Why aren't the Monorails expanded???

[OKW Lover]

I work in the electric utility industry. Combustion turbines usually burn natural gas or diesel fuel. Jet fuel is too expensive for the amount of energy that you can get out of it. They are also typically only used for peaking power. That is when the entire grid is experiencing high draw. The majority of the power used in WDW is brought in on transmission lines from other producers. Disney recently signed a very large contract with Progress Energy and they supply the majority the power to WDW. I can see where WDW would run it more often to use the heat.

Interestingly enough, I work in the electric (and gas) utility industry too. You're certainly right that most of the CT units built these days run off of natural gas. Before we got "deregulated" in MA, we used to own some CT's that were used for peaking and ran on jet fuel.

 

[OKW Lover]

I never said Disney made all of their own electricity. In fact I know that Disney produces about 55mw which is roughly 29% of what they need.

Sorry if I misintrepreted your original post: "While the monorails them selves run on electricity, that electricity has to be made somehow. WDW uses a gas powered turbine to create the electricity needed." said to me that WDW was generating all the power they needed.

 

[peter11435]

Sorry if I misintrepreted your original post: "While the monorails them selves run on electricity, that electricity has to be made somehow. WDW uses a gas powered turbine to create the electricity needed." said to me that WDW was generating all the power they needed.

I see where the mistake was. WDW does generate all of the power needed to operate the Monorail. That is really what I was getting at.

 

[jann1033]

I still didnt get an answer to my question, why was it "affordable" in the early 80s??? No one is talking about connecting ALL of the resorts and the parks, just the Parks (and Maybe AKL : )

is this a trick question?

maybe they didn't get 700mil bonuses back then????

 

[WeluvDisney2]

If all of us Disers keep going to WDW they should be able to afford it pretty soon! Plus since Disney is always wanting to "move forward" I would imagine it will not be too long before they do expand the monorail to all four parks. It sure would help with the Disney transportation issues!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It sure would help with the Disney transportation issues!

What transportation issues?

N.E.D.

 

[ksdave]

What transportation issues?

N.E.D.

IMHO, using the bus to get everywhere within WDW is the pits. I really dislike waiting at the stops, and then standing for those long hauls from some of the resorts to MK. Last trip we used our rental car more than the bus to get everywhere, particularly to DTD.

 

[peter11435]

IMHO, using the bus to get everywhere within WDW is the pits. I really dislike waiting at the stops, and then standing for those long hauls from some of the resorts to MK. Last trip we used our rental car more than the bus to get everywhere, particularly to DTD.

You still have to wait for the monorails, somtimes longer than for a bus. Additionaly You have just as much chance of standing on a monorail as you do on a bus.

 

[TwingleMum]

Maybe Disney could have a bond to pay for the monorail. Plenty of us would invest probaly. Or a bake sale.

 

[Pinnochio]

Im not sure if any one has said this, but unless the monorail stops at every hotel water park and small time attraction they will never get rid of the buses. And even if it did go to downtown disney disney studios and AK, how would people at the allstars or PO get to a monorail? It seems like you would be spending an insane amount of money to save some gas and have monorails running every which way all over the world!

 

[peter11435]

Maybe Disney could have a bond to pay for the monorail. Plenty of us would invest probaly. Or a bake sale.

Even if the money was there, it would noy change the fact that the buses are far more efficient for WDW than than the monorails.

Also when the monorails system breaksdown (which happens often as one problem train causes all to have to stop for some time) they bring in buses to run the routes. Thus what would you do if the entire system was monorail.

 

[ukcatfan]

Also when the monorails system breaksdown (which happens often as one problem train causes all to have to stop for some time) they bring in buses to run the routes. Thus what would you do if the entire system was monorail.

I can speak for the problem about the entire system going down. On the last day of one of our trips, we decided to try to get a couple of last minite hours at the MK. Our monorail (and all on the line) broke down. We were between GF and MK on that high section. We sat there for about 45 mins. with no power in the FL Summer heat. By the time we started moving again, the temp in there was easily over 100, and probably higher. It was not a good way to finish a vacation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I know their are no credible plans to expand the monorail. I just have to ask why?? I heard the costs are high to build new track. But, in the long run it has to be cheaper than the busses they run. On my last trip they said they have over 300 busses at $200,000 a piece. And they go through gas like water.
They should at least have the monorail run to Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney and MGM.

I think the buses cost $200,000 each to purchase - but they last a good long time.
Also, if you think about it - HOW horrendously confusing would the TTC end up looking and being if the monorail were expanded even to just the other two parks (forget about Downtown Disney - you'd have the same problem that caused Disney to stop running buses between DtD and the parks )
Sorry, no, it would never work.

 

[ukcatfan]

Interestingly enough, I work in the electric (and gas) utility industry too. You're certainly right that most of the CT units built these days run off of natural gas. Before we got "deregulated" in MA, we used to own some CT's that were used for peaking and ran on jet fuel.

Shame on you. You said the "D" word! I am so glad that FL has completely stopped all deregulation. Luckily I currently work for a delivery only utility, so it would not have a huge effect on us. I used to work for LG&E in KY and it would have been a real pain. KY stopped all their plans also. I am in accounting, so deregulation just causes me more work!

 

[ukcatfan]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this or not. I would guess that the cost of a monorail mechanic is much higher than a bus one. There would have to be a lot of initial training costs. I would think that the cost of repair materials would be higher also.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Am sure most knowledgeable folks on this board remember that WL was suppose to be a monorail resort....(notice that area over the front of the entrance ) that is a sitting area......I hear it is the COST...and just think WDW would have to charge alot more for a room in a monorail resort....We love the WL and think for a deluxe resort the prices are quite fair....

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

IMHO, using the bus to get everywhere within WDW is the pits. I really dislike waiting at the stops, and then standing for those long hauls from some of the resorts to MK. Last trip we used our rental car more than the bus to get everywhere, particularly to DTD.

Guess we've just had different experiences. I love the bus system - so much nicer and easier to me than dealing with parking lots, trams, and driving.

N.E.D.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Maybe Disney could have a bond to pay for the monorail. Plenty of us would invest probaly. Or a bake sale.

I don't know about you, but if Disney is going to spend a billion dollars at WDW, I'd MUCH rather it be put into new attractions instead of a redundant way to go between parks.

N.E.D.

 

[hugsquared]

Concrete...turbines...fuel...billions of dollars...repairs...switch tracks...
STOP!!! You're taking all the magic out of it
Just kidding...I love the monorail, but one of the reasons behind the mystique is that it isn't everywhere you look. Now a small teleporter (think Star Trek) is what we need.

 

[minnie61650]

Guess we've just had different experiences. I love the bus system - so much nicer and easier to me than dealing with parking lots, trams, and driving.

N.E.D.

I also love the bus system.
I am only a 10 min. bus ride away from Epcot, MGM, and AK when I stay the All Stars. Mk is 20 min. away. That's the same amount time taking the monorail from the Contemporary to the MK.
Linda