Appalling state of the monorail cabins

[ford91exploder]

I agree with you a lot of damage comes from the general lack of respect of property on the part of the general population. In this case I think most is from general wear and tear, which is what makes this especially unacceptable. If someone had ripped a seat for example it would be understandable that this might have happened that day and had not been able to be addressed yet. The scuff marks on the panels are just going to happen over time, the amount you see in the photos represents an EXTENDED period of time. The moisture damage and mold you see on the carpeting is from condensation from the AC and the vent window being left open during rain, it takes a certain amount of time for mold to grow and for it to get to that point. The seats are mostly coming loose where connected at the bottom, this is likely happened slowly over a period of time probably from the seat being lifted and removed over time. In my opinion I would say the biggest factor here is the amount of time this train/car has been neglected. It's no coincidence all of these various types of damage are present all in one location.

The lack of maintenance also determines the level of respect that the Guests show the property, If something looks like a piece of carp, People will TREAT it like a piece of carp. I'm not excusing guest behavior but the condition of the property also influences the guests attitude and respect for the property.

 

[Padraig]

The lack of maintenance also determines the level of respect that the Guests show the property, If something looks like a piece of carp, People will TREAT it like a piece of carp. I'm not excusing guest behavior but the condition of the property also influences the guests attitude and respect for the property.

I've said it before, but there should be a take on Broken Window Theory for WDW: Broken Lightbulb Theory?

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

The lack of maintenance also determines the level of respect that the Guests show the property, If something looks like a piece of carp, People will TREAT it like a piece of carp. I'm not excusing guest behavior but the condition of the property also influences the guests attitude and respect for the property.

I use to think that as well, but over the years that view has significantly diminished. A disappointing number of people these days are just plain messy, self centered, careless and/or apathetic. And don't get me started on the amount of bad parenting there is out there. Keeping things clean and pristine no longer seems to have as much effect on behavior as it once might have.

Doesn't means Disney shouldn't try, though. It's definitely not an excuse for that monorail interior.

 

[space42]

It's been a couple days now. Do you have photos of those pristine monorail cabins yet?

This thread is a year old too...

 

[wdisney9000]

Bottom line is that the monorails are not in good shape, period. New carpet is nothing more than a band aid on a broken leg. If I get a nice haircut but my clothes have holes in them and I smell bad with dirt on my face, does that mean I look good?

That picture of mold and debris built up in the ac vent is not something that happened over the course of a few days, that is from months and months of neglect.

I agree that guests are part of the problem with a lack of respect for the monorails so why doesnt Disney take a new approach and simply use better materials that dont scratch as easily from a stroller scraping against it or a floor with vinyl planks or tiles that wont scratch or get stains and are easier to clean. We live in a day and age with so many advancements in these types of areas and Disney used to be a company that would actively seek out a solution to a problem like this. Now they just ignore it.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

If I get a nice haircut but my clothes have holes in them and I smell bad with dirt on my face, does that mean I look good?

I'm fairly certain you just described every hipster at Burning Man.

 

[wdisney9000]

I'm fairly certain you just described every hipster at Burning Man.

Lol, that means by WDW standards everyone at Burning Man is dapper!

 

[Brad Bishop]

Seems to me that the ultimate problem that they have is that they need more shop space and a few more trains. That way they could have some offline and being worked on while the others were out transporting guests and they'd be able to put on a good show.

Regarding the resort as a whole: They seemed to have picked up on the attractions issue and with the expansion of Fantasyland being sort of the beginning of that they're now adding new things to Animal Kingdom and referring DHS.

While I'm not keen on all of their plans, they are trying to address it. It really should never have gotten to the point of needing addressing in the first place but it does seem like money is flowing into WDW now.

Hopefully, once AK and DHS are complete, Epcot will get a major updating. It certainly needs it.

Getting back to the Monorail: If I remember correctly the accident in 2009 is why all beams shutdown when the move a train on/off the rail instead of just stopping the trains where it makes sense. They need to have a common-sense approach to it rather than a "nothing bad can ever happen"-thought process. They also need to open up the front cabin for guests again. It's silly to close something off because of a one-off. Accidents happen. They'll happen again. You can't stop bad things from happening. It doesn't mean you need to be negligent but being over-protective is just as bad.

 

[ford91exploder]

Bottom line is that the monorails are not in good shape, period. New carpet is nothing more than a band aid on a broken leg. If I get a nice haircut but my clothes have holes in them and I smell bad with dirt on my face, does that mean I look good?

That picture of mold and debris built up in the ac vent is not something that happened over the course of a few days, that is from months and months of neglect.

I agree that guests are part of the problem with a lack of respect for the monorails so why doesnt Disney take a new approach and simply use better materials that dont scratch as easily from a stroller scraping against it or a floor with vinyl planks or tiles that wont scratch or get stains and are easier to clean. We live in a day and age with so many advancements in these types of areas and Disney used to be a company that would actively seek out a solution to a problem like this. Now they just ignore it.

