Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[maiapapaya]

And around we go again ...
I am preparing to duck, but am about to admit that I am one of the posters who started us down this slippery slope. Just after someone mentioned that the DVC forum had a report that WDW was going to run the resort monorail to 11:00 on nights when the express closes early I made an innocent comment to the effect that this was a good compromise ... and then I said something about "I hope they check ID's ..." (can't remember exactly what I said) Kaboom!!!

Seriously it was innocent enough (will be checking my inside voice in future). Up to that point there hadn't really been any definitive answers from WDW wrt how things were going to work for the monorail resort guests when the MK lines close early. We always go in the fall so with it being party season there would be 4 or 5 nights when the MK closes at 7:00, therefore no monorail after 8:00. One night we have a 8:00 pm ADR at CR. Another night we have MNSSHP. To that point I think all Disney was telling people was to take a boat or bus. I don't think there were any details regarding the bus specifically for these resorts. Given these resort's proximity to MK and each other no one seemed to know for sure if there would be a bus serving the loop, one to each resort, a general one to the TTC and then ? Other resorts already have the "route home" set up. Nothing changes with the monorail closing other than it is not an option to get to the TTC. I wondered if the monorail resorts had been "lost in the shuffle" and no one had really thought out a plan for them (considering the early park closure that the parties bring) for either dining or transit home from MK.

When this info about the resort monorail running broke my immediate thought was "thank heavens they have realized they have a problem with the monorail resorts" and they are going to run the monorail to fix it. My second thought was "now everyone is going to go flooding back onto that one monorail." (meaning one monorail line, not train!)

I have tried to explain my POV. Amongst slurs and accusations and people arguing about anything and everything we have gone off on so many tangents ... And I agree with Cafeen. At some point with some of the monorail resort guests this went from a very specific scenario and started "creeping" into wider & wider perceptions of who/when should be using this particular monorail line. I hope someone drops some new information or rumor soon so we can move and and start arguing and insulting each other over something else ... seriously sorry I ever made that random comment.

 

[Sammie]

*
Okay, it's late. LOL! Why am I confused!????????? Doesn't it state on your ticket and brochures that the price of your ticket includes all of WDW transportation?

Not printed on any of my tickets. On the website it has info about transportation for Disney hotel guests.

Complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resort—including transportation to and from Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks—is available to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

There is no info provided about transportation for nonHotel guests.

 

[brunette8706]

I'm over 40..(okay. 50 ) I can't read, the fine print, OR remember, what it stated..WHEN I COULD (see it)!

*
LOL!!!!!! You know you are hiliarious! I do enjoy reading your threads! At least you keep everything on an "entertainment" level! LOL!

 

[asta]

*
Hi! Yes, I think they will be heavy. The crowds will be even heavier during the peak holidays for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. Personally, I don't think Disney really gives a flying fig about how crowded the crowds are. They just want to get people on the monorail (Express and Resort), bus and or boat, and get them out of the parks safely.

Off topic but related to Disney caring about how crowded it gets - over on the GF thread on the resorts board someone has posted photos from the MK on the fourth of July. Apparently WDW admitted so many people into the park that night that some guests were directed into the behind the scenes area on main street to watch the fireworks. They even set up vendors to sell things. These people were looking at the back doors of the main street shops and big dumpsters for collecting garbage. Talk about losing the magic!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Thank you for very kindly responding to this poster, something I was not able to do. It is usually better to respond to rudeness with kindness but it is sometimes hard to learn that lesson. With emotion clouding this issue, it is time to move on.

As far as overcrowding being an problem, the July EMH that we have attended have been very crowded. Several times the resort monorail on the way to the MK arrived packed in the early evening that everyone could not board at the GF. This is early while the express monorail is still running, I can't imagine how bad it would be if it were the only one running.

I apologize to you as well for upsetting you. This has been quite a contentious thread. There are some arguments you just have to know when to stop and I'll stop answering the rhetorical question being repeatedly posed as I'm in the minority. Again, I am sincerely sorry.

