EPCOT Resorts Cancelled Monorail Loop

[PeterAlt]

What about personal jet packs for each guest? With the new RFID technology we can just swoop into the park of our choice and have it registered on our magic band. You could even land in the queue of the attraction or dining experience of your choosing. Another idea is really long elevators turned on their sides....that way the elevator could give you horizontal movement from place to place. Also, I've almost perfected teleportation in my basement.

We left bad vibes at that dying thread, but funny.

 

[danlb_2000]

I'll break it down in a future post. Believe me, I've been researching this for years. Evidence that my research started at least in 2003 is in the photo album on this site... http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=8345&cat=500

I will be very interested in seeing this. I have always been curious about what it costs to operate the monorails as opposed to the operating costs of busses.

 

[George]

Interesting. I would figure a new TTC based at EPCOT since it is central to the property as opposed to MK. I think a People mover combined with monorail would be really really interesting.

I believe, long ago in the mists of time, there was talk about a people mover connecting DHS to EPCOT. I suppose we'll have to be satisfied with the Friendship Boats as they haul along at 0.36 miles per hour.

 

[Computer Magic]

What it basically does is leverages other projects into an overall plan has each element in mind as a whole from the get-go. For instance, DHS will need to be expanded one day. So, let's build a parking structure and move the entrance as part of that project. While we're at it, let's use that parking structure as an intermodal center and monorail station. See, how each element supports another? The result is massive savings than each being separate independent projects.

You want to bury the cost in other projects. Combing projects can save money. There will still be unique cost that you wouldn't have by not adding the monorail piece. You need to know that cost.

I like how you limited the amount of track that will be a huge savings

There is a lot of work to see if this project is feasible as far a cost.

 

[George]

Many have said over that the monorail is prohibitively expensive. Some are now saying that even maintaining the current monorail is a bit much and it should be trashed. I have no idea. I would like people to share sources when doing calculations like this though.

 

[Computer Magic]

I believe, long ago in the mists of time, there was talk about a people mover connecting DHS to EPCOT. I suppose we'll have to be satisfied with the Friendship Boats as they haul along at 0.36 miles per hour.

Friendship boats friendlier than buses any day. Especially when you add a scooter or stroller to the mix. I bet the boat is faster when you add in the last two factors.

I wonder if the friendship boat is cheaper to run than the buses? It must be or Disney won't use them

 

[danlb_2000]

Key points to my plan:

• New multi-level DHS Parking Structure allows for expansion of DHS within existing parking lot
• DHS parking structure doubles as a monorail station and Intermodal Center
• New on/off ramps from World Drive spiral into and out of the new DHS Parking Structure
• New ground-level light rail line connects DHS Intermodal Center, Disney Springs, and Animal Kingdom
• Light rail will elevate over roads and through the DHS Intermodal Center
• A diamond-shape spur (with switches) continues the EPCOT monorail loop at World Drive to a new loop through the DHS Parking Structure to the DHS Intermodal Center
• Elevated walkways lead to Fantasia Gardens and the DHS entrance from the DHS Intermodal Center
• New DHS entrance near Fantasmic!
• Elevated moving sidewalks connect Disney Boardwalk and Typhoon Lagoon (not shown)
• Use of existing buried monorail footer to extend the EPCOT loop via a new spur and switch east of SSE for an extremely short distance to a new development on nearby vacant land (off the map) already zoned for future development that would include a hotel, convention center, emergency services, light retail, and intermodal center for the light rail line
• Diamond shaped spur and switch (off the map) connecting EPCOT and Magic Kingdom monorail lines into a single continuous loop
• Portions of this plan can be paid for as part of the DHS overhaul

I am trying to understand the monorail flow here, are you talking about one big loop that connects all the stations, or are there separate loops?

 

[George]

Friendship boats friendlier than buses any day. Especially when you add a scooter or stroller to the mix. I bet the boat is faster when you add in the last two factors.

I wonder if the friendship boat is cheaper to run than the buses? It must be or Disney won't use them

Don't know. I would think that the cost for something like this would be a non-factor for Disney...but who knows, they've proven me wrong with surprising cheapness before. BTW, the exact speed of the Friendship Boat seems to be about 5.8 mph. I can jog by it and I've done enough treadmill work to gauge my velocity.

