Contemporary Monorail

[MalMeansBad]

I consider myself a Disney buff and I know a good amount about the parks, but one thing that I don't know and have always been curious about is the huge monorail queue at the Contemporary Resort. My family visits a few times a year and we consider the Contemporary to be our "home" resort, so it would be cool to know some info about it. I was just wondering if both monorails used to stop in the resort or if it was simply built that big for something like emergency purposes? Thanks!

 

[kap91]

I've always wondered this too!

I think it might have just been future proofing since the monorail was anticipated to be a very large transportation system at the resort and expanding the station after the hotel was built would be really difficult.

 

[PhilharMagician]

All 3 resorts have a platform for the express monorail to unload from. The far platform is stair access only and for emergencies at the GF and Poly. The Contemporary setup is slightly different from the GF and Poly because it has only one platform which lies between the express and resort lines to be able to both exit to the center.

 

[JohnD]

If I recall correctly, during major storms monorails are left parked at the resorts. So, you would need to be able to exit the express monorail if this were the case. And, yes, evacuating for any emergency purpose would be a good reason also.

 

[Monorail_Red]

In addition to what was already said, if its super busy an express monorail will do a "north end pickup" to take Guests from Contemporary down the hill to MK. This was/is done from time to time (I've done it a few times personally when I worked there) just to relieve some of the crowd on the platform.

 

[s&k'smom]

We just stayed at the CR a few weeks ago and honestly it's pretty cool to get off the monorail and just walk to our room.

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

If I recall correctly, during major storms monorails are left parked at the resorts. So, you would need to be able to exit the express monorail if this were the case. And, yes, evacuating for any emergency purpose would be a good reason also.

I remember eating at Chef Mickey's one night during a major thunder storm and seeing an Express Monorail parked inside on the platform for a long time with people inside, who I assume were eventually let out.

 

[Duke of Disney]

Celebrity drop off, too.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

I'm not 100% but I believe the express beam used to let people on and off at CR also. I have seen it in the video during grand opening special Where Bob Hope walks out and is escorted down into CR lobby. I'll have to do a bit more research on some of the video clips I have from the 70's. Currently they use it for special circumstances, like emergency stops, or other types of abnormal conditions. But, definitely the option exists at all station stops to take guests off on the express beam as there are platforms at all stations, though they are not gated like the resort beam station side is.