Monorail Limitations

J

jsdratm

Member
Original Poster
Why does the monorail only go between the TTC, MK, and Epcot? With DHS so close by, it seems like it wouldn't have been too much trouble to run one over there. And I know AK is a long ways away, but what is keeping them from building a more complete monorail system that covers the whole park? I realize it would be expensive, but I think it would be a lot nicer if you could just take the monorail all over the place. :confused:
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
There are a number of factors keeping WDW from expanding the monorail. First and foremost is cost. The price per mile for monorail track is simply insane, on the order of millions of dollars per mile. The cars themselves are also no bargain either. The other main problem is the monorails inherent inflexibility especially when you compare it to the buses. If a bus breaks down you pull over and bring up a new bus. When a monorail breaks down that entire line will come to a stop until a tug can come along and tow it away...not a quick process. You can also simply not just add a monorail to a route when capacity increases.
 
raven

raven

Well-Known Member
Simple answer: $$$

A more elaborate answer: The Disney bus system is far more cost efficient than monorails. Although not envoronmentally efficient like Disney would like, the busses are able to come and go as needed and they can add more if needed with little problems.
 
Kamikaze

Kamikaze

Well-Known Member
Ooh, a monorail thread.

First, money. It would require hundreds of millions of dollars.

Second, efficiency. Guest flow (huge amounts of people at certain times) doesn't take well to a monorail system.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
It`s not to say it didn`t nearly happen - we all know the route for the Studios line is mapped out. But the Lake Buena Vista line was projected to begin in `83-4 until the company `changes` took place. So much so WED bought the beam moulds and the factory used for the EPCOT Center line since they expected to begin work on EPCOT to LBV just after the second park opened.
 
ChrisFL

ChrisFL

Premium Member
DisneyJoe said:
Very expensive, considering the Florida swampland that you have to build on.
Click to expand...

This is an often overlooked point but an important one. Building on swampland is very challenging.

Plus there's building the station, and would the monorail go from Epcot to DHS? Then there'd have to be an extended or another station built on the Epcot side.

Having said that, I do wish it would happen, but then everyone would start asking about why there isn't one going all the way to DAK.
 
Tim G

Tim G

Well-Known Member
jsdratm said:
Why does the monorail only go between the TTC, MK, and Epcot? With DHS so close by, it seems like it wouldn't have been too much trouble to run one over there.
Click to expand...

Yes it would... :lookaroun

FUNDS... MONEY... DOLLARS...

If you would pay for it, we would build it... :D
 
W

WDW Monorail

Well-Known Member
$15 million/mile.

:shrug:

Also, unless Disney wants to build 90 miles of beam, you need to take in to consideration transfers, stations, etc.
 
bfbulldog

bfbulldog

Member
Master Yoda said:
There are a number of factors keeping WDW from expanding the monorail. First and foremost is cost. The price per mile for monorail track is simply insane, on the order of millions of dollars per mile. The cars themselves are also no bargain either. The other main problem is the monorails inherent inflexibility especially when you compare it to the buses. If a bus breaks down you pull over and bring up a new bus. When a monorail breaks down that entire line will come to a stop until a tug can come along and tow it away...not a quick process. You can also simply not just add a monorail to a route when capacity increases.
Click to expand...


A couple of things, if the monorail line really only cost a million dollars a mile Disney would be working triple time right now to connect every part of their property. They currently have a little more than 40 miles of track so if they could double it for only 40 million, believe me they'd do it. Everest cost just north of 100 million to build.

As for the monorails, they run at almost peak efficiency. The monthly run rates average about 99.8% fact is they're far more reliable and cost less per mile to operate than the buses. With that said however, buses are more easily replaced and people are far more easily evacuated from buses. Not so with the monorails.

So, the major obstacles to getting additional monorail lines built is the cost per mile figure more like 5-10 million per mile, the cost to construct new monorail stations and the cost of new cars.
 
M

majorrfb

Member
Monorail

ChrisFL said:
This is an often overlooked point but an important one. Building on swampland is very challenging.

Plus there's building the station, and would the monorail go from Epcot to DHS? Then there'd have to be an extended or another station built on the Epcot side.

Having said that, I do wish it would happen, but then everyone would start asking about why there isn't one going all the way to DAK.
Click to expand...

AMEN! Take the monorail to Epcot and then transfer by boat to DHS. It's a beautiful, relaxing ride-we do this regularly.:wave:
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
bfbulldog said:
A couple of things, if the monorail line really only cost a million dollars a mile Disney would be working triple time right now to connect every part of their property. They currently have a little more than 40 miles of track so if they could double it for only 40 million, believe me they'd do it. Everest cost just north of 100 million to build.

As for the monorails, they run at almost peak efficiency. The monthly run rates average about 99.8% fact is they're far more reliable and cost less per mile to operate than the buses. With that said however, buses are more easily replaced and people are far more easily evacuated from buses. Not so with the monorails.

So, the major obstacles to getting additional monorail lines built is the cost per mile figure more like 5-10 million per mile, the cost to construct new monorail stations and the cost of new cars.
Click to expand...
Take a quick look at my OP I said millions of dollars per mile not the singular million.
 
MichWolv

MichWolv

Born Modest. Wore Off.
Premium Member
majorrfb said:
AMEN! Take the monorail to Epcot and then transfer by boat to DHS. It's a beautiful, relaxing ride-we do this regularly.:wave:
Click to expand...

Well, two problems there. One, if you don't have a hopper, you can't do that. Two, it ain't exactly quick. The walk and the boat ride are prohibitively time consuming. Just hop the bus from TTC to DHS.
 
paul436

paul436

Active Member
majorrfb said:
AMEN! Take the monorail to Epcot and then transfer by boat to DHS. It's a beautiful, relaxing ride-we do this regularly.:wave:
Click to expand...
Please correct if I'm wrong but wouldn't this require a walk between the front gate of EPCOT and the "back" gate?
 
Wilt Dasney

Wilt Dasney

Well-Known Member
Unless you have small kids or health problems, just plain old hoofin' it between Epcot and the Studios is very quick and easy, with plenty to look at along the way.
 
FootballFigment

FootballFigment

Member
after connecting DHS and AK to the monorail system they should connect IOA and universal studios... :lookaroun

please dont hurt me for that one... :lol:
 
joel_maxwell

joel_maxwell

Permanent Resident of EPCOT
Wilt Dasney said:
Unless you have small kids or health problems, just plain old hoofin' it between Epcot and the Studios is very quick and easy, with plenty to look at along the way.
Click to expand...
lord knows dont take the boat. i think i could have walked there and back twice before that boat went one way.... NEVER again. unless it is raining.

Martin: if the DHS line was originally drawn up, is there anything on paper showing the potential layout?
 
StingraySam

StingraySam

Active Member
FootballFigment said:
after connecting DHS and AK to the monorail system they should connect IOA and universal studios... :lookaroun

please dont hurt me for that one... :lol:
Click to expand...

I am sure you were joking but, from what I recall a few years ago Disney already said no thanks to a plan when the state proposed a train service connecting the Disney Resort Area and the airport. Someone please correct me if I am wrong but from what I recall Disney was fine with the idea but did particularly care for the additional stops to other resorts along the way.
 

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