If monorail expansion is too expensive, why not peoplemover?

[G00fyDad]

I have the solution to this mess summed up in one word...





Catapult. Now, you're gonna feel a little pinch....

 

[UberMouse]

The people mover is pretty slow, and more like a tour ride kind of thing, rather than a transportation system (to me anyway).

The People mover is actually capable of some pretty fast speeds if the proper vehicles are used. Think Rock'n Roller Coaster.

 

[PeterAlt]

There were plans to run a WEDWay around Lake Buena Vista so the idea wasn't out of the question. However it was tied into a wider Monorail expansion.

Disney also developed a Community Transport division and developed commercial WEDWay solutions, like nstalled at Houston Airport in 1981. Sadly the idea never caught on.

No, the idea did catch on. Corporate Disney lost interest after Walt's death and sold the division to Bombardiar. Today, there are peoplemover systems all over the country. Two urban systems: Miami Metromover and one in Downtown Detroit. Airports all over the place have them. In Florida alone, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and I think Tampa too have peoplemover systems running at their airports. I know Los Vegas, Houston, Denver, New York, and many other airports nationally have them. There are also urban peoplemover subways systems in China, London, Tokyo, etc. There are also some privately operated peoplemover systems, a few I know of in Los Vegas.

 

[PeterAlt]

The people mover is pretty slow, and more like a tour ride kind of thing, rather than a transportation system (to me anyway).

Not true. It uses inductive motor technology. As someone here already said, think Rock N Rollercoaster. That boost in the start of the ride is the same inductive motor technology used in peopemovers. Also, if you ever get a chance, ride the Miami Metromover in downtown Miami. That thing can fly!

 

[PeterAlt]

Does anyone know the cost of the Peoplemover? It needs concrete footings, miles of track, maglev units every few feet, and stations. Not sure why it would be assumed to be significantly cheaper.

Because it doesn't need to support all that weight. All it needs is a sidewalk. The sidewalk can be at grade level or elevated.

 

[PeterAlt]

I like your idea! The bus system can be a real pain (depending on what resort you're at). This would definitely provide a way to "thin the herd" as far as transportation goes. And, as it's already been stated, ties directly into Uncle Walt's ideas!

Thank you!

 

[PeterAlt]

I've always thought this. After all, it was going to be one of the main means of transportation in Walt's Community of Tomorrow. :king:

How true indeed!

 

[PeterAlt]

To give an idea of what I mean by light, think automated electric golf carts running on a partially elevated paved "walkway".

 

[PeterAlt]

Think moving sidewalk elevated segways from Universal Studio Florida's parking complex (or Disneyland's in CA).

 

[MarkTwain]

Disney is always going to go with the most inexpensive transportation option possible. Beyond giving visitors an incentive to stay on property, perhaps for longer, there's no profit to be made in transit -- indeed, there's a loss.

The vast majority of urban mass-transit systems -- the DC Metro, the New York subway, the London Underground -- operate at a loss. These systems do not run on $2 fares. Your fare is just a small part of the overall budget. Governments fund mass-transit systems and run them at a loss because on balance, they're necessary to facilitate commerce and living in the city. Where's the incentive to run a money-losing transit operation for a private business?

Although some would say that connection to a monorail has been the entire reason for existence and center of profitability for resorts like the Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, and the upcoming Grand Floridian villas. Build a track leading from the Epcot station, stopping at the Yacht & Beach, and continuing down to Hollywood Studios, and then build a deluxe Hollywood-themed hotel directly on the track to pay it off. :shrug:

I struggle with the idea of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, mainly because I would have to ride a bus to get literally anywhere else on property - including the hotel's namesake park! Typically every hotel is close to something, and some hotels are connected to many things - I can go from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot without stepping outside, or can walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot or DHS in mere minutes... assuming I didn't want to catch a boat. Ease of transport is a major selling point for many of WDW's hotels, and I personally don't think a bus system is quite as effective a salesman...

 

[Alison1975]

Disney needs to work on the development of a Star Trek type of transporter system. There's your solution.

THIS..yes yes THIS!!! ( I'm a Star Trek geek..even named one of my kids after a character..so yes..this)

 

[c-one]

Although some would say that connection to a monorail has been the entire reason for existence and center of profitability for resorts like the Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower, and the upcoming Grand Floridian villas. Build a track leading from the Epcot station, stopping at the Yacht & Beach, and continuing down to Hollywood Studios, and then build a deluxe Hollywood-themed hotel directly on the track to pay it off. :shrug:

I struggle with the idea of staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, mainly because I would have to ride a bus to get literally anywhere else on property - including the hotel's namesake park! Typically every hotel is close to something, and some hotels are connected to many things - I can go from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot without stepping outside, or can walk from the Boardwalk to Epcot or DHS in mere minutes... assuming I didn't want to catch a boat. Ease of transport is a major selling point for many of WDW's hotels, and I personally don't think a bus system is quite as effective a salesman...

