Orlando Monorail out to bids....

[Tonka's Skipper]

I found this on another site..................interesting read and it presents a good many other possibilities:



State solicits bids for airport-to-convention monorail system, with future phases going to Lake Nona’s Medical City and the Disney area, closes at end of month

Friday, March 28, 2014, 8:30am EDT

Rail rumble: 2nd firm vying for airport-to-I-Drive train route
Anjali Fluker

Orlando Business Journal

[​IMG]
Rendering of the proposed Maglev rail, a magnetic-levitation train system

Central Florida’s mass-transit fans are gearing up for the May 1 launch of SunRail, but others — including some out-of-town companies — are looking to provide the next big rail link.

Local officials have been talking about the importance of future commuter rail spines connecting SunRail to Orlando International Airport and Medical City. But traffic woes on International Drive during last weekend’s MegaCon event at the Orange County Convention Center may have made that side of town a priority for the next rail system.

Georgia firm American Maglev Technology Inc. has proposed developing a privately funded $315 million airport-to-convention center magnetic-levitation train system, with future phases going to Lake Nona’s Medical City and the Disney area.

But American Maglev may have some competition, as the U.S. division of a Spanish transportation infrastructure firm is looking to put its name in the hat for that project.

The Florida Department of Transportation in February pushed a deadline into April to allow companies more time to submit proposals to lease right of ways along that airport-to-convention center route. That route would be used to develop and operate a fixed-guide transportation system, which could be a rail, trolley, monorail, cable car or other automated transportation system.

The transportation department delayed the deadline to April 15 after receiving a letter from Timothy Young, vice president of OHL Infrastructure Inc. in Rye, N.Y. OHL, a division of the Spanish company Obrascon Huarte Lain SA, requested for a 60-day delay to allow for the firm to prepare a more solid proposal given the “complexity of the transaction,” Young said in the letter.

Attempts to reach Young and OHL were unsuccessful.

AKK

 

[rteetz]

Interesting isn't the magnetic system similar to what the people mover uses?

 

[Castle2Castle]

I think PeopleMover is just motors with tires moving it along; not nearly as technical as what I've heard about maglev.

 

[rteetz]

I think PeopleMover is just motors with tires moving it along; not nearly as technical as what I've heard about maglev.

Well I thought at least originally the magnetic system is what walt wanted for EPCOT

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Well I thought at least originally the magnetic system is what walt wanted for EPCOT

The people mover is an early form of LIM/LSM...

Not mag lev...but in the ballpark as electricity is run through a polarized magnet system to provide acceleration/braking as necessary.

Lims were popularized in the 90s as launched roller coaster systems...rockinroller coaster being the one in Orlando.

That's what I remember at least...don't quote me on that.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

This does present some questions on if the system goes to WDW, how will it be tried into the present transportation options and where?

extending the monorail? or adding a pod system ???(more likely in my mind)

Will there be 1 terminal or more then 1 terminal in WDW?........extend the canals and add more boats stops?




I still think a light rail, mostly a ground oriented pod system is the most likely, following the present road system.

2 terminals in WDW, one near DTD and the Epcot resorts and the other nearer MK resorts.

Pods or Trams able to carry anywhere from 4 to 20 plus people. Baggage handled by CM's right off the airport monorail and to their resort/rooms.

Just thinking out loud

AKK

 

[super mike b]

.....Baggage handled by CM's right off the airport monorail and to their resort/rooms.

That would be nice!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This does present some questions on if the system goes to WDW, how will it be tried into the present transportation options and where?

extending the monorail? or adding a pod system ???(more likely in my mind)

Will there be 1 terminal or more then 1 terminal in WDW?........extend the canals and add more boats stops?

I still think a light rail, mostly a ground oriented pod system is the most likely, following the present road system.

2 terminals in WDW, one near DTD and the Epcot resorts and the other nearer MK resorts.

Pods or Trams able to carry anywhere from 4 to 20 plus people. Baggage handled by CM's right off the airport monorail and to their resort/rooms.

Just thinking out loud

AKK

Great ideas...but you and I know Disney will never go for that...

It involves cooperating with Orlando, Infrastructure that doesn't directly lead to profits, and possibly more employees...

We can't have that.

