Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[Cafeen]

I think maybe we're just misunderstanding each other Cafeen. The way I understand the potential situation, and then my hope that the resort monorail may be monitored was this ... if the park closes at 8:00, the express monorail would shut down at 9:00 and the resort monorail (according to what was posted in the DVC thread) would stay open until 11:00. I never suggested that from 8:00 to 9:00 that either monorail was limited to resort guests only - both monorails would continue to service everyone as they always do. I was suggesting that after 9:00, when the express would go off line that if tons of people were trying to use it to get to the TTC, when the implication is that management is trying to acccommodate monorail resort guests, that if overcrowding became a problem that the monorail resort guests be given priority.

Others chimed in about the resort requiring MK Resort ID though . I'm simply asking what your thoughts for said situation should be. It's clear that your answer is everyone should be able to use the Resort Monorail as normal during that hour they are both operating . I doubt anyone else will answer though, leaving my curiosity unsatisfied ><.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are you sure? We were at the AKL one night after 10:00 pm. We wanted to get back to our resort via MK and was told that the MK closed at 10:00 pm and that we couldn't take the bus back to MK after closing. All we wanted to do was go there to switch buses to get back to our resort. We were forced to go to DTD to get back to our resort (90 minutes total to go about 5 miles!). Gotta love Disney transportation.

Now that you mention it, I'm not. What Wishes would have to do that first night would depend entirely on what time MK closed that night. Their reservation is at 8. Reasonably they'd be expected to be done eating well before 10, and easily able to get back to Epcot. The unknown is MK's regular operating hours that day. If the park is open until at least 9, the monorail runs until at least 10 - no issue.
Now that you mention it, if MK closes earlier than 9, under the current decision they would need to take the soon-to-operate CR/TTC bus, then change to the monorail.

 

[maiapapaya]

Others chimed in about the resort requiring MK Resort ID though . I'm simply asking what your thoughts for said situation should be. It's clear that your answer is everyone should be able to use the Resort Monorail as normal during that hour they are both operating . I doubt anyone else will answer though, leaving my curiosity unsatisfied ><.

Ah, I hadn't caught that (especially since most of the negative comments about the subject are being made at quotes of me which is actually kind of funny because if you knew me you would know I'm am so not elitist, but that's how these boards are, whatever ...) Yes, you are right. I do not think there should be any restrictions on the use of the resort loop except under the very specific circumstances I described (which includes the condition of the monorail being swamped by people trying to get to the TTC - if that didn't occur I wouldn't even suggest checking ID's)

As for my thoughts on what should happen with your hypothetical if resort ID's be checked (all the time?) I can't say, because I don't think it's necessary & am not sure why someone would suggest that (so I have no answer to your question ... I'm very confused now! LOL)

 

[GadgetRick]

Agreed, but GF, Poly, BLT & CR all cost more than the other deluxes because they are on the monorail loop. So that would imply that these guests have paid more than others for that particular service.
[/B])

I didn't realize you could just pay more for priority service on attractions with Disney now. Sorry, this is elitist BS. I don't care if you paid more for a resort or not, everyone has use of the monorail, it's not limited to those who stay at a monorail resort. If they were set up that way then I'd agree but they aren't.

We're all paying for the service...period.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What if we aren't staying at a monorail resort but have an ADR at the Grand Floridian after MK closes? We could take the monorail to the GF but what about after dining? Would a bus be available to take us to the TTC?

What about if we have to get to a resort monorail to dine well after the park closes? I'm confused about how to get from the TTC to again the Grand Floridian.

Buses. In the first case, bus from the GF to DtD, then bus directly to your resort.
In the second case, bus from wherever you are to DtD, then transfer to the GF bus. Reverse for the return trip. Exception: if you're coming from an open park - generally Epcot or DHS - direct transportation. That would b a bus from DHS, and if the MK monorail had stopped running, probably the 'direct' Epcot/Poly/GF bus - but never hesitate to ask a Transportation CM for advice!

