Monorails

I've always thought it would be great to have a centralized 'hub' like T&TC and have monorails expand out from there to various parts of the property.
Sounds like a nightmare to me. Why make people go through a crowded central hub when they're just trying to get from point A to point B?

I've also wondered why there's no parking garages?
Structured parking is MUCH more expensive to build and maintain than surface parking--even moreso probably given the Florida soils and water table issues. The density of development at WDW is no where near high enough to justify building parking garages--they've got a lot of land.

What I was saying is we all have to agree that the monorails definately add to the mystique of WDW. So they are very important, enough so to say money is no object.
Wow, that's a big leap from point A to point B.

Facts are people would rather ride on the monorails than the crowded buses.
Are you sure about that? Even if the monorails were equally as crowded (perhaps worse, because it is harder to adjust monorail capacity to meet needs)? Even if it took twice as long as a bus and involved having to switch trains?
 
Well lets just say what is one of the first things that let you know you are at WDW.........THE MONORAIL......... you ride it for the view,the memory,and the Convienience. People are generally nicer on the monorail and it cracks me up when we think WDW could not write a check now and get it done. Where is all the money from the 20plus Mil people who visit each year going. We hear they have little land acquisition costs and I am sure the parks are making a MODEST profit not to mention the resorts so why couldn't they.pirate: princess: :earsgirl: :earsgirl:
 
There are monorails in Vegas and it's no more mystical because of it (to me at least).
 
Originally posted by WebmasterCricket
There are monorails in Vegas and it's no more mystical because of it (to me at least).

True True but if it was not so important why does it always appear in ANY WDW Promo
 

Originally posted by Dizznee Freak Well lets just say what is one of the first things that let you know you are at WDW.........THE MONORAIL......... you ride it for the view,the memory,and the Convienience. People are generally nicer on the monorail and it cracks me up when we think WDW could not write a check now and get it done.
Yes, that's true. But you CAN ride the monorail. It's still the first thing you see buzzing by you when you enter Disney property. You can ride it to MK and Epcot -- the "original" parks, so to speak. MGM and DAK were "add-on" parks and not part of Walt's original design for the Florida property. So, it makes sense that for the two "Walt" parks, monorail access is available, and for the others, it's not.

Would it be fun for people if they could zip over the rest of Disney property on a monorail too? Sure. But I'll bet if you surveyed every single person who visited WDW and asked, "WDW has $25 million to use for one new ride or attraction. Would you rather have them build additional monorail tracks to connect MGM and DAK to the monorail line, or would you rather they build a new E-ticket attraction at one of the parks?", you'd find an overwhelming majority who would rather have a new attraction than more monorail track. In fact, I'll bet if you asked the same question and gave people a choice between more monorail tracks and a total rehab of the MK, they'd choose rehab before monorail.
Where is all the money from the 20plus Mil people who visit each year going.
Salaries and benefits for 55,000 CMs in Florida alone. Costumes, costume maintenance, dressing and locker facilities, cafeterias and food service, awards and recognition, office space and office machines, break rooms, computers and computer upkeep and IT, office supplies, and training for those 55,000 CMs. Then there's the cost of building and operating shows and parades, including staging, lighting, audio, special effects, props, costumes, floats, lasers, fireworks, technicians, maintenance, research and development, and storage. There's insurance for the property so that if a guest gets injured, Disney is covered. That's a pretty big chunk right there. Then we have new construction and R&D for attractions, foods, merchandise, resorts, and operations. We have general maintenance for the property (painting, refurbishing, cleaning, janitorial, etc). Environmental needs, including recycling plants, wastewater management, air handling, and garbage facilities. Also ... landscaping, greenhouses, and maintenance of same. Moving on to the resorts, we're talking housekeeping supplies, food services, upkeep and repair, pool maintenance and safety, beach maintenance and safety, golf course maintenance and operation, watercraft, and guest programs. Toss in a chunk for security too -- in-park as well as property-wide, including fire services and first aid. And transportation use, maintenance and upkeep, including monorails, trains, trams, ferries, boats, busses, company cars, vans, and trucks. There's more, but you probably get the idea.

:earsboy:
 
Just so everyone knows I am not trying to be a @#$#*!& just wanted some good reasons why and I got them and I agree money should be spent on the parks. Hey maybe they can rent out Golf carts to get around on.pirate: princess: :earsgirl: :earsgirl:
 
I think the monorail is important for what it represents to Disney and how it impacts the overall guest experience.

That doesn't mean it needs to become the primary mode of transport today.

I love the options. Certain resorts offer them all. Others don't for many reasons. Right now there isn't enough resource to slate this type of capital expenditure above all the other themepark improvements.

The central hub idea reminds me of the resort to resort options now. The guest has become impatient enough with waiting to get somewhere and complain loudly when they have to do it twice.
 
We tend to use the monorail simply as another entertaining diversion (tho it is very useful if you're staying at CR etc. I guess). Mainly I rely on driving between parks. They're fun, but don't think they will 'cough up the cash' to expand them.
 
