Monorails to no longer operate during Evening Extra Magic Hours

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Again, it's regrettable that people are so upset about substitute transportation. I won't apologize for having a positive outlook, or being a glass-half-full person, or thinking in a global fashion. I didn't know any of those were bad things.

It's not called a positive outlook, it's called blind justification of a greedy corporation. My positive outlook: Because of this change, I'm going to be at Wilderness Lodge in a few days, where I'll use whatever I paid for (bus or boat) and be happy with it. My realistic outlook: this change is a negative thing for monorail resort guests and represents a cutback in the primary amenity that makes their room rates so high.

Also wanted to report - just read a report from someone just back from the Poly (on the Poly thread). They waited 25 minutes for the Poly/GF bus from Epcot during EEMH (12:20 AM). I believe this was on Tuesday night. Not horrible...not great.

Compared to the 8-16 minute monorail ride to TTC (16 minutes includes the waiting time if you just missed a monorail) then the 5-10 minute walk to Poly, that really, really sucks.

Every time someone posts on this thread, God kills a kitten.

Thankfully I'm allergic to cats.

 

[jade1]

Look what you guys did!

That pretty much sums it up all right.

 

[Zeppelin]

Every time someone posts on this thread, God kills a kitten.

hmm...i heard it was when someone did something that can't be mentioned on this board a kitten dies....

 

[nytimez]

hmm...i heard it was when someone did something that can't be mentioned on this board a kitten dies....

That used to be the case -- but He was quickly running out of kittens.

 

[morethananyonex]

Now this is a tangent I can live with.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Wow. This thread is the energizer bunny of threads.

I think someone posted a definition of insanity earlier in this thread. Wasn’t in Einstein who said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? (or something similar as I'm obviously paraphrasing) That seems to be this thread. We keep repeating the same things over and over again.

I’m not really sure I can find anyone on this thread that I completely agree with all of their viewpoints. I agree with bits of pieces of a lot of different posters and none from some others. It seems odd that are those that have polar opposite views and refuse to find any middle ground, but I guess that's the optimist/compromiser in me.

I think most everyone agrees that this cut-back in monorail service is neither a positive thing nor is it ideal. The disagreement seems to be the impact on your particular vacation and touring habits. For some, it won’t affect them much at all so they don’t really care too much about the change. Others, especially those going in the off-season, could be adversely affected several nights of their vacation. I think those individuals are the most upset about the changes/cut-backs (and rightfully so). But I also think that is why this thread is so lop-sided in its overriding viewpoint. Many posters with opposing viewpoints in this thread have been chewed up and spit out never to return again. And it’s caused many posters including myself to post things they regretted.

Because the changes haven’t taken effect and really won’t affect most guests until the MK begins shortening their hours in September and starts special events at the same time, I wonder why this thread keeps going. Perhaps when mid-September rolls around, it won’t be as bad as some on this thread fear. Perhaps it will be worse and if that’s the case, I can’t see Disney not caving in to avoid an even worse PR nightmare. I understand the skepticism, but it seems to have gone completely to pessimism for many. And the optimists are far and few between on this thread. JMHO. Enjoy continuing the speculation, but until more concrete details are offered, I will just sit by and observe the fray.

 

[Arnir]

It will be interesting to see what happens after August 1st. I will be staying at a non-monorail resort so I don't expect to see much impact for me - except maybe for some ADRs and that I just like to ride the rail. I'm just hoping that having to use buses to replace monorail won't lead to reduced bus service and longer waits on other routes.

For the most part, I haven't had problems waiting for the buses. One night at MK at closing it took four buses before I got to the head of the line. it was over 90 minutes that I waited and no that wasn't just my perception. I timed it. I agree that waits seem longer than they usually are, but sometimes they really are long.

I love the DEM experience. I wish I could have the same experience on the buses to the parks. Being able to sit makes the crowding less onerous to me.

edit: I was writing while KSDD was posting. Just want to point out that my first paragraph is not a challenge to KSDD's September date.

