Rotten Monorail

[jhaig]

We have been here since Sept 7 and this trip has gone wonderfully in all aspects, except for the monorail service. They have been horrendous! There hasn't been a day where we haven't had a train slow down, stop completely, and shut down to "reset it's computer system". Constantly stopping and starting with monorails waiting for who knows what. Maintenance scheduled during the middle of he say and now the express is closed until 630 tonight. Kind of takes away one of the perks of staying at a deluxe.

Will this system ever be fully functional again, or is it time to replace this entire system and start over? Don't tell me they can't afford it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't it already a number of years past its life expectancy?

Of course they can afford whatever needs to be done. But I'm sure it's not classified as revenue producing (in spite of insane prices at the monorail resorts) so lower in priority than it should be.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't say the monorail is a deluxe perk. Many deluxe resorts are not on the monorail line. It is (or was) a perk of staying at one of the 3 Magic Kingdom deluxe resorts. I do agree they have outlive their original life expectancy. And as it is something unique Disney cobbles it together the best that they can, without having to spend millions on it to fix it. I also guess that in part they don't want to have to shut the whole thing down for months as that would really hurt their monorail resort bookings.

I do know that I cringe a bit every time I get on the monorail. And I make sure I use the bathroom before getting on.

 

[LilyWDW]

When it was put in, I doubt it was expected to be used as much and at such a capacity as it is currently having to do. It needs to flat out come down for an extended maintenance and upkeep, but the backlash would be so severe that Disney has been afraid of pulling that trigger. I wish they would just do it. People can just deal with it being down because it needs to be done.

 

[jhaig]

People can just deal with it being down because it needs to be done.

That was what happened when Soarin, Test Track, Space Mtn, we're all down for long periods of time. The monorail should be no different.

 

[maxiesmom]

That was what happened when Soarin, Test Track, Space Mtn, we're all down for long periods of time. The monorail should be no different.

The monorail being down would affect Disney's pocketbook more than a ride being down. Can you just imagine the Poly being almost empty? Or Disney having to cut the room rates in half to lure people in? They won't do that until we all have to Fred Flintsone the monorail to the parks.

 

[CAS239]

Well if you think about it it makes the most sense to be down during the middle of the day. The early morning and night are the busiest time for the monorail. So being down during the middle of the day is a lot better.

 

[jhaig]

They won't do that until we all have to Fred Flintsone the monorail to the parks.

Don't give them any ideas

 

[jhaig]

Well if you think about it it makes the most sense to be down during the middle of the day. The early morning and night are the busiest time for the monorail. So being down during the middle of the day is a lot better.

Very true, but just the fact that it requires so much TLC makes me wonder if it's time for a complete overhaul.

 

[kilroy1966]

Well if you think about it it makes the most sense to be down during the middle of the day. The early morning and night are the busiest time for the monorail. So being down during the middle of the day is a lot better.

How about the middle of the night?

 

[mom2rtk]

When it was put in, I doubt it was expected to be used as much and at such a capacity as it is currently having to do. It needs to flat out come down for an extended maintenance and upkeep, but the backlash would be so severe that Disney has been afraid of pulling that trigger. I wish they would just do it. People can just deal with it being down because it needs to be done.

If it has ended up being used more than expected, to me that means they should have replaced it or had a more major overhaul sooner than the end of its life expectancy, not years after.

I actually think people would respond well to a major overhaul, even if it meant closure for an extended time, if it meant finally getting a more reliable system in place.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

They charge a premium for monorail resorts. Yet expecting it to work seems to be wrong?

 

[mom2rtk]

How about the middle of the night?

Yeah, you know back when this started becoming a regular topic on the DIS, everyone said they couldn't do it at night because the parks are open too late. Maybe they can now that they seem to have shorter park hours?

 

[CAS239]

How about the middle of the night?

Probably because then they'd have to hire more for overnight and pay more

 

[mom2rtk]

Probably because then they'd have to hire more for overnight and pay more

So?

 

[maxiesmom]

So?

Also guests would complain about the lights and noise if they had to work anywhere near the resorts.

 

[CAS239]

So?

Lights used to work, noise, time and a half pay..and also it's very likely that one of the big draws is it's just safer to work during the day time rather than night.

 

[mom2rtk]

Lights used to work, noise, time and a half pay..and also it's very likely that one of the big draws is it's just safer to work during the day time rather than night.

I actually think most people would be supportive of them finding a way, even if it is inconvenient for a time, to fix this problem instead of putting on more bandaids. Obviously, you can't keep people awake at night, but that would be my only line in the sand. But they need to actually fix it instead of having people live with the seemingly endless "repairs".

 

[maxiesmom]

I actually think most people would be supportive of them finding a way, even if it is inconvenient for a time, to fix this problem instead of putting on more bandaids. Obviously, you can't keep people awake at night, but that would be my only line in the sand. But they need to actually fix it instead of having people live with the seemingly endless "repairs".

I disagree. I think some would be supportive. But I think most guests who had those resorts booked would be hostile. To try and fix that Disney would have to announce any closure 18 months out. And then you would still have angry guests.

 

[joelkfla]

When it was put in, I doubt it was expected to be used as much and at such a capacity as it is currently having to do. It needs to flat out come down for an extended maintenance and upkeep, but the backlash would be so severe that Disney has been afraid of pulling that trigger. I wish they would just do it. People can just deal with it being down because it needs to be done.

I don't think an extended rehab would do any good. The cars are simply too old & worn out. They need to give up on trying to retrofit improvements, and just spring for entirely new trains with up-to-date technology.