Mark VII Monorail

[DznyRktekt]

I haven't been on a monorail for about 3 years. What kind of refurbishmen's have been done? I remember seeing some posts about carpet removal and the addition of epoxy flooring in some cars. Have they done some work on the HVAC, or do they still smell like sweat socks?

 

[RSoxNo1]

All of them.

Care to elaborate? I think the idea behind giving away random gifts to park goers is a fantastic idea.

 

[TheDisneyMagic]

I haven't been on a monorail for about 3 years. What kind of refurbishmen's have been done? I remember seeing some posts about carpet removal and the addition of epoxy flooring in some cars. Have they done some work on the HVAC, or do they still smell like sweat socks?

Your right there, the monorails have had the new flooring layed down (makes it easier to clean) and have had new pole configuration in the center of each car allowing more room for standing.

 

[formercast84]

Replacements

Well I used to be a driver on the old Mark IV and they were fun to drive. The newer Mark VI are fun too. I have talked to several of the current drivers and they have the same issues with the Mark VI that we had with the Mark IV. As I understand it, Disney has decided not to replace the Mark VI as soon as they wanted. The appear to be putting money into updating the current Mark VI. They can't make them significantly wider, taller, or longer without redoing most of the stations and the cost just doesn't justify the few additional passengers they would gain. Since they are still planning on adding a new Pop Century addition and other hotels and most of them are not on the beam, I think you will see changes in the way the bus routes work to improve timing, etc..

Remember that Disney usually does the big stuff one at a time. They started the Pop Century addition a few years ago and stopped for AKL and now the new Contemporary DVK hotel. Now the codes have changed so much they have to tear the partial addition down and start over.

The Mark VI are good and free transportation. Can't find better transportation anywhere for this type of facility.:animwink:

 

[scottnj1966]

Our system is working fine. They need to be cleaned up somewhat though and the a/c system retrofitted.

Disneyland has not changed for awhile. They also are not really used for transportation as we think of it here at wdw.

Disneyland's are very small, even the new ones. It is more of a ride then anything else.

We will probalby see an upgrade in teh next decade because we have 12 to rotate with, Disneyland has 3

 

[hemloc]

There is nothing wrong with what they have now... This is nothing more than just fanboi/ubernerd wishes and wants... I'm surprised TMZ only listed Mousebits as such a site after that little tram accident at Disneyland the other day..:fork:

 

[imagineer boy]

I do hope they put in new monorail trains similar to the new ones in DL someday. The current ones are kinda starting to show their age. Maybe they could be unmanned too like the TDL ones.

But one major thing that needs change on the monorails is the stations. The TTC station looks TERRIBLE. It seriously looks like its falling apart. Plus its really ugly looking.

 

[Mr.EPCOT]

Care to elaborate? I think the idea behind giving away random gifts to park goers is a fantastic idea.

It is a fantastic idea. But it is also nothing new, and nothing that Disney shouldn't be doing all of the time anyways. Every other celebration has actually had something to celebrate, Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary, the New Millennium, etc., whereas now it just seems that marketing just wants some generic celebration all of the time, instead of something genuinely special every few years. What's going to happen once WDW's 40th rolls around? It's possible the average consumer will just be "Whatever, they're been 'celebrating' for like ten years now, there's no special reason to go now when they're just doing something like that all of the time."

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

I do hope they put in new monorail trains similar to the new ones in DL someday. The current ones are kinda starting to show their age. Maybe they could be unmanned too like the TDL ones.

But one major thing that needs change on the monorails is the stations. The TTC station looks TERRIBLE. It seriously looks like its falling apart. Plus its really ugly looking.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who shares that opinion. I have to ask, when WDW was being constructed, was no money alocated to the TTC? Everything else, from the MK to the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon are well themed and look asthetically nice. Why is the TTC merely a set of unthemed concrete buildings? Everything about it, from the buildings to the tin metal walkway covers (which leak when it rains)to the arches out front (which are a pathetic excuse for theming, and are actually quite ugly) just screams cheap! Its shameful!

For first time visitors, this is the very first thing you see as you make your way to the Magic Kingdom. Its their first impression of Disney, and right now, its a pretty depressing first impression. Instead of a well themed, asthetically pleasing entrance area, there is a plain, industrial looking landscape with a disjointed array of clutter, which only adds to the harshness of the area.

 

[Austin1]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who shares that opinion. I have to ask, when WDW was being constructed, was no money alocated to the TTC? Everything else, from the MK to the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon are well themed and look asthetically nice. Why is the TTC merely a set of unthemed concrete buildings? Everything about it, from the buildings to the tin metal walkway covers (which leak when it rains)to the arches out front (which are a pathetic excuse for theming, and are actually quite ugly) just screams cheap! Its shameful!