 

[brunette8706]

Wow. This thread is the energizer bunny of threads.

I think someone posted a definition of insanity earlier in this thread. Wasn’t in Einstein who said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? (or something similar as I'm obviously paraphrasing) That seems to be this thread. We keep repeating the same things over and over again.

I’m not really sure I can find anyone on this thread that I completely agree with all of their viewpoints. I agree with bits of pieces of a lot of different posters and none from some others. It seems odd that are those that have polar opposite views and refuse to find any middle ground, but I guess that's the optimist/compromiser in me.
I think most everyone agrees that this cut-back in monorail service is neither a positive thing nor is it ideal. The disagreement seems to be the impact on your particular vacation and touring habits. For some, it won’t affect them much at all so they don’t really care too much about the change. Others, especially those going in the off-season, could be adversely affected several nights of their vacation. I think those individuals are the most upset about the changes/cut-backs (and rightfully so). But I also think that is why this thread is so lop-sided in its overriding viewpoint. Many posters with opposing viewpoints in this thread have been chewed up and spit out never to return again. And it’s caused many posters including myself to post things they regretted.

Because the changes haven’t taken effect and really won’t affect most guests until the MK begins shortening their hours in September and starts special events at the same time, I wonder why this thread keeps going. Perhaps when mid-September rolls around, it won’t be as bad as some on this thread fear. Perhaps it will be worse and if that’s the case, I can’t see Disney not caving in to avoid an even worse PR nightmare. I understand the skepticism, but it seems to have gone completely to pessimism for many. And the optimists are far and few between on this thread. JMHO. Enjoy continuing the speculation, but until more concrete details are offered, I will just sit by and observe the fray.

*
Hi KSDisneyDad!

Good post. This is why we like you because YOU always seem to find middle ground. That's a good trait! Glad to see you chime in here.

Brunette

 

[morethananyonex]

It will be interesting to see what happens after August 1st. I will be staying at a non-monorail resort so I don't expect to see much impact for me - except maybe for some ADRs and that I just like to ride the rail. I'm just hoping that having to use buses to replace monorail won't lead to reduced bus service and longer waits on other routes.

For the most part, I haven't had problems waiting for the buses. One night at MK at closing it took four buses before I got to the head of the line. it was over 90 minutes that I waited and no that wasn't just my perception. I timed it. I agree that waits seem longer than they usually are, but sometimes they really are long.

I love the DEM experience. I wish I could have the same experience on the buses to the parks. Being able to sit makes the crowding less onerous to me.

edit: I was writing while KSDD was posting. Just want to point out that my first paragraph is not a challenge to KSDD's September date.

Your watch was obviously wrong.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm sorry, I'm afraid you can't convince me of that. While waiting for an Epcot bus at SSR which didn't come for almost an hour, and a CM point blank LIES to us saying one had been by just 20 minutes before - when they weren't even there.

I won't apologize for your wait (because I wasn't responsible for it) and I do believe you waited that long; it's regrettable - my preferred version of my childhood 'it's too bad', as in it's regrettable some posters have issues with the words I use - that a Cast Member lied to you. There are periodic conversations about this on the Transportation Board, and for the most part "long" waits are perception, not fact. Obviously, that's not what happened to you and you can get better advice on how to handle it in the future on the TB. I usually just go talk to another bus driver, e.g. the third DHS bus when we're w
Trying to get to AK .

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I think most everyone agrees that this cut-back in monorail service is neither a positive thing nor is it ideal. The disagreement seems to be the impact on your particular vacation and touring habits. For some, it won’t affect them much at all so they don’t really care too much about the change. Others, especially those going in the off-season, could be adversely affected several nights of their vacation. I think those individuals are the most upset about the changes/cut-backs (and rightfully so). But I also think that is why this thread is so lop-sided in its overriding viewpoint. Many posters with opposing viewpoints in this thread have been chewed up and spit out never to return again. And it’s caused many posters including myself to post things they regretted.