July EMH started at 11:00 pm or midnight. So in that case, both monorails will run until midnight or 1:00 am. That's a whole different timeframe from what is being discussed for that one to three hour period from one-hour after park closing until 11:00 pm. Five of those nights won't even have an EMH and the ones that do may not cause that much extra crowding in the slower season. But crowding is a matter of perception. What we think is crowded may be different than someone else's perception.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Off topic but related to Disney caring about how crowded it gets - over on the GF thread on the resorts board someone has posted photos from the MK on the fourth of July. Apparently WDW admitted so many people into the park that night that some guests were directed into the behind the scenes area on main street to watch the fireworks. They even set up vendors to sell things. These people were looking at the back doors of the main street shops and big dumpsters for collecting garbage. Talk about losing the magic!

Wow

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How many times do I have to say that I don't believe the poster is elitist, but that the idea of exclusive transportation (even if it's only for three hours a day) comes across as elitist. There is a difference and I'm sorry you cannot separate the two concepts.

This whole tangential debate/argument is becoming quite tedious. I've said many times that we should just agree to disagree, but no one else seems to want to extend the olive branch.

The problem is that some posters like myself are being called elitist and rude for suggesting that WDW limit the Resort Monorail access to those staying at the Monorail Resorts only during the busier times. The reality is that type of comment was not meant to be elitist or rude, just a suggestion WDW should look into and we never said make the Resort Monorail 100% for guests staying at the Monorail Resorts and forget about everyone else that doesn't stay at those resorts.

 

[TLSnell1981]

. Maybe all of this is just a "pilot" or "dry run" to see how things will run. Who knows. I know after a long day in the parks adults and especially children, just want to get back to their hotel/resort. If they stop service at 11 p.m. I think there will be a lot of unhappy campers.

We are talking, service possibly ending at 8p...or 2 hours, before EEMH end. Also, not to forget parties run, until midnight. This is why, this thread is approaching 2000 posts!

 

[sandym718]

I know we disagree on this, but I am trying my best not to name-call. I have used the word elitist to express how I perceive the idea itself. I can see how that has been misconstrued and I apologize for that. It doesn't change my opinion about the idea itself though.

Hardly anyone on this thread is beyond reproach. There have been some of us who have disagreed with the complaining who have remained thick-skinned enough to continue to point out the flaws in the logic. A discussion does mean discussing both sides.

But I do agree that we should move on.

To answer your real question. I have said many times that I don't believe that this timeframe one-hour after closing to 11:00 pm will be that crowded. The biggest crowds leave right after the fireworks. Two monorails will run at that time. After that until 11:00 pm shouldn't be nearly as bad IMO and from my experience. YMMV

On our trip last month, we returned to the BLT on the resort monorail after the express monorail shut down for the night so the resort monorail was the only one running. We had no problems with crowding despite only one monorail running. And this was while lines at the MK were still 30 to 45 minutes long at the mountains.

Glad we're back on topic!! That is good info...still fairly decent lines in the MK, but only monorail not crowded. This is kind of what I thought...I was thinking people kind of leave sporadically as the evening EMH/party goes on, not all in one big crowd. But...

I've agreed with most of your recent posts. I did want to point out that during peak times, shouldn't both monorails be running 1 hour past closing time? Thus, at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, both monorails should be running very late at night depending on park closing time. I don't know when the park closes, but I would think at least 10:00 pm or later which means both monorails will be going. I think the concern is that during non-peak times, there could be crowds from the time starting one-hour after closing until 11:00 pm.

This. I don't think holiday/peak times will be an issue. Even in late March, MK was open until midnight almost every night. That would mean, in this new situation, the express would be open until 1 AM. I doubt throngs of people are leaving at 2 or 3 AM. All reports I've read indicate those are great times to be in the MK (if you can stay awake), as there are no lines!! Now, not sure about Christmas parties, though. Those could very well be a problem.

