Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[Cafeen]

Really? A moving walkway isn't cool? (I feel so pas courante!) I guess it doesn't really go thematically with the Poly anyways, but it could work with the CR's retro, futuristic vibe (think The Jetsons).

[and you're right, a little levity is refreshing. It's unfortunate that too often people don't seem to be able to have a healthy debate about different ideas or points of view without it get too heated & degrading to name calling or someone accusing someone else of this or that. After all, we're discussing DISNEY here, not politics or religion!]

They're a bit passe (plus the funky thing over the e there that I don't feel like typing) now. They're all over the place in typical mundane locations (Airports, USO entrance, exiting omnimover rides, etc).

However, with that same basic principle and a few tweaks, we could turn it into something fitting of the old Disney imagineers, Walt's vision of improving technology, and make it fun, nifty, and comfortable for all. Think speedy omnimover where the vehicles can detach and attach to the belt. 10 or so people per vehicle, with the vehicles themed to where they're going... Jetson's type "cars" for CR, traditional canoe type things for Poly, carriages for GF, and even the simple steel type stuff for TTC. Queue up where you're going, hop into your little vehicle, and away you go. It stops where you're getting off (while others using the system pass right by), and you're all set. Keep some generic vehicles around that can be directed by the guest or CM to pop off in times of extra busyness.

Then again, I think I'm describing the basic principles of PRT (personal rapid transport). I have done 0 research on PRT and have only gleaned knowledge, but I think it's that same basic idea. (Which would likely work much better than the monorail, since it tends to be more efficient both cost and otherwise).

Ok, I'll stop thinking now, or I'm going to be at this all day ><.

 

[Cafeen]

And why not??? That's not what the Jetsons led us to believe... or what Carousel of Progress does, either!

You quoted the answer If someone invents it, then sure, but for now, I'm sticking with current technology since we want this in place for Aug 1 right .

 

[doconeill]

Heck, we could go back to something closer to Walt's original EPCOT ideas. The monorail was for long-haul - have it run between parks only, and possibly at some intermediary stations at appropriate places. Replace the resort monorail with a Peoplemover system for the shorter haul, and at the intermediate locations for other resort access.

 

[Planogirl]

I like moving walkways! They get you to where you need to be quickly and they are NICE after a long day.

Back to the actual subject, I hope that the monorails stay open for everyone once this is over with. We love to spend money at the monorail resorts whether we stay there or not. I can't see Disney refusing to take our money.

 

[maiapapaya]

They're a bit passe (plus the funky thing over the e there that I don't feel like typing) now. They're all over the place in typical mundane locations (Airports, USO entrance, exiting omnimover rides, etc).

However, with that same basic principle and a few tweaks, we could turn it into something fitting of the old Disney imagineers, Walt's vision of improving technology, and make it fun, nifty, and comfortable for all. Think speedy omnimover where the vehicles can detach and attach to the belt. 10 or so people per vehicle, with the vehicles themed to where they're going... Jetson's type "cars" for CR, traditional canoe type things for Poly, carriages for GF, and even the simple steel type stuff for TTC. Queue up where you're going, hop into your little vehicle, and away you go. It stops where you're getting off (while others using the system pass right by), and you're all set. Keep some generic vehicles around that can be directed by the guest or CM to pop off in times of extra busyness.

Then again, I think I'm describing the basic principles of PRT (personal rapid transport). I have done 0 research on PRT and have only gleaned knowledge, but I think it's that same basic idea. (Which would likely work much better than the monorail, since it tends to be more efficient both cost and otherwise).

Ok, I'll stop thinking now, or I'm going to be at this all day ><.

yes, I guess they are kind of passe ... sounds like a job for Phineas & Ferb, I bet they would come up with a great solution.

I like moving walkways! They get you to where you need to be quickly and they are NICE after a long day.

Back to the actual subject, I hope that the monorails stay open for everyone once this is over with. We love to spend money at the monorail resorts whether we stay there or not. I can't see Disney refusing to take our money.

I agree, I hope the monorails stay open for everyone. Really if this was for maintenance (ie. long term wear & tear type repairs vs. daily required maintenance) it may have been better to give A LOT of advanced notice and in phases (resort loop ... Epcot ... express, what ever order) take them right out of service and get the work done. It may cause the least amount of inconvenience in the long run. Probably some sort of extra discount (ie. removing the premium from the monorail resort rates) would be required to make up for the time when the resort loop would be off line ...

If the real reason for the cutbacks was money it's unfortunate that another solution couldn't be found. Where, I don't know (don't have the energy to put that much thought into it, plus I am not privy to WDW's financials, so don't know where things might better be cut).

