Rumor New Monorails Coming Soon?

[Creathir]

This is more than likely related to whatever maintenance is going to be happening with the EPCOT line, but it is interesting that they are clearing land for it... If related.

 

[esskay]

On extending/expanding/retrofitting the stations one possible issue there is that the beam drops down to station level on both sides for a couple of stations. So it wouldn't just be a case of extending the platform a bit, the beams going in and out would need recasting and replacing. Not a deal breaker, but makes it a much more expensive task.

 

[monothingie]

This is more than likely related to whatever maintenance is going to be happening with the EPCOT line, but it is interesting that they are clearing land for it... If related.

This is more related to the utility upgrades on World Drive. Those Jersey barriers have been there for more than a decade, and what isn't shown in Bioreconstruct's picture is the Water and Sewage mains which pass through the cordoned off construction area.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

 

[jbolen2]

On a different thought but I’m shocked they haven’t ever tried to implement a resort guest only on the resort loop monorails, even if it was only certain times of the day.

 

[JayKZ]

On a different thought but I’m shocked they haven’t ever tried to implement a resort guest only on the resort loop monorails, even if it was only certain times of the day.

Why would they ever do that? While we rarely stay in the MK resorts (we can visit more frequently if we stay at a value or moderate) we dine and shop at GF, Poly, and Contemporary virtually every trip to WDW. We can't be alone in this regard.

 

[JayKZ]

At the same time, I could see having the resort loop skip the TTC for a period after MK closes.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well, in their defense, 9/11 really, really put the company in a scary place. Considering they left 1/2 of POP unfinished for as long as they did should give you a hint about the economics.

But, they need to invest some money in these to get them running safely.

I used to look at the “economics” of that property during that time...

It’s not as cut and dry as you make it seem.

There were other economics at work prior to that event...and the crumbling of a management structure that no longer worked.

But the philosophy was better/far superior to today

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

At the same time, I could see having the resort loop skip the TTC for a period after MK closes.

They cannot...like it or not, that serves the parking lot as well. They are not in a position to limit that type of capacity

 

[Touchdown]

On a different thought but I’m shocked they haven’t ever tried to implement a resort guest only on the resort loop monorails, even if it was only certain times of the day.

They have, at closing this fall on non party days they were only allowing GF, Poly and Contemporary guests on the resort line at MK. Of course plenty of day guests worked around this by simply walking to the Contemporary.

 

[jt04]

They have, at closing this fall on non party days they were only allowing GF, Poly and Contemporary guests on the resort line at MK. Of course plenty of day guests worked around this by simply walking to the Contemporary.

Nothing Magic Bands couldn't overcome eventually if they choose.

 

[Creathir]

Had these minor back and forth in another thread, cross posting to here for relevancy purposes.

One day the monorail may not be completing the loop for a bit...

Is this just generally speaking, or hypothetically based in some sort of unannounced fact?

The latter.

 

[Bender123]

But the philosophy was better/far superior to today

Some would argue that the mentality of those days got the company in the mess its in right now...

Had they actually invested in the parks and made an effort to maintain standards in those days, we wouldn't be seeing the giant holes to fill with IP that we currently have.

Decades of neglect and broken effects (the bubbles, cake, wonky animatronics) and lack of updates killed GMR, UoE was falling apart and out of date, JII was redone on a budget that made you wonder why they even bothered, attractions closed with no replacement, etc...

Talk all you want about how today is focused on IP uber alles, but, in my view, the failings of the late 90s and early 2000s opened the door for all this mess to come it.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Some would argue that the mentality of those days got the company in the mess its in right now...

Had they actually invested in the parks and made an effort to maintain standards in those days, we wouldn't be seeing the giant holes to fill with IP that we currently have.

Decades of neglect and broken effects (the bubbles, cake, wonky animatronics) and lack of updates killed GMR, UoE was falling apart and out of date, JII was redone on a budget that made you wonder why they even bothered, attractions closed with no replacement, etc...

Talk all you want about how today is focused on IP uber alles, but, in my view, the failings of the late 90s and early 2000s opened the door for all this mess to come it.

The philosophy of the late 90s and early 00s is still king. Disney has not moved away from that business model. There are superficial improvements but the rotten mall-based structure remains and is generated by the same sort of people with no love or respect for themed entertainment.

 

[jt04]

The philosophy of the late 90s and early 00s is still king. Disney has not moved away from that business model. There are superficial improvements but the rotten mall-based structure remains and is generated by the same sort of people with no love or respect for themed entertainment.

My far out theory is that the original Future World was built under political pressure. And Disney has a!ways considered the "content" temporary. In "Disney Years"

 

[Bender123]

The philosophy of the late 90s and early 00s is still king. Disney has not moved away from that business model. There are superficial improvements but the rotten mall-based structure remains and is generated by the same sort of people with no love or respect for themed entertainment.

