Personal Pod Transport Arriving Soon?

[SpenceMan01]

From the article:

It costs some $25 to $40 million per mile to build a PRT system

Sorry to be a killjoy, but I don't see this happening at WDW any time soon. :shrug:

 

[WDWTrojan]

This has honestly been discussed since the mid-1990s. It ain't happening. Sorry.

 

[bears163]

That would be the best thing ever. i think trying a short distance first then expand from there. but it would be great

 

[scottnj1966]

When Disney finally decides its time to spend money for transportation again they will add on to its signature system, the monorail. They did it when they built Epcot so it is something they can and will do.
We just have to wait for management to really want to come off with the money.


http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/monorail.htm

 

[Master Yoda]

The "Panic" aspect hasn't been discussed.

Imagine you're on one...and it breaks down. You're basically in a pod...in the Florida sun...sitting there. No driver, no workers, nobody to turn to. Sure, "WE" wouldn't panic because we know that someone is on their way or something is being done to fix the problem...but first-timers or people that don't go often...this could be a problem.

Simple fix...sleeping gas. Pod breaks down, sleeping gas turns on. Crews come out and fix the pod and when you wake up again you are moving.:lookaroun

 

[captainkidd]

Disney is all for the idea, except there's one little glitch with the pods they haven't figured out how to fix yet...........

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I'm sure there would be a "calming voice"(female) to tell you "not to panic" and whatever system "is in place to move you towords your destination". :lol:

This system is the kind of thing that would get Walt all hyped up about "tomorrow"! If you look at what he envisioned for his E. P. C. O. T. back in the 60's, he would have been all over this! Talking to the engineers, saying "What if..." "How could we expand on that idea?" He would be extremely interested to develope this idea as an extension of his "peoplemover" idea he had for the original EPCOT (the city) design - no need for disembarking at "hubs"- just press a button for your destination and you are there.

Wow, you're right...I hadn't even thought of that! Walt did want something like this for E.P.C.O.T.!

I think that this system could be a success fairly easily. I think a good way to start off would be to build a pod station at the TTC. From there the pods could travel to AK and DHS plus a loop that connects the water parks and DTD. Don't bother connecting any of the resorts. Then all the resort busses would travel to the TTC only. Once at the TTC you can pick your destination. If you're going to a theme park you hop in a pod or on the Monorail. If you are traveling to a Resort you just hop on the resort bus. Over time the larger resorts could be added to the line or you could connect all the deluxe resorts as an added perk for staying at one.

If this is done I think it could be highly effective and would cut down on the cost of fuel and busses greatly. Instead of having hundreds of busses traveling to several different locations from one location they all just have one route. Also, the TTC can be then used to its fullest as (*gasp*) a transportation center.

As for a panic scenario it would never happen. Just like any transportation system is monitored so would the pod system. If a break down was to happen an individual monitoring the system could then connect via a radio signal to the pod alerting the individuals inside the situation.

I disagree with your implementation. Here is why.
You want a central hub of transportation. (Great idea...but wouldn't work more effectively).

People get confused NOW getting around Disney and it couldn't be more self-explanatory. Imagine people leaving their resort, hopping one of these "Pods" and then going to the TTC. There, they get off and bam...now they have to figure out where they are going. With the current system, they just hop on the bus labeled "Magic Kingdom" and they arrive there. Having to switch modes of transportation would cause mass hysteria :lol:

Also, What happens at park opening? The parks all open relatively at the same time. You will have the mad rush of people going to all 4 parks at the same time in one location. Not good. The Pods will need to pick you up at your resort and "whisk" you away to your destination cutting out any middle stop.

Just print "DON'T PANIC" in very large, very friendly typeface on the windows.

(All resorts guests will have to bring their towels )

The infrastructure required to build that kind of elevated contraption is right up there on a scale of what it would cost to build monorail infrastructure. You still end up needing to build something high enough to allow for traffic underneath, so that means the higher it goes, the beefier it needs to be to be able to withstand 120mph hurricanes. And that means mega bucks to make it higher and stronger, not to mention how hard it is to find solid bedrock to set the foundations on when the entire state of Florida is basically floating.

You forgot one thing. These don't need to be elevated at all times. These can run right alongside the roads. They can then go up and over the road or under the roads as required.

 

[RiversideBunny]

Do the math on how many of these litle pods it would take.

Say the pod holds 6-8 people, with 4 people being the average number of riders.
Then divide that into the number of people now using the buses and boats, plus some who might give up driving their cars.
The end result is thousands of pods.

Then there is the queing problem with thousands of guests lining up to use them and to get off them.

This is one of those ideas that looks interesting but would work only in a science fiction movie where realities can be manipulated.

Tks.

 

[captainkidd]

Do the math on how many of these litle pods it would take.

Say the pod holds 6-8 people, with 4 people being the average number of riders.
Then divide that into the number of people now using the buses and boats, plus some who might give up driving their cars.
The end result is thousands of pods.

Then there is the queing problem with thousands of guests lining up to use them and to get off them.

This is one of those ideas that looks interesting but would work only in a science fiction movie where realities can be manipulated.

Tks.

