Rumor from a Monorail worker.

[Glasgow]

I'm mixed on the monorail expansion. On the one hand, it would awesome to see an integrated, resort wide monorail system - what a cool way to get around. On the other hand, that would take an AWFUL lot of money, money that could be going to maintenance and refurbs. As much as I'd like to see new monorails, I'd prefer for WDW to be spotlessly maintained and bang up to date on technology.

 

[danlb_2000]

 

[Master Yoda]

Look, if you connect the parks, hotels, retail, nighttime entertainment, etc. with a system that has low operating costs, you are effectively keeping people on the property because taking the monorail (or other mode of fixed route electric transit) costs less time and is more convenient. Leaving the gates and driving to a hotel or going someone to eat or shop in a car or bus would become a secondary option and no longer the preferred option, and would be chosen out of necessity or other reason. Keeping guests on property makes revenue on so many levels. It indirectly creates revenue for the company that it would likely pay for itself in just a few years, but there is no way to actually measure which revenue came from keeping guests from leaving.

You mean just like what they have already done with buses?

 

[MichWolv]

At TDR there is a charge to ride the monorail(Resort Line) around 2800Y for four days.

True on h charge. I paid 1100 yen for 3 days n Feb.

 

[PyroKinesis]

The $1,000 that is promised, can I get that all in one lump sum, tax-free?

 

[Yensid71]

Put me down for some MONEY, MONEY, MOOOOOONEY........MONEY!

Yes we all would like to see that kind of money put into the parks, however we are talking about different budgets.

Transportation is not a revenue generator, the only way the Transportation Department get money is through its contracts it has with the resorts. The resorts pay a yearly fee for the use of the Transportation Department services. They are contracted to provide certain levels of service. For example, they are contracted to run 4 monorails on the resort beam at all times. Also, they receive a small percentage of the sales of theme park tickets. So to take the money that is in the Transportation budget and move it to the parks budget for some sort of attraction would never happen.

Also as a former Monorail Cast Member we were told that Disney World was scheduled to get new Mark VIII monorails after Disneyland got the Mark VII. And I do recall seeing a master plan for transportation in the shop but it involved a combination of monorail and people mover style transportation. But that was back in 2000.

 

[PeterAlt]

Your profile picture is not a image hosting site and is a serious PITA to actually see a photo in any size. Please use an actual image webhost to link to images you are going to use for 'proof'.

As for the rest.. look at what is there and research it before seeing what you want to see...

No, that's right next to AKL. Use Google Maps and see it yourself. I used Apple Maps and took a screen shot. I'm doing very extensive research, by the way.

But I think those are storage containers now, as someone here has kindly pointed out, any way.

 

[WDW1974]

While I don't necessarily agree that it's a possibility, I think people are underestimating how much the average guest hates the bus system. I wouldn't doubt it's the top complaint from guests.

I am consistently amazed at what the avaerage guest will put up with from WDW's ridiculous transport system.

Last week, it took me 50 minutes to get from the DD Marketplace to the WDW Swan (my goal was the YC, but I realized I could do better on foot than waiting for the bus to finish at the Swan and then drive to the Dolphin and then go to the YC). Someone staying at the BW would have been looking at a 70-80 minute trip from the Martketplace to their hotel. And this is convenient? This is why people shout about not renting a car? People paying some of the most inflated hotel rates in the country?!?!?

Lines have always been WDW guests biggest 'complaint' ... Disney sure has fixed that with FP and soon FP+.

I'd hate to see their transportation solution.

 

[Admiral01]

Put me down for some MONEY, MONEY, MOOOOOONEY........MONEY!

Yes we all would like to see that kind of money put into the parks, however we are talking about different budgets.

Transportation is not a revenue generator, the only way the Transportation Department get money is through its contracts it has with the resorts. The resorts pay a yearly fee for the use of the Transportation Department services. They are contracted to provide certain levels of service. For example, they are contracted to run 4 monorails on the resort beam at all times. Also, they receive a small percentage of the sales of theme park tickets. So to take the money that is in the Transportation budget and move it to the parks budget for some sort of attraction would never happen.