What I was thinking of are non-peak times, with early MK closings. Say 7 PM. EEMH until 10 PM. I would think that the crowds COULD be quite large during the 8-11 time frame, as that's not really that late, even for families with kids! When it ends at 10, I could see a lot of crowding occurring.

Thank you for very kindly responding to this poster, something I was not able to do. It is usually better to respond to rudeness with kindness but it is sometimes hard to learn that lesson. With emotion clouding this issue, it is time to move on.

As far as overcrowding being an problem, the July EMH that we have attended have been very crowded. Several times the resort monorail on the way to the MK arrived packed in the early evening that everyone could not board at the GF. This is early while the express monorail is still running, I can't imagine how bad it would be if it were the only one running.

What times are those EMH's? The 12a-3a range or more like a 9p-1a?

Now I'm curious to do an EEMH just to see what the crowds are like and what happens with transportation, LOL!! maybe I'll have to send DH back with the kids and stay for some "research"!! Just kidding, with this starting soon, reports will be in long before I go next March.

it will be interesting to see what happens. Also, with the Monorail Resort buses from Epcot...how crowded, how long a wait, etc. As I said many pages ago, that actually "gets my goat" a bit more. One of THE top benefits of being at the Poly is monorail transportation to BOTH the MK and Epcot (we like the centrally located Tokelau bldg, so it's not a long walk to the TTC). I have to keep reminding myself...it's only for EEMH's. Which we've never done. And even if we do do it next time, what, probably once??? NOT a big deal. (Though I do confess to hating buses - not elitist, it's more of a motion sickness thing for me. That sideways sitting is rough. We drive everywhere the monorail can't take us. ) We can either ride the bus or drive. Always choices!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Not printed on any of my tickets. On the website it has info about transportation for Disney hotel guests.

There is no info provided about transportation for nonHotel guests.

I feel much better..now. My eyesight isn't as bad as I feared!! (Although, my memory may still be in question.)

 

[brunette8706]

Off topic but related to Disney caring about how crowded it gets - over on the GF thread on the resorts board someone has posted photos from the MK on the fourth of July. Apparently WDW admitted so many people into the park that night that some guests were directed into the behind the scenes area on main street to watch the fireworks. They even set up vendors to sell things. These people were looking at the back doors of the main street shops and big dumpsters for collecting garbage. Talk about losing the magic!

*
Hey there! You know, in a word that's TERRIBLE! Yes, I do agree talk about losing the "MAGIC". So, where is the "disney difference" PLEASE! Disney in alot of ways has been going down hill on quite a few levels. Unbelievable!

 

[brunette8706]

Not printed on any of my tickets. On the website it has info about transportation for Disney hotel guests.



There is no info provided about transportation for nonHotel guests.

*
And your point is? What? That if you stay offsite you are not allowed to use Disney transportation? Maybe I'm getting too cranky, because it's getting late.
Anyway, it used to be on your ticket. It was also on the website, about their FREE transportation! Sheesh!

 

[Traveliz]

Off topic but related to Disney caring about how crowded it gets - over on the GF thread on the resorts board someone has posted photos from the MK on the fourth of July. Apparently WDW admitted so many people into the park that night that some guests were directed into the behind the scenes area on main street to watch the fireworks. They even set up vendors to sell things. These people were looking at the back doors of the main street shops and big dumpsters for collecting garbage. Talk about losing the magic!

I couldn't find the photos - I went through a bunch of pages - could you link the thread and the page number.

Thanks
Liz

 

[maiapapaya]

Off topic but related to Disney caring about how crowded it gets - over on the GF thread on the resorts board someone has posted photos from the MK on the fourth of July. Apparently WDW admitted so many people into the park that night that some guests were directed into the behind the scenes area on main street to watch the fireworks. They even set up vendors to sell things. These people were looking at the back doors of the main street shops and big dumpsters for collecting garbage. Talk about losing the magic!

Wow. That is so disappointing that Disney would do that. And sending vendors into the back alley with these poor guests seems even more crass. And is it even legal? Aren't there set capacities with their operating licences?

