Wouldn't it be nice to have a DVC resort on the Monorail?

[OneMoreTry]

I think a DVC "on the monorail" would sell quickly.

If I were a Disney stockholder, I don't think I would like the idea of a monorail to SSR or AK because I don't think that would sell any more park tickets or hotel rooms. I would rather see any available capital put back into the parks and cast member training and incentives.



PS. I think that the monorail itself is a stupid, hare-brained idea. Why not just park in front of MK and walk in? I mean, really. What was Walt thinking? And all the money wasted on "theming." What's with that???

 

[DVCconvert]

I LOVE the monorail, and quick easy MK access. I'd pay $ 150-$200 per point for such an offering! And, I bet they're be plenty of others who would be willing to do the same!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

 

[JimFitz]

I hate that guides are always telling people "hints or rumors". Guides are sales people and that's all.

 

[JimMIA]

I keep seeing this idea of DVC at the Contemporary, and frankly it makes no sense to me. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a DVC on the monorail, but it doesn't make any marketing sense to me...at least not until SSR is fully built and sold out.

Start building a DVC anywhere on the monorail, and it seems to me that SSR sales come to a screeching halt.

However, I must admit that I am not a DVC history expert. Have they built and sold multiple DVC resorts simultaneously in the past?

 

[wtpclc]

I LOVE the monorail, and quick easy MK access. I'd pay $ 150-$200 per point for such an offering! And, I bet they're be plenty of others who would be willing to do the same!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

This got me thinking.... COuld they really charge that much more ad get away with it. It seems like CV owners would be a little miffed that someone who bougth points at $89 (or less) oculd stay at the resort for the same number of points. It's possible, however, if there were a really limited number of rooms, that it'd be one that would be hard to get in at teh 7 mo window anyway.

Really doesn't matter to me, I've never been a CR fan. I'm not into modern and, unfortunately, modern built in the 70s (?) just looks dated to me. JMPO. I know many of you love it and I don't mean to offend. You would probably be less than thrilled with the decor of my home. It's what makes the world go round.

It just does not seem like DVC would allow such point disparity.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Hey, while I have fond memories of the CR - stayed there several times right after WDW opened, and a few more times when DS was younger - the resort itself has little appeal to me. Yes, there's something about taking the elevator down, then the escalator up, then hopping on the Monorail to the MK, but IMHO that's not enough of a draw. I can see why they are trying to make it a Convention hub - they can draw a lot of people who will have their hotel bills covered by expense accounts.

One question: I stayed in a Garden Wing the second time I was there as a child (1st time: Tower, 11th floor, MK view!!!), and I seem to remember that it's a non-trivial walk from a typical GW room to the main building and then to the monorail station. Is this correct, or has age dimmed my memory?

As to SSR, I agree we'll never see a monorail; they would have made it know that SSR would be a monorail before it was built, to justify charging a premium. I'd rather see some light rail loops: OKW, SSR, DTD, TL & EPCOT being one, another CBR, POP, MGM, BWV/BCV; and a third TL, AKL, DAK, CSR, with another TTC-type transfer facility by EPCOT, or maybe by the MGM parking lot. It'd be a lot cheaper than monorail, and would move a lot of people....

 

[Tooneric]

One question: I stayed in a Garden Wing the second time I was there as a child (1st time: Tower, 11th floor, MK view!!!), and I seem to remember that it's a non-trivial walk from a typical GW room to the main building and then to the monorail station. Is this correct, or has age dimmed my memory?

We stayed in a Garden Wind last June. If by non-trivial you mean significant, then yes, it can be a significant walk. We were at the very end with a great view of the lake, but it was quite a walk to the monorail. It didn't matter - we had a great time there and I like CR.

As much as I'd love a DVC on the monorail, I don't see that happening. I'd love to see the monorail lines expanded too, but I don't see that happening either.

 

[DVCPAT]

I think that a monorail DVC would be great. However, I also believe that the maint. fees would be really expensive.