 

[KSDisneyDad]

This is my pet peeve. When existing Magic Kingdom, say late at night, (monorail resort guests) have a choice to A. Use the boat or B. Use the RESORT MONORAIL! But...............every darn guest at MK uses the RESORT MONORAIL to go back to their cars and on to their destination, which incidentally are NOT THE MONORAIL RESORTS. This happens because the monorail stops at the TTC. WHY? The monorail should just stop at the 3 monorail resorts (Polynesian, Grand Floridian and the Contemporary).

If your pet peeve is those pesky individuals not staying at a monorail resort riding the resort monorail, you would have hated the CM's on our last visit. At MK closing, they were shouting to all guests exiting the MK that the Resort Monorails had a shorter line and also stopped at the parking lot.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If your pet peeve is those pesky individuals not staying at a monorail resort riding the resort monorail, you would have hated the CM's on our last visit. At MK closing, they were shouting to all guests exiting the MK that the Resort Monorails had a shorter line and also stopped at the parking lot.

I said this before and I will say it again. Even though the Resort Monorail line might look shorter, it's still faster for guests only going to the TTC to take the Express Monorail. Do those Cast Members forget the Resort Monorail will first stop at the Contemporary, so going that way is not any faster. Finally there was that one time I was on the Resort Monorail at the Magic Kingdom station when we were sitting there for a few minutes before leaving. Well I remember the line for the Express Monorail was very long, however in that time I saw 2 or 3 Express Monorail's arrive and leave before we had left. So any guests on the Resort Monorail at that time for the purpose of going to the TTC thinking it was faster because they had a shorter line were wrong.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To prove my point that it's faster for guests going from the Magic Kingdom - Transportation & Ticket Center, here is a link to a YouTube video of someone on the Express Monorail going to and from the Magic Kingdom. Well when you get to the part of getting back to the TTC you can see how it's faster then taking the Resort Monorail since it doesn't stop anywhere else.

Walt Disney World Express Monorail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wh133-l9OM

Additionally here are links to videos of the Resort Monorail going from the Magic Kingdom - Contemporary, then another one going from the Contemporary - Transportation & Ticket Center, proving that going that way is not the fastest route.

WDW Resort Monorail - Magic Kingdom to Contemporary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXLVFp7Ll84

WDW Resort Monorail - Contemporary to the TTC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he0-r7H3Kyo&feature=related

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Here are some other examples which I can add.

At Bay Lake Tower only DVC members staying there on DVC points can have access to the Top Of The World lounge when wanting to watch Wishes or to get some drinks. So anyone staying there on a regular room only reservation that is not a DVC member can't even access something in the resort they are staying at, in my opinion on paper that sounds a lot more elitist. I have heard other DVC members say they should open it up to DVC members staying at other DVC Resorts. Now if they ever do decide to let other guests up there shouldn't the next set be non DVC members already staying at Bay Lake Tower?

Plus anyone staying at Bay Lake Tower is allowed to swim at the Contemporary pool if they want to, however when you flip everything around anyone staying at the Contemporary is not allowed to swim at the Bay Lake Tower pool. So basically their pool is just like Stormalong Bay because not even DVC members can pool hopp there, however when I first heard that news I thought why can those people use the Contemporary pool and not have it the other way around? I mean both the Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower are basically sister resorts, so shouldn't anyone staying at the Contemporary be allowed to swim there to makes things fair? Also their full name is Bay Lake Tower At Disney's Contemporary Resort. Guests who stay at the Wilderness Lodge are allowed to swim at the Wilderness Lodge Villas pool area. I am using them as an example because their DVC section opened years later just the same way Bay Lake Tower did. That means Bay Lake Tower became the first DVC Resort connected to a Deluxe Resorts that doesn't welcome guests staying at the other section.

I don't disagree that there are examples of Disney giving only certain guests exclusive privileges that they paid for such as concierge lounges, Top of the World lounge visiting rights, resort pools, Castaway Club parties and privileges, private Illumination viewing locations, private parties at a park or even more common things like DME or EMH. My point was only that the truly exclusive events (i.e. the examples above other than DME and EMH) generally only affect relatively few guests compared to the hordes of guests at MK closing. Preventing 50 extra pool hoppers from swimming at the Poly, BC/YC or even BLT is a lot different than dealing with 5,000 or more guests exiting the MK en masse at night.

