Why didn't they build the monorail to go EVEYWHERE?

[jenseib]

I love the monorail. Why didn't Disney build it to go to every park and all the hotels too. Or at least to most of them? I never got that. It was such a big deal when they made the monorail, and everyone loves it. They make it go to EPCOT as well. And then it the idea seemed to be ditched. (I thought the origional idea was it was going everywhere) Does it maybe cost too much? To me the excitement of riding the monorail to get to MK was part of the anticipation of getting there. I will be staying on site this year and taking a bus, and plan to ride the monorail around at some point, just for fun. Even my DH panicked and asked if we would stiff be able to ride it.

 

[Paisleyjane]

I have been told it is a cost issue, costs way too much to build, maintain and operate to expand. Someone on those boards once suggested that we all go down and work on building more track for our vacations LOL - let's pack our tools!!!

 

[astrostan]

I pretty sure the problem is money. The total cost of the monorail to go per mile is 1 million dollars ( please correct me if im wrong). Just what I've heard.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I pretty sure the problem is money. The total cost of the monorail to go per mile is 1 million dollars ( please correct me if im wrong). Just what I've heard.

That 1 mil per mile was a number throw out when talk of connecting WDW with MCO as land rights had to be bought.

The problem with expanding it is just it's easier for the buses and cost way less.

It does show in our paperwork (easement) for SSR. So it was thought about and put into the plans just no action taken.

We also like riding the rails and try to get up front whenever possible

 

[jenseib]

So it's a million dollars a mile to build! WOW!! That sucks. Too bad good al Walt didn't live longer (like till he was 200!) and then maybe things would be the way he wanted them to begin with. Though I did read that this park wasn't a big concern for him. He was into something else more ,while this was being built, but I can't remember what it was.

Also.. ( I may start another thread on this) is there any type of video/DVD that show the making of Disney world (or even Disneyland) I love seeing that kind of stuff. I have seen fotage of things here and there, and wondered if it was ever put all together.

 

[jenseib]

That 1 mil per mile was a number throw out when talk of connecting WDW with MCO as land rights had to be bought.

The problem with expanding it is just it's easier for the buses and cost way less.

It does show in our paperwork (easement) for SSR. So it was thought about and put into the plans just no action taken.

We also like riding the rails and try to get up front whenever possible

What is MCO and SSR. Sorry, I'm not always good with the abreviations.

 

[Paisleyjane]

So it's a million dollars a mile to build! WOW!! That sucks. Too bad good al Walt didn't live longer (like till he was 200!) and then maybe things would be the way he wanted them to begin with. Though I did read that this park wasn't a big concern for him. He was into something else more ,while this was being built, but I can't remember what it was.

I read somewhere that Walt didn't even want to build the MK, he really only agreed to build MK if Disney powers that be agreed to build his EPCOT, although what he really wanted was a living/working community, not just another theme park. - just passing on what I recall

 

[I'mNoPrince]

What is MCO and SSR. Sorry, I'm not always good with the abreviations.

Sorry MCO is the main orlando airport.

SSR is saratoga springs resort across from DTD

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

What is MCO and SSR. Sorry, I'm not always good with the abreviations.

MCO is Orlando International Airport and SSR is Saratago Springs Resort.

(Somewhere on here is a list of abbreviation meanings...if I find it I will post the link...)

 

[Jestocost]

I pretty sure the problem is money. The total cost of the monorail to go per mile is 1 million dollars ( please correct me if im wrong). Just what I've heard.

I think the cost for monorail construction is $60 million to $80 million per mile on the low end. Some sources suggest that the Las Vegas monorail cost more than $100 million per mile (and some estimate closer to $200 million.)

Now that's expensive.

 

[Robo]

 

[kaabost]

So, how did they afford such an expense for the MK and Epcot? That's what I have never understood. When these posts come up, those of you in the know conclude that the cost is too outrageous. What is different between now and then? MGM is much closer to the Epcot that the MK. Why not start by just expanding it to Epcot? Thanks for any info!

 

[Robo]

So, how did they afford such an expense for the MK and Epcot? That's what I have never understood. When these posts come up, those of you in the know conclude that the cost is too outrageous. What is different between now and then? MGM is much closer to the Epcot that the MK. Why not start by just expanding it to Epcot? Thanks for any info!

The monorail now runs between two parks.
To go to THREE parks, how would you construct the line(s)?

A. Extend the run so that the same train that NOW goes TTC > Epcot > TTC, would THEN go TTC > Epcot > MGM > TTC.

B. Build a separate loop that only goes Epcot > MGM > Epcot.

C. Build a separate loop that only goes TTC > MGM > TTC.

With A , to get from Epcot to TTC, you'd have to ride thru MGM first.
With B, to get from TTC to MGM you'd need to get out at Epcot and change trains.
With C, to get from Epcot to MGM, you'd have to go back to TTC.

Now add AK to that mix.

Now add the RESORTS!

And then consider that all of the resort guests that you NOW see lined up for the buses would be trying to ride the monorails to the various parks or transfer-points (like TTC) and then transferring to other monorails to get to other places.

YIKES, what a logistics nightmare that would be!

 

[DOOM1001]

Disney's got like over 20 resorts, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Downtown Disney and room to expand, to get the monorail to go to everywhere would be impossible, well not impossible, they could do it, I mean they're Disney but be prepared to spend $200 for a day at the park!! Just look when gas when up how tickets went up like 2 times in a year. I'll keep the buses and rather have Disney spend some of that money on a new theme park!!

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I love the monorail too.

 

[Smooshdog]

Also.. ( I may start another thread on this) is there any type of video/DVD that show the making of Disney world (or even Disneyland) I love seeing that kind of stuff. I have seen fotage of things here and there, and wondered if it was ever put all together.

Check out the modern marvels Disney world. It is a great show!

 

[julieannbabe]

too much money.

when i rode up front last year the monorail driver said it would be cheaper to built a new them park than extend the monrail.

i think that he said it would be a million dollars per mile to extend it (don't quote me on that though!)

 

[Jestocost]

It would cost nowhere near those outlandish figures per mile on-property.

Very good point, but $1 million per mile is still nowhere near the real cost. The cheapest monorails in the world have been closer to $7 million per mile and an average appears closer to $20 million to $25 million per mile. That means that building the existing 23.6 mile system at WDW today probably would run close to $500 million.

 

[Robo]

 

[Lucky82061]

Other than the initial cost of building the monorail, the upkeep and maintenence costs of a monorail that spans the entire 47 square miles of disney property would be insane. It doesn't make sense when buses work just as well and for probably millions less.

Too bad good al Walt didn't live longer (like till he was 200!) and then maybe things would be the way he wanted them to begin with. Though I did read that this park wasn't a big concern for him. He was into something else more ,while this was being built, but I can't remember what it was.

Not flaming.. just correcting here.. Walt would be 105 if he were still alive right now... and it's not possible that walt was into something else while the park was being built... he died in 1966 during the planning stages and construction had not begun yet. But I think what you were probably thinking about is that Epcot was Walt's big project and the one that he cared most about. It was originally meant to be the heart of Disneyworld.. not the MK. But anyways thats way OT..