RESORT Monorails may not stop daily runs until 11:00PM.

[Robo]

There's a pretty big question that I have that appears to not be fully answered-

Do we know, for sure, that the Resort Monorails will stop running one hour after Epcot and MK close?

In the "pronouncements," I'm not seeing anything mentioned but the Epcot route and the MK route.
The Resort Monorail route is a third unique route.

Some CM posters on the current gargantuan monorail thread have mentioned that the info on the internal Disney CM site has talked about the the three routes, and that the Resort route "early shutdown" has not specifically been addressed, as far as I can tell.
(That other thread is now far too large to specifically find anything.)

This detail can make a lot of difference, one way or the other.

EDIT:
This is looking to be more likely all the time.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2763446a

WDW Transportation has decided to keep the Resort Monorail open until 11pm every night!!

DVC Member Satisfaction called me for the second time about my written complaint to inform me that the resort monorail will stay open until 11pm every night regardless of when the parks close. The message I received indicated that this reflected "additional information" about the policy from their "transportation partners," but it directly contradicts my prior conversation with DVC and reports from other members here on DIS. I am convinced that they received our complaints and realized the policy had not been thought through completely. There will still be no monorail service for EMH, but this does resolve some of the issues about returning from Epcot after Illuminations and dining at other monorail resorts.

I am going to continue pressing the issue until this is confirmed in a written statement from WDW (and hope others will as well). But I think this is a sign that the pressure is working. Thank you to everyone that has written Disney to complain. I hope that we can still get the policy rescinded entirely, but this is a major step in the right direction.

I FOUND the original POST: (#952)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41831325#post41831325

What we were told yesterday was that:

The Monorail line between Epcot and TTC will stop running at 10pm, at that time guests who need to return to the Magic Kingdom will need to take a bus there. (Same goes for guest trying to get to Epcot parking from Magic Kingdom after 10pm)

The Monorail still stops at 10pm even on EMH nights.

In the near future the Monorail will stop running from Magic Kingdom 1 hour after park closing.

At this time it appears that the Resort line is still operating.

This is not being done because of a "Noise issue" but rather for our guests safety. Our maintenance team has requested more time to make sure that the monorails are operating correctly and safety for our Guests. That is why they are being shut down earlier. Safety is Disney's #1 priority
__________________

 

[imthatgirl]

"This means that in both cases, the monorail will not be able to return guests back to their resorts after evening Extra Magic Hours."

Unless I'm reading it wrong it does say the monorails will not be returning guests to their resorts. This can only be speaking of the resort monorail, as it is the only one that does this.

 

[Robo]

This means that in both cases, the monorail will not be able to return guests back to their resorts after evening Extra Magic Hours.

Unless I'm reading it wrong it does say the monorails will not be returning guests to their resorts. This can only be speaking of the resort monorail, as it is the only one that does this.

We are just reading someone's interpretation.
If the Epcot Monorail stops running at (typically) 10PM, then, yes, THAT monorail "will not be able to return guests back to their resorts after..."

The Epcot run, yes.
I still don't know about the Resort Loop, specifically.

And, I'm specifically asking this because a CM reported (from the Disney internal site) that the timing of the Resort Monorail has not yet been specified.

 

[imthatgirl]

Honestly I think you're reaching here....but maybe you're right.

 

[pooch]

"This means that in both cases, the monorail will not be able to return guests back to their resorts after evening Extra Magic Hours."

Unless I'm reading it wrong it does say the monorails will not be returning guests to their resorts. This can only be speaking of the resort monorail, as it is the only one that does this.

It could mean that, if a monorail resort guest is at Epcot for EMH, they cannot take the EPCOT line back to the TTC and, therefore, cannot connect to the resort line.

 

[Robo]

Honestly I think you're reaching here....but maybe you're right.

My problem is that I can't locate the post on the other thread that gave the info.

I'll keep looking, but that may prove to be too much of a "reach."

EDIT:

I FOUND the POST: (#952)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41831325#post41831325

What we were told yesterday was that:

The Monorail line between Epcot and TTC will stop running at 10pm, at that time guests who need to return to the Magic Kingdom will need to take a bus there. (Same goes for guest trying to get to Epcot parking from Magic Kingdom after 10pm)

The Monorail still stops at 10pm even on EMH nights.

