Will Walt Disneyworld ever expand the monorail?

[Another Voice]

I think we're on the same page on this issue

Yes we are, I misstated the scope of what I was talking about. The initial costs of the monorail would be higher, but the over "project" would have significant advantages in the long run.

And moving Disney to "the long run" has been - and will continue to be - a huge problem.

 

[dbm20th]

I have never heard a Yanni album,

I find that hard to believe...

I have never rooted for the Red Sox,

And you are the better for it.

 

[dbm20th]

It's not really a question of "road vs. monorail."

The roads are needed in any case. Sure, there might be cases when a new monorail might divert enough guests to allow a 4-lane road instead of a 6-lane road. The real road/monorail question is buses on existing roads vs. monorail tracks, stations, and trains in addition to roads.

That is THE most defining post on this issue. That cost differential is HUGE in initial investment.

I also think the big problem here how the Mouse sees a huge plus in expanding the monorail. Are people not park-hopping because there is not a monorail between AK and MGM? Would it make a big difference in that regard?

 

[Another Voice]

Are people not park-hopping because there is not a monorail between AK and MGM?

All indications are that is exactly the problem. Look at the huge numbers that move between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (and their collective hotel groupings). But Animal Kingdom pattern is people rush there in the morning and then leave, never to return. It's also the problem with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's a big effort to get in and out of that place. Few people are willing to spend the 20-40 minutes simply commuting.

 

[dbm20th]

All indications are that is exactly the problem. Look at the huge numbers that move between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (and their collective hotel groupings). But Animal Kingdom pattern is people rush there in the morning and then leave, never to return. It's also the problem with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's a big effort to get in and out of that place. Few people are willing to spend the 20-40 minutes simply commuting.

So the conclusion is that they are willing to spend the extra 10 minutes because they are riding the monorail? That makes sense.

Wouldn't there be an unbelievable challenge of connecting it to MGM from EPCOT?

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

So the conclusion is that they are willing to spend the extra 10 minutes because they are riding the monorail? That makes sense.

Wouldn't there be an unbelievable challenge of connecting it to MGM from EPCOT?

MGM is closer to Epcot than MK. I think a Epcot, MGM, AK loop would be great, including a stop at AKL and possibly the Y&BC and BW. I don't know all the details like some but what would be the challenge if the existing lines were possible? I think it would make MGM and AK more into hopper parks because they become more accessible.

 

[dbm20th]

MGM is closer to Epcot than MK. I think a Epcot, MGM, AK loop would be great, including a stop at AKL and possibly the Y&BC and BW. I don't know all the details like some but what would be the challenge if the existing lines were possible? I think it would make MGM and AK more into hopper parks because they become more accessible.

But there are some really big buildings in the way. Making it a short line seems tough.

What it comes down to is whether the cost difference between a monorail line to AK and MGM is much smaller than the increase in attendance these 2 parks would get.

New monorail lines can also mean new monorail resorts on these lines. Which means more deluxe resorts or higher priced DVC units

 

[soibn]

There have been several monorail expansion plans. Throughout the history of Walt Disney World an compreshensive monorail network was considered essential for the resort's operation. For an place like WDW, monorails are many times efficent than busses. That's been true since the beginning and is true now.

Those plans are all still neatly folded away in a drawer because WDW isn't being run as a its own business anymore. Captial investments are not made based on what's best for WDW, but instead are based on funnelling as much cash to Burbank as possible. The expanded monorail system was killed to buy Fox Family. Even after WDW developed several plans to make the guests pay for the monorail, Corporate still refused to let them put out the capital. All of WDW these days is a "grab the cash and run" operation.

The orginial plan for the extension of the EPCOT Center beam to the Disney Village had the track exit EPCOT by the World of Motion (themetically fiting of course). A second station would have been built at EPCOT: the current station used for northbound passengers, the new station for southbound passengers. Another plan for a seperate Epcot-Studios-AK beam had a single station between the Dolphin and the Yacht Club. The monorail would have follwed the waterwater down to the Studios - not going through the hotels (anyone posting the "black square" myth again ought to be band just on principle).

Also at one time there had been plans for a major transportation center just north of EPCOT Center. This was back in the days when Florida was planning a high speed rail line from Orlando Interntaional to WDW to Tampa. Guests would have able to board the train at the airport and then transfer directly to WDW monorails. The plan fell apart when Orlando couldn't get funding without a stop on Interntional Drive and/or the Convention Center - and Disney refused to allow a station at WDW if the train made a stop first.

We won't even get into the airport that had been planned south of Celebration.

We should all be happy Disney Freaks and get along, since we all have something in common. Why must we band someone, because they have an opinion or belief. Come on guys, stop fighting. Peace and love guys

 

[MJMcBride]

We should all be happy Disney Freaks and get along,

Now where's the fun in that?

