question about Epcot's monorail station

[thelookingglass]

I've always wondered about this, and maybe you guys can fill me in.

Why does Epcot's Monorail station have a needlessly long exit ramp? I always got the impression that that station was designed with expansion of the monorail system in mind, and that it would become a second TTC-style hub, but it just never happened.

 

[Monty]

I always thought it was simply wheelchair accessible.

 

[Master Yoda]

ADA wheel chair ramps are required to be between a 1/16 and a 1/20 slope and those factors get adjusted depending on the usage (traffic up or down the ramp) and the over all length of the ramp (longer ramps require lower slope). In a nut shell the ramps are so much longer because the station is much higher and built to more ADA friendly code.

For some quick numbers 40' tall platform will require an almost 800' long exit ramp at a 1/20 slope. Increase it to 1/16 slope will cut that down to 560'. This length does not include landings that are at a level grade which are required at every turn.

 

[joe80x86]

The flat part of the exit ramp is there because I remember reading somewhere that is was used as an Epcot preview area during construction. You could ride the monorail over there and see the construction or something like that.

Found it on Jim Hill's site.

http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_c...ering-epcot-center-s-very-first-visitors.aspx

"Lots of WDW visitors wished that they could be in President Nixon's shoes and explore Epcot Center months before this theme park officially opened to the public. But the best they could do was enjoy a monorail ride through the then-still-active construction site and visit the temporary visitor's center that had been set up in Epcot Center's Monorail station."

 

[raven]

It's more simple than that. That long, flat part of the exit also doubles as a roof for guests waiting in line for the trams.

 

[vonpluto]

Wasn't EPCOT built before the ADA Act came about?

 

[marni1971]

In all fairness, the exit ramp is so long and convoluted to break up a full load of arriving guests all wanting to buy tickets. It was part designed by George Mcginnis, who explained it is so long so as to spread out a full train load of guests equally once they get to ground level.

 

[thelookingglass]

Thanks for the info. The long, flat section was what I was referring to, not the zig-zagging, gradual sloping ramps.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

That ramp has always felt unnaturaly long to me!


Sorry, I've go no safety regulation / planological / historical / aesthetical insight to share. I just need - at last! - to share with the world the funny feeling I've always had that there was something about that ramp, that it is far longer than is necessary or practical.

 

[TimNRA757]

I'm surprised we haven't heard the little fantasy that it's for "future expansion" yet! There were rumors back in the late 90's that they would add a 2nd line for AK or DHS there.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

I'm surprised we haven't heard the little fantasy that it's for "future expansion" yet! There were rumors back in the late 90's that they would add a 2nd line for AK or DHS there.

If only, if only! I mean, walking from EPCOT to DHS can be very fun, but DAK is always a hassle (I just don't enjoy the buses)

 

[Disneybird]

The flat part of the exit ramp is there because I remember reading somewhere that is was used as an Epcot preview area during construction. You could ride the monorail over there and see the construction or something like that.

Found it on Jim Hill's site.

http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_c...ering-epcot-center-s-very-first-visitors.aspx

"Lots of WDW visitors wished that they could be in President Nixon's shoes and explore Epcot Center months before this theme park officially opened to the public. But the best they could do was enjoy a monorail ride through the then-still-active construction site and visit the temporary visitor's center that had been set up in Epcot Center's Monorail station."

I actually rode over in Sept. befoe EPCOT opened in Oct.. Received a ticket at the MK and a book in the mail about the new park and rode the monorail over. It was very exciting.

 

[BalooChicago]

The maximum slope for an ADA compliant ramp is 1:12 - 1" vertical rise for every 12" of run (You can actually get steeper than that for short ramps such as curb ramps). A ramp can exceed 1:20 - but above 1:20 it is no longer considered a ramp, and does not require handrails, etc. A ramp cannot rise more than 30" before a landing - I'm not sure the Epcot ramp does that (I don't remember).

 

[Timon]

Has anyone ever noticed the Epcot station looks like half of a larger station with the elevator in the middle to be shared by the two stations?

Like this:

 

[Monty]

Has anyone ever noticed the Epcot station looks like half of a larger station with the elevator in the middle to be shared by the two stations?

Like this:

Nope. Looks more like a single station to me:

:animwink:

 

[Timon]

I guess the sun was getting to me. I just thought it was odd the centered elevator and folded ramp which could have been spread out more just looked like they were holding open the space for a 2nd station.

 

[Larry Mondello]

They ought to have these for those who want them

 

[Monorail_Red]

In all fairness, the exit ramp is so long and convoluted to break up a full load of arriving guests all wanting to buy tickets. It was part designed by George Mcginnis, who explained it is so long so as to spread out a full train load of guests equally once they get to ground level.

From what I understand (I could be wrong) - in addition to that, IF the monorail was built out to where it was originally designed to, there would be another station connected to that large exit ramp and the Epcot Monorail Station would essentially be another TTC type of set-up.

 

[flavious27]

I've always wondered about this, and maybe you guys can fill me in.

Why does Epcot's Monorail station have a needlessly long exit ramp? I always got the impression that that station was designed with expansion of the monorail system in mind, and that it would become a second TTC-style hub, but it just never happened.

I doubt that they had expansion in mind when they built this station. If wdw knew that they would be designing more parks, they would not have fired so many wed/wdi employees after epcot was finished.