It's easy to understand why this is happening you get what you measure there is no benefit to the managers for maintenance except for cutting since the only factor on which they are judged is cost reduction and profitability.

 

[ford91exploder]

Lol, that means by WDW standards everyone at Burning Man is dapper!

Which is a scary thought...

 

[ford91exploder]

Seems to me that the ultimate problem that they have is that they need more shop space and a few more trains. That way they could have some offline and being worked on while the others were out transporting guests and they'd be able to put on a good show.

Regarding the resort as a whole: They seemed to have picked up on the attractions issue and with the expansion of Fantasyland being sort of the beginning of that they're now adding new things to Animal Kingdom and referring DHS.

While I'm not keen on all of their plans, they are trying to address it. It really should never have gotten to the point of needing addressing in the first place but it does seem like money is flowing into WDW now.

Hopefully, once AK and DHS are complete, Epcot will get a major updating. It certainly needs it.

Getting back to the Monorail: If I remember correctly the accident in 2009 is why all beams shutdown when the move a train on/off the rail instead of just stopping the trains where it makes sense. They need to have a common-sense approach to it rather than a "nothing bad can ever happen"-thought process. They also need to open up the front cabin for guests again. It's silly to close something off because of a one-off. Accidents happen. They'll happen again. You can't stop bad things from happening. It doesn't mean you need to be negligent but being over-protective is just as bad.

The only flaw in your theory is the monorail shop is the same PHYSICAL size as it was when they were maintained to exacting standards, But they are much more thinly staffed to make the park more profitable in the short term.

If WDW had 3 full shifts working on the monorails they would be back to their pre-Iger standards, You are correct the resources no longer exist to do this. Imagine if the monorails got a full cleaning every day inside and out.

 

[Rutt]

would the cabins be in such a state if parents and children respected others property? some, if not most, of that damage shown (that i have seen)IMHO, is the lack of respect for others and their property(and the rest is lackadaisical maintenance and 'good enough' attitude). those scuffs on the trimwork is from shoes and strollers shoved where they need not go, and keeping hands off will keep trim panels attached and access panels closed.

Are we purposefully ignoring the fact that today's 20-30 something are probably the most self absorbed and yet somehow at the same time least self aware group to ever grace the planet? Most of the least socially acceptable actions I've seen recently in the world are not the results of children, or their parents.

 

[Rutt]

Just because they're finally getting fixed after so much neglect is not something to celebrate. There are no indications that the cycle of deferring will not continue. You're not a bad employee or lacking in pride in your work if you take issue with management.

Why is things getting better not something to celebrate?
I get that things are bad and should never have been that way, but you understand that this cannot ever be changed right? Are you saying that there is no way to ever rectify this with you?

 

[EpcoTim]

Wow. Wrong side of the bed this morning? It was a joke, man.

Totally missed the sarcasm then, apologizes.

 

[ford91exploder]

Why is things getting better not something to celebrate?
I get that things are bad and should never have been that way, but you understand that this cannot ever be changed right? Are you saying that there is no way to ever rectify this with you?

Why should WDW be praised for doing what they should have been doing all along. When it becomes obvious that quality is coming up across the board instead of some isolated high visibility projects, Only THEN will it be appropriate to praise WDW.

 

[Cesar R M]

I have noticed in the past that there was a strong urine odor in some of the monorail cars.

2013 and 2015.. both times I visited.. the monorails did smell like that.

 

[Cesar R M]

When people say stupid things line "80% of the resort is in horrible shape," they lose loads of credibility when they try to say something reasonable and true like "the monorails need work."

Maybe they mean 80% as in construction walls and construction unfinished areas? (aka bad show) and not just exactly bad maintenance?

The pizza huts still look carpawful at the Poly, and I dont think there will be enough lipstick to try to embellish that pig.

 

[s8film40]

Why is things getting better not something to celebrate?
I get that things are bad and should never have been that way, but you understand that this cannot ever be changed right? Are you saying that there is no way to ever rectify this with you?

I think the issue is the expectation from past precedence is that things will only be better for a short time. I think the refurb they are doing on the cars is great! Refurbishments and Maintenance/upkeep are two very different things. While WDW is doing a good job with refurbishments, they haven't seemed to figure out upkeep yet. Obviously I think we all hope that will change but there's no reason to blindly believe it has or will at this point.

 

[Cesar R M]

Why is things getting better not something to celebrate?
I get that things are bad and should never have been that way, but you understand that this cannot ever be changed right? Are you saying that there is no way to ever rectify this with you?

Why would you celebrate something that SHOULD have been keep on proper order?

its like... you get a falling apart room, after paying an insane amount of money.. Then you suddenly claim "at least its getting better" after you get a note from the manager saying that the room MIGHT get fixed when you LEAVE.

 

[Bing Bong]

When people say stupid things line "80% of the resort is in horrible shape," they lose loads of credibility when they try to say something reasonable and true like "the monorails need work."

I'm sorry that my opinion of what I witnessed across the parks upset you.