For first time visitors, this is the very first thing you see as you make your way to the Magic Kingdom. Its their first impression of Disney, and right now, its a pretty depressing first impression. Instead of a well themed, asthetically pleasing entrance area, there is a plain, industrial looking landscape with a disjointed array of clutter, which only adds to the harshness of the area.

I have to agree with you. I was quite disappointed by this the first time I went to Disney. I was actually somewhat shocked. I guess I've just gotten used to it over the years.

 

[s8film40]

It is a fantastic idea. But it is also nothing new, and nothing that Disney shouldn't be doing all of the time anyways. Every other celebration has actually had something to celebrate, Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary, the New Millennium, etc., whereas now it just seems that marketing just wants some generic celebration all of the time, instead of something genuinely special every few years. What's going to happen once WDW's 40th rolls around? It's possible the average consumer will just be "Whatever, they're been 'celebrating' for like ten years now, there's no special reason to go now when they're just doing something like that all of the time."

Even the previous celebrations were a stretch you don't need to celebrate WDW's 25th anniversary, the new millenium, Walt's 100th birthday, or Disneyland's 50th anniversary for any more than a couple of months at most. These events really were not important to the celebrations, in fact with the more recent ones most park visitors didn't even know what the celebrations were for they just new that Disney was celebrating something and that thats why the advertising said to come and visit. The real reason the true Disney fans don't like the celebrations is because it adds nothing to the Disney experience, it intrudes on the theming, and attracts people to the parks for the wrong reasons.

When I go to Disney I want to be able to enjoy the parks the way they were intended to be enjoyed, When I walk down Main Street I want to see and hear the steam trains, watch as the old vehicles and horse drawn trolley's pass by, listen to the Dapper Dans performing, get an old fashioned haircut, and visit all the little shops. In other words I want to be transported to a different time and place to be able to experience something that is truly unique. What I don't want to see are advertisements plastered all over the place reminding me that "No I'm not in turn of the century America, but infact in a Disney amusement park celebrating something called a year of a million dreams", I don't want some employee in an unthemed uniform giving me a pin or fastpass and thinking he or she made a dream come true for me, because in actuality they just ruined my perfect stroll down main street. Somewhere a long the way Disney has forgotten what has made their parks different, it's the theming, the attention to detail, the unique experiences. So instead of delivering a quality product and having faith that visitors will see and hear about it and come for that reason, they have refocused their efforts on telling people why they should come to Disney and make up reasons to back that up. Now if Disney could build the parks back up and start focusing on the elements the made the parks such a huge success that would be something worth celebrating.

These ongoing celebrations only detract from the parks and show a lack of faith on Disney's part in their own parks. If I were a stock holder I think I would take these celebrations as a sign to get out now, If Disney doesn't believe their parks can stand on their own than I certainly wouldn't have my investment in them.

 

[TP2000]

Anyone know the difference in scale and size between the Disneyland monorail and the WDW monorail? I'd be interested to learn the size differences between the two beams and train cars.

And for those keeping score at home, the new Disneyland monorails have yet to operate for regular guests. After Disney announced in the media that the first of the new trains would debut on Presidents Day weekend, they still haven't opened. They did some daytime testing with the red train in April, but that has come to an end and all is quiet on the monorail front now. No testing that anyone can tell, and not a peep from Disney as to when they might start using the new trains.

The second new train, Monorail Blue, has arrived on property but hasn't been seen on the beam by anyone. The third new train, Monorail Orange, has yet to arrive in Anaheim.

And now it's May, six months after the first new train arrived, and months after Disney once said the trains would enter into regular daily service. How weird!

 

[s8film40]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who shares that opinion. I have to ask, when WDW was being constructed, was no money alocated to the TTC? Everything else, from the MK to the resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon are well themed and look asthetically nice. Why is the TTC merely a set of unthemed concrete buildings? Everything about it, from the buildings to the tin metal walkway covers (which leak when it rains)to the arches out front (which are a pathetic excuse for theming, and are actually quite ugly) just screams cheap! Its shameful!

For first time visitors, this is the very first thing you see as you make your way to the Magic Kingdom. Its their first impression of Disney, and right now, its a pretty depressing first impression. Instead of a well themed, asthetically pleasing entrance area, there is a plain, industrial looking landscape with a disjointed array of clutter, which only adds to the harshness of the area.

In case anyone is wondering the design of the TTC directly matches the original design of EPCOT right down to the glass domed skylights. I think they probably thought that if they ever built EPCOT the TTC would provide a smooth transition from EPCOT to Magic Kingdom.

However the TTC has changed styles so much over the years that it really does need to be redone from the ground up. If the transportation system is ever expanded though the TTC should probably go away completely. It's more an obstacle in transportation now than a transportation hub.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

In case anyone is wondering the design of the TTC directly matches the original design of EPCOT right down to the glass domed skylights. I think they probably thought that if they ever built EPCOT the TTC would provide a smooth transition from EPCOT to Magic Kingdom.

