Appalling state of the monorail cabins

[jakeman]

During my visit a few weeks ago I never saw anything like this on the trains.

I had one car that was dirty and needed the black marks scrubbed off from people's hands and grime but never saw anything like this and I was looking.

Air worked in every car I was on over the 8 day trip. Never had the train in question though.

I think though, regardless of the circumstances of the picture being taken or the chances of getting this car on this train, they shouldn't be in this condition. There shouldn't be even a remote chance that a guest encounters this.

If it's not refurbished that's one thing, but that car isn't show ready and shouldn't have left the barn (garage?).

It's great that a majority of the cabins have improved over the years, but that's still hundreds of potential bad impressions a day.

 

[jakeman]

And I agree, however, let's say they take it out of service for the day, how long until the 'I spent $$$$ on my trip and had to wait x minutes just to ride the monorail. They should be able I get this all done during off hours.' Thread pops up?

They have backups. In theory there should be enough monorails that at the very least one could be in the shop getting worked on.

I understand your point and it is a balancing act, but I think in this case that is a bit too far. My opinion only.

 

[Cesar R M]

They have backups. In theory there should be enough monorails that at the very least one could be in the shop getting worked on.

I understand your point and it is a balancing act, but I think in this case that is a bit too far. My opinion only.

I would imagine that some of the monorails might get vandalized from time to time. And might be the cause of the damage to the seats. But the A/C unit? or the fact that they are reported to be months with no fix?
Id say some manager wanted to have his "efficiency" bonus at the cost of maintenance.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I can only compare this to a situation I experienced back in the Garden of Eden. I think I had just been created a few days after God created the Garden. I noticed how grown up everything was and I asked God why the drop in maintenance since the last time I visited. So I can't help but think it's human nature to think things are perfect the first time you visit then the newness wears off and you start noticing the things that detract.

 

[jakeman]

Well said - I post here because I have a opinion on the poor condition of WDW, I think there are far too many problems at WDW of their own making.

Yet you still give them your money at least 3 times a year.

You're really showing them.

most probably because the SDL budget is affecting WDW's budget by a LOT.

Sure that's it.

 

[space42]

The excuse is that it is OK to run the crappy train because others have been refurbed.

No, it's not OK.

This thread was started in November of 2013. They were in bad condition for a while before that. I'd like to think that these items are being addressed (we have seen pictures of new carpet) but how long does it have to be a problem before we stop giving them the benefit of the doubt?

These trains are in need of more than just new carpet though. At minimum , they deserve to be upgraded similar to the ones at Disneyland - those look fantastic!

 

[wdwmagic]

Let's stay on topic guys, thanks.

 

[Cesar R M]

I can only compare this to a situation I experienced back in the Garden of Eden. I think I had just been created a few days after God created the Garden. I noticed how grown up everything was and I asked God why the drop in maintenance since the last time I visited. So I can't help but think it's human nature to think things are perfect the first time you visit then the newness wears off and you start noticing the things that detract.

 

[lazyboy97o]

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?

There is no evidence of a new trend. do you applaud the guy who is always late for at least eventually showing up? Do you think showing up is a sign that there will be no more tardiness?

 

[Cesar R M]

This thread was started in November of 2013. They were in bad condition for a while before that. I'd like to think that these items are being addressed (we have seen pictures of new carpet) but how long does it have to be a problem before we stop giving them the benefit of the doubt?

These trains are in need of more than just new carpet though. At minimum , they deserve to be upgraded similar to the ones at Disneyland - those look fantastic!

I dunno, I rode the MK loop to dinner at O'hana and the monorail I boarded was kinda filthy and smelled like urine.
Note that this was right before president's weekend.

 

[Cesar R M]

There is no evidence of a new trend. do you applaud the guy who is always late for at least eventually showing up? Do you think showing up is a sign that there will be no more tardiness?

I wonder the same, why people would do that?
They're applauding mediocrity.
Why they pay or wait for the guy who is always late?

 

[Brad Bishop]

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.

Aren't they running them a lot more these days. For a while you could have a 3AM closing at the MK and then the park opens back up in 6 hours. With the monorails, at the time, running 3 hours after closing and I think 3 hours before opening, you'd have no downtime.

They have backed off on that some but it still seems like they'd benefit from a few more bays and a few more trains and, yes, while I didn't mention it, you'd need to have a larger staff to work on the trains in the bays for both cleaning and repairs.

 

[JasonP]

I hate to say it, I agree with the OP. I have been on a handful of the Monorails while in the world (Still down here) and the Monorails are looking pretty beat up. I was in 2 of them that didn't have any AC. That's fun on a run to Epcot from MK. Needless to say it's time to have these things worked on. I was not on any of the new MR trains that had their interiors upgraded with the new Disney/Mickey logos.

 

[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.

If WDW did that some transportation manager would not get his bonus, I really feel bad for the team who has to finally FIX all these issues because they will look like incompetent monkeys to the financial community.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If WDW did that some transportation manager would not get his bonus, I really feel bad for the team who has to finally FIX all these issues because they will look like incompetent monkeys to the financial community.

Transportation managers don't get bonuses.

 

[jakeman]

Transportation managers don't get bonuses.

Get out facts!

 

[ford91exploder]

Transportation managers don't get bonuses.

They do at the Director Level where the policy gets set.

 

[jakeman]

They do at the Director Level where the policy gets set.

Soure? Or nah?

 

[Tigger1988]

Soure? Or nah?

Don't count on it, he'll probably just avoid your question like he always does when called out on shaky "facts".

 

[CaptainAmerica]

They do at the Director Level where the policy gets set.

You didn't say "transportation directors." You said "transportation managers."

That's like you saying that little league baseball players make millions of dollars. Then when I call you out on it you respond "well they do at the major league level."