Actually someone refuses to say that there's anything negative about this change. That's a huge part of why this thread has kept going. Instead, they resort to making claims about any monorail resort guest who happens to think that an integral part of what they paid $400 a night for is...the monorail.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's not called a positive outlook, it's called blind justification of a greedy corporation. My positive outlook: Because of this change, I'm going to be at Wilderness Lodge in a few days, where I'll use whatever I paid for (bus or boat) and be happy with it. My realistic outlook: this change is a negative thing for monorail resort guests and represents a cutback in the primary amenity that makes their room rates so high.

First, congratulations on taking advantage of the advance notice and changing your reservation to better suit you, instead of just complaining here . Now, I don't recall where you were staying before, but I did find the Contemporary's garden wing rooms are less expensive than any of the Epcot-area resorts - so the MK-area resort amenities can't be solely about the monorail. Sure, if you're staying there and want an MK view the room would cost more, but then the monorail isn't the sole amenity being sought.

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, I took a day off from the Attractions and Strategies forum to give you all a break .

In reading some of what I missed, to brunette.

The cutback vs change "debate" is utter silliness, but in writing a longer bit on this, I think I see the issue here.

Most of us are seeing this from a monorail service perspective. This service is being reduced, hence the cutback label. Kaytiee (If I flubbed the spelling I'll edit) is looking it from an overall transportation perspective, hence just a change of state.

I don't think many of us are concerned about being stranded in general, so what's at issue is actually the monorail service cutback and not worried about transportation as a whole (and by "us" I mean other people, as it's not likely to affect me this year at all ). They are placing higher value (for their own vacations) on the monorail than on a bus, and hence when the monorail is taken away and replaced with a bus, they are getting less value for the same cost. This is the consumer-side of a cutback in general.

Then again, I could be wrong , but I just don't think I am!

(As a note, I skipped a bunch between pgs 145 and 151. Deal with it )

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

so i'm suppose to have my 8YO daughter walk back from the MK at 12AM on EMH nights??? I'm sure you've dealt with kids that age at Disney who want to stay even though they are exhausted....if they do not provide alternate transportation back to the CR for EMH the situation has gone from bad to worse...

I agree with you that after the end of a long day and night in the Magic Kingdom some guests might not want to walk back to the Contemporary, even though it's the closest resort to there. However when you look at this photo at just how close it is to the Magic Kingdom you will see that realistically WDW won't want to provide a bus that goes there.

Now let's say for whatever reason when the Resort Monorail has shut down for the evening after PM Extra Magic Hours that WDW add's a bus from the Magic Kingdom - Contemporary. By the time you walk over to the Magic Kingdom bus station you could walk another 2 - 3 minutes to the Contemporary since they are along the same path, so that's the point I am trying to make.

 

[Zeppelin]

Ok, I took a day off from the Attractions and Strategies forum to give you all a break .

In reading some of what I missed, to brunette.

The cutback vs change "debate" is utter silliness, but in writing a longer bit on this, I think I see the issue here.

Most of us are seeing this from a monorail service perspective. This service is being reduced, hence the cutback label. Kaytiee (If I flubbed the spelling I'll edit) is looking it from an overall transportation perspective, hence just a change of state.

I don't think many of us are concerned about being stranded in general, so what's at issue is actually the monorail service cutback and not worried about transportation as a whole (and by "us" I mean other people, as it's not likely to affect me this year at all ). They are placing higher value (for their own vacations) on the monorail than on a bus, and hence when the monorail is taken away and replaced with a bus, they are getting less value for the same cost. This is the consumer-side of a cutback in general.

Then again, I could be wrong , but I just don't think I am!

(As a note, I skipped a bunch between pgs 145 and 151. Deal with it )

if you're stranded at least you have a case to be compensated- waiting on lines when you've paid extra $$$ for convenience is another thing altogether

 

[Zeppelin]

I agree with you that after the end of a long day and night in the Magic Kingdom some guests might not want to walk back to the Contemporary, even though it's the closest resort to there. However when you look at this photo at just how close it is to the Magic Kingdom you will see that realistically WDW won't want to provide a bus that goes there.