The monorails are really efficient people movers. I read somewhere they can transport over 200,000 passengers in WDW per day. They operate at an amazing 99.9% reliability rate and get over 100,000 miles out of a set of rubber tires. Operating cost is very low and Disney generates the electricity that powers them. I would bet the monorail is the most cost effective WDW method of transportation.

 

[pbharris4]

The monorails are really efficient people movers. I read somewhere they can transport over 200,000 passengers in WDW per day. They operate at an amazing 99.9% reliability rate and get over 100,000 miles out of a set of rubber tires. Operating cost is very low and Disney generates the electricity that powers them. I would bet the monorail is the most cost effective WDW method of transportation.

It would sure beat the nasty, nasty smell of those buses. For some reason, everytime I get on a WDW bus the bus driver is like trying out for the INDY 500 or something. That is until he slams on the brakes!

 

[DrTomorrow]

The monorails are really efficient people movers. I read somewhere they can transport over 200,000 passengers in WDW per day. They operate at an amazing 99.9% reliability rate and get over 100,000 miles out of a set of rubber tires. Operating cost is very low and Disney generates the electricity that powers them. I would bet the monorail is the most cost effective WDW method of transportation.

If that were true, Disney would have them running everywhere....

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

I think the monorails might be expensive to build, but yes, I have read that they are extremely efficient, once up and running.

Remember when Disney wanted a monorail system from the airport to WDW?
Here in Colorado, they wanted to put a monorail from Denver to the ski resorts of Vail and Summit County (where I live.) I think our county was going to host the 'prototype' testing of it. It was an expensive proposition, but lest cost than widening the interstate by a lane.

I too hate the buses...they just don't feel Disney. Love the boats and the monorail, would do bicyles or horse back or golf carts....but no to the buses for me.

 

[rtobe]

I remember from a backstage tour that the cost of the monorail per foot is prohibitive today even though it is efficient as a people mover, and as others have noted probably not that expensive to operate. Tour guide said when MGM was built, the option of extending monorail was considered and discarded due to cost. Unfortunately I can't remember the cost figure.

The only monorail option that might make sense from AK is to run a monorail from AK Lodge to AK itself otherwise, AK is so far from the existing line that I can't see Disney extending it there.

As for Contemporary - if you play tennis it is a great resort - there is a tennis prowho gives lessons there.

 

[Bracho]

Parking has become a problem at all of the resorts, not just DVC. I for one would would open my wallet so fast if they added a DVC resort to the monorail... I think it would be a great idea...

 

[DVCPAT]

If that were true, Disney would have them running everywhere....

Have you priced fossil fuel lately? Monorails were more efficient back in the 1970s and make more sense today. What prohibits Disney from constructing monorails everywhere is unstable ground (high cost of stabilizing footings) and the cost involved in providing lower cost rooms with deluxe transportation. It is more expensive to construct monorails per mile in the year 2005 but if you could service say 2-4 deluxe resorts in a short span, it would have a short payback period.

The Monorail operating cost was around $8.00 per mile a few years back. Today, with fossil fuel costs so high, electric power has greater advantages especially when you (Disney) have your own electric power plant. I read somewhere Disney has the authority to construct it’s own nuclear power plant if need be. I don’t think they would due to the controversy it would create.

Customer parking issues are small potatoes compared to other problems that pop up. Disney knows people use cars to travel and can easily solve parking issues if they thought it was an issue. Disney or any other company would never walk away from a project (DVC Contemporary) that would generate millions in profit because they were afraid someone would park in a designated parking area without permission.

 

[jnrrt]

Since I know nothing about constructing a monorail, I can't comment on that. But I will say that there is an obvious attraction for many people (admittedly not all) to transportation that is not a bus. WL is popular for many reasons, but one of them is DIRECT access to MK, and by boat. Anything with direct access to MK has an advantage, since that's the one park that has that extra step for most people (the TTC). Now, if you don't spend a lot of time at MK, this wouldn't be a big deal, but for many families it would be.

My kids think that riding the monorial is another ride at WDW - not just transportation. Will they grow out of this - most likely. Will we still prefer the monorail to a bus? Most likely.