 

[doconeill]

I didn't realize you could just pay more for priority service on attractions with Disney now. Sorry, this is elitist BS. I don't care if you paid more for a resort or not, everyone has use of the monorail, it's not limited to those who stay at a monorail resort. If they were set up that way then I'd agree but they aren't.

We're all paying for the service...period.

Elitist crap or not, they paid more for the convenience of having the monorail be able to pick them up and deliver them at the resort. Not saying it has anything to do with their "rights" or not.

In actually, the only "rights" we has guests have is what Disney wants to give us. They are 100% perfectly within their powers to restrict the monorail to resort guests, ECVs, and left handed people descended from the High Kings of Ireland if they want.

Now, if they want other guests to shop and eat at those resorts, they'd at least have to provide alternate transportation, like the launches...

 

[Cafeen]

Ah, I hadn't caught that (especially since most of the negative comments about the subject are being made at quotes of me which is actually kind of funny because if you knew me you would know I'm am so not elitist, but that's how these boards are, whatever ...) Yes, you are right. I do not think there should be any restrictions on the use of the resort loop except under the very specific circumstances I described (which includes the condition of the monorail being swamped by people trying to get to the TTC - if that didn't occur I wouldn't even suggest checking ID's)

Naw, there's very few who I think are overly elitist, it was just an exercise for giggles . (Though, being a little elitist is not a bad thing either , much better than being a .. um..whatever is the complete opposite where you raise up the mediocre)

(And btw, if the bus service had started, that plus resort launch would have been other options so I would have gotten my yummy Citricos food just the same).

Erm, wait, this is the monorail thread. I forgot to be confrontational and/or overly negative or positive . You know, after being here for 2 years you'd think I'd get the hang of it!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Naw, there's very few who I think are overly elitist, it was just an exercise for giggles . (Though, being a little elitist is not a bad thing either , much better than being a .. um..whatever is the complete opposite where you raise up the mediocre)

Deletist?

 

[maiapapaya]

Naw, there's very few who I think are overly elitist, it was just an exercise for giggles . (Though, being a little elitist is not a bad thing either , much better than being a .. um..whatever is the complete opposite where you raise up the mediocre)

(And btw, if the bus service had started, that plus resort launch would have been other options so I would have gotten my yummy Citricos food just the same).

Erm, wait, this is the monorail thread. I forgot to be confrontational and/or overly negative or positive . You know, after being here for 2 years you'd think I'd get the hang of it!

Oh, I didn't think it was you that was making negative comments about what I posted. But you're right, I'm not sure it's proper etiquette in this thread to be civil to someone.

I didn't realize you could just pay more for priority service on attractions with Disney now. Sorry, this is elitist BS. I don't care if you paid more for a resort or not, everyone has use of the monorail, it's not limited to those who stay at a monorail resort. If they were set up that way then I'd agree but they aren't.

We're all paying for the service...period.

I wasn't going to respond to you again, but obviously I've said something to really set you off. I don't know if you didn't clearly read all of what I've written or are just one of those people looking for a fight.

First, people do actually pay more for "priority service on attractions with Disney" (though I consider the monorail more a mode of transportation than an attraction). EMH for resort guests is an example. People staying on site have special access to certain parks & attractions that those not staying on site do. In fact, for Epcot morning EMH only those who can produce resort ID may board the Epcot monorail before a certain time How is what I've suggested any different? (I hardly think what I've suggested in my other posts is some radical elitist idea)

Yes everyone has use of the monorail, but there is a monorail loop aptly named "the resort loop" that is intended to provide service to specific resorts for guests visiting those resorts (either for dining or accommodation). It is set up that way. Obviously others aren't limited from using it, but it doesn't make a lot of sense under normal circumstances for others to bother.

I don't judge you based on where you stay, however you seem to have a chip on your shoulder with people who choose to stay at these particular resorts and want to receive the service they've paid for - regardless of whether they've scrimped & saved to stay there or have money coming out the wazoo. Each category of resort offers different amentities for which guests pay. The four resorts on the monorail loop cost extra for guests staying there for the convenience of the monorail service to their resort.

