New Monorail Hours seriously messing up my schedule? Suggestions?

[Chuck S]

We're AP holders if that makes a difference? Do we get free parking at resorts or only the parks?

AP free parking is only at the parks.

Why wouldn't it? My mom is getting in and out of the car? I thought the "handicapped" parking at the resorts was free Valet? That could be totally untrue though. This is one of the first times we've stayed at WDW with a car!

Those with handicap parking placards do get free valet at the resorts that offer valet. You can not get free valet at Downtown Disney (where parking is a mess right now because of construction). If you go to DtD, I would definitely use Disney transportation.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

We're AP holders if that makes a difference? Do we get free parking at resorts or only the parks?

Certain APs will get you Free parking only at the parks. Resort parking is only for those people staying at that resort, dining at a resort or valet parking. That's been my experience for over 25 years.

 

[Chuck S]

Certain APs will get you Free parking only at the parks. Resort parking is only for those people staying at that resort, dining at a resort or valet parking. That's been my experience for over 25 years.

All Annual Passes get you free parking at the parks. Florida Resident Seasonal Passes do not get free parking.

 

[sophiasapientia]

Double post. Sorry.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

All Annual Passes get you free parking at the parks. Florida Resident Seasonal Passes do not get free parking.

That's why I said "certain" APs get you free parking - my Florida Resident Seasonal Pass Is an AP so we don't get free parking but it's not an issue since we always stay onsite.

 

[Chuck S]

That's why I said "certain" APs get you free parking - my Florida Resident Seasonal Pass Is an AP so we don't get free parking but it's not an issue since we always stay onsite.

An Annual Pass and a Seasonal Pass are two different things. A Seasonal Pass has black out dates, an Annual Pass does not.

 

[eangel12]

How does this work if you have an 8:05am reservation at MK?? I know that you could theoretically valet park at Contemporary but I have read that people are being turned away...even for valet.

Does the ferry even run early enough to get me to MK by 7:45am?? I could take a cab for that one day, but we are already renting a car so it seems kind of redundant!!

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

An Annual Pass and a Seasonal Pass are two different things. A Seasonal Pass has black out dates, an Annual Pass does not.

I'm not going to continue to argue with you but.... My card says annual pass on it & I get all the perks except for parking. It's good for a year and I don't care that it has black out dates. It's cheaper!!

 

[darthtatty]

OP, I know how you feel.
we're staying at the CR and have a couple of breakfasts planned at the Poly during our 2 week trip. been looking today at our plans to see how we can work around the times.
Im guessing we can get the bus from the hotel, to anywhere as the CR shares with the Poly. Sons in a wheelchair so we need accessible access.
Husband asked today if it can be walked but its too far-isn't it?

 

[eangel12]

OP, I know how you feel.
we're staying at the CR and have a couple of breakfasts planned at the Poly during our 2 week trip. been looking today at our plans to see how we can work around the times.
Im guessing we can get the bus from the hotel, to anywhere as the CR shares with the Poly. Sons in a wheelchair so we need accessible access.
Husband asked today if it can be walked but its too far-isn't it?

There is not a walkway from Contemporary to Polynesian. I would think that you would have to walk to MK, get on the bus for Polynesian. Not sure how that works for EARLY morning reservations though. Thinking taxi might be the best bet. Just another stress to add on to everything else.

 

[darthtatty]

There is not a walkway from Contemporary to Polynesian. I would think that you would have to walk to MK, get on the bus for Polynesian. Not sure how that works for EARLY morning reservations though. Thinking taxi might be the best bet. Just another stress to add on to everything else.

thanks for that.
I wasn't sure if there was a walkway, I know there isn't from MK. Wasn't sure if there was going the other way.
yeah that's probably a better idea walking to MK and then catching the bus there. Thanks

 

[magentarhps93]