 

[dvc at last !]

interesting...

 

[KYMickey]

Great ideas...but you and I know Disney will never go for that...

It involves cooperating with Orlando, Infrastructure that doesn't directly lead to profits, and possibly more employees...

We can't have that.

But, if Disney can get people to come to WDW directly from the airport and not have a car they will have them basically captive which is something they would certainly like. I agree with the possibility of 2 stops but I'm betting any transportation from there to individual resorts will be via buses! They are going to spend the huge amount of cash required for anything any more exotic.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

But, if Disney can get people to come to WDW directly from the airport and not have a car they will have them basically captive which is something they would certainly like. I agree with the possibility of 2 stops but I'm betting any transportation from there to individual resorts will be via buses! They are going to spend the huge amount of cash required for anything any more exotic.

I don't think they are willing to spend on Infrastructure other than basic necessity anymore.

I think that period in reedy creek is over. Which means they are fine with the buses and the relatively nominal fees they pay to Mears
For magical express.

I just don't think the math works for their involvement...unless the thing becomes a publically paid for slam dunk cheap and easy airport shuttle.

If its privately backed...they're gonna want money to use it...and Disney has no interest in supporting something where the customers are being charged a significant fee that DOESN'T go in their pocket.

They know if you fly into Orlando... You're coming to them... Only a small fraction of the audience has intentionally "stayed away" from wdw. It's not a concern if they boycott an expensive rail system.

That could changed...but based on the math they have flavored for about 10 years now...just don't see it without somekind of major hook.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Great ideas...but you and I know Disney will never go for that...

It involves cooperating with Orlando, Infrastructure that doesn't directly lead to profits, and possibly more employees...

We can't have that.

The last 5 years or so has proved all you mentioned. I just keep hoping Iger has woken up!

I would point out, yes expensive to build, but maybe not so much to operate. The rail/ pods would all be automated, so your dealing with minimal additional
Cm's.

You have to remember that the ME and WDW buses would be greatly reduced, saving money and CM's costs.

However in my mind, the idea of a state of the art monorail to WDW and state of the art light rail/pods would bring guests in right from the airport and renew the * adventure* of traveling to WDW.

Time will tell!

AKK

 

[cubsblue]

And when the monorail breaks down, as they do regularly, (Both Disney and even moreso local transports.) and thousands are stranded at each end. . .

That is just one issue. They are expensive, unreliable, and upkeep is very high. As a shareholder I wouldn't want to see this investment. As far as spending on infrastructure, anyone heard of the garage at Disney Springs. I just don't understand people slamming Iger. He has done pretty good. Not perfect but who is?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

And when the monorail breaks down, as they do regularly, (Both Disney and even moreso local transports.) and thousands are stranded at each end. . .

That is just one issue. They are expensive, unreliable, and upkeep is very high. As a shareholder I wouldn't want to see this investment. As far as spending on infrastructure, anyone heard of the garage at Disney Springs. I just don't understand people slamming Iger. He has done pretty good. Not perfect but who is?

Well we do totally disagree on Iger..........but that is for another thread.

As to the Monorail 3 years ago they were having real problems, they did wake up and the many refubs periods of the last 2 or 3 years has helped a great deal.

The pods and light rail are a overall better possibility, from building costs, upkeep and operational costs.

As a stock holder I see WDW having no choice but to do this, as a monorail with other stops and not at Disney will very likely mean people making other choices as it will be easier.

For most of the guests the *adventure* of traveling to and in WDW has always been a big deal and the loss of this *adventure* will cost in the long run.

WDW cannot keep looking at the quarter or the next year, they have to return to looking years ahead.


AKK

 

[JeremyGNJ]

WDW cannot keep looking at the quarter or the next year, they have to return to looking years ahead.

I know a lot of people will disagree. But I credit Disney in this regard when it comes to FP+/MagicBands. People say its a big waste of money...but the truth is that it's a "gift that keeps on giving".

That systems of "one key for everything", and tracking people across all activities, and crowd management...will have benefits for Disney and it's visitors for 10-20 years. Some of those benefits might not be easily tangible from a visitors point of view on an individual visit, but it allows them to study, analyze and tailor their offerings.

