Monorail/Transportation Idea

[peter11435]

Is the Disney Monorail similar to the one now operating in Las Vegas? I know the one in LV is the Bombadier MVI and it cost them $87 - $88 million a mile of track. And it's only four miles long.

It is very similar.

 

[UncleScrooge]

First of all let me say that I do not think that the monorail system will EVER be expanded; the building and operating costs would most likely outweigh any possible long term gain. Just forget about any possibility expanding the monorail to MGM, Downtown Disney, or to more resorts, especially to places like the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace><st1laceName>Caribbean</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Beach</st1laceType></st1lace> or the All Star resorts: it will never happen.

With that being said, I can think of one possible exception, where the potential long term revenue might be able to justify a limited expansion, but even this is a long shot. I am by no means an economist, but just hear me out. I would propose that they construct one additional monorail loop that makes only three stops. It would run from the Transportation and <st1lace><st1laceName>Ticket</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Center</st1laceType></st1lace>, to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, then to the Animal Kingdom, and then back to the T&TC. Now granted this would be an extremely expensive to build as the T&TC is a considerable distance from the Animal Kingdom area. However, there is a potential monetary gain. One of the reasons for the high price of the deluxe resorts is that they offer ease of transportation. Yet, the transportation provided in all cases is rather limited. The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian only offer monorail service to the <st1lace><st1laceName>Magic</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Kingdom</st1laceType></st1lace> and Epcot; to get to MGM or the Animal Kingdom one must take a bus. Likewise, the Animal Kingdom Lodge only offers bus transportation to all of the parks. By adding this proposed loop not only are you expanding the Contemporary’s, Polynesian’s, and Grand Floridian’s monorail service (via one connection, as with Epcot) to a third park, but you are also expanding the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s monorail service to 3 parks (via one connection at the T&TC to either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot). As a result, WDW could justify raising the room rates at the effected resorts because they now provide this additional service. Also, now monorails would directly connect the three parks for mid-day park hopping instead of relying on buses.

Additionally, money might also be saved because this new system would replace several bus routes: 1) Contemporary to Animal Kingdom, 2) Polynesian to Animal Kingdom, 3) Grand Floridian to Animal Kingdom, 4) Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom, 5) Animal Kingdom Lodge to Magic Kingdom, 6) Animal Kingdom Lodge to Epcot, 7) Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom, and 8) Animal Kingdom to Epcot. Now figure 3 to 4 buses per route, that’s 24-32 buses and all that fuel that can now be replaced by this one monorail loop. This when combined with the increased room rates, over the long term, might offset the cost of its construction. Although, even I have my doubts about this. Well, it’s all just conjecture and wishful thinking, but what do you guys think?

 

[Thrawn]

UncleScrooge: Why should they put a monorail loop to the AKL when the two deluxes behind Epcot don't have one?

And more importantly, people don't like to transfer. You'd either have to make direct routes, or none. One of the most common complaints are people taking the monorail from MK to Epcot, because they have to transfer in the middle.

 

[UncleScrooge]

Thrawn: The reason I proposed my aforementioned monorail loop is because of its relative simplicity. It is one loop that kills many birds with one stone. If one were to include service to the deluxe resorts behind Epcot and/or have direct lines to each park that would mean creating several more monorail lines which would become a logistical and cost/benefit nightmare.

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Also, I don’t think making one monorail transfer is that difficult, especially if it keeps things simple. I do it all the time, even at closing time, and don’t mind it at all.

 

[peter11435]

Also, I don’t think making one monorail transfer is that difficult, especially if it keeps things simple. I do it all the time, even at closing time, and don’t mind it at all.

You don't but many people do. The fact of the matter is that buses remain the most efficient way to transport guests at WDW.

 

[UncleScrooge]

Peter11435: I agree with you that buses are the most efficient, however they certainly are not the most magical. Buses should remain the backbone of WDW's transportation network, but I think a limited monorail suplimentation would be nice also, just for that little bit of Disney magic. Admittedly, it is just wishful thinking.

 

[cherrynegra]

Peter11435: I agree with you that buses are the most efficient, however they certainly are not the most magical. Buses should remain the backbone of WDW's transportation network, but I think a limited monorail suplimentation would be nice also, just for that little bit of Disney magic. Admittedly, it is just wishful thinking.

Well, I think the busses at the Tokyo Disney Resort have that Disney magic.

 

[nsxdrift_89]

Then why can't WDW get buses like that, some of the ones they have now look like public buses, not privately owned transportation. Also, why do they call then Disney Transport, it makes it sound so generic and unmagical. It would be better if WDW could have buses like the ones TDL.

 

[imagineer boy]

Oh goodie! A monorail expansion thread. You know how much we all love those.

BTW, those TDL busses are so COOL!

 

[CaptainMichael]

BTW, those TDL busses are so COOL!

Yes, I'm very jealous. WDW's look terrible.

 

[Connor002]

Then why can't WDW get buses like that, some of the ones they have now look like public buses, not privately owned transportation.

Because Oriental Land Co. knows how to make a good resort. WDW managment is preoccupied with profit.

 

[Tim G]

Because Oriental Land Co. knows how to make a good resort. WDW managment is preoccupied with profit.

First... We made the parks... WE made the resorts... OLC just paid for most of it... that's all...
And management hasn't got anything to do with it...

So please don't offend me...

 

[disneylands]

Okay, here is the main reason that they will probably NEVER extend the monorail: IT IS TOO FRIGGIN EXPENSIVE, okay? it would cost in the billions to extend it to all four parks, more hotels, and eventually a 5th park. Another thing is that Disney wouldnt get anything in return for the expense, why would they spend a billion dollars for something that would remain free to all guests. The only thing that I could think of is that if they made it free for disney resort guests and charge a fee for non resort guests! but again in the long run, it wouldnt be worth it!

 

[Tim G]

The reason that Monorails have been designed and build in other parks in the asia is... Tradition...
Nothing more, nothing less...

 

[Captain Chaos]

At one point I thought monorail expansion would work.. Then I thought about it, listened to everyone's side and I came to a conclusion.. What DISNEY wants DISNEY gets, not what we want... Some of us want a monorail expansion, some don't.. Others don't care if there is one or not... It isn't what we want, it is what DISNEY wants.. And honestly, I don't think DISNEY want to spend the money on an expansion.. Therefore, I do not foresee one coming... But, again, this is my opinion....

 

[imagineer boy]

First... We made the parks... WE made the resorts... OLC just paid for most of it... that's all...
And management hasn't got anything to do with it...

So please don't offend me...

*offends Corrus* :lol: Just kidding. :hammer:

What he meant was that the OLC know that you need a good proper investment to make a proper theme park. Especially for Disney's standards.

 

[Tim G]

In Other Words... Our Parks are not proper...

What does he know...

 

[ProjectTracker]

I remember figureing out that if they ever did expand the monorail lines to the the Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom, that with the current costs of building the tracks, the monorail trains, monorail stations at the Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom, it would cost around $365 Million Dollars. I believe that's where that dollar figure would site.

 

[Connor002]

First... We made the parks... WE made the resorts... OLC just paid for most of it... that's all...
And management hasn't got anything to do with it...

So please don't offend me...

I know WDI is the brains behind it, but OLC knows who to fork out the cash to let you guys loose.

 

[Tim G]

In fact, Michael Eisner was the brain behind it... he forked the money out of their pockets...