Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[Eponine1]

*
Kaytieeldr-

With all due respect this is a cutback. If I were planning a wedding and I paid for a limosine to take me from the church to the reception, and they (the corporate owners) said, "Oh we have a change in transportation, instead of the limo that you paid for, it is now going to be a minivan. This is certainly a "cut back" and a "downgrade change" in service, and it will get me from point A to point B. But, I paid for a limo not a minivan. Personally I would not be a very happy customer.

 

[honeymo78]

I would still stay at BLT for the same points currently being charged even without an operating monorail. I stay there for quick access to MK. Even alternate forms of transport from BLT would get me to MK faster than a bus from BWV or OKW where we also stay. Actually a bus or boat might get me there well before the monorail would have. For easy access to Epcot we stay at BWV.

If people are expecting lines of hundreds of people waiting for a bus during emh at MK, wouldn't the monorail line be pretty huge too? You still might have to wait for a second monorail if the crowds were that large. I'm thinking the busses would be CR/TTC and Poly/GF like at Epcot plus the boat option. Where will these massive bus lines come from for so few resorts that wouldn't have existed if you were waiting for the monorail? Remember this isn't general park closing, just emh. Parties might have a larger proportion of people heading to TTC creating a potentially longer monorail line if running but a shorter poly/GF bus wait. I know the monorail can hold more people than a bus but at closing there are often multiple busses for each stop. Plus it would be a relatively quick bus route for those resorts, perhaps even shorter than the wait between monorail trains.

 

[morethananyonex]

It's a change in the type of transportation, and for most of the hours the parks are open, the monorails will be running. It's unfortunate that people staying in the Magic Kingdom-area resorts aren't willing to tolerate buses for five or ten minutes, two or three nights.

So, would you not consider Disney removing all options at a buffet and replacing them with chicken fingers and fries for the last hour or two of the night a cutback? It's a change in the type of food, no? Of course, they still will be charging their regular prices, because after all, it's just a change.

What I think is unfortunate is that people who pay incredibly inflated prices for the MK resorts are being made to feel like elitist snobs because they want to receive what they pay for. Also, it's unfortunate that people choose to ignore this has the potential to effect much much more then a couple EMH nights.

Full disclosure, I have never and don't plan on staying at an MK area resort, yet this still bothers me.

 

[Rhode Island Quahog]

So, would you not consider Disney removing all options at a buffet and replacing them with chicken fingers and fries for the last hour or two of the night a cutback? It's a change in the type of food, no? Of course, they still will be charging their regular prices, because after all, it's just a change.

What I think is unfortunate is that people who pay incredibly inflated prices for the MK resorts are being made to feel like elitist snobs because they want to receive what they pay for. Also, it's unfortunate that people choose to ignore this has the potential to effect much much more then a couple EMH nights.

Full disclosure, I have never and don't plan on staying at an MK area resort, yet this still bothers me.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

So, would you not consider Disney removing all options at a buffet and replacing them with chicken fingers and fries for the last hour or two of the night a cutback? It's a change in the type of food, no? Of course, they still will be charging their regular prices, because after all, it's just a change.

What I think is unfortunate is that people who pay incredibly inflated prices for the MK resorts are being made to feel like elitist snobs because they want to receive what they pay for. Also, it's unfortunate that people choose to ignore this has the potential to effect much much more then a couple EMH nights.

Full disclosure, I have never and don't plan on staying at an MK area resort, yet this still bothers me.

I agree with everything you said.

 

[book_junkie]

It's a change in the type of transportation, and for most of the hours the parks are open, the monorails will be running. It's unfortunate that people staying in the Magic Kingdom-area resorts aren't willing to tolerate buses for five or ten minutes, two or three nights.

Not exactly true. For our girls' trip in October, based on the scenarios posted by CMs in this thread (Resort and MK monorails closing 1 hour after MK normal closing) , if we were going to be staying at a MK monorail resort we'd be affected 4 nights out of 5 we're at WDW. We arrive Sunday, October 23, and depart Friday, October 28. 3 nights are Halloween party nights (yet to be determined but right now being taken as monorails stopping at 8 p.m. ) , and 1 night evening EMH (monorail would stop at 10 p.m. ) .

It's like that for most of October, Disneyworld October 2011 calendarand I bet most of December with the Christmas parties ( I didn't check those )...