This looks like the place to be for a monorail debate. I remember growing up how my sister and I could not wait to go to WDW and ride our favorite ride, the monorail. Now my kids can't get enough of the monorail. Heck, they keep bugging me to buy the monorail toy. The resorts that are located on the monorail line are priced above all of the other resorts on the property. I believe the monorail is part of the reason for this. I understand that the monorail is not as efficient at moving a person from place to place but it sure is a break away from the normal. Isn't that why we go to WDW?
I could go on and on why I like the monorail but I hate to type. I just wish we could see some extension. From the good information given be the previous posters, I now understand how expensive it is, but in my opinion, the monorail is an e-ticket ride that will never become stale.
 
Las Vegas spent something close to $1 billion (maybe more and no one will say) for a monorail that runs about one block east of The Strip from the MGM to the Sahara (via the Convention Center). The thing keeps breaking down -- parts falling off to the pavement below. The thing failed during a major trade event very recently and was shut down -- again!

I really don't believe anyone knows any more how much a monorail would cost running to AK or MGM. There was a rumor floating about eight months ago that plans were afoot to go to MGM. Have not heard a word since.
 
I just got back yesterday from Disney and a Guest Relations CM told me that there had been plans to expand the monorail to MGM and AK (no additional resorts). However, after 9/11, those plans were put on hold due to less people visiting the parks. He said that everything they do is driven by money, and with less money coming in they put those plans on hold.

I would bet that someday we will see the monorail go to all parks, but who knows when.
 
Originally posted by renda460
I just got back yesterday from Disney and a Guest Relations CM told me that there had been plans to expand the monorail to MGM and AK (no additional resorts).

OK, no offense, but that makes zero sense. The primary benefit of expansion to the monorail would be the addition of both theme park AND resort access. Where's the value in adding MGM and AK if the only resort guests to benefit are those staying at the GF, Poly and CR? You maybe take a handful of busses out of service each day, and the initial expense would be staggering.

I just don't see any major enhancement to the system in the future. Logistically, the big issues I have with the monorail are:

1. Redundancy. You need at least two lines running to every destination (double the cost). With a single line, a broken-down train takes the entire loop out of service. Who wants to be at Epcot after Illuminations when the monorail suddenly goes kaput and there are no more busses?

2. Bottlenecks. Other than having lines running in a maze from one park or resort to the next, the most central way to construct the line would be to have everything pass through the TTC. So, then we'd be taking about making the TTC into WDW's version of Grand Central Station. There would be virtually no direct transportation--almost every destination would necessitate a train change with the potential for excessive waits. Individual busses can handle 50,000 people headed to the Magic Kingdom on a holiday morning. I can't even envision a TTC that could handle that many coming in on one train, then queuing up and eventually departing on another.

Even prior to 9/11, there were never any serious rumors of an expansion. Sometimes I wonder if CMs just perpetuate these rumors just to give people something to talk about.
 
WOW, I was just asking a little question but had no idea I was taping into a sore nerve. Seems like this has been a hot issue for a while.:jester: :earsgirl: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc
 
*** "Facts are people would rather ride on the monorails than the crowded buses."***

"Facts" ???

Let's see.... exit Epcot, walk over to bus stop, wait o-15 minutes. Walk over to Mono, walk up steep incline ramps, wait o-15 minutes.

Ever stand in the Mono que when MK closes ? Especially on parade and fireworks nights ?

Personally, DW and I treat the Mono more as an attraction (ride) rather then a point A -to-B mode of transport.
 
Vike, that is possibly since Disney abandoned the master plan for transportation and doesn't utilize the monorail to its advantage by expanding it to all four parks and the major resorts.

But, it is hard to argue that the monorails aren't a better, more relaxing, more magical system of transportation than the Belching Dragons of Tireland.
 
Originally posted by airlarry!
But, it is hard to argue that the monorails aren't a better, more relaxing, more magical system of transportation than the Belching Dragons of Tireland.

I have to agree with this, For me, im MUCH more likely to ride a boat or a monorail than take a bus. I can drive or ride a bus around home, If im on vacation im taking the more "exotic" forms of transport. Even if they are slower, Im on vacation, No need to rush :smooth:
 
Originally posted by airlarry!
But, it is hard to argue that the monorails aren't a better, more relaxing, more magical system of transportation than the Belching Dragons of Tireland.
Certainly the monorails have their charm (and diesel buses have their fumes), but the trains are not always clearly better, or even more relaxing. Suppose you were leaving the Studios after Fantasmic, and you could either wait ten minutes for a 40-minute SRO monorail ride, with one change of trains, back to your resort, or hop right on a bus for a 20-minute ride?
 
I like riding the Monorail for the fun of it, not because it's always the best transportation option.

I would love to see the Mono system expanded, but unlike others I don't believe you do it regardless of cost. Given the choice between more Mono rail or an E-ride where 20k was, I'll take the ride.
 
1) It is nice to talk about, but it won't happen.
2) Monorails are too expensive to build.
3) Monorails would provide no value-added return.
4) Cost to build and equip - approx $6,000 per foot
. . . foundations
. . . risers
. . . tracks
. . . trains
. . . people stations
. . . track switches
. . . monorail "car barn" for storage and repair
. . . added power generation
 




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