Under Disney's new monorail service guidelines, probably unintentionally, TPTB revoked part of this service. It would appear from the post in the DVC thread that based on complaints they have recognized this issue and may be considering continued service on the resort loop to help remedy the problem. If others use this service to circumvent the new monorail guidelines & use this monorail for transportation to the TTC from MK after the direct TTC line closes and it is causing overcrowding and problems for the guests who have paid extra for this amenity (whether you agree or not) I don't see what is wrong with giving these guests priority (much like the example I gave of morning EMH at Epcot). If people paid extra for a particular amentity and others are trying to use it who haven't paid and it's causing overcrowding problems (like my pool hopping analogy earlier) how is hoping that Disney enforces some sort of priority "elitist BS"?

 

[Bell30012]

Our upcoming February trip we are staying at Bay Lake Tower. One of our reasons for picking BLT over the other resorts was the convenience of monorail transportation. BLT takes more points to stay at than AKL, OKW and many others. The ease of getting to/from MK from the resort is one of the major reasons for this.

At the end of a hard day of play in the MK being able to get back to your resort in just a few minutes has a value. That is one of the conveniences that the monorail resort guests pay for. Elitist or not, with the cost of a monorail resort room versus other deluxe rates people expect more.

I wonder how long before this decision is felt by reservations.

 

[Bullseye]

First, people do actually pay more for "priority service on attractions with Disney" (though I consider the monorail more a mode of transportation than an attraction). EMH for resort guests is an example. People staying on site have special access to certain parks & attractions that those not staying on site do. In fact, for Epcot morning EMH only those who can produce resort ID may board the Epcot monorail before a certain time How is what I've suggested any different? (I hardly think what I've suggested in my other posts is some radical elitist idea)

Yes everyone has use of the monorail, but there is a monorail loop aptly named "the resort loop" that is intended to provide service to specific resorts for guests visiting those resorts (either for dining or accommodation). It is set up that way. Obviously others aren't limited from using it, but it doesn't make a lot of sense under normal circumstances for others to bother.

I don't judge you based on where you stay, however you seem to have a chip on your shoulder with people who choose to stay at these particular resorts and want to receive the service they've paid for - regardless of whether they've scrimped & saved to stay there or have money coming out the wazoo. Each category of resort offers different amentities for which guests pay. The four resorts on the monorail loop cost extra for guests staying there for the convenience of the monorail service to their resort.

Under Disney's new monorail service guidelines, probably unintentionally, TPTB revoked part of this service. It would appear from the post in the DVC thread that based on complaints they have recognized this issue and may be considering continued service on the resort loop to help remedy the problem. If others use this service to circumvent the new monorail guidelines & use this monorail for transportation to the TTC from MK after the direct TTC line closes and it is causing overcrowding and problems for the guests who have paid extra for this amenity (whether you agree or not) I don't see what is wrong with giving these guests priority (much like the example I gave of morning EMH at Epcot). If people paid extra for a particular amentity and others are trying to use it who haven't paid and it's causing overcrowding problems (like my pool hopping analogy earlier) how is hoping that Disney enforces some sort of priority "elitist BS"?

You go girl!! Word!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Elitist crap or not, they paid more for the convenience of having the monorail be able to pick them up and deliver them at the resort. Not saying it has anything to do with their "rights" or not.

In actually, the only "rights" we has guests have is what Disney wants to give us. They are 100% perfectly within their powers to restrict the monorail to resort guests, ECVs, and left handed people descended from the High Kings of Ireland if they want.

Now, if they want other guests to shop and eat at those resorts, they'd at least have to provide alternate transportation, like the launches...

Considering that the Magic Kingdom also has the walkway to the Contemporary along with their boats to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, they already provide alternate transportation. So on some nights when the Resort Monorail would be more crowded those guests not staying at those locations have other options to see them, this way they can save as much space for Monorail Resort guests.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I wasn't going to respond to you again, but obviously I've said something to really set you off. I don't know if you didn't clearly read all of what I've written or are just one of those people looking for a fight.