 

[rteetz]

I know a lot of people will disagree. But I credit Disney in this regard when it comes to FP+/MagicBands. People say its a big waste of money...but the truth is that it's a "gift that keeps on giving". That systems of "one key for everything", and tracking people across all activities, and crowd management...will have benefits for Disney and it's visitors for 10-20 years. Some of those benefits might not be easily tangible from a visitors point of view on an individual visit, but it allows them to study, analyze and tailor their offerings.

Exactly for disney this is a goldmine. As soon as a guest steps on property they can know what they are doing and where they are doing it. What the person is buying at what time of day and they can find trends between everything. I would not be surprised if other companies catch on and do something similar.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I know a lot of people will disagree. But I credit Disney in this regard when it comes to FP+/MagicBands. People say its a big waste of money...but the truth is that it's a "gift that keeps on giving".

That systems of "one key for everything", and tracking people across all activities, and crowd management...will have benefits for Disney and it's visitors for 10-20 years. Some of those benefits might not be easily tangible from a visitors point of view on an individual visit, but it allows them to study, analyze and tailor their offerings.

Yeah...that's what everyone keeps saying...we'll just have to watch and see.

Or perhaps...they'll realize that their property in Orlando isn't as awesome as they think...maybe the newness has worn off and their fifteen years of relatively modest additions has created a hole in what they have to offer to a continually changing clientele? Maybe their focus on the "one-timers" is misguided?

Certainly a lot of things this "wealth of data" could yield

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And when the monorail breaks down, as they do regularly, (Both Disney and even moreso local transports.) and thousands are stranded at each end. . .

That is just one issue. They are expensive, unreliable, and upkeep is very high. As a shareholder I wouldn't want to see this investment. As far as spending on infrastructure, anyone heard of the garage at Disney Springs. I just don't understand people slamming Iger. He has done pretty good. Not perfect but who is?

Are not the garages a dnecessity to provide more direct profit centers in retail...particularly third party leased space?

That's not exactly for the betterment of those spending a fortune for the week already...or say for a more convenient or enjoyable way to get people from Caribbean, AoA, or Pop to the two parks that are literally across the street from them...

Apple and pineapples...I think

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Exactly for disney this is a goldmine. As soon as a guest steps on property they can know what they are doing and where they are doing it. What the person is buying at what time of day and they can find trends between everything. I would not be surprised if other companies catch on and do something similar.

That's the premise...the question is how much of a leap is it to think it will yield "gold"?

As currently constructed...I'm not sure how they can direct an experienced person towards something "hidden"...though they claim otherwise...there is not that much diversity in product anymore...I mean "experiences" as well...

If this is really for first timers...which many elements seem to be...then how effective will it be?

Lots to watch for

 

[wallrock]

That's the premise...the question is how much of a leap is it to think it will yield "gold"?

As currently constructed...I'm not sure how they can direct an experienced person towards something "hidden"...though they claim otherwise...there is not that much diversity in product anymore...I mean "experiences" as well...

If this is really for first timers...which many elements seem to be...then how effective will it be?

Lots to watch for

I think it's really directed at those who wish to provide the information that Disney is looking for, which ultimately Disney hopes is the vast majority of its visitors. Take the example of the 'Smith family' who logs into MDE and provides information such as Little Johnny likes Pirates, Mom likes Dole Whips, Pop like turkey legs, Little Sally is smitten with Cinderella and so on. Disney will have what they seek.

In a simplified example, the Smith family has made reservations for WDW and is arriving on a Tuesday and are preparing to make all of their dinner and fast pass reservations. Unbeknownst to the Smiths the Jones family has already made reservations and are also arriving on Tuesday. Part of the Jones' schedule is a fast pass for Space Mountain at 10AM. The Smith family decides to do the same. The MDE software sees a 'backlog' on Space Mountain and reacts by, say, offering the Smith family 10 percent off of a Dole Whip if they would opt for a 10AM fast pass on Pirates of the Caribbean instead. Mom likes Dole Whips and Johnny likes Pirates, so the Smith family jumps on and takes the offer. Now Disney has managed the crowd, encouraged a group to spend money when they probably wouldn't have and everyone is happy. The software may not be at that stage of maturity yet, but I'm betting this is the goal.