If I had chosen to stay at a resort for access to the monorail on this trip, I would definitely be making alternate arrangements NOW- I would not be waiting to see how things shake up in August or during the first few Halloween parties.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

It's a change in the type of transportation, and for most of the hours the parks are open, the monorails will be running. It's unfortunate that people staying in the Magic Kingdom-area resorts aren't willing to tolerate buses for five or ten minutes, two or three nights.

I honestly can't understand why you don't get it. Many resort guests specifically plan their park hours around EMH. It's a resort perk, and for resort guests, it's part of the park's operating hours. People choose to stay at monorail resorts specifically because of monorail access. So if the two nights I happen to be at MK late are the nights that I have to take a bus back to my resort, I might as well be at Wilderness Lodge (a significantly cheaper deluxe resort) or Pop (still buses everywhere). It's not entitlement. It's common sense. And I agree with everyone who's disagreed with you. Like with the buffet example - you can't just take away filet mignon or prime rib and replace it with ground beef or a terrible cut and charge the same price (although Disney does, and they've gotten away with it - surprise, surprise, you must've told everyone it was just a change). Yes, it's a change, but it's a downward change that saves money, hence a cutback. And there's no reason to pay to get ground beef or whatever for $35 when you could get the hamburger for $8.

Your wording is particularly egregious. It's unfortunate?! It's unfortunate that consumers realize when they're being ripped off?! No. It would be unfortunate if we all just submitted and accepted it without question.

 

[brunette8706]

I honestly can't understand why you don't get it. Many resort guests specifically plan their park hours around EMH. It's a resort perk, and for resort guests, it's part of the park's operating hours. People choose to stay at monorail resorts specifically because of monorail access. So if the two nights I happen to be at MK late are the nights that I have to take a bus back to my resort, I might as well be at Wilderness Lodge (a significantly cheaper deluxe resort) or Pop (still buses everywhere). It's not entitlement. It's common sense. And I agree with everyone who's disagreed with you. Like with the buffet example - you can't just take away filet mignon or prime rib and replace it with ground beef or a terrible cut and charge the same price (although Disney does, and they've gotten away with it - surprise, surprise, you must've told everyone it was just a change). Yes, it's a change, but it's a downward change that saves money, hence a cutback. And there's no reason to pay to get ground beef or whatever for $35 when you could get the hamburger for $8.

Your wording is particularly egregious. It's unfortunate?! It's unfortunate that consumers realize when they're being ripped off?! No. It would be unfortunate if we all just submitted and accepted it without question.

*
Hi DonaldDoleWHip!

I LOVE YOUR AVATOR NAME! Very original and funny!

Anyway, I totally concur with your stance. Right on Target, you can't be any more clear, and you're crystal!

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

I honestly can't understand why you don't get it. Many resort guests specifically plan their park hours around EMH. It's a resort perk, and for resort guests, it's part of the park's operating hours. People choose to stay at monorail resorts specifically because of monorail access. So if the two nights I happen to be at MK late are the nights that I have to take a bus back to my resort, I might as well be at Wilderness Lodge (a significantly cheaper deluxe resort) or Pop (still buses everywhere). It's not entitlement. It's common sense. And I agree with everyone who's disagreed with you. Like with the buffet example - you can't just take away filet mignon or prime rib and replace it with ground beef or a terrible cut and charge the same price (although Disney does, and they've gotten away with it - surprise, surprise, you must've told everyone it was just a change). Yes, it's a change, but it's a downward change that saves money, hence a cutback. And there's no reason to pay to get ground beef or whatever for $35 when you could get the hamburger for $8.

Your wording is particularly egregious. It's unfortunate?! It's unfortunate that consumers realize when they're being ripped off?! No. It would be unfortunate if we all just submitted and accepted it without question.

AMEN!!!! Do not understand how this is even being debated. It's a cutback of service plain and simple.

 

[momatater]

In November this affects each 7 out of 8 nights for my trip. I can tolerate taking a bus. I do it for AK and HS. What I can't tolerate is having to wait in line with hundreds of others to take a bus that might have to wait one or two times for (depedning on how long lines will be) when I easily walk up the monorail ramp, hop on the monorail (either at EP or MK).

When paying these rates that people do at a deluxe monorail resort, I expect a monorail access as I'm sure others do.

Same with me! This will affect 8 or our 9 nights!

So, would you not consider Disney removing all options at a buffet and replacing them with chicken fingers and fries for the last hour or two of the night a cutback? It's a change in the type of food, no? Of course, they still will be charging their regular prices, because after all, it's just a change.

