My thoughts of no Mono after MNSSHP

[goldrings]

We did not, to the best of my memory, go thru any type of turnstile or headcount for the ferry. I know I had spent 15 hours in magic kingdom that day, but I do not remember turnstiles for the ferry at all.

The bridge/whatever you call it from the dock onto the ferry felt SO UNSTEADY walking across it with all those people.

Disney is making a TON of money off of this party - they could at least run the monorail for the couple of nights in a week that this party is held.

I know that I was thankful to have the stroller with me, because it provided a barrier between me and a few of my fellow sardines.

 

[Laketravis]

Disney is making a TON of money off of this party - they could at least run the monorail for the couple of nights in a week that this party is held.

I agree, I would ballpark it in the range of close to $1M a night. The incremental cost to operate the monorail certainly couldn't be more than $20K an hour.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ok, so obviously there is debate as to the truthfulness of the maintenance story, but I will take them at their word that they can't handle having the monorails up and running at that time .... as things get older they need more maintenance (same goes for people) so it is possible that what the system could handle a decade ago and can no no longer handle it 365 days a year

BUT even if we assume that to be true, Disney should come up with other ways of getting people to the TTC. Run extra ferries/boats, have tons of buses, use golf carts, whatever - it shouldn't take people 1 hour or more to get back to their cars


Or, as another option. keep the Mainstreet stores and food stands, etc. open longer. This way people can hang out a bit if they want and Disney might even make more money from extra merchandise sales

 

[Laketravis]

Also agreed. But taking all of these changes into combination, you have to admit that they are somewhat contradictory.

It seems like a simple price pressure experiment to me. Every business at some point has to test their supply/demand/price/cost ratios.

Maybe Disney thinks they might be providing far more bang for the buck then needed - so they start throttling back on various items until they feel the pushback in terms of decreased demand or increased costs in other areas.

Perhaps all we are seeing is a simple re-alignment exercise.

 

[drquest]

When I called to switch my reservations from the CR to CSR, I asked the CM if he had a field to note my reason for doing so. He said he really didn't, but asked what the reason was.

I explained to him that my decision was based solely on the fact that the evening operating hours for the monorail were being disrupted, and for me the CR had lost it's premium advantage (to the tune of $2400 in our case) if we had to take a bus or other form of transportation other than the monorail back to the CR, and that other resorts - even offsite - were now a notch or two higher for purposes of comparison.

We always walk to the CR after the parties and will again when we are there next month. But of course that doesn't work for everyone....

I do agree that limiting the Monorail service is a terrible idea and puts pressure and extra burden on people that are paying the extra money to stay for these "parties".

 

[maiapapaya]

Within the parameters of WDW's new monorail policy, it was fine by them to run the monorails to 1:00 in the morning, for example, when the MK was open until 12:00 in August. It apparently allowed them the time they needed for this new "maintenance." Then why once September hit & the parties started they could't continue to run the monorails until 1:00 to help move out the party guests, who have paid extra to attend a hard ticket event? Did the maintenance urgency change?

I agree with the pp who theorized that they are testing the tolerance of their customers.

Maintenance or no, buses to the TTC or no, it should be unacceptable for management to allow it to take an hour for guests to make their way back to the TTC. It should be unacceptable to herd guests onto ferries like they are cattle. I have also heard that the shuttles to the GF/Poly are jammed to capacity.

And to those who think those with tired kids should leave the park earlier so this isn't a problem ... any kid, tired or not, is going to get distressed waiting in a hot, cramped crowd for an hour. Try it sometime. When people have paid extra for tickets to a special event it appears to be a crass cash grab on WDW's part not to provide adequate transportation to help their guests leave the party. And wasn't it convenient that when people asked about party transportation WDW's official line was "we haven't determined yet"? I may be cynical, but it would seem that this was the plan all along, but they were hoping to maximize ticket sales before people realized how limited post-party transportation would be. Unfortunately we had purchased our tickets before the whole monorail issue came up.

I have written customer relations to express my concerns with this and my hope that they make some effort to improve the situation.