Disney should definitely offer some sort of compensation for doing this at such short notice. I know there really isn't an "off season" anymore but the fact is they are charging more to stay at these hotels at this time of year than they do the others. I know construction can also seem unplanned sometimes, but this seems to be a planned update. Isn't their whole new motto "plan your entire trip beforehand"! What's the point of selecting ADRs at 180 days if they quickly change your ability to get from point A to point B and there are no more ADRs left? I know nothing is guaranteed, but with all the Polynesian construction going on, they were honest about the closures and the dust and sent people out letters well in advance explaining the potential issues of staying there. The fact that people are paying so much for the monorail and it won't even be accessible at park open or close and that this will be a surprise to most people checking in, is definitely unfair and seems sneaky on Disney's part. Luckily, Mom isn't in a wheelchair, but I'm really feeling for all of you people who relied on the monorail for accessible transport!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney charges more for all resorts at this time of year (than they charge for the same properties at other, differently-designated times). They also charge less now than during certain peak visit periods.

People are never happy.
When the monorail breaks down because it's over 20 years old and in desperate need of updating or repair, people complain.
When the monorail is closed for a specific/stated range of time weekdays for repair, people complain.
When the monorail is closed for a specific/stated range of time weekdays for resort construction, people complain.

The monorails will be operating every day during (and sometimes beyond) park hours. Disney is doing this work overnights exactly as so many people complained they should during earlier downtimes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Every single thing at WDW, in the parks and at the resort, are subject to availability. Nothing is promised to be functioning on any specific date. Nothing dishonest or sneaky about it. Sometimes work has to be done, and sometimes you won't get much notice.

 

[joelkfla]

Does the ferry even run early enough to get me to MK by 7:45am??

Normally, no. But Disney is saying watercraft and/or additional buses will replace the unavailable monorail service.

So we can assume either the ferries will start early, or bus service from TTC to MK will be running, or both. Exact plans haven't been announced yet.

 

[joelkfla]

OP, I know how you feel.
we're staying at the CR and have a couple of breakfasts planned at the Poly during our 2 week trip. been looking today at our plans to see how we can work around the times.
Im guessing we can get the bus from the hotel, to anywhere as the CR shares with the Poly.

Yes, that's a good plan. But always ask the driver, as buses that fill up at CR will go directly to their destination, and coordinators may occasionally run an extra bus to just one resort.

Also, when the Resort Monorail is not running during it's normal hours, a direct replacement bus route is usually run, looping thru CR, TTC, Poly, & GF. That bus may also stop at MK, or they may run separate buses between MK & the resorts. But, again, nothing specific has been announced, so we'll have to wait and see.

 

[maybeecatlady]

Normally, no. But Disney is saying watercraft and/or additional buses will replace the unavailable monorail service.

So we can assume either the ferries will start early, or bus service from TTC to MK will be running, or both. Exact plans haven't been announced yet.

We are staying offsite so for the most part are not relying on the monorail for transportation. However, we do have an 8:15am ADR at CP on our last day.

I didn't know there were buses that ran from TTC to MK. We've always taken the monorail or ferry. Where would we catch a bus at TTC? TIA!

 

[Lewisc]

Would you rather Disney shut down the monorail 24/7 for as long as it takes to make the changes? I'm not sure how many weeks, or even months, would be required. Assume Murphy's law is in effect and the shutdown would be during your trip.

I don't think it's a huge deal. You can still take the monorail, maybe not early enough for rope drop and not late enough for EMH. Disney said they'll add enough buses and water craft to handle the demand.

OP has a specific issue with accessibility. I don't know if every third boat is acceptable under the ADA. Contact Disney. If whatever they're offering doesn't sound fair ask if they'll supplement service with HA vans as necessary.

 

[Chuck S]

We are staying offsite so for the most part are not relying on the monorail for transportation. However, we do have an 8:15am ADR at CP on our last day.

I didn't know there were buses that ran from TTC to MK. We've always taken the monorail or ferry. Where would we catch a bus at TTC? TIA!

When monorails are down, they may run buses to/from TTC and MK. They use the old, original resort TTC bus stops. As you enter the TTC, the bus area is on the far right.

 

[maybeecatlady]

When monorails are down, they may run buses to/from TTC and MK. They use the old, original resort TTC bus stops. As you enter the TTC, the bus area is on the far right.

Thank you! I'm assuming there will be signage so hope we'll be ok. My ADR isn't until 7/1 so hoping to hear other people's experiences before then. Would be very sad if we have to cancel our ADR because of this.