I don't disagree -- I'll probably never stay at AKL for precisely that reason. I like to be within walking distance of things, generally. And yes, the bus system is typically overcrowded and don't come frequently enough. But I highly doubt TDO sees the monorail as worth it.

 

[Timon]

Monorails are high capacity vehicles and only make sense when moving lots people from where they are to where they want to go. An East West line from LBV (where guest stay) to Parks (where they want to go).

Concept:

I wonder how the costs for 40 years of Monorail service compares to the equivalent of 40 years of buses carring the same load, compares?

 

[jcldtrek]

I didn't realize what it took to get monorail built. The foundations and so on are a big and expensive part of building track. I assume that this expense is necessary because the monorail trains are not light weights, so you need all that concrete infrastructure to support it.

Peoplemover systems, on the other hand, are much lighter and probably does not need so much concrete support to keep it elevated. A buildout of small peoplemover routes instead of new monorail track may be the way to go to connect Disney attractions and resorts.

I envision one possible route that starts at the EPCOT Center monorail station, runs behind Living Seas, along Ave of Stars to International Gateway (where there would be a stop), to the front of Disney BoardWalk (where there would be a stop), along the canal to DHS (where there would be a stop).

Routes like this with peoplemovers instead of monorails would cost less to build, connect more "pin-point" areas (because of its smaller size), would be popular for guests because of its convenience and attraction-like appearance, and help with traffic congestion, as well as being environment friendly.

Your thoughts?

Actually, it was just on video from netflix about the monorails in Disney and the ones at Disney world are actually light weight, the main part of the trains are around the concrete. the top part where the people are is fiberglass. the costly part of the monorail is the concrete costs so much for each section of track. any kind of expansion would cost millions. Vegas couldnt believe how much it cost once theirs was built. any expansion they had planned is off for a long time till they can get money. Disney though makes so much money everywhere, there should be no reason. A couple more years and the value resorts will be moderate resorts lol. Hope that helps

 

[trr1]

this could be an option at WDW
ultra prt Cost Per Mile: $7M - $15M see more here
http://www.ultraprt.net/cms/index.php?page=cost-per-mile-7m---15m

 

[DisneyJoe]

Monorails are high capacity vehicles and only make sense when moving lots people from where they are to where they want to go. An East West line from LBV (where guest stay) to Parks (where they want to go).

Concept:

I wonder how the costs for 40 years of Monorail service compares to the equivalent of 40 years of buses carring the same load, compares?

One drawback of a monorail is the problems that can occur when one breaks down - the others can't route around it - but buses and boats can.

 

[Timon]

One drawback of a monorail is the problems that can occur when one breaks down - the others can't route around it - but buses and boats can.

This is true of all tracked Mass Transit. IF Disney were to add a new line the latest features in a Bombardier Monorail besides being automated (less labor) feature a front automatic coupler, enabling one train to pull another. Another feature in the latest Bombardier Monorails are crossover switches as seen in Las Vegas to move between tracks.

Picture showing the new coupler design on a Bombardier INNOVIA 300:

Las Vegas Crossover Switch:

Here is the interior - a walk thru design:

Oh and I almost forgot, Sao Paulo, Brazil is building two monorail lines, both under construction - NOW.

 

[CaptainShortty]

A very interesting idea. Not sure I'd put it where you're saying but a place I would think it might be good to have it is in between Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge and/or the All-Star resorts. It wouldn't really be to much of an eyesore over in that direction and it would take the load off of some of the buses at the All-Stars and the stigma of bad buses at the Lodge.

 

[marni1971]

No, the idea did catch on. Corporate Disney lost interest after Walt's death and sold the division to Bombardiar. Today, there are peoplemover systems all over the country. Two urban systems: Miami Metromover and one in Downtown Detroit. Airports all over the place have them. In Florida alone, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and I think Tampa too have peoplemover systems running at their airports. I know Los Vegas, Houston, Denver, New York, and many other airports nationally have them. There are also urban peoplemover subways systems in China, London, Tokyo, etc. There are also some privately operated peoplemover systems, a few I know of in Los Vegas.

They are Peoplemovers, but not based on WEDWay technology.

 

[PeterAlt]

Monorails are high capacity vehicles and only make sense when moving lots people from where they are to where they want to go. An East West line from LBV (where guest stay) to Parks (where they want to go).

Concept:

I wonder how the costs for 40 years of Monorail service compares to the equivalent of 40 years of buses carring the same load, compares?

I love it! We're making maps! Keep up the creativity!

You have the right idea, but you have to look at it too from a cost management point of view. Your route meanders too much. Meandering adds more track which equals increased cost. The idea is to cut as much excess track out as possible. More straight tracks and more use of existing right of ways. Also, you can't cut through properties like DHS (unless it designed for it).

I'll make a map and show what I mean using a mix of monorail and peoplemover tracks.