What I think is unfortunate is that people who pay incredibly inflated prices for the MK resorts are being made to feel like elitist snobs because they want to receive what they pay for. Also, it's unfortunate that people choose to ignore this has the potential to effect much much more then a couple EMH nights.

Full disclosure, I have never and don't plan on staying at an MK area resort, yet this still bothers me.

Exactly!


And to answer the question of staying there is the monorail was shut down...NO WAY! That's one of the reasons we stay there!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

*
Hi DonaldDoleWHip!

I LOVE YOUR AVATOR NAME! Very original and funny!

Anyway, I totally concur with your stance. Right on Target, you can't be any more clear, and you're crystal!

Glad you like the avatar name. My favorite character, and my favorite snack haha

And trust me, I'm not happy to be saying this. Poly was my first Disney resort, GF was (until this came up) my favorite, and CR was my second favorite. They all hold a place in my heart, and I have wonderful memories at each of them. But I have good memories at the other resorts, too, and as the monorail room rates continue to skyrocket (they're all increasing next year), we just can't really accept this. It affects the way we like to vacation at WDW, and I don't have to accept this cutback. I know we'll be spending more time in the Epcot area (even at non-Disney resorts like the Swan) or Wilderness Lodge as a result.

AMEN!!!! Do not understand how this is even being debated. It's a cutback of service plain and simple.

I'm glad to hear other people are on the same page. It's a sad issue to be discussing, but I believe we have every right to be frustrated by it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I honestly can't understand why you don't get it. Many resort guests specifically plan their park hours around EMH. It's a resort perk, and for resort guests, it's part of the park's operating hours. People choose to stay at monorail resorts specifically because of monorail access. So if the two nights I happen to be at MK late are the nights that I have to take a bus back to my resort, I might as well be at Wilderness Lodge (a significantly cheaper deluxe resort) or Pop (still buses everywhere). It's not entitlement. It's common sense. And I agree with everyone who's disagreed with you. Like with the buffet example - you can't just take away filet mignon or prime rib and replace it with ground beef or a terrible cut and charge the same price (although Disney does, and they've gotten away with it - surprise, surprise, you must've told everyone it was just a change). Yes, it's a change, but it's a downward change that saves money, hence a cutback. And there's no reason to pay to get ground beef or whatever for $35 when you could get the hamburger for $8.

Your wording is particularly egregious. It's unfortunate?! It's unfortunate that consumers realize when they're being ripped off?! No. It would be unfortunate if we all just submitted and accepted it without question.

I couldn't have said that any better myself.

 

[kaytieeldr]

In November this affects each 7 out of 8 nights for my trip. I can tolerate taking a bus. I do it for AK and HS. What I can't tolerate is having to wait in line with hundreds of others to take a bus that might have to wait one or two times for (depedning on how long lines will be) when I easily walk up the monorail ramp, hop on the monorail (either at EP or MK).

When paying these rates that people do at a deluxe monorail resort, I expect a monorail access as I'm sure others do.

Thanks for a reasonable point of view .
Could I just ask you a couple of questions:
How many of those eight nights do you expect to need Epcot/resort or MK/resort transportation?
Given the number of rooms at each of the four resorts, and not being challenging in any way, may I ask why you think there will be hundreds of people l
in those lines?

 

[sandym718]

Right. I included the TTC in my post you quoted. Starting when the monorail stops running, Epcot has a bus route that goes to the Polynesian & the Grand Floridian, and a separate bus route that goes to the Contemporary & the TTC.

As I said a few posts back - that route has been operating from Epcot since July 11 and I haven't seen any complaints about the service over on the Transportation Board - despite at least two EEMHs.

YMMV, but it seems to be working.

A reduction in monorail hours isn't a reduction in service because the monorail has already been replaced by buses at Epcot after 10 PM, and will be replaced by buses at the Magic Kingdom one hour after its general public closing time starting August 1.
Guests staying at the monorail resorts won't be getting the form of transportation they want one to a few nights a week, depending on ultimate decisions, but they will be getting transportation.
I'm not claiming this is a positive move, but it's surely not negative. It's not as if WDW is leaving those guests stranded at Magic Kingdom, or demanding that CR/BLT guests walk and GF/Poly guests take the launch to WL and then the DtD bus, with the Poly guests walking 'home' when that bus stops at the GF.

