Why is the Epcot Monorail closed?

[gaetanoeosso]

What is being done with the monorail train which would be used to goto Epcot? As that would figure into cost analysis

 

[PalmettoPath]

I don't buy the construction excuse. They've never cared about that in the past and I don't see a compelling reason why they'd start now. There isn't too much new going on now that you can't already get a decent peek at from within the park.

I find the low staffing and reduced park hopping much more compelling reasons.

Exactly. The SkyLiner is direct evidence that hiding backstage magic is no longer what it used to be, unfortunately.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

What is being done with the monorail train which would be used to goto Epcot? As that would figure into cost analysis

Probably sitting idle but they could also be routing them around the lines that are open.

 

[ximfinity]

To say the Monorail is not running is to save money does not pass closer inspection. It is cheaper to run the Monorail than to have buses, gas, bus maintenance, and bus driver salaries. Like every thing else, Disney will reopen in THEIR time table.

Must have something to do with the work being done at EPCOT. I imagine the construction view of innoventions isnt something they want guests to see every trip and take photos of. it was probably prohibitive to build a 30 foot wall in Florida weather concerns.

 

[luv2cheer92]

With park hopping limited to after 2 PM, there's little reason for a monorail running between Epcot and TTC.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't really see that as a reason. How many people were hopping before 2ish anyway? That seems like an average time for people to start hopping, spending about a half a day in each park. The only time I ever hopped before 2 was when I did all 4 parks in one day.

 

[OKW Lover]

What is being done with the monorail train which would be used to goto Epcot? As that would figure into cost analysis

They would be sitting idle backstage. They can't be on the two tracks that are running around Seven Seas Lagoon.

 

[gaetanoeosso]

They would be sitting idle backstage. They can't be on the two tracks that are running around Seven Seas Lagoon.

Well if they haven't been removed from the line then it must be a demand or cost related decision. Might be awaiting 10/1 to reopen.

 

[OKW Lover]

Well if they haven't been removed from the line then it must be a demand or cost related decision. Might be awaiting 10/1 to reopen.

They wouldn't remove them from the line, which would require a crane. There is plenty of siding space for them in the backstage monorail roundhouse.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Honestly, its a combination of things. There is a staffing shortage with all transit, the construction is an eyesore, Disney has also been re-furbing the trains. This allows them to take more trains offline for maintanance and updates at once. It saves a bit of money, but nothing in the big scheme of things.

 

[fatmanatee]

Possibly back this weekend.

 

[cakebaker]

Possibly back this weekend.

That's the 2nd site posting this, read another earlier this morning. If 2 are reporting it, most likely it's true.

 

[slyster]

That would be great. I wasn't holding out any hope for my late August trip.

 

[thegash35]

To say the Monorail is not running is to save money does not pass closer inspection. It is cheaper to run the Monorail than to have buses, gas, bus maintenance, and bus driver salaries. Like every thing else, Disney will reopen in THEIR time table.

But first you have to make the assumption they are running more bus service to make up for the monorail being closed. Others have said that buses are packed, which would indicate they are forcing guests from MK resorts to accept bad bus service with no alternative.

 

[thegash35]

It is closed because it is an additional cost and provides the least utility. The MK loop is basically a necessary service because you have to get guests from the TTC to Magic Kingdom and there aren't many other feasible ways to do that. The boats can only move so many people.

I'm sure current management wishes that Walt filled in 7 seas lagoon and made that the parking lot so they didn't have all these pesky transportation expenses to deal with.

Epcot does not require a monorail connection in order to be accessed. It's simply an amenity for guests which does not make Disney any additional revenue, so it hasn't been a priority to reopen.

 

[Dayman99]

Just heard from ********** that the Epcot monorail opens this Sunday 7/18. And Scott Gustin, who is listed as a regular Disney reporter posted it on Twitter. (Again, rumors but hopefully it has some clout since I will arrive on Sunday!!

 

[mdguy429]

Shut it down folks, our job here is done!

 

[ChipnDale79]

It is closed because it is an additional cost and provides the least utility. The MK loop is basically a necessary service because you have to get guests from the TTC to Magic Kingdom and there aren't many other feasible ways to do that. The boats can only move so many people.

I'm sure current management wishes that Walt filled in 7 seas lagoon and made that the parking lot so they didn't have all these pesky transportation expenses to deal with.

Epcot does not require a monorail connection in order to be accessed. It's simply an amenity for guests which does not make Disney any additional revenue, so it hasn't been a priority to reopen.

I love MK, but the seven seas lagoon is such a nightmare to get into MK. Its easy if you take a stay onsite and take a bus, or take the monorail from your hotel. Otherwise, its just a PIA to get to the MK from the parking lot.

 

[cakebaker]

I love MK, but the seven seas lagoon is such a nightmare to get into MK. Its easy if you take a stay onsite and take a bus, or take the monorail from your hotel. Otherwise, its just a PIA to get to the MK from the parking lot.

Transportation to the MK was our only reason for staying on site this trip after never having stayed off site in over 30 years. We picked a resort I don't particularly like, haven't had good experiences there, simply because it was the cheapest one ( cheap is a relative term- $450 a night is not a bargain) that had what we thought was the best transportation to the MK out of the options available. we'll Uber everywhere else. If it weren't for that, we'd be day guest converts.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Transportation to the MK was our only reason for staying on site this trip after never having stayed off site in over 30 years. We picked a resort I don't particularly like, haven't had good experiences there, simply because it was the cheapest one ( cheap is a relative term- $450 a night is not a bargain) that had what we thought was the best transportation to the MK out of the options available. we'll Uber everywhere else. If it weren't for that, we'd be day guest converts.

after staying at a gondola resort, i hope disney takes the approach of adding those all around the resort, or something similar. The continual loading was a big deal, even at park opening. However, weather can be a big issue in shutting them down.

 

[AvidDisReader]

But first you have to make the assumption they are running more bus service to make up for the monorail being closed. Others have said that buses are packed, which would indicate they are forcing guests from MK resorts to accept bad bus service with no alternative.

I believe that since they are re opening this weekend it proves my point that the Monorails are cheaper to run than buses, otherwise they either would not open or push if off to later in the year.