So for me, IF they build a Contemporary DVC, I think it'll be really popular. I personally am not a fan of the resort - agree with several previous postings - but I would seriously consider it just because of the monorail issue. I'd have to balance that with whether or not we wanted to be in a more, IMO, "kid friendly" feeling resort.

Now, if they built AKL DVC with a monorail - well, I'd be there in a heartbeat. But that's a lot of "IF's".

 

[tjkraz]

I keep seeing this idea of DVC at the Contemporary, and frankly it makes no sense to me. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a DVC on the monorail, but it doesn't make any marketing sense to me...at least not until SSR is fully built and sold out.

Start building a DVC anywhere on the monorail, and it seems to me that SSR sales come to a screeching halt.

However, I must admit that I am not a DVC history expert. Have they built and sold multiple DVC resorts simultaneously in the past?

I believe DVC was still selling BWV (and Vero) points when both VWL and BCV were announced.

There will have to be some overlap. Back in 2002/03, BCV sold out much quicker than DVC had anticipated, leaving DVC with essentially NO PRODUCT to sell for about 9 months. From about September / October '03 forward, the only resort available was SSR, and buyers couldn't use their points until May '04.

I can't see DVC wanting to get into such a position again. It can't be easy to get folks to plunk down 15K and then make them wait nearly a year to use their points.

SSR was built on developed land, so some of the infrastructure was already in place. Even still, it took nearly 30 months from announcement (Fall '01) to opening (May '04). If the next project is to be an add-on to an existing resort, I'm sure it could be done in less time due to certain resort amenities that are already in place. But you're still looking at 18-24 months (IMO) from start to first guest.

Regarding sales, I'm sure they would slow to some degree whenever a new resort is announced regardless of the location. After all, people do have different tastes. But it's SOP for DVC to tell potential customers "you can use your points at ANY resort..." I'm sure this would be enough to convince some to take the current offering. And it wouldn't hurt to mention how much the price could rise for points at a resort like the Contemporary.

EDIT: One other thought. They could always begin to work on the CR and forego a formal announcement indefinitely. Those of us "in the know" would likely have an idea of what was going on, while the average Disney guest probably doesn't know what's happening outside of the resort they are currently staying at. The question would be which of these is more advantageous to DVC:

1. Sell SSR on its own, keeping under-construction resort hush-hush.
2. Sell SSR, telling potential members "you'll be able to use your points at XXX as soon as it opens!"

I tend to think #2 is the way to go...

 

[DizneyNutz]

Oh yeah----that would be SO AWESOME! Especially considering that we are ALREADY MEMBERS!!! How good is that! Looking SO forward to our first trip home in September! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I believe DVC was still selling BWV (and Vero) points when both VWL and BCV were announced.

There will have to be some overlap. Back in 2002/03, BCV sold out much quicker than DVC had anticipated, leaving DVC with essentially NO PRODUCT to sell for about 9 months. From about September / October '03 forward, the only resort available was SSR, and buyers couldn't use their points until May '04.

I can't see DVC wanting to get into such a position again. It can't be easy to get folks to plunk down 15K and then make them wait nearly a year to use their points.

I have to say that I agree, but am surprised to hear those words coming from you after you argued with me for days saying dvc would NEVER have 2 resorts selling at the same time ever again

 

[tjkraz]

I have to say that I agree, but am surprised to hear those words coming from you after you argued with me for days saying dvc would NEVER have 2 resorts selling at the same time ever again

I never said anything of the sort. I simply stated that the idea that a CR announcement was imminent was unlikely due to all of the unsold inventory at SSR. If memory serves, that was back in December and I guessed that it would be at least 12 months before any new resort announcement. Four down, eight to go...

 

[senecabeach]

There is no lack of sales at Disney's DVC's. Just look at the current prices... ....and the latest rumor (with a date given by my guide) of SSR price increases happening "June 19th".

Does anyone really think that Disney would invest miles of prime land ..and...millions of $$$...for DVCers....where there is NOT a profit to be made..... just to transport people???

PLEAZZZE..