Monorail Expansion Map

[PeterAlt]

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=5321&size=big&papass=&sort=1&thecat=

My proposal -- add switches connecting the TTC/Magic Kingdom loops (black), add extensions looping to Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney (brown). These extensions could also stop at Disney-MGM, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Corando Springs, and between World Showcase and Disney Boardwalk. There could be express trains going to attractions only, or different color trains, all taking on different routes.

Comments?

 

[wdwcrazy]

Looks good....if you have a couple hundred million laying around.

 

[stitch rocks]

nice... that would be so nice... considering it will hold more ppl then the busses and it would be somewhat safer (hey the busdrivers need to learn how to drive again...)

 

[FigmentDream]

Wouldn't make much sense to put Coranado ( a moderate) on the monorail, but other than that looks good.

You might want to post this in the Imagineering Forum, where others who enjoy proposals such as these hang out, you'll probably get a better response there

 

[Donfan]

Map

Be careful, though. This is a very stylized map and doesn't really show the proper relationships of all the facilities with each other. There are better, more accurate, maps available. Specifically, the Transportation map is based on USGS Quadrangle maps and is far more accurate.

 

[josh_e_washie]

I love the thought of connecting so many things, but I don't think a switcher on the track would make much sense. Where would the stations be located? What if I wanted to go from AK or DD to MK? How many stations would i have to remain on until i got there? And how long would that trip take? This would make busses more efficient. The issue is when you start adding resorts to the monorail line. Instantly, hundreds, if not thousands, want to get from point a to b. In addition to this, there are peeps from the TTC (is that still on the map?) other theme parks, and the DD area that need to board. Unfortunately I'm not sure how much more the monorail can expand before it becomes inefficient. The two lines that they have now are easy to understand (remember, when peeps are on vacation they don't want to have to do that much thinking, so going from GF to Epcot is easy for example). But the lines you are proposing require a lot of stops and transfers. Not to mention....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Originally posted by josh_e_washie
I love the thought of connecting so many things, but I don't think a switcher on the track would make much sense. Where would the stations be located? What if I wanted to go from AK or DD to MK? How many stations would i have to remain on until i got there? And how long would that trip take? This would make busses more efficient. The issue is when you start adding resorts to the monorail line. Instantly, hundreds, if not thousands, want to get from point a to b. In addition to this, there are peeps from the TTC (is that still on the map?) other theme parks, and the DD area that need to board. Unfortunately I'm not sure how much more the monorail can expand before it becomes inefficient. The two lines that they have now are easy to understand (remember, when peeps are on vacation they don't want to have to do that much thinking, so going from GF to Epcot is easy for example). But the lines you are proposing require a lot of stops and transfers. Not to mention....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!

Exactly...in most cases you would have to transfer between monorails at least twice to get anywhere, and sit through multiple stops on the way. It would be very inconvenient, and you would still need busses from the resorts anyway...what if a monorail gets stuck on the track? At least if busses are in trouble, you can quickly get them out of the way and move guests onto a new bus. It's a great idea, but purely from a money standpoint, I don't see what Disney would get out of this.

 

[netenyahoo]

Here is my idea, I don't know if it would work or not though.

Instead of the monorail from Epcot going back to the TTC it goes to MGM then cuts over to AK then back to the TTC or vice versa. No stops at hotels and no DTD. The busses will still be used, but could be cut back some. Busses could take people at hotels to one of the monorail stops instead of going directly to the parks. Yeah it would cost lots of money, so it probably wouldn't happen, but it would be nice to have.

 

[polyman 65]

Good idea but I think its only a dream,I think if Disney thought there was a transportation problem they would do something.Sorry to say but Im sure in there eyes and budgets there is no transportation problems.They dont make $ from it so why build more track and buses so you can get to the parks fast.Im sure in there eyes the average family goes to one park a day stays at one resort the whole trip and hits downtown Disney once or twice and most dont go to the water parks.Yes I would love to stay at Dixie landings and ride on the monorail to the parks but I dont think we will ever see it.Maybe bigger buses and larger monorails would help and be cheaper for Disney.I always rent a car and have never had a trafic problem,I wish all our roads and traffic was as good as WDW.but thats my opinion

 

[niteobsrvr]

Originally posted by FigmentDream
Wouldn't make much sense to put Coranado ( a moderate) on the monorail, but other than that looks good.

You might want to post this in the Imagineering Forum, where others who enjoy proposals such as these hang out, you'll probably get a better response there

Actually, it makes total sense as it is a convention facility hotel.