In the near future the Monorail will stop running from Magic Kingdom 1 hour after park closing.

At this time it appears that the Resort line is still operating.

This is not being done because of a "Noise issue" but rather for our guests safety. Our maintenance team has requested more time to make sure that the monorails are operating correctly and safety for our Guests. That is why they are being shut down earlier. Safety is Disney's #1 priority
__________________

 

[SDSorority]

Welllll...... here's what I've found:

http://allears.net/news/hnews.htm#monorail

"As of July 11, 2011, the Epcot Monorail now operates only up to one hour after regular park closing time. The Magic Kingdom Monorail system will also only operate up to one hour after regular park closing beginning August 1, 2011. This curtailment of service is being made to allow for maintenance on the Monorail system. This means that there will be NO Monorail service during Evening Extra Magic Hours later than one hour after regular park closing times. These changes will not affect morning operating hours for the Monorail. The Magic Kingdom Resort Monorail service starts at 7 a.m., while the Magic Kingdom Express Monorail service starts 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom opening time. The Epcot Monorail service begins one hour before Epcot opening time. While this change in Monorail service is in effect, watercraft (where applicable) and additional buses will be available to transport guests."



http://www.diszine.com/content/walt-disney-world-to-cut-monorail-hours-indefinitely

"Guests heading to Walt Disney World’s Epcot or Magic Kingdom Parks during evening Extra Magic Hours will now find themselves with one less transportation option, as Disney has announced new operating hours for their monorail system. While the monorails previously ran for approximately one and a half hours after park closing and through extended hours, the monorails will now only operate for one hour after the official park closing each night. They will no longer operate during Extra Magic Hours, Disney’s extended park hours exclusively for their resort guests.

These new changes have been put in place “to accommodate for planned maintenance,” says Walt Disney World spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez. The 20-year-old monorail system has recently been experiencing increasingly frequent technical problems, which may have come as a result of expanded park hours and increases in crowds. With longer park hours and Extra Magic Hours that extend to as late as 3:00 AM, some monorails may only have one hour of downtime before the park opens the next morning, putting pressure on the aging system. Additionally, Disney has only been operating 11 out of 12 monorails recently, following a 2009 train collision that killed a 21-year-old monorail driver. While one train involved in the crash was able to be salvaged, the other has yet to be replaced.

Disney has yet to announce whether these new shortened hours will apply during Magic Kingdom’s extra ticketed events, including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Says Suarez:

“We will assess the maintenance schedule after a period of time running one hour after park close.”

Guests traveling to or from their car or resort during Extra Magic Hours will still have the option to travel by bus or boat. These new monorail hours are already in place at Epcot, and will begin at Magic Kingdom on August 1."


http://articles.orlandosentinel.com..._monorail-trains-monorail-fleet-zoraya-suarez

Disney to cut monorail hours
July 11, 2011|By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel

"Walt Disney World is cutting operating hours for its monorail, a move designed to give maintenance crews more time to work on the aging transportation system.

Disney plans to begin shutting down monorail service one hour after regularly scheduled park closings in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, the two theme parks served by the resort's trains. In addition, Disney will no longer run the trains during evening "Extra Magic Hours," the late-night period during which only guests staying in Disney hotels are allowed in the parks.

Disney had previously kept its trains running until at least one-and-a-half hours after park closing or through any extended hours. The changes are effective beginning today at Epcot and Aug. 1 for the Magic Kingdom."

 

[SDSorority]

My problem is that I can't locate the post on the other thread that gave the info.

I'll keep looking, but that may prove to be too much of a "reach."

EDIT:

I FOUND the POST: (#952)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41831325#post41831325

lol ok then.

 

[hookedonears]

I guess on August 1, we'll all find out.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

My problem is that I can't locate the post on the other thread that gave the info.

I'll keep looking, but that may prove to be too much of a "reach."

EDIT:

I FOUND the POST: (#952)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41831325#post41831325

I remember reading this over on that monorail thread too. It's odd that the Resort one doesn't have a specified time of shutting down yet. It would be nice if it remained open so that those staying on the monorail resort loop have another option. However, how would they enforce that only those guests ride it, check their KTTW cards? Can you imagine how angry the turned away guests would be?

Though if the monorails are in such need of an overhaul, why would they continue to let the Resort line run? If it's a maintenance/safety issue then shouldn't all the lines be getting the same overhaul?