 

[asta]

Glad we're back on topic!! That is good info...still fairly decent lines in the MK, but only monorail not crowded. This is kind of what I thought...I was thinking people kind of leave sporadically as the evening EMH/party goes on, not all in one big crowd. But...



This. I don't think holiday/peak times will be an issue. Even in late March, MK was open until midnight almost every night. That would mean, in this new situation, the express would be open until 1 AM. I doubt throngs of people are leaving at 2 or 3 AM. All reports I've read indicate those are great times to be in the MK (if you can stay awake), as there are no lines!! Now, not sure about Christmas parties, though. Those could very well be a problem.

What I was thinking of are non-peak times, with early MK closings. Say 7 PM. EEMH until 10 PM. I would think that the crowds COULD be quite large during
the 8-11 time frame, as that's not really that late, even for families with kids! When it ends at 10, I could see a lot of crowding occurring.


What times are those EMH's? The 12a-3a range or more like a 9p-1a?

Now I'm curious to do an EEMH just to see what the crowds are like and what happens with transportation, LOL!! maybe I'll have to send DH back with the kids and stay for some "research"!! Just kidding, with this starting soon,
reports will be in long before I go next March.

it will be interesting to see what happens. Also, with the Monorail Resort
buses from Epcot...how crowded, how long a wait, etc. As I said many pages ago, that actually "gets my goat" a bit more. One of THE top benefits of being
at the Poly is monorail transportation to BOTH the MK and Epcot (we like the centrally located Tokelau bldg, so it's not a long walk to the TTC). I have to
keep reminding myself...it's only for EEMH's. Which we've never done. And even if we do do it next time, what, probably once??? NOT a big deal. (Though I do confess to hating buses - not elitist, it's more of a motion sickness thing for me. That sideways sitting is rough. We drive everywhere the monorail
can't take us. ) We can either ride the bus or drive. Always choices!

The EMH I was referring to were the late ones, midnight to 3am. Our experience is that these EMH stay very busy until almost closing. Others may tell you differently but we have never been lucky enough to experience a low volume crowd since WDW switched from E-ticket late nights to EMH. My experiences are in July which is a busy season. We always expect that the crowds should be smaller for such late hours but no one seems to want to go home. I'm talking about a 45 min to 1 hour wait for Space Mtn at 2 am.

 

[brunette8706]

I apologize to you as well for upsetting you. This has been quite a contentious thread. There are some arguments you just have to know when to stop and I'll stop answering the rhetorical question being repeatedly posed as I'm in the minority. Again, I am sincerely sorry.

July EMH started at 11:00 pm or midnight. So in that case, both monorails will run until midnight or 1:00 am. That's a whole different timeframe from what is being discussed for that one to three hour period from one-hour after park closing until 11:00 pm. Five of those nights won't even have an EMH and the ones that do may not cause that much extra crowding in the slower season. But crowding is a matter of perception. What we think is crowded may be different than someone else's perception.

*
Gosh, that was a nice gesture. You don't see too many posters apologizing on these boards.

 

[maiapapaya]

Are these the pics you're looking for Liz. They aren't actually on the DIS, but someone's FB. This is the post I found with the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41931815&postcount=832

 

[brunette8706]

Unreal!

 

[asta]

I couldn't find the photos - I went through a bunch of pages - could you link the thread and the page number.

Thanks
Liz

The photos are linked in post #832 on page 56 of the GF thread on the resorts board. I would post the actual link but I am having trouble copying and pasting when using my iPad. I just can't get the hang of highlighting text on the touch pad. Let me know if you can't find them.

To be fair, the poster did say that they were given a choice. No one was forced to go back stage. It was just an alternative to a very crowded main street. Still doesn't seem right.

 

[asta]

Are these the pics you're looking for Liz. They aren't actually on the DIS, but someone's FB. This is the post I found with the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41931815&postcount=832

That's the one I was referring to.