Ill give you that. The one thing that the current group seems fine with is spending money on the parks...even if we don't agree with the direction, its better than vacant buildings. The shame, for me, is that the lapses allowed classic rides to fall to a point that allowed them to be considered for demolition in the first place.

Horizons, UoE, GMR are all examples. Then we have the zombie attractions, that are still there, but bastardized in a way that makes them seem like less than what they used to be...like SE, PoC, JII, Star Tours, Living Seas, etc...

If Disney would actually quit messing with the old stuff and just add on new attractions, I doubt any of us would care about the IP invasion. Pandora and GE are good examples of new without bulldozing old (feelings for the canyon aside). The issue is that they cheaped out on both, building lands that are super amazing to see, but offer little in terms of interaction/rides. For as great as RotR FoP are, they are supported by two of the most underwhelming rides around. What makes this more sad is that both Rivers and Falcon are fantastic ideas that feel like half the experience that was originally designed.

 

[jt04]

Ill give you that. The one thing that the current group seems fine with is spending money on the parks...even if we don't agree with the direction, its better than vacant buildings. The shame, for me, is that the lapses allowed classic rides to fall to a point that allowed them to be considered for demolition in the first place.

Horizons, UoE, GMR are all examples. Then we have the zombie attractions, that are still there, but bastardized in a way that makes them seem like less than what they used to be...like SE, PoC, JII, Star Tours, Living Seas, etc...

If Disney would actually quit messing with the old stuff and just add on new attractions, I doubt any of us would care about the IP invasion. Pandora and GE are good examples of new without bulldozing old (feelings for the canyon aside). The issue is that they cheaped out on both, building lands that are super amazing to see, but offer little in terms of interaction/rides. For as great as RotR FoP are, they are supported by two of the most underwhelming rides around. What makes this more sad is that both Rivers and Falcon are fantastic ideas that feel like half the experience that was originally designed.

Notice most of your issues are focused on Future World pavilions. Bolsters my theory.

 

[Bender123]

Notice most of your issues are focused on Future World pavilions. Bolsters my theory.

Its just gotten the least attention until recently.

MK had its periods, too. 20k sat for 15 years, like an open wound. Stitch is vacant. Snow White is now a meet and great.

Zombie attractions exist, as well. Under new Management was a rare one that was mostly rectified and Stitch is an example that fits both columns.

The issue with doing this with Studios is that it had very few "rides" at the start and only one would be considered a classic...GMR. Otherwise, the classics have all been recent (in relation) to the park...Muppets and ToT. AK has two I would consider rides that have withstood the test of time and are approaching classic status...Safari and Everest.

 

[jt04]

Its just gotten the least attention until recently.

MK had its periods, too. 20k sat for 15 years, like an open wound. Stitch is vacant. Snow White is now a meet and great.

Zombie attractions exist, as well. Under new Management was a rare one that was mostly rectified and Stitch is an example that fits both columns.

The issue with doing this with Studios is that it had very few "rides" at the start and only one would be considered a classic...GMR. Otherwise, the classics have all been recent (in relation) to the park...Muppets and ToT. AK has two I would consider rides that have withstood the test of time and are approaching classic status...Safari and Everest.

Now that WDW is no longer the cash cow that keeps TWDC ticking everything has changed. Iger has so diversified the Disney portfolio that they can now properly update and maintain WDW. Which is how they are now continually investing. Bit by bit, they are completing their 'to do' list. That includes their long time desire to make Epcot a timeless "Disney Park".

Paul Harvey would say that now you know the rest of the story. IMO.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Some would argue that the mentality of those days got the company in the mess its in right now...

Had they actually invested in the parks and made an effort to maintain standards in those days, we wouldn't be seeing the giant holes to fill with IP that we currently have.

Decades of neglect and broken effects (the bubbles, cake, wonky animatronics) and lack of updates killed GMR, UoE was falling apart and out of date, JII was redone on a budget that made you wonder why they even bothered, attractions closed with no replacement, etc...

Talk all you want about how today is focused on IP uber alles, but, in my view, the failings of the late 90s and early 2000s opened the door for all this mess to come it.

I’m talking about the focus on repeat business...not the investment strategy specifically.

Eisners late years didn’t cause spray tan bob to sit with his thumbs up it for the first decade or so and not spend a dime...while jacking prices into the stratosphere that’s gonna cause major problems when rubber meets the road. Contrary to what the imagineering story is trying to sell us on Disney +

Both periods are deeply flawed and of course connected. But dumping long term goals for short term ones wasn’t “required” in either case.

And I’d argue that what they’ve built in wdw has been a steady decline in quality and longterm feasibility when they have spent. With a couple exceptions.