Do you think that WDW monorail would ever extend to the Animal Kingdom? If so, what would the cost of installation be?
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Monorail to Animal Kingdom?
- Thread starter addacollier
- Start date
bUU
Well-Known Member
Still unlikely (at least in the foreseeable future) but much more likely would be an extension of the gondola system. No provisions were made to connect a new line to the existing lines so it would stand alone, perhaps connecting Animal Kingdom Park, the All-Star Resorts, WWoS and Coronado Springs, by way of a hub at Blizzard Beach.
Still, unlikely but the most likely "new" transportation option we might eventually see. It would have been more likely if they left any indications that they left room to put in a second gondola station either at the Studios or at the International Gateway.
Still, unlikely but the most likely "new" transportation option we might eventually see. It would have been more likely if they left any indications that they left room to put in a second gondola station either at the Studios or at the International Gateway.
nickys
Premium Member
Or, as hinted at by our insiders, they may add a different type of “link”from AKL to AK and possibly onto Disney Springs.
Somewhere there is a discussion about it all, possibly somewhere in nearly 1000 pages of the Gondolas thread.
I’d settle for a walking path myself but that is unlikely too.
Somewhere there is a discussion about it all, possibly somewhere in nearly 1000 pages of the Gondolas thread.
I’d settle for a walking path myself but that is unlikely too.
PorterRedkey
Well-Known Member
I’m thinking light rail. It’s significantly less expensive than an elevated monorail.
NickPytlinski
Well-Known Member
yeah that would be cool. they could give it a really cool animal kingdom vibe. like an old train track in africa vibe.
PorterRedkey
Well-Known Member
I have a feeling it will be lightly themed (if it happens). It will serve other parks, hotels and Disney Springs as well as AK most likely, so a more generic theme is probably more appropriate.
I do love your idea though!
NickPytlinski
Well-Known Member
I have a feeling it will be lightly themed (if it happens). It will serve other parks, hotels and Disney Springs as well as AK most likely, so a more generic theme is probably more appropriate.
I do love your idea though!
yeah true. other than that, they could turn the mini cabs into elephants lol
If we just go in a straight line from entrance to entrance, AK is a little over 4 miles from MK, but you would rarely run a mass transportation system be it monorails, gondolas or whatever in a straight line from point A to B in a situation like what you have at WDW. Generally you will follow existing infrastructure to a point.
The ironic thing is while AK gets a reputation for being in the middle of nowhere, MK is really the one off by itself. Epcot and DHS, practically back into each other and AK is just a mile and a half to the west. The gate of MK is more than 3 miles north of it's next nearest park, Epcot.
Heppenheimer
Well-Known Member
I forget if it was an online article or a Youtube video, but the current estimated cost of extending an existing monorail line runs in the hundreds of millions per mile. So, probably not going to happen, ever.
Thanks Martin for dousing a couple of gallons of gasoline (petrol for you) on the fire that is this thread.
nickys
Premium Member
JIMINYCR
Well-Known Member
Its been discussed many many times extending the monorail system to link with various points and the reason for not doing it is always the exorbitant costs involved. Its still far cheaper more efficient to continue running bus service from one place to the next. The cost just keeps getting higher as the years continue and Disney doesnt start. They have no real benefit to spend the money just to give guests another monorail ride.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
It's actually the opposite. Animal Kingdom is pretty far away as the crow flies but it's very direct. Coming from the Magic Kingdom, it's straight down World Drive and one right turn onto Osceola Parkway.
When you look at the travel times from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the theme parks, it's basically the same as any other resort, despite being much further away.
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
Not only that, but MK is much more logistically isolated as well. To actually get there, you have to navigate around a lagoon, an enormous parking lot, the entire MK resort area, and (until very recently) a racetrack.
Monorail resorts, sold as the most convenient, are actually the least convenient for anyone who spends <50% of their park time at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney Lover Addie
Well-Known Member
I highly doubt it. There is a YouTube video that explains why: (video by RobPlays, I recommend his Disney videos!) It’s because of the high expenses it would bring and there’s a lot of transportation at WDW anyways.