The idea for the routes isn't too far off base from recent studies evaluating the monorail system's expandability and future use. The major purpose seemed to be to connect all the parks and downtown along with any resorts that happen to fall on those routes. Busses would continue to coexist as necessary with the monorails though I would imagine. Redundant systems are necessary for safety, emergencies and convenience since the entire monorail system could conceiveably be taken down by one electrical problem (the northeast blackout a few weeks back is a good example).

 

[josh_e_washie]

I think a great example of the change in monorail usage is on the MK line. Previous to (about) 1998, one line would run clockwise, one counterclockwise. Now, one serves all of the hotels and MK and the other serves just TTC and MK. I think it is becoming more of a 'resort perk' than anything else. I definately think it is efficient and combined with the ferry, it does a great job getting people to the magic kingdom. However, the Epcot line is a bit inefficient. How many people other than those staying at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian actually use the connection at the TTC to get to Epcot? (I'd love to see some stats...can anyone get population numbers on how many people each line carries a day?). The main issue is if you are not staying on property, chances are you are visiting one park a day because you have to drive from one park to another. Epcot takes at least a day in itself to cover, so who wants to take the monorail to the TTC? What is there but busses to Wilderness Lodge and connections to the MK resorts? I think the Epcot line was originally built to keep with the 'futuristic look' of future world. Just my two cents!

 

[Swagger]

The buses just suck though! Atleast the models we have. Monorail makes you think of Disney. And I am sure it could be done much more easily then that. I'd give up a new park 5 years for something like this.

 

[d-r]

I have thought about hub and spoke type systems with light rail, like a "trolly" through old key west - port orleans - dixie landings to connect to another line, or a steam train through wilderness lodge - ft. wilderness to connect to the ttc. The problem is too many transfers, the busses end up easier. I drew this one time of adding a monorail "circle" in addition to the line to epcot - there could be a double beam like around the lagoon, one going clockwise, the other counter clockwise. Ultimately it wouldn't be worth the cost though, imho. When we bought an add on at Saratoga Springs they reserved the right to add the monorail in, fwiw.

http://users.tripod.com/~shug/

sorry for the popups I didn't have any space on my site left for that and had to find a free a place real quick.

Josh- when we stay at the wilderness lodge and are going to epcot, if the ttc bus comes before the epcot bus we will take the monorail to epcot. Other than than that, the only people who would use it are park hopping, leaving MK to go see illuminations, etc. Sometimes people at the beach club or boardwalk will take it back from the magic kingdom and just walk across epcot on the way back.

 

[Figment1986]

*puts comfy fogment pillow down on InveroD40i's desk to help*

The idea is buses can be used more efficient, I agree that the models we have are not great. but they are not bad eyther. (except for some of them which are now tranee buses)


*patiently waiting to read what will be said...*

 

[Invero]

Just because a bus is 20 years old, doesn't mean its not any good. The RTS is a rugged bus, that can easily last 30+ years with proper maintenance.

Take for example, 2734... It's a 1983 bus, but it looks brand new, and handles nicely.

 

[MonorailGreen]

I like the route and the fact that it connects almost all the major destinations but I would take out the part that would ruin the circle in Future World at Epcot. That piece of track just cannot be altered with!! Even if the monorail is build through there, we are going to see all the behind the scenes area of Epcot. That could ruin anyone's visit. I have seen it a million times and I know that it IS not eye pleasing back there for your normal spoiled Disney theme park goer or little kids =) The rest of the expansion looks great, but yes, a facilities map would be much more accurate seeing as the parking lots don't even appear on this map...

 

[Donfan]

Originally posted by Invero
Just because a bus is 20 years old, doesn't mean its not any good. The RTS is a rugged bus, that can easily last 30+ years with proper maintenance.

Take for example, 2734... It's a 1983 bus, but it looks brand new, and handles nicely.

Tyler,

A quick question, maybe a little off topic. Is the opening of Pop Century going to affect the bus routes or timing? It seems that with that large a facility opening, it might have an impact on the rest of the lines. Or is Disney planning on obtaining new busses or drivers to cover all those people who will be in Pop Century?

Thanks.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by Donfan
Tyler,

A quick question, maybe a little off topic. Is the opening of Pop Century going to affect the bus routes or timing? It seems that with that large a facility opening, it might have an impact on the rest of the lines. Or is Disney planning on obtaining new busses or drivers to cover all those people who will be in Pop Century?

Thanks.

We're way ahead of you. We've been hiring like mad, and the new buses are already here. (71 of them)

 

[Katherine]

Originally posted by Invero
We're way ahead of you. We've been hiring like mad, and the new buses are already here. (71 of them)

Wow! 71 new buses. That's impreesive. How many buses does one resort usually have?

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by Katherine
Wow! 71 new buses. That's impreesive. How many buses does one resort usually have?

Zero. However, theme parks can run with 25-85 buses.