People! Take the resort monorail!

[2luvmickey]

I just returned from a trip to WDW. It was a solo trip while my DH worked at a nearby convention.

I was riding the Resort Monorail to the Transportation Center when I noticed the HUGE line to get on the MK express monorail. I wanted to shout to everyone to get on the resort line (or take the ferry) for a much quicker trip than waiting in line.

Getting to the MK on the express Monorail line isn't the only way to go - know your options before your trip to avoid the loooonnnngggg lines!

 

[shafke]

I think there are a couple of reasons people will wait in a huge line for the monorail...

- Its the monorail. How many places do you go that you can ride the monorail.
- Many people are not aware they can ride the resort monorail. They may think it is for hotel guests only. Besides... the express monorail has to be faster... doesn't it???
- but Mooommm... The ferry is boring... we want to ride the monorail

I remember leaving the MK one night soon after Wishes. The line for the express monorail was crazy. It was all the way down the ramp and then they had ropes set up for people to weave through. I have never seen something like this. We got on the resort monorail with little problem and the crowds for the buses were just as crazy.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If the Express Monorail line is very busy then yes it's a great idea taking the Resort Monorail when going back to the TTC, as long as you remember it will 1st stop at the Contemporary.

However I have also noticed on some nights while sitting on the Resort Monorail waiting to leave the Magic Kingdom I noticed that once the Express Monorail leaves the station the next one will arrive before we have even left for the Contemporary, so I am willing to guess the Express Monorail runs faster because it doesn't make any other stops and this way that line keeps moving a lot faster.

 

[dioxide45]

I would also think that during busy times there would be more trains ruining on the express line than the resort line. So while the line may be shorter, they could be moving fewer people through with fewer trains.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

shhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell everyone

 

[safetymom]

I agree. Don't tell anyone.

 

[elmo2wdw]

Exactly...shhhhh don't tell eveyone!!! It is our secret!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

CRFan is right---the trains come less often on the Resort line, and the trip takes a little longer. It's not as huge of a savings as it seems.

Caveat: the resort line might be the one that is "down" one train---they've only replaced one of the trains that was involved in the collision last summer. The undamaged halves of Pink and Purple were turned into Monorail Coral. They are rebuilding the other halves to get back to a full complement of trains---I think it is going to be Monorail Maroon---and when that happens, that train might go to the Resort line.

 

[Lewisc]

The ferry takes almost exactly the same time as the express monorail. It should be faster then the resort monorail.

 

[clkelley]

Also, at park opening and park closing, they actually do sometimes check for Resort IDs when boarding the resort monorail.

 

[Oglet]

Also, at park opening and park closing, they actually do sometimes check for Resort IDs when boarding the resort monorail.

Its not common practice anymore, actually during exits at the end of the night its not uncommon that guests are directed to catch the resort monorail to stop #2 by CM's

 

[cranbiz]

CRFan is right---the trains come less often on the Resort line, and the trip takes a little longer. It's not as huge of a savings as it seems.

Caveat: the resort line might be the one that is "down" one train---they've only replaced one of the trains that was involved in the collision last summer. The undamaged halves of Pink and Purple were turned into Monorail Coral. They are rebuilding the other halves to get back to a full complement of trains---I think it is going to be Monorail Maroon---and when that happens, that train might go to the Resort line.

Ah, try Monorail Teal.

Monorail Coral is now the Tronorail. (although it is still called Coral on the radio)

 

[PhillipV]

Let me start by saying that we're all entitled to our opinions, and please don't attack me for being honest.

That being said... I think the monorail resort line is for monorail resort guests. If I'm paying for a room at the Floridian, why can't I have a dedicated mode of transportation free of people who are staying elsewhere. But, I guess after all... it's DisneyWorld, so it's all good.

p.s... My wife calls me an elitist, but I can't be the only person on the planet with this opinion.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I can tell you, for an actual factual fact, that it takes almost exactly 15 minutes for the resort monorail to make a complete circle.

It is our first night tradition to unpack, rest up a bit and take the monorail around a few turns getting off at the different resorts to see the decorations, especially at Christmas time,and staying at the Poly to eat and wander down to the beach to see Wishes and EWP.

No, we do not stay there. I have never been when the monorail was full or even nearly so at that time of year AND we are often the only folks on the beach and if there are others it is a scant few.

I believe that Disney likes guests to go to the different resorts to eat and spend some money (and possibly plan another trip and stay there) however I can see the frustration of those who do stay at the Monorail Resorts IF they find that they cannot get on the monorail or in the restaurants because there are too many non resort guests visiting. Not sure that happens most of the time though since I am never there at peak season and never plan to be.

BTW, I would NEVER use another resorts pool but then I do not use mine either.

Slightly Goofy

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Let me start by saying that we're all entitled to our opinions, and please don't attack me for being honest.

That being said... I think the monorail resort line is for monorail resort guests. If I'm paying for a room at the Floridian, why can't I have a dedicated mode of transportation free of people who are staying elsewhere. But, I guess after all... it's DisneyWorld, so it's all good.

p.s... My wife calls me an elitist, but I can't be the only person on the planet with this opinion.

Do you mean it should only be for the guests staying at the Monorail Resorts during the busy times like when the Magic Kingdom closes or all times? I am not flaming you or anything, I am just curious because what if a family was going from the Magic Kingdom to Ohana for an ADR but were not staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian or Grand Floridian. Should they not be allowed to take the Resort Monorail when getting to their ADR?

 

[PhillipV]

Do you mean it should only be for the guests staying at the Monorail Resorts during the busy times like when the Magic Kingdom closes or all times? I am not flaming you or anything, I am just curious because what if a family was going from the Magic Kingdom to Ohana for an ADR but were not staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian or Grand Floridian. Should they not be allowed to take the Resort Monorail when getting to their ADR?

In general, I'm referring to guests who are trying to get back to the TTC. They have the express monorail & a ferry to get them there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

In general, I'm referring to guests who are trying to get back to the TTC. They have the express monorail & a ferry to get them there.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Oglet]

CRFan is right---the trains come less often on the Resort line, and the trip takes a little longer. It's not as huge of a savings as it seems.

Caveat: the resort line might be the one that is "down" one train---they've only replaced one of the trains that was involved in the collision last summer. The undamaged halves of Pink and Purple were turned into Monorail Coral. They are rebuilding the other halves to get back to a full complement of trains---I think it is going to be Monorail Maroon---and when that happens, that train might go to the Resort line.

Any of the trains can be on any of the lines. Monorails are moved around daily and sometimes during the day depending on what is going on. The only exception to this is Coral which is on the EPCOT line and that is temporary.

So the comment about the resort line being down a train is incorrect as there are no line assignments given on a permanent basis.

 

[Dizzyworld]

shhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell everyone

I agree.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

There is no question as to the time saved-it can be A LOT!The post about it being the same amount of time or longer does not apply when there are 500 people waiting. I go when it is packed and I have seen unbelievable lines for the monorail at the end of the night.We always use the resort monorail-and have even walked right onto the 1st one that arrived while the other had a line of hundreds! I would bet the people at the end of that line waited at least 4 monorails to get on-so there is no question that time is saved.
About 12 years ago we were given this tip by a CM at the end of the night.We were heading out and saw the monorail crowd was huge!We decided to sit on a bench and wait a bit rather than stand there for a 1/2hr or more. A CM came over and told us that the resort monorail would bring us to the same place-and had a line of literally 12 people.We have done it ever since.

And again I say Shhhhhh!!