First, people do actually pay more for "priority service on attractions with Disney" (though I consider the monorail more a mode of transportation than an attraction). EMH for resort guests is an example. People staying on site have special access to certain parks & attractions that those not staying on site do. In fact, for Epcot morning EMH only those who can produce resort ID may board the Epcot monorail before a certain time How is what I've suggested any different? (I hardly think what I've suggested in my other posts is some radical elitist idea)

Yes everyone has use of the monorail, but there is a monorail loop aptly named "the resort loop" that is intended to provide service to specific resorts for guests visiting those resorts (either for dining or accommodation). It is set up that way. Obviously others aren't limited from using it, but it doesn't make a lot of sense under normal circumstances for others to bother.

I don't judge you based on where you stay, however you seem to have a chip on your shoulder with people who choose to stay at these particular resorts and want to receive the service they've paid for - regardless of whether they've scrimped & saved to stay there or have money coming out the wazoo. Each category of resort offers different amentities for which guests pay. The four resorts on the monorail loop cost extra for guests staying there for the convenience of the monorail service to their resort.

Under Disney's new monorail service guidelines, probably unintentionally, TPTB revoked part of this service. It would appear from the post in the DVC thread that based on complaints they have recognized this issue and may be considering continued service on the resort loop to help remedy the problem. If others use this service to circumvent the new monorail guidelines & use this monorail for transportation to the TTC from MK after the direct TTC line closes and it is causing overcrowding and problems for the guests who have paid extra for this amenity (whether you agree or not) I don't see what is wrong with giving these guests priority (much like the example I gave of morning EMH at Epcot). If people paid extra for a particular amentity and others are trying to use it who haven't paid and it's causing overcrowding problems (like my pool hopping analogy earlier) how is hoping that Disney enforces some sort of priority "elitist BS"?

 

[kaytieeldr]

At the end of a hard day of play in the MK being able to get back to your resort in just a few minutes has a value. That is one of the conveniences that the monorail resort guests pay for. Elitist or not, with the cost of a monorail resort room versus other deluxe rates people expect more.

Understood. Very, very seriously, and entirely out of curiosity, could I ask why you think the monorail will be faster than walking?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Considering that the Magic Kingdom also has the walkway to the Contemporary along with their boats to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, they already provide alternate transportation. So on some nights when the Resort Monorail would be more crowded those guests not staying at those locations have other options to see them, this way they can save as much space for Monorail Resort guests.

Some of doconeill's suggestions were intentionally extreme and exaggerated. This one is just, again, elitist: "Pay enough to stay here, use the monorail; buy only some food or merchandise, use the transportation about which our room guests are whining!".

Seriously?

 

[centurythree]

I guess I'm not seeing what the fuss is about. I remember park closes at MK watching the CMs turn away guests from the resort monorail. The only thing I can't remember with absolute certainty was whether or not they were turning away only off-property guests or any guest who wasn't staying at a monorail resort. I believe it was the latter because only a very few people were allowed to pass to the resort monorail. At the time, I think they checked your keys. It would be just as easy to do now what they did then.

I understand that this was before a lot of people on the DISboards ever set foot at WDW, but Disney's done it before and I see no real reason why they wouldn't do it again.

As for people with ADR's at the monorail resorts, there are two possibilities. CMs could check against a list. More likely, those guests would be on their own to arrange transportation . . . or choose other ADRs. At certain times of year, guests already have to do this for early morning ADRS at the monorail resorts.

 

[Bell30012]

Understood. Very, very seriously, and entirely out of curiosity, could I ask why you think the monorail will be faster than walking?

Ever walked from MK to CR after a long Disney day encouraging DD8 to walk along while carrying her little sister? That walk seems to be much, much longer than it is.

 

[GadgetRick]

Elitist crap or not, they paid more for the convenience of having the monorail be able to pick them up and deliver them at the resort. Not saying it has anything to do with their "rights" or not.

In actually, the only "rights" we has guests have is what Disney wants to give us. They are 100% perfectly within their powers to restrict the monorail to resort guests, ECVs, and left handed people descended from the High Kings of Ireland if they want.