 

[Computer Magic]

Many have said over that the monorail is prohibitively expensive. Some are now saying that even maintaining the current monorail is a bit much and it should be trashed. I have no idea. I would like people to share sources when doing calculations like this though.

My thoughts exactly. I don't know how anyone can get that true cost without working for Disney.

They say EPCOT was too expensive to build, so I wonder how much thought went into upkeep of the monorail. I'm sure Disney has done the math. But does show still over trump efficiently in the new Disney era.

 

[PeterAlt]

I am trying to understand the monorail flow here, are you talking about one big loop that connects all the stations, or are there separate loops?

Yes, one big loop, but with alternating routes. For example, black goes directly to DHS, gold goes directly to MK, or blue goes directly to EPCOT. The switches would be utilized at the diamond junctures to allow direct transit.

 

[PeterAlt]

My thoughts exactly. I don't know how anyone can get that true cost without working for Disney.

They say EPCOT was too expensive to build, so I wonder how much thought went into upkeep of the monorail. I'm sure Disney has done the math. But does show still over trump efficiently in the new Disney era.

Under previous plans I've seen that's true. That's the big problem I tried to solve in my plan.

 

[danlb_2000]

Yes, one big loop, but with alternating routes. For example, black goes directly to DHS, gold goes directly to MK, or blue goes directly to EPCOT. The switches would be utilized at the diamond junctures to allow direct transit.

Having switches be part of the normal operation wouldn't be a problem?

 

[PeterAlt]

You want to bury the cost in other projects. Combing projects can save money. There will still be unique cost that you wouldn't have by not adding the monorail piece. You need to know that cost.

I like how you limited the amount of track that will be a huge savings

There is a lot of work to see if this project is feasible as far a cost.

Agreed. Consider this a work in progress and everyone here can contribute to it. Another idea I have is to wait until Las Vegas extends the monorail to the airport. We could go in with them on the production run to get both our costs lowered.

 

[PeterAlt]

Having switches be part of the normal operation wouldn't be a problem?

No because everything is 100% automated. See Jacksonville's monorail system.

 

[Hakunamatata]

What it basically does is leverages other projects into an overall plan has each element in mind as a whole from the get-go. For instance, DHS will need to be expanded one day. So, let's build a parking structure and move the entrance as part of that project. While we're at it, let's use that parking structure as an intermodal center and monorail station. See, how each element supports another? The result is massive savings than each being separate independent projects.

The problem is that you are talking about a company that views it as "a dollar spent is a dollar not saved".

 

[Hakunamatata]

I believe, long ago in the mists of time, there was talk about a people mover connecting DHS to EPCOT. I suppose we'll have to be satisfied with the Friendship Boats as they haul along at 0.36 miles per hour.

How about actually using Spaceship Earth for what it was intended. It could move thousands at a time.

 

[surfsupdon]

That proposed expaansion looks incredible! I can't even imagine how popular Yacht/Beach would be if that came true. Man I wish we had that.

 

[Computer Magic]

The problem is that you are talking about a company that views it as "a dollar spent is a dollar not saved".

That is why you have to show a payback within a certain number of years. If you could break even in 5-10 years, and cost savings every year after that, Disney would be interested. Although 5 year break even would be hard with the amount of initial capital investment. I guess that depends on what cost could be eliminated. For example, is the life expectancy of a monorail car better than a bus.

That proposed expaansion looks incredible! I can't even imagine how popular Yacht/Beach would be if that came true. Man I wish we had that.

That is another revenue to add to the project. How much more could you charge to stay at a Epcot resort?

 

[George]

How about actually using Spaceship Earth for what it was intended. It could move thousands at a time.

The planet earth moves billions at a time at very high speeds. We don't notice though, cuz as some famous dude once noted, "Its all relative".

 

[PeterAlt]

The problem is that you are talking about a company that views it as "a dollar spent is a dollar not saved".

If this management can't get it, there will be a new one before 2015 that may.