SSR Monorail easement?

[DukeStreetKing]

and getting tot DTD would be a flash. It's nice to dream.

I would bet that it would take you longer to wait for a monorail, let people get off and then you get on than it would to walk from SSR to DTD.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

If they said no to a wilderness lodge stop then I would not worry about going over to SSR.The wilderness lodge would have been a short run since it's next to the contemporary.

tiggerguy2000

 

[timC]

Never is a long time... even in monorail years. Maybe technological changes will reduce the cost... maybe a new visionary will find a way. I wonder how Walt was able to justify the cost?

When you wish upon a star....

 

[spiceycat]

Walt never looked at costs - that was left to his brother, Roy.....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I heard that the company that originally made the monorail has long been out of business, and that all replacement parts must be made custom. I have heard getting pieces to "match" the old ones has proven to be very costly.

The monorail trains at Disneyland in California require handmade replacement parts.

However, Walt Disney World's Mark VI monorails were built by Bombardier, using technology that Bombardier acquired from Disney. Bombardier also built the trains for Las Vegas, where the monorails run on the same kind of track as at WDW. Presumably, Disney could easily contract with Bombardier to build additional Mark VI monorails for WDW.

A monorail is a huge capital expense that does not generate direct revenue. Sure, a monorail expansion could reduce bus fleet expenses. And, for guests, a monorail adds to the "magic" of a WDW vacation. But it's still hard to justify, even if WDW could hold the costs under $100 million per mile.

Okay, I know that I am an engineering idiot, but why is it so expensive to build. On the surface(to me anyway) it looks like lots of concrete and some wiring!

I'm sure that the monorail developers in Las Vegas did everything they could to keep costs as low as possible. I assume the costs in Las Vegas refer to a double track, all stations, all trains, and the cost of fitting the system into an existing built-up area.

So, at WDW, the cost per mile would probably be lower, especially for a loop track instead of a double track.

Just think how much a mile-long concrete and steel structure would cost to build. That's a lot of concrete and steel. And the beams have to be able to carry the weight of the trains. The trains must be many millions of dollars each. Yes, the cost is staggering. But I guess it costs what it costs!

 

[WDW LOVR]

Ok, instead of a Monorail, which everyone agrees is probably too costly, how bout some sort of light train?

Am I the only one who finds the buses the worst part of a WDW trip? That's why we stay at BW/BC/YC any chance we can. Walk to Epcot/MGM, walk through Epcot and monorail to MK, and drive our car to AK and the water parks.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Maybe we'll have anti-grav trains in a few years....

As for the buses, WDW LOVR, that's one of those "different strokes for different folks" things. Having lived most of our lives in Detroit - where mass transit is a joke - riding the WDW Trans. buses is another fun part of our trip (unless we're in a hurry ). For us, waiting at the SSR stop, getting on the bus and arriving right up at the park entrance is a lot more "magical" than getting in the car, fighting traffic and dealing with parking, trams, etc.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[WDW LOVR]

I'm not saying I don't like the buses better than driving, just that if we can avoid them in any way while still getting around WDW rather efficently, we do.

 

[nuts]

I heard a rumor awhile ago that Disney was looking to using SkyWeb Express for connections from non-monorail hotels to EPCOT, which would become the new transportation hub. See http://www.skywebexpress.com/ for details on this option.

 

[debloco]

I also heard (from a Disney bus driver who rescued us after we got stranded at the TTC long story...) that Disney is looking to move the hub of the TTC operations to the MK! We also talked about the bus service at DTD. I commented that I find it to be pretty horrendous and wished Disney would improve the conditions and service there. She stated that Disney does not actually "own" DTD. Something about leasing, and whoever does own it doesn't want to pay Disney what they want for better bus service...yadda, yadda, yadda. Not sure if she knew what she was talking about or if any of this is true, but I toss it out there for discussion/comments/insight!

 

[OKW Lover]

I heard that the company that originally made the monorail has long been out of business, and that all replacement parts must be made custom. I have heard getting pieces to "match" the old ones has proven to be very costly.



Beca

I'm sure Bombardier would be surprised to hear its out of business.

 

[JimFitz]

I heard a rumor awhile ago that Disney was looking to using SkyWeb Express for connections from non-monorail hotels to EPCOT, which would become the new transportation hub. See http://www.skywebexpress.com/ for details on this option.

How the heck am I suppose to fill that little cab with all the souvenirs I get at the Magic Kingdom?

 

[pkgman]

We also talked about the bus service at DTD. I commented that I find it to be pretty horrendous and wished Disney would improve the conditions and service there. She stated that Disney does not actually "own" DTD. Something about leasing, and whoever does own it doesn't want to pay Disney what they want for better bus service...yadda, yadda, yadda. Not sure if she knew what she was talking about or if any of this is true, but I toss it out there for discussion/comments/insight!

CLC Tiger Pom Mom
Deb

Since Disney does not usually leave anything on the table during negoitations, I would believe that Disney has DTD leased on triple net lease. Meaning that they get rent with percentage of profits above a certain point plus upkeep, insurance and taxes costs. So its probably in Disney's best interest to push traffic to DTD. Plus Disney actually has stores in DTD.

Have you ever known Disney not to want our money?

 

[pkgman]

I heard a rumor awhile ago that Disney was looking to using SkyWeb Express for connections from non-monorail hotels to EPCOT, which would become the new transportation hub. See http://www.skywebexpress.com/ for details on this option.

I not trying to say anything negative about your post. But after googling skywebexpress, the only thing I could find about them was company site and newspaper reports with rah-rah company quotes .
Do you have anything else on skywebexpress.

 

[DrBond007]

Ok, instead of a Monorail, which everyone agrees is probably too costly, how bout some sort of light train?

This makes a lot of sense to me. A light train cannot be nearly as expensive, and an exclusive route without stopping for traffic, etc. would seem to be very nice. Busses are not ideal or something to look forward to. There has to be many, many alternatives that could be more fun ane more efficient.

I'm glad easements are planned as a part of Disney property to help keep the possibilities alive.

 

[DrBond007]

I heard a rumor awhile ago that Disney was looking to using SkyWeb Express for connections from non-monorail hotels to EPCOT, which would become the new transportation hub. See http://www.skywebexpress.com/ for details on this option.

Wow, that is very cool. No delays for stops. That would be a wonderful partnership, Disney promoting the system, Disney getting a discount, and a fun way to travel more quickly than even the monorial because of no stops. Thanks for the great link. Am I reading correctly that it is cheaper to operate than busses? It would sure be wonderful to hook up all the DVC resorts and AK with this concept, even those around swan lake.

 

[kweaver]

Wow is right...love the website...the idea of having something like that at Disney (and at home!) is incredible. I hope it happens someday (soon!)

 

[DrBond007]

Nuts, thank you for the link. I'm going to explore the application of that system for my own organization.