Now, if they want other guests to shop and eat at those resorts, they'd at least have to provide alternate transportation, like the launches...

My point is, it doesn't matter if they paid more to stay at one of those resorts. We're ALL paying for use of the monorail...not just at certain times.

Obviously, Disney can change the rules. If they changed this I'd complain about that just as much as I've complained about other things. It's just plain wrong.

 

[Robo]

Some people complained about the monorail service before Disney cut back a few of the hours.
Why expect a change in that guest behavior now?

 

[GadgetRick]

I wasn't going to respond to you again, but obviously I've said something to really set you off. I don't know if you didn't clearly read all of what I've written or are just one of those people looking for a fight.

Not looking for a fight, just explaining that it's not right to do what you suggest (on a lot of levels). Not sure if you clearly read all of what I wrote...

First, people do actually pay more for "priority service on attractions with Disney" (though I consider the monorail more a mode of transportation than an attraction). EMH for resort guests is an example. People staying on site have special access to certain parks & attractions that those not staying on site do. In fact, for Epcot morning EMH only those who can produce resort ID may board the Epcot monorail before a certain time How is what I've suggested any different? (I hardly think what I've suggested in my other posts is some radical elitist idea)

Right and the monorail isn't one of those things. It's included with the cost of admission as part of the Disney transportation system.

And you're talking about people needing to provide a resort ID to get into Epcot for EMH--something which requires staying onsite and I don't believe you can do anything else over there unless you're able to get int EMH. And that's ANY resort ID, not a specific ID.

Yes everyone has use of the monorail, but there is a monorail loop aptly named "the resort loop" that is intended to provide service to specific resorts for guests visiting those resorts (either for dining or accommodation). It is set up that way. Obviously others aren't limited from using it, but it doesn't make a lot of sense under normal circumstances for others to bother.

Right, and as others have pointed out there are many valid reasons why someone not staying at one of these resorts would want/need to use the monorail...

I don't judge you based on where you stay, however you seem to have a chip on your shoulder with people who choose to stay at these particular resorts and want to receive the service they've paid for - regardless of whether they've scrimped & saved to stay there or have money coming out the wazoo. Each category of resort offers different amentities for which guests pay. The four resorts on the monorail loop cost extra for guests staying there for the convenience of the monorail service to their resort.

I never judged anyone and I never indicated I have a chip on my shoulder. You are the one wanting to exclude people based on where they're staying...not me.

The resorts you speak of are not more expensive just because they're on the loop. Let's not lose sight of that.

Under Disney's new monorail service guidelines, probably unintentionally, TPTB revoked part of this service.

They revoked this service for ALL guests, not just people staying at the monorail resorts. This is my point, some people make it seem like those who are paying extra to stay at these resorts are the only ones who are inconvenienced and should have access to the monorail. This is just wrong.

It would appear from the post in the DVC thread that based on complaints they have recognized this issue and may be considering continued service on the resort loop to help remedy the problem. If others use this service to circumvent the new monorail guidelines & use this monorail for transportation to the TTC from MK after the direct TTC line closes and it is causing overcrowding and problems for the guests who have paid extra for this amenity (whether you agree or not) I don't see what is wrong with giving these guests priority (much like the example I gave of morning EMH at Epcot). If people paid extra for a particular amentity and others are trying to use it who haven't paid and it's causing overcrowding problems (like my pool hopping analogy earlier) how is hoping that Disney enforces some sort of priority "elitist BS"?

Again, you make it seem like people staying there just shouldn't be inconvenienced at all because they paid extra. If that isn't elitist, I really don't know what is.

Why not just make everyone staying at those resorts wear a special badge or shirt so we can all recognize who they are. This way, we can all get out of their way so they're not inconvenienced with crowds down Main St. Or how about having a special line for attractions for them while we're at it. We wouldn't want them waiting on line with the riff raff...

Whether you intended to sound like that or not, that's what you sound like when you make this argument. I'm just trying to point that out not be argumentative....