 

[flicx]

When people have paid extra for tickets to a special event it appears to be a crass cash grab on WDW's part not to provide adequate transportation to help their guests leave the party. And wasn't it convenient that when people asked about party transportation WDW's official line was "we haven't determined yet"? I may be cynical, but it would seem that this was the plan all along, but they were hoping to maximize ticket sales before people realized how limited post-party transportation would be. Unfortunately we had purchased our tickets before the whole monorail issue came up.

I have written customer relations to express my concerns with this and my hope that they make some effort to improve the situation.

This is the part of this whole thing that is the most disturbing to me.It appears that the bean counters are now in total control at disney!People asked in advance and what did disney do?They clammed up,Why? Apparently so the bottom line could be padded.This from the place where customer service was the top priority(IMO) for years.The whole thing is a blackeye for the company as far as I am concerned and I truly feel bad for the people who were uninformed/misinformed who paid for monorail resorts and tickets to the MNSSHP.I know I would be highly upset .I don't think you are cynical,I think if you connect the dots your scenario is spot on.I say give about two or three weeks and things will change,people are gonna be ringing the complaint lines off the hook!

 

[mickeyonasticky]

We did not, to the best of my memory, go thru any type of turnstile or headcount for the ferry. I know I had spent 15 hours in magic kingdom that day, but I do not remember turnstiles for the ferry at all.

The bridge/whatever you call it from the dock onto the ferry felt SO UNSTEADY walking across it with all those people.

I know that I was thankful to have the stroller with me, because it provided a barrier between me and a few of my fellow sardines.

If you had a stroller with you, you would have gone through the stroller gate and not the turnstiles. At both the TTC and Magic Kingdom ferryboat docks there are turnstiles, as well as a gate to allow for strollers and wheelchairs.

Here is a satellite map of the TTC dock where you can clearly see the turnstiles.
http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=nr...83357&dir=4.653892748787761&sty=b&form=LMLTCC

As far as a headcount goes, there absolutely was a count of the number of Guests, because the number of Guests that can fit on the dock is the number of Guests that can fit on the ferryboat.

The gangway ("bridge/whatever you call it") probably felt unsteady because it is a floating gangway. It moves with the level of the water and also when people walk on it.

 

[flicx]

Also agreed. But taking all of these changes into combination, you have to admit that they are somewhat contradictory.

It seems like a simple price pressure experiment to me. Every business at some point has to test their supply/demand/price/cost ratios.

Maybe Disney thinks they might be providing far more bang for the buck then needed - so they start throttling back on various items until they feel the pushback in terms of decreased demand or increased costs in other areas.

Perhaps all we are seeing is a simple re-alignment exercise.

I hope it isn't some half cocked experiment!

 

[KrazyKollector]

What about the ferries/boats to WL and FW? Do they still run after the park closes? We are staying at WL in December and I was hoping to be able to take the boat over and back.


Disney makes a LOT of money, don't be fooled. It's just that when you are paying your top dogs seven figures and bonuses, it can eat it up quickly.


They could do a lot to fix/maintain/improve all of the attractions, rides, monorails and such, but why should they when they are still getting the throngs of people. It's like fixing up Splash Mountain with the missing animals and parts. Why do it when everyone still rides it anyway?

Look at my family, we are going in December and will drop a chunk of change, even without things being fixed. Of course, I freely admit I am looking forward to it less and less as each day goes by and I read more. I am actually sorry I bought MVMCP tickets. I am spending almost $200 for something I thought was going to be filled with all kinds of goodies and things my DGD would enjoy, only to realize it doesn't sound like anything special happens at all. "Special" Wishes could be seen from CR Poly or GF, (and would DGD even realize the "special" part?). Sounds like trying to see the parade will be painful and irritating. What else is there that can't be seen and done at some mall or DTD? I really wish I had never made the reservations since now I have so many reservations.

 

[jfulcer]

Disney doesn't leave anything to chance. Before making this change, they had to have spent a ton of time and money researching the ins and outs of what this change would do.