 

[soibn]

Nothing wrong with debating. But come on, trying to get someone kicked off (banned) is another thing. Just because someone has an opinion on something, now that is no fun and rediculous. Now I don't mind argueing, I think its amusing too. But there is a line I draw on that, when people start threats. Just had to put my two sense in, thats all.

 

[MJMcBride]

Nothing wrong with debating. But come on, trying to get someone kicked off (banned) is another thing. Just because someone has an opinion on something, now that is no fun and rediculous. Now I don't mind argueing, I think its amusing too. But there is a line I draw on that, when people start threats. Just had to put my two sense in, thats all.

what are you talking about?

 

[soibn]

what are you talking about?

Apparently you did not read their qoute. Which was to try and band someone from the board. Not cool at all. You are not the one who said it, but you commented on me after I made a comment.
That is what I am talking about. People just need to chill out and relax on here. Trying to band someone for their opinion is absurd.

 

[MJMcBride]

Apparently you did not read their qoute. Which was to try and band someone from the board. Not cool at all. You are not the one who said it, but you commented on me after I made a comment.
That is what I am talking about. People just need to chill out and relax on here. Trying to band someone for their opinion is absurd.

I didn't see it in that post. where is that?

 

[soibn]

The orginial plan for the extension of the EPCOT Center beam to the Disney Village had the track exit EPCOT by the World of Motion (themetically fiting of course). A second station would have been built at EPCOT: the current station used for northbound passengers, the new station for southbound passengers. Another plan for a seperate Epcot-Studios-AK beam had a single station between the Dolphin and the Yacht Club. The monorail would have follwed the waterwater down to the Studios - not going through the hotels (anyone posting the "black square" myth again ought to be band just on principle).

I have nothing against you. I just can't believe people get so hot an bothered about the stupidest things, and then to post a threat is even worse. I just thought you were agreeing with that person, thats all. Can't we all get along, just relax guys, chill

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I have nothing against you. I just can't believe people get so hot an bothered about the stupidest things, and then to post a threat is even worse. I just thought you were agreeing with that person, thats all. Can't we all get along, just relax guys, chill

soibn,

Ah... Thank you. Now you've explained where the "threat" to ban someone came from.

Rest assured that Another Voice was simply being witty when he wrote, "anyone posting the 'black square' myth again ought to be band just on principle."

The story that the black squares on the Swan and Dolphin are some sort of removable sections to accommodate a future monorail expansion has been brought up and debunked way too many times on the DIS Boards (and elsewhere on the Internet). For some reason, people want to believe that story, even though there's not an ounce of truth (nor any logic) to it. It's become a running joke of sorts.

But nobody is really trying to get anybody banned over the "black square" myth.

 

[MJMcBride]

Yeah. I don't think anyone really wants anybody else banned. I have to agree with Horace on this one. Well, except for the part about AV being witty.

 

[vonpluto]

Hey! I just read on that there internet thingy, that those big, black squares on the Swolphins are for Monorail pass thru's. Or was it giant plasma TV's? Anyway, what color band do I get?

 

[Another Voice]

There are a bunch of secret rules programmed into the servers that we can only talk about once a thread has reached seven pages.

One of these is that anyone whose post contains any of the following phrases will be banned (see, I can spell once I have drunken the right number of beers):

"A bus driver told me..."

"Is it true that Walt is frozen..."

"The black squares are rooms they can take out..."

"The fifth park is going to be..."

"But I like California Adventure..."

"I saw two guys in suits measuring for a new ride in..."

"My cousin in the College Program said..."

"Will there be a special pin for..."

And of course the ultimate red flag: “Busses are more efficient than monorails.”



P.S. – Favorite new band name: ‘Candygram for Mongo’

 

[vonpluto]

There are a bunch of secret rules programmed into the servers that we can only talk about once a thread has reached seven pages.

One of these is that anyone whose post contains any of the following phrases will be banned (see, I can spell once I have drunken the right number of beers):

P.S. – Favorite new band name: ‘Candygram for Mongo’

And of course the Right number of beers is when there are none Left over.

Anyway,

A bus driver told me...

"We all hate the Clown Suits"

Is it true that Walt is frozen..

Nope, unh uh. no way, nooo noo...

The black squares are rooms they can take out...

I'll have two suites and a doughnut. to go

The fifth park is going to be..

Hey, at least they allowed for one, see Reedy Creek Comp Plan 2008

But I like California Adventure..

Never been

I saw two guys in suits measuring for a new ride in...

There was a multi page discussion on some other boards after someone posted a pic of two guys with blueprints outside the Haunted Mansion, turns out Dis i s trying to relieve the stroller congestion there

My cousin in the College Program said...

My DD was in the Cp and she never told me nothin'

Will there be a special pin for...

Umm, I'll get back to ya

And of course the ultimate red flag: “Busses are more efficient
than monorails.

Always thought they were more effluent myself

 

[vonpluto]

In a more serious mode, here's a page from a 1982 Disney booklet titled "Mark IV Monorail", that gives the structural material req's for one mile of beamway: