planned transportation maintenance. Effective July 11,
2011, the Epcot Monorail System began closing 1 hour after Epcot regular
operating hours. Effective August 1, 2011, the Magic Kingdom Monorail
System will be closing 1 hour after Magic Kingdom regular operating
hours. We recognize the value our guests place on transportation while
staying on property at our Walt Disney World® Resort. Therefore we will
offer buses and watercraft (where applicable) to transport guests back
to their resort when attending our Evening Extra Magic Hours.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and appreciate you
sharing your feedback with us.

Sincerely,


XXXXX XXXXX
Guest Services
Walt Disney World Resort


I read this as saying it's only during Evening EMH and not hard ticket nights. One can hope this is the case. As I said earlier in the thread, if it's for party nights and special events at the MK, it will effect 7 out of our 9 days. (NOJ, MNSSHP, Special Event and EMHs)

 

[TLSnell1981]

Sorry, I was trying to say that the conspiracy theorists don't believe it's maintenance related, but just another service cut-back and they are using maintenance as an excuse.

If you believe in that theory, then Disney will be able to change it back if you campaign hard enough.

.

Originally, no monorails, one hour after regular park closing. This included EMH AND Events... Oh, and this was PERMANENT. But, then came the public outcry, (well, at least from some of us.) Now, it's only for maintenance, and not sure about MNSSHP or MVMCP..and only for a year? The monorails are falling apart, so the MUST close for maintenance, during EMH? Does this really sound plausible?

I call BS on Disney.

 

[mom2rtk]

I read this as saying it's only during Evening EMH and not hard ticket nights. One can hope this is the case. As I said earlier in the thread, if it's for party nights and special events at the MK, it will effect 7 out of our 9 days. (NOJ, MNSSHP, Special Event and EMHs)

I actually read that as including parties. Parties operate after "regular park hours". But it doesn't mention it specifically, so it could go either way. Sounds like they are still hedging their bets on that.

 

[momatater]

I actually read that as including parties. Parties operate after "regular park hours". But it doesn't mention it specifically, so it could go either way. Sounds like they are still hedging their bets on that.

Yes, I see that, but I guess I was hoping since it specifically stated EMHs, I was hoping that's what it meant. Some can hope, huh?

I'm really considering changing my plans for Sept. It will affect too many nights we are there!

 

[kaytieeldr]

My point is that this thread has been good to notify others, discuss it and see who else may be upset about it. However, this thread is useless to make a change. Why not start a email/facebook/twitter, etc. campaign to see if you can get Disney to change it. I don't see it as a lost cause yet.

But if it truly IS a maintenance issue, that would be counterproductive, right?

Any strong campaign might get a more specific or accurate response. Then again, it might not. Nobody knows until ya try. Disney is good at not giving clear answers .

Somebody suggested at least keeping the monorail open until 10. Well, on EMH nights when the MK closes at 7, that would coincide with final closing time. Not good - more outrage. People would start yelling "Keep it open until 11!" and we'd be right back where we are now. Nights when the MK closes at 9? Same thing.

Presuming that the more regular system wide shut-down IS to allow more time for maintenance: if it takes 90 minutes to power up (and isn't the Resorts Monorail running at 7 AM every day?) and 90 minutes to power down, having the MK trains down by 9:30 most nights would give them eight hours to work on those trains (and tracks, if necessary). Epcot trains/tracks would have a bit less time, maybe six hours?

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, I see that, but I guess I was hoping since it specifically stated EMHs, I was hoping that's what it meant. Some can hope, huh?

I'm really considering changing my plans for Sept. It will affect too many nights we are there!

That really is a bummer for you. I doubt you'll get any sort of reliable answer before the parties start in September, which is when you're going.