Let's be realistic - we are a vocal minority here on the DIS. Our population and those on other Disney boards have been discussing this over and over again. Disney monitors these boards. They know. And they knew it was coming.

Whether or not it's maintenance or not, this is the new 'Normal'. They might have some growing pains making sure that the transportation alternatives work but they will figure it out. A year from now nobody will even be talking about this anymore.

I still think that those that are inconvenienced should let Disney know. That's part of the cycle and they need the feedback.

 

[flicx]

Whether or not it's maintenance or not, this is the new 'Normal'. They might have some growing pains making sure that the transportation alternatives work but they will figure it out. A year from now nobody will even be talking about this anymore.

Unless things go back to the old norm I would bet anything this subject will not go away anytime soon.There are many many people who have not found this information out and it would greatly affect many of their decisions on where to stay and what extra tickets to buy.

 

[Bonniec]

Okay, thought I would update on a report. We were there last night (Sunday 10/02/11). The party was certainly crowded but I didn't find it too unbearable. The downsides were lines for the characters were long so we skipped them all, and the shows and parades were very crowded. We waited for the second parade and were down by Spash Mountain and it was still terribly crowded.

However, lines for the rides were insanely short. We just walked right onto Space Mountain. Also, the candy lines were great. At times they were crowded, but they moved super fast.

The monorail was definately not going (though I read they were Friday and Saturday). Also, there were no buses for TTC. There were a few buses that said Magic Kingdom on them but as soon as they parked, they switched to the same of the resort (i.e. changing route). We actually had friends staying at a resort so we went back with them.

We left at 11:30 and I was shocked to see that there was NO line for the ferry. Maybe everyone left after the Hallowishes, Im not sure. We left 30 minutes prior to close at 12:00. There was one last Villain show going on and the stage area had a lot of people, but Main Street was surprisingly dead. It was crowded earlier so I'm guessing not many people stayed until close. We actually had more of a wait for our bus than there was for people going to TTC. It was the complete opposite of what I expected, and what it was like the last time I was there when the Monorail was down.

All in all, we had a great time! I'm really glad we got to go. And even though we have passes, I think I will be returning for this party and now Im even considering going to the Christmas one. It was much better than I thought it would be.

Here's a little video of a few things I got with my camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7SId-a0K1U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[izzy]

I was also at MNSSHP last night. I had taken the bus over there from SSR since I had heard about the monorail debacle. I stayed until midnight. I also noticed that the ferry line didn't seem that bad when I walked out which surprised me. However, while waiting in the bus line, I happened to hear a loud swishing noise, and I looked up to see one of the monorails going by - I think it was the resort monorail - doesn't it go from the MK to the Contemporary? Anyway, I saw two monorails go by while I was waiting for the bus. I wasn't able to see if anyone was on them, though.

By the way, had an AWESOME time at the party last night! Lines were very short, parade and fireworks were great, and the trick or treating was so much fun!

 

[LaurenT]

Now, you know - I opened this thread thinking the OP was going to tell us how he hopes he doesn't get Mono after all those people coughing at the MNSSHP!

 

[OandA]

We waited from 12:15 to 1:05AM one day after MNSSHP to get a boat to the Polynesian. I mentioned in an email to Disney that I felt that for what I'm paying to stay at a monorail resort to not have a monorail accessible and to have to wait almost an hour for a boat that it was ridiculous.

Along with the fact that I didn't have hot water in 2 mornings, they gave me 2 free nights at a Deluxe resort anytime in the future for free.

Doesn't hurt to pass it along to Disney. The man on the phone said they'd heard a lot of feedback on the lack of monorail for MNSSHP.

 

[daraddg]

I totally agree with the OP it is absurd and very bad customer service to charge extra for the party and cut back on the transportation out! I was very stressed out about this because i will be doing the xmas party alone with 2 kids, one who needs her stroller as a wheelchair and has an oxygen tank trying to board a bus! I lucked out and got a Cali Grill ressie for before the party so will valet the car there at dinner and walk to MK before and after but still stinks they wont have the monorail.Reading all the complaints about the slow ferry waits for hours etc this may be our last hard ticket event unless they bring the mono back