I'm sorry if I'm being dim here. But in your post you say "when the monorail stops running" the buses begin at Epcot. That is true now, and it sounds like it's gone fine for the 2 EEMH's at Epcot. My question is about when/IF the RESORT monorail stops BEFORE the Epcot monorail would stop. For example -- MK closes at 7. Express and Resort Monorails run until 8 (Maybe? Who knows? But for the purpose of this discussion). The Epcot monorail will still run until 10. But "monorail" resort guests that would take the Epcot monorail between 8-10 PM would then be "stranded" at the TTC (well, if nothing was done, I'm sure that won't happen). Is that right? So Disney would either have to add buses at the TTC TO CR, GF and possibly Poly. Or start the Poly/GF and CR/TTC buses at about 7:45 or so. Or am I totally confused? I don't think the starting the buses from Epcot early thing would work, b/c what if someone didn't understand that and rode the Monorail since it was open. I'm guessing buses at the TTC to those resorts (or both options) would be needed, IF the RESORT monorail closes 1 hour after MK closing. Am I making any sense?

Question for the forum-

Would you stay at a monorail resort (Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian) if the monorail service was shut down? Let's say the prices stayed the same for each resort. You would also have to take the boat/ferry/bus to get to the other parks.

Thanks!
Brunette

Probably not. We looooove the Poly. But it's so expensive, and the monorail is one of the hugest perks.

 

[doconeill]

Did anyone think the over/under for this thread would exceed 2200?

 

[Robo]

Express and Resort Monorails run until 8 (Maybe? Who knows? But for the purpose of this discussion). The Epcot monorail will still run until 10. But "monorail" resort guests that would take the Epcot monorail between 8-10 PM would then be "stranded" at the TTC (well, if nothing was done, I'm sure that won't happen).

1- Is that right? So Disney would either have to add buses at the TTC TO CR, GF and possibly Poly. Or start the Poly/GF and CR/TTC buses at about 7:45 or so. Or am I totally confused?

2- I don't think the starting the buses from Epcot early thing would work, b/c what if someone didn't understand that and rode the Monorail since it was open. I'm guessing buses at the TTC to those resorts (or both options) would be needed, IF the RESORT monorail closes 1 hour after MK closing. Am I making any sense?

1- Yup.
But, it makes no sense in practice to continue to run the Epcot Monorail to TTC, with the Resort Monorails shut down.
Since the idea is to cut down on monorail operation time (you can pick any reason you like,) it would make MUCH more sense to stop running the Epcot loop at the same time (give or take) that they stop the Resort loop.
That would mean (as you said) starting BUS service from Epcot to the resorts/TTC at, say, 7:45PM nightly.

2- It would work just like it does now, if they cut off the monorail run at about 8PM and send everyone to the buses.

This is exactly why I've been trying to keep the info out there that, if they DO continue the Epcot loop until 10PM-ish, they must have in mind to continue the Resort loop until a time at least 30 min. after the Epcot run stops.


No, we don't know for sure what will ultimately happen, but it sure looks like
they will either be extending the Resort loop's time, -or- cutting off the Epcot loop's time at closer to 8PM than 10PM.

We'll all see in a bit.

 

[phinz]

Wasn't sarcasm -- was a statement of fact. It's like saying you get bumped to economy class on a flight from New York to Florida when the plane passes New Mexico. Or on a flight from Boston to Seattle when the plane passes Texas.

Then we'll change it to "pass the same longitude as Hawaii occupies." Does that satisfy your pedantic sweet tooth?

 

[Sammie]

*
But it is a reduction in service. The monorail resorts are much higher price deluxe hotels than say the Wilderness Lodge/Animal Kingdom Lodge. Why? Because they are on the monorail system. The CM's when you book your resort stay tell you this. So by your logic, you're stating that it is not a reduction in service, I say it is a reduction in service because now those people that are staying on the monorail line will have to take a bus instead of the monorail which drops them a few feet from the resort lobby.

Then I guess if the price is higher at these hotels for monorail service it would not be unfair to limit service to those hotels that are paying for it, hence the resort monorail only to those paying for it.

 

[brunette8706]

Then I guess if the price is higher at these hotels for monorail service it would not be unfair to limit service to those hotels that are paying for it, hence the resort monorail only to those paying for it.

*

 

[doconeill]

Then I guess if the price is higher at these hotels for monorail service it would not be unfair to limit service to those hotels that are paying for it, hence the resort monorail only to those paying for it.

It can be argued that they pay a higher price for the convenience of proximity of the monorail, not the exclusive use of such.