 

[Robo]

1- However, how would they enforce that only those guests ride it, check their KTTW cards?

2- Can you imagine how angry the turned away guests would be?

3- Though if the monorails are in such need of an overhaul, why would they continue to let the Resort line run?

4- If it's a maintenance/safety issue then shouldn't all the lines be getting the same overhaul?

1- Sure. Like EMH.

2- Frankly, about as much "anger" as non-resort guests not being allowed to ride EMH attractions.

3- Because it is an efficient form of transportation specific and unique to those resorts.

4- It all depends on information that we do not have, and assertions/assumptions made by uninformed "sources."
But, it would only require the use of 1-3 monorails instead of 10-12 trains.

 

[kathylovesmatt]

The Walt Disney World monorail system will stop running one hour after the regular park closing time. The change will be effective on July 11th for the Epcot monorail and August 1st for the Magic Kingdom monorail. This will mainly affect guests attending evening Extra Magic Hours at those parks as they will have to use buses or, in the case of the Magic Kingdom, ferries to travel back to their resorts or the Transportation and Ticket Center. Here's the official statement from Disney:

"From time to time, we make adjustments to our operations to accommodate for planned transportation maintenance. With that in mind, operating hours for the Epcot Monorail system will be modified to operate one hour after regular park close beginning July 11, 2011 and the Magic Kingdom Monorail system will also operate one hour after regular park close beginning August 1, 2011. At that time, watercraft (where applicable) and additional buses will be available to transport guests to their destination.

Return service from evening Extra Magic Hours in the parks will be supported by watercraft (where applicable) and bus transportation."

 

[Robo]

The Walt Disney World monorail system will stop running one hour after the regular park closing time. The change will be effective on July 11th for the Epcot monorail and August 1st for the Magic Kingdom monorail. This will mainly affect guests attending evening Extra Magic Hours at those parks as they will have to use buses or, in the case of the Magic Kingdom, ferries to travel back to their resorts or the Transportation and Ticket Center. Here's the official statement from Disney:

"From time to time, we make adjustments to our operations to accommodate for planned transportation maintenance. With that in mind, operating hours for the Epcot Monorail system will be modified to operate one hour after regular park close beginning July 11, 2011 and the Magic Kingdom Monorail system will also operate one hour after regular park close beginning August 1, 2011. At that time, watercraft (where applicable) and additional buses will be available to transport guests to their destination.

Return service from evening Extra Magic Hours in the parks will be supported by watercraft (where applicable) and bus transportation."

Yup.
No mention of the Resort loop.

The "watercraft (where applicable) and additional buses" can be in reference to the TTC/MK loop.

 

[Robo]

I guess on August 1, we'll all find out.

What's the "over and under" on that?

 

[Kae]

Have we heard that the Epcot Monorail has not been running for late EMh yet ? It was to stop Monday

Kae

 

[DT83097]

Have we heard that the Epcot Monorail has not been running for late EMh yet ? It was to stop Monday

Kae

It did stop running - 1 hour after normal closing. I read it on a Resort thread for the Poly. Writer said they had to take a bus from Epcot that shared with GF guests, but the Poly was the first stop.

 

[summerskye]

What's the "over and under" on that?

I going with "over". The answer will not be known until 1hr past closing on August 1st. Since this may cause a delay for returning guests, I think the chances are low that the answer will be posted on the DisBoards before midnight. So, I am going with the "over".

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Considering that guests staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian, & Grand Floridian use the Resort Monorail to eat at various restaurants among them or to visit those resorts, I would hope that WDW doesn't close the Resort Monorail early like they are doing with the Epcot Monorail and will soon be doing with the Magic Kingdom Express Monorail. Plus think of the Monorail Resort guests staying at the Polynesian and Grand Flordian, if they were only told to take the boats back to those resorts from the Magic Kingdom well they are to small and the lines would be very long.

 

[Robo]

Considering that guests staying at the Contemporary, Polynesian, & Grand Floridian use the Resort Monorail to eat at various restaurants among them or to visit those resorts, I would hope that WDW doesn't close the Resort Monorail early like they are doing with the Epcot Monorail and will soon be doing with the Magic Kingdom Express Monorail.

Yup.

 

[disney david]

here an article from the orlando sentinel i

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-disney-world-monorail-hours-20110711,0,1288947.story