Also as a former Monorail Cast Member we were told that Disney World was scheduled to get new Mark VIII monorails after Disneyland got the Mark VII. And I do recall seeing a master plan for transportation in the shop but it involved a combination of monorail and people mover style transportation. But that was back in 2000.

Regardless of any "expansion" plans the truth of the matter is the Mark VI Monorails will eventually need to be replaced. The aluminum and fibrerglass monorails can only last so long. The benefit here is that Bombardier still produces the same basic monorail, albeit with modern upgrades. Disney would no longer need to pay for a new design as they did with the Mark I through VII designs. The WDW Monorails could easily be replaced 1-for-1 with modern Bombardier Monorails of the updated design. Whether they call those Mark VIII, or Mark VI Upgrade, or whatever is irrelevant. Eventually the normal operation of the fleet, along with the wonderful Florida air, will necessitate their replacement.

 

[gonnichi]

what is the red area in his profile picture?

 

[GoofGoof]

While I don't necessarily agree that it's a possibility, I think people are underestimating how much the average guest hates the bus system. I wouldn't doubt it's the top complaint from guests.

The monorails may not attract people to the resort, but they also don't turn people away like the buses do. I know plenty of people that rent a car for that specific reason. A sophisticated monorail expansion could almost eliminate buses from a handful of resorts.

The easier it is for guests to travel around the 'world', the easier it is for them to spend money.

I would love to see a monorail expansion. A new loop between DTD and AK that stops at EPCOT (transfers between this line and MK line) and DHS too. Then all 4 parks and DTD would be connected. I agree that most people would prefer not to take the bus if possible, but it is logistically impossible to connect a lot of the resorts to the monorail even if the cost to build it was not an issue. Here is a quick breakdown:

Current monorail resort number of rooms:
CR + BLT: 950
GF: 867
Poly: 847
Total of 2,644 rooms.

The 8 value and moderate resorts EACH have between 1,920 and 2,880 rooms or close to the total of all of the current monorail resorts combined. They would need 10 times the number of trains at least and the current lines to MK and EPCOT would be overwhelmed. It might be more feasible to try to just connect Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk to the extension that connects to AK to DTD. Then all of your deluxe resorts would be connected to the monorail and none would need buses (boat from WL to CR). For the mods and values, the bus is the only option.

 

[awhit066]

Chance of $1000 just to post in this thread! I'll take it!

 

[RSoxNo1]

Ya I bet TDO would wrap the current monorails to promote the monorail expansion. And I'm only half kidding.

They'd wrap them with newer, longer monorails.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'd hate to see their transportation solution.

Really big slingshot at each resort

 

[Taylor]

Really big slingshot at each resort

I'd pay for that

 

[lazyboy97o]

I changed my avatar picture with proof this isn't true. This is a picture is a plan from the 1990's to extend the monorail to DHS.

Why not just post the full size images with proof of their authenticity?

 

[Figment1986]

He did say $2 billion. To put things in perspective, the new Anaheim monorail through the DLR area is costing between $200 million and $300 million for a 2 mile section of elevated track.

2 miles of elevates track... that probably includes 3 trains too... and 3 stations?

 

[jh28wd40]

put me in for the 1000

 

[Buried20KLeague]

At TDR there is a charge to ride the monorail(Resort Line) around 2800Y for four days.

That's a great point... Although I'm fairly sure that's mandated by the Japanese government, as I recall. Seems I remember reading that in Yee 's book "Tokyo Disney made easy" which he was kind enough to send me an advance copy of and which became my bible during my trip.

My point there is it wasn't a Disney thing. I seem to recall a similar issue w a train in the park causing an problem, as it was considered mass transit and all mass transit in Japan must be taxed.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

This is a funny thread. It makes me laugh. Laughter is good for the Spirit.

You should all try it as often as possible ...

Hey... You just relax there, buck-o... At least I was clear that this was nothing more than fun discussion and hyperbole!!