Now let's say for whatever reason when the Resort Monorail has shut down for the evening after PM Extra Magic Hours that WDW add's a bus from the Magic Kingdom - Contemporary. By the time you walk over to the Magic Kingdom bus station you could walk another 2 - 3 minutes to the Contemporary since they are along the same path, so that's the point I am trying to make.

i've stayed there several times and have made the walk back and forth- its actually leisurely walk to the park and i enjoy it- i think the bigger issue, for me anyway, is they are cutting out options while increasing the price...

 

[morethananyonex]

I agree with you that after the end of a long day and night in the Magic Kingdom some guests might not want to walk back to the Contemporary, even though it's the closest resort to there. However when you look at this photo at just how close it is to the Magic Kingdom you will see that realistically WDW won't want to provide a bus that goes there.

Now let's say for whatever reason when the Resort Monorail has shut down for the evening after PM Extra Magic Hours that WDW add's a bus from the Magic Kingdom - Contemporary. By the time you walk over to the Magic Kingdom bus station you could walk another 2 - 3 minutes to the Contemporary since they are along the same path, so that's the point I am trying to make.

Yup, I pointed that out earlier too. Just personally, I would find it VERY aggravating walking to a bus stop for the Contemporary, having to wait for it, all the while being able to wave to people on the Contemporary balconies .

If you aren't able or prefer not to do the walk to CR/BLT, no monorail leaves you in a pretty bad position, IMO.

 

[Zeppelin]

That used to be the case -- but He was quickly running out of kittens.

and that was just on me alone....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Others, especially those going in the off-season, could be adversely affected several nights of their vacation. I think those individuals are the most upset about the changes/cut-backs (and rightfully so). But I also think that is why this thread is so lop-sided in its overriding viewpoint. Many posters with opposing viewpoints in this thread have been chewed up and spit out never to return again.

I still don't understand why trying to be positive is looked upon so negatively by so many people. One poster who was actually in contact with a Cast Member and was giving this thread the information as she got it, was chased away because posters didn't believe or trust, or weren't satisfied with, the information. That's not the DISer's fault!

Actually someone refuses to say that there's anything negative about this change. That's a huge part of why this thread has kept going. Instead, they resort to making claims about any monorail resort guest who happens to think that an integral part of what they paid $400 a night for is...the monorail.

It's okay. You don't have to refer to me as someone. It's not as if everyone doesn't know you mean me . Part of the amenities for which they're paying? Sure. Integral part... I don't know. Technically - and only technically, not in defense of anything - they only advertise monorail transportation. Not unlimited, no specific hours, etc. Technically again, Disney could run the monorail from noon to two every day and be within their rights.

They say they need longer, steady periods of time to do needed (likely more than routine) maintenance. Why not just take that at face value, use the monorail all the hours it's operating, and buses or boats when it's not? Oh, and thank you for being the first person besides KSDisneyDad and me to use the word "change" .

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

First, congratulations on taking advantage of the advance notice and changing your reservation to better suit you, instead of just complaining here . Now, I don't recall where you were staying before, but I did find the Contemporary's garden wing rooms are less expensive than any of the Epcot-area resorts - so the MK-area resort amenities can't be solely about the monorail. Sure, if you're staying there and want an MK view the room would cost more, but then the monorail isn't the sole amenity being sought.

I've had this exact conversation on another forum, so I don't feel like completely repeating it here. But CR's garden wing is the exception, not the rule. Every other room on the monorail is more expensive than its non-monorail counterparts (the cheapest rooms at GF/Poly vs. the cheapest rooms at Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk, the cheapest room at Poly vs. the cheapest room at WL/AKL, the cheapest studio at BLT vs. studios of other DVC resorts, etc).