News DeSantis moves to bring state safety oversight of the Walt Disney World Monorail including suspending the service for inspections

[LAKid53]

But, is that the reason he's doing this? Genuine safety concern or political stunt that ends with no action taken once he has grabbed his headlines.

I think it's the latter. Any action that would throw a wrench in the day to day operations of the parks would serve his goal. Imagine shutting down the transportation system that conveys guests from 4 resorts to 2 parks for weeks? Then throw in non-resort guests that use the monorail.

 

[esskay]

I think it's the latter. Any action that would throw a wrench in the day to day operations of the parks would serve his goal. Imagine shutting down the transportation system that conveys guests from 4 resorts to 2 parks for weeks? Then throw in non-resort guests that use the monorail.

I dont think it'll get to that, but if it does it's not that big of a deal, the resorts operated fine when it's gone down for extended periods. Throw in a few more busses plus the boats and its workable.

Wishful-but-totally-unrealistic-thinking: Maybe we'll finally get a skyliner extension.

 

[LAKid53]

I dont think it'll get to that, but if it does it's not that big of a deal, the resorts operated fine when it's gone down for extended periods. Throw in a few more busses plus the boats and its workable.

Wishful-but-totally-unrealistic-thinking: Maybe we'll finally get a skyliner extension.

The ENTIRE system? Resort, express and Epcot?

I doubt that would happen. The point is to punish Disney under the guise of "making Disney do things properly". Extending the skyliner doesn't fit that narrative.

Edit: and I've seen the bus lines at just the Contemporary when the Epcot monorail wasn't running after the parks reopened in July. Do that during Food and Wine will be chaos.

 

[Patcheslee]

where are they going to find "inspectors" that are qualified on a monorail system?

Isn't MOC's train a monorail?

 

[dougd123]

In it's present configuration the monorail is a mass transit system that is long overdue for upgrades. Like wdw's fire department, expansion and improvements to the monorail system were set aside on the back burner for the sake of profitability to share holders. They were allowed to run without these improvements or inspection largely because advantages reaped from the reedy creek special district. The trains, made in 1989, currently running were due for replacement years ago. The public will only benefit from the fact that these trains will finally be inspected by someone that is not directly answering to a Disney board of shareholders.

 

[Nubs70]

No Gomer, this is new.

Not really new.

Just an additional load for state inspectors.

I'm sure FDOT will go beyond standard inspection practices to extract retribution.

 

[mkt]

How knowledgeable will those inspecting rides like Tron or Rise or FoP be?

Disney's got a high attrition rate and plenty of former CM's with an ax to grind.

There's one source of inspectors.

 

[mkt]

A HORRIBLE POST FROM A NOW BANNED MEMBER

I sense a lot of projection here given which side is the one that regularly gets involved in cases involving that which you mentioned.

With that out of the way, it's EMINENT domain, not "imminent domain", and usage of eminent domain requires that the purchase be acquired at fair market value. Florida doesn't have enough money to run the state AND buy Disney out.

So nice wishful thinking (with a splash of projection) for you, but that one is a non-starter.

 

[dougd123]

Another example where there is just no institutional knowledge to glean at the state level to have specialists inspect entertainment flamethrowers on mechanical dragons.

There is plenty of knowledge on monorail systems. There are several monorail systems in place currently running that are subjected to regular state inspections. One of the largest is in Jacksonville. It is run by the Jacksonville transit authority. The monorail at wdw has been due for a track replacement since 2008. Instead of replacing the track they chose to put it off and run it at reduced speeds. The track replacement at Disneyland was forced to be done by the state because it was in such disrepair and that track was newer than the one at wdw

 

[lazyboy97o]

Isn't MOC's train a monorail?

It’s on an elevated guideway but there are two rails which can be clearly seen on an aerial image.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Not really new.

Just an additional load for state inspectors.

I'm sure FDOT will go beyond standard inspection practices to extract retribution.

You claimed this is the result of changes to the district. That is not true.

 

[Lilofan]

The monorails opened when Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971. Reagan wasn't president, Richard Nixon was. And they were cutting edge in 1971.

Cast back in the day when WDW had the Mark IV monorails, monorail cast had to individually open and close each door for guests to enter and exit. Later monorail models had automatic doors combined that with the intense FL heat of the summertime.

 

[LSLS]

Everyone: “the monorails are falling apart. Tracks are cracked and they break down often. Do something!”

Also everyone: “I can’t believe the new reedy creek replacement wants to inspect the monorails now!”

lol

Are you of the assumption that the monorails are currently NOT inspected?

 

[mkt]

Everyone: “the monorails are falling apart. Tracks are cracked and they break down often. Do something!”

Also everyone: “I can’t believe the new reedy creek replacement wants to inspect the monorails now!”

lol

No.

"I can't believe that a company is being punished by those in power for speaking out against legislation they enacted"

Get real, this isn't about safety. This is about punishing Disney by making their businesses more of a pain to operate given how vaguely the new rules are written.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Typical politician schlock - Threaten to make something painful in an attempt to drum up support from the masses and/or to get the other side to cave.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Everyone: “the monorails are falling apart. Tracks are cracked and they break down often. Do something!”

Also everyone: “I can’t believe the new reedy creek replacement wants to inspect the monorails now!”

lol

This isn’t the District. This isn’t about genuine concerns. So yeah, hahaha. So funny that people aren’t just lapping up bull.

 

[John park hopper]

I can remember riding the monorail in 1972 and being so impressed and seeing it's decline over the years. Disney's response to maintenance let's not fix it we will just slow it down---sad. I don't care what DeSantis motives are but if state inspection brings the monorail back to it's original condition --who benefits- the guests.

 

[Hakunamatata]

I’m actually surprised Iger didn’t talk to Desantis personally and throw chapek under the bus like he has for other things and just apologize for how it was handled and that it wouldn’t happen like that if he were still in charge. Then offer DeSantis a churro and dole whip as a peace offering and shake and be done with this garbage

Got to think its going to get to that point but do you think Iger’s own political aspirations hinder that?

 

[castlecake2.0]

In it's present configuration the monorail is a mass transit system that is long overdue for upgrades. Like wdw's fire department, expansion and improvements to the monorail system were set aside on the back burner for the sake of profitability to share holders. They were allowed to run without these improvements or inspection largely because advantages reaped from the reedy creek special district. The trains, made in 1989, currently running were due for replacement years ago. The public will only benefit from the fact that these trains will finally be inspected by someone that is not directly answering to a Disney board of shareholders.

The monorails are inspected daily

 

[Lilofan]

I can remember riding the monorail in 1972 and being so impressed and seeing it's decline over the years. Disny's response to maintenance let's not fix it we will just slow it down---sad. I don't care what DeSantis motives are but if state inspection brings the monorail back to it's original condition --who benefits- the guests.

Whatever the case of the decline of the monorails, the Engineering exec in charge of all WDW maintenance including monorails upkeep was promoted to be the new WDW President a few years ago .