Am I saying that it can't be done or hasn't been considered? No. I'm just saying that I don't see Disney being that exlusive with its monorails after years and years of allowing and even encouraging non-resort guests to use the resort or express monorail interchangeably. I have never had the monorail lines be that long, but we don't leave right after the fireworks anymore. The most we've ever had to wait is for the next monorail and we visit during the peak summer season. I know we have to agree to disagree on this. But because the monorails have been available to all guests for years, to return them to such exclusive status would be perceived as a huge takeaway from most guests especially those affected by the express monorail cutback in the evening. To me there is a huge difference between not allowing someone to use a concierge lounge or swim at a resort pool versus not being allowed to ride the monorail.

We have stayed at the Poly, CR and BLT on our last few visits and I don't expect this exclusiveness for the public transportation systems at WDW. I know an example has been given of the monorail to Epcot in the mornings during morning EMH. But isn't that really to prevent non-resort guests from going to morning EMH at Epcot more than limiting the monorails to only resort guests? And for those who want things to be like they were years ago. I have a book recommendation for you - "Who Moved My Cheese?"

BTW - on our stay at BLT last month, the gates to the pool were open every time we entered. No one ever checked ID's. It was definitely not exclusive like you see over at Stormalong Bay. And the rumor is that the Top of the World lounge will be expanded to allow others to visit as it's not that well attended and is losing money. We visited the Top of the World viewing area 3 different times during our visit. Other than during the fireworks, the lounge and decks were deserted. Even at the fireworks show, no one was in the lounge itself. They were all outside on the observation deck.

Finally, how did we get onto this tangent? Did we not find enough to complain about when Disney cut back the monorail hours that when they appear to have backed off a bit that we want to complain that Disney allows too many people to ride the resort monorail?

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I said this before and I will say it again. Even though the Resort Monorail line might look shorter, it's still faster for guests only going to the TTC to take the Express Monorail. Do those Cast Members forget the Resort Monorail will first stop at the Contemporary, so going that way is not any faster. Finally there was that one time I was on the Resort Monorail at the Magic Kingdom station when we were sitting there for a few minutes before leaving. Well I remember the line for the Express Monorail was very long, however in that time I saw 2 or 3 Express Monorail's arrive and leave before we had left. So any guests on the Resort Monorail at that time for the purpose of going to the TTC thinking it was faster because they had a shorter line were wrong.

I don't disagree, but that doesn't stop the CM's from encouraging guests to enter either line. I think there are times that the resort monrail could be faster, but those situations are rare. Regardless, why begrudge anyone the right to take the mode of transportation they desire whether it's the express or resort loop or even the ferries? Sometimes the "fastest" isn't always the best. If that were the case, no one would use the Disney bus system.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't disagree, but that doesn't stop the CM's from encouraging guests to enter either line. I think there are times that the resort monrail could be faster, but those situations are rare. Regardless, why begrudge anyone the right to take the mode of transportation they desire whether it's the express or resort loop or even the ferries? Sometimes the "fastest" isn't always the best. If that were the case, no one would use the Disney bus system.

If you look at the two Resort Monorail videos I just posted you will see that when the Resort Monorail was going into the Contemporary there was another Express Monorail going to Magic Kingdom, even though another one in front of it was almost there. Then in the other video you will see one more Express Monorail going towards the Contemporary. So basically there was one Express Monorail at the Magic Kingdom and two others right behind it, so doesn't that add to the fact they come a lot faster compared to the Resort Monorail?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I said this before and I will say it again. Even though the Resort Monorail line might look shorter, it's still faster for guests only going to the TTC to take the Express Monorail. Do those Cast Members forget the Resort Monorail will first stop at the Contemporary, so going that way is not any faster.

No, those Cast Members don't forget that the Resorts monorail stops at the Contemporary first. They never said the ride would be faster, just that the line was shorter. Even if an Express monorail or two (or three) passed Resorts monorail at the CR, it's likely that guests who detoured per CM direction got to the TTC sooner than they would have if they'd been at the end of the Express line.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

No, those Cast Members don't forget that the Resorts monorail stops at the Contemporary first. They never said the ride would be faster, just that the line was shorter. Even if an Express monorail or two (or three) passed Resorts monorail at the CR, it's likely that guests who detoured per CM direction got to the TTC sooner than they would have if they'd been at the end of the Express line.

Yes, that was what I was trying to say. I also added the caveat that although this situation is possible, it is rare.

Again, what does any of this have to do with the situation of having the resort monorail ONLY running and NOT the express monorail. Anyone in the express line after they close it down for the night would be waiting a very very long time! If the only monorail running is the resort monorail, why shouldn't everyone be allowed to ride?

 

[KSDisneyDad]

If you look at the two Resort Monorail videos I just posted you will see that when the Resort Monorail was going into the Contemporary there was another Express Monorail going to Magic Kingdom, even though another one in front of it was almost there. Then in the other video you will see one more Express Monorail going towards the Contemporary. So basically there was one Express Monorail at the Magic Kingdom and two others right behind it, so doesn't that add to the fact they come a lot faster compared to the Resort Monorail?