I agree. It sounds cool, but it's not realistic.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

The pods do not need to replace all the public transportation.

Don't let them go everywhere, moderate with the existing system!

And even if there were thousands, it could still be easily governed and controlled. The largest problem would be the cost of such a venture. Mechanically, it is more than possible, with evidence going up all around us at major public venues.

Everyone says Disney should be inventive, imaginative, and on the cutting edge. But things not already done commonly are put down as impossible.

It probably won't happen, but it could and maybe should. Let Disney lead in technology again, and it would certainly help to bolster their image and attendance. Would there be a greener system serving more people anywhere in the world??

 

[MousDad]

That's my view also. I don't think anyone would ever consider replacing the existing infrastructure with these pods. They would be used only as a supplement to what's already there. If they replace anything, it would be only a few of the bus lines.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Why isn't anyone looking outside the box?

Why do these pods only need to hold 6-8 people????

Pods could come in any size! Small: 6-8 people. Medium: 8-12 people. Large: 12-40 (bus-sized) As it stands now, the infrastructure can hold a bus-sized vehicle. (Or maybe 2 medium pods, or 3 smaller pods).

The ferry would still run...the monorails would still run...the buses would still run.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Do the math on how many of these litle pods it would take. Say the pod holds 6-8 people, with 4 people being the average number of riders.

Assuming 8 people per pod, we would need about 5 pods for each bus.

My thoughts:

- imagine the MK bus loading area being replaced with pod loading areas - think of a railroad switching area with many tracks
- keep the loading zones for each resort
- introduce a handicapped accessible only loading zone !
- buses can hold about 40 people I believe
- so instead of 1 bus pulling up, 5 pods pull up and begin loading - as needed
- instead of needing to wait for all 5 to be full before leaving, pods can leave as they are filled
- if the loading areas are still distributed by resort, I don't see a need for the pods to go out with only 4 people, especially at park closing time, if the pod is going direct to a resort, people would share
- if there is a system where people swipe a card or use a touch screen as they enter the queue, there would be no waiting for new pods to arrive

-Joe

 

[jt04]

Assuming 8 people per pod, we would need about 5 pods for each bus.

My thoughts:

- imagine the MK bus loading area being replaced with pod loading areas - think of a railroad switching area with many tracks
- keep the loading zones for each resort
- introduce a handicapped accessible only loading zone !
- buses can hold about 40 people I believe
- so instead of 1 bus pulling up, 5 pods pull up and begin loading - as needed
- instead of needing to wait for all 5 to be full before leaving, pods can leave as they are filled
- if the loading areas are still distributed by resort, I don't see a need for the pods to go out with only 4 people, especially at park closing time, if the pod is going direct to a resort, people would share
- if there is a system where people swipe a card or use a touch screen as they enter the queue, there would be no waiting for new pods to arrive

-Joe

Exactly. Very well put. It amazes me how many people say the system "won't work" when it is actually being built at an airport (very high traffic).

You can't equate one of these systems to buses, monorails or ferries because the pods are designed to load continuously. It is an entirely new concept and is well thought out.

But I am sure there were people who said the automobile would never replace the horse and buggy. :lol:

 

[DisneyMusician2]

With all of the recent complaints about the bus system, you would think that people would be excited about a new technology being implemented in other places.

I am not even sure what else they could use other than more monorail lines.

 

[TubaGeek]

No. Not going to happen.
Cool idea, but not going to happen.

 

[jt04]

No. Not going to happen.
Cool idea, but not going to happen.

I take it the horse and buggy is still the primary means of transportation in SD.

Yes. It is going to happen. Because it's a cool idea it's going to happen.

The only thing in question is when.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

With all of the recent complaints about the bus system, you would think that people would be excited about a new technology being implemented in other places.

I am not even sure what else they could use other than more monorail lines.

I don't know what it is about the monorail. I think it's just a point of nostalgia for people now. I love the monorail because back when I was little, it was my favorite thing about Disney. That being said, I understand why they would never build another one. You're on a fixed track and can only basically go between point A and point B. If they needed more transportation at point C...they can't just send a monorail from one route to another.

The spiels in the pods could be amazing.

"Welcome aboard Disney's DreamPod...today you are dreaming of going to Disney's Animal Kingdom." "At Disney's Animal Kingdom, beware of the Forbidden Mountain near Mt. Everest because locals say that it's being guarded by the mythical Yeti." blah blah...

Inside the pod could be an interactive touchscreen map of the park displayed with descriptions of the attractions and parade/show times...so you can plan out your day while you ride to the park.

 

[Master Yoda]

I take it the horse and buggy is still the primary means of transportation in SD.

Yes. It is going to happen. Because it's a cool idea it's going to happen.

The only thing in question is when.

I do not think I would be saying that unless I had plans on my desk and funding in the bank for such a project. Just because it is "cool" does not mean that it will provide Disney a ROI and it certainly does not mean that the will do it for that reason alone.

 

[imagineer boy]

I agree with what someone else said that it wouldn't be crowd efficient. Its true, those things only carry one family at a time so it wouldn't be very efficient on crowded summer days.

And lastly, this looks like it would be ten times more expensive than any monorail expansion.