However the TTC has changed styles so much over the years that it really does need to be redone from the ground up. If the transportation system is ever expanded though the TTC should probably go away completely. It's more an obstacle in transportation now than a transportation hub.

Exactly, its become a haphazard collection of items with no unifying theme. The only way to undo it is to start over.

Ironically, in the picture you show of the TTC in its first year of operation, it doesn't look half bad. I notice that there seem to be more plants and gardens back then then there are now, not to mention no colorful arches that clash with the straight, white edges of the buildings. On the whole, it actually looked pretty clean and inviting.

And now I realize that designers did know what they were doing when they designed and built the TTC, and appreciate the thought they put into it. Shame that later refurbs and additions have ruined the original look.

 

[s8film40]

Anyone know the difference in scale and size between the Disneyland monorail and the WDW monorail? I'd be interested to learn the size differences between the two beams and train cars.

And for those keeping score at home, the new Disneyland monorails have yet to operate for regular guests. After Disney announced in the media that the first of the new trains would debut on Presidents Day weekend, they still haven't opened. They did some daytime testing with the red train in April, but that has come to an end and all is quiet on the monorail front now. No testing that anyone can tell, and not a peep from Disney as to when they might start using the new trains.

The second new train, Monorail Blue, has arrived on property but hasn't been seen on the beam by anyone. The third new train, Monorail Orange, has yet to arrive in Anaheim.

And now it's May, six months after the first new train arrived, and months after Disney once said the trains would enter into regular daily service. How weird!

Heres a comparison of the beams.
http://monorails.org/tMspages/TPBeams.html

The Disneyland trains are 137' long and the WDW trains are 203.5' long.

 

[s8film40]

Ironically, in the picture you show of the TTC in its first year of operation, it doesn't look half bad. I notice that there seem to be more plants and gardens back then then there are now, not to mention no colorful arches that clash with the straight, white edges of the buildings. On the whole, it actually looked pretty clean and inviting.

And now I realize that designers did know what they were doing when they designed and built the TTC, and appreciate the thought they put into it. Shame that later refurbs and additions have ruined the original look.

Here's another photo the TTC really did look very nice in it's early years.

 

[TP2000]

Thank you s8film40! That's fascinating, and now it makes more sense to me why the Seattle monorail seems so huge whenever I've ridden it.

You want a big monorail? Then head to Seattle! If anything WDW should try the Seattle format, where you can walk from one car to the next unobstructed, and with a glassy dome setup instead of the triangular windows.

I've tried Googling up the differences in dimension between the cabins of the Disneyland monorail and the WDW monorail, but haven't been lucky yet. If the WDW beam itself is 6 inches wider than the Disneyland beam, I wonder if that means the WDW train cars are 12 inches wider than Disneyland? Or wider still than that?

 

[marni1971]

Jumping off on the T&TC notes, it is quite a barren, concrete area now. When it was first built, the design was a look forward to a futuristic (like the monorail was and to a certain extent still is) transport hub. The design was almost perfectly symetrical as seen here

- Phase One used elongated hexagons quite a lot for the T&TC, the original car care center and so on.

When the ferryboats came into service the vast open space came into play - huge ammounts of people could easily flow through the center at peak times. When the EPCOT platform was added the design still worked, though today it is partially flawed by the security gates and altered traffic flow.

As for asthetics, big open concrete spaces will never win an award. By it`s nature the less obstacles the better in the area between the ticket booths and the stations. However, the eye candy could be a whole lot better without comprimising traffic flow or security; look at Hong Kongs resort rail station for example. Beautiful. The current look seems like a half finished rehab. It was begun in 1997 and finished in 2000, and was supposed to mirror the road network signage and mid 90's WDW corporate image.

The T&TC is functional but won`t win any art awards.

 

[s8film40]

Thank you s8film40! That's fascinating, and now it makes more sense to me why the Seattle monorail seems so huge whenever I've ridden it.

You want a big monorail? Then head to Seattle! If anything WDW should try the Seattle format, where you can walk from one car to the next unobstructed, and with a glassy dome setup instead of the triangular windows.

I've tried Googling up the differences in dimension between the cabins of the Disneyland monorail and the WDW monorail, but haven't been lucky yet. If the WDW beam itself is 6 inches wider than the Disneyland beam, I wonder if that means the WDW train cars are 12 inches wider than Disneyland? Or wider still than that?

The WDW Mark VI trains are 8' 8.5" wide and floor to ceiling is 6' 9".
I can't find any dimensions for the disneyland trains but I'll post them if they come up.

 

[redfive13]

Does anyone know the price for each Monorail train? The driver told me once, but I can't remember... He did tell me that WDW bought the molds from the original company. He said that cost a small fortune.