Didn't I say "I don't disagree" which can also be read as "I agree" that the express monorail is generally faster.

 

[Cafeen]

Yes, that was what I was trying to say. I also added the caveat that although this situation is possible, it is rare.

Again, what does any of this have to do with the situation of having the resort monorail ONLY running and NOT the express monorail. Anyone in the express line after they close it down for the night would be waiting a very very long time! If the only monorail running is the resort monorail, why shouldn't everyone be allowed to ride?

Pfft, of course not. I paid better money (it was cleaner and more green!) that those other pleebs who aren't good enough to stay at a MK resort! They shouldn't be allowed even the station of my monorail! They should have to bow down as it passes. If they wanted to ride it, they should have done like me and stayed at the monorail resort! Since they didn't, they can be shuffled off to the second class cars of the express.

p you all know my tone by now. Usually the tongue is pretty firmly planted on the inside of the cheek. I know someone's going to come out and say "I'm not saying that!" to which, I respond, "I know, duh ")

 

[maiapapaya]

Pfft, of course not. I paid better money (it was cleaner and more green!) that those other pleebs who aren't good enough to stay at a MK resort! They shouldn't be allowed even the station of my monorail! They should have to bow down as it passes. If they wanted to ride it, they should have done like me and stayed at the monorail resort! Since they didn't, they can be shuffled off to the second class cars of the express.

p you all know my tone by now. Usually the tongue is pretty firmly planted on the inside of the cheek. I know someone's going to come out and say "I'm not saying that!" to which, I respond, "I know, duh ")

Shouldn't you be off working on your plans for our alternate form of exclusive transportation rather than stirring the pot?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No, those Cast Members don't forget that the Resorts monorail stops at the Contemporary first. They never said the ride would be faster, just that the line was shorter. Even if an Express monorail or two (or three) passed Resorts monorail at the CR, it's likely that guests who detoured per CM direction got to the TTC sooner than they would have if they'd been at the end of the Express line.

Yes, that was what I was trying to say. I also added the caveat that although this situation is possible, it is rare.

Again, what does any of this have to do with the situation of having the resort monorail ONLY running and NOT the express monorail. Anyone in the express line after they close it down for the night would be waiting a very very long time! If the only monorail running is the resort monorail, why shouldn't everyone be allowed to ride

Would you both agree that prior to the closing of the Express Monorail that guests only to the Transportation & Ticket Center should not take the Resort Monorail? I mean isn't this the point of having two Monorails that go to the TTC. This way they can save as much space for guests staying at the Monorail Resorts prior to it's closing at 11:00 PM. I agree that when the Express Monorail is closed then people will have no choice but to get on the Resort Monorail, I just worry that if a lot of guests went on it before it might cause other Monorail Resort guests to miss it.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Would you both agree that prior to the closing of the Express Monorail that guests only to the Transportation & Ticket Center should not take the Resort Monorail? I mean isn't this the point of having two Monorails that go to the TTC. This way they can save as much space for guests staying at the Monorail Resorts prior to it's closing at 11:00 PM. I agree that when the Express Monorail is closed then people will have no choice but to get on the Resort Monorail, I just worry that if a lot of guests went on it before it might cause other Monorail Resort guests to miss it.

Prior to closing the Express Monorail, a guest wanting to arrive more quickly should take the Express Monorail unless the line is significantly longer than the line for the Resort Monorail. But if they do choose the shorter line for the resort monorail, they do risk that the extra stop could cause them to still arrive later than they would have otherwise arrived. But that's their pejorative.

 

[Colleen27]

The resort monorail is intended to service the monorail resorts for both accommodation & dining. I don't think you can have it not stop at the TTC, even if that were just at night, because there are guests from other resorts who dine at these restaurants, unless WDW was to start a monorail loop bus to transport these guests back to the TTC.

I agree. We're considering our first offsite stay for fall so now I'm watching this with renewed interest because regardless of whether we rent a car or rely on the resort's shuttle we'll need some way to get back to the TTC well after MK's 7/8pm closing time. We have three post-closing dinners planned at MK area resorts and the resort shuttle runs late enough to work for all of them, but not if there's no way to get from the Contemporary or Grand Floridian or Wilderness Lodge to the TTC after the park closes. If the monorail loop continues to run until 11pm those dinners will all work just fine; if there's no way to get to the TTC later than 9pm, we'll have to rethink that plan.

 

[Robo]

But that's their pejorative.

Maybe.

But, I know many guests that LIKE the monorail.