Rumor- WDW to get new monorail trains in near future

[articos]

I guess you can upgrade the current fleet, but WDI doesn't have the know-how and experience (any more) and if they were to tackle this themselves, it could end up costing more than buying new rolling stock that has already been tried, tested, and perfected.

Not necessarily. In this case, they've managed projects like this for Anaheim multiple times over. It's easier with WDW's trains because the same company that built them is still available.

 

[WDW1974]

The pessimisism here is not very encouraging.

All the discussion groups I'm on - for any topic (Disney, NASA, Star Wars, etc.), fans have been consistently negative of late! I don't get it - and I doubt being negative all the time is very healthy either.

Hey, do you see the state the world and the World are in? ... There is a difference between pessimisim and realism.

Me: I'd like to get that EPCOT to Disney-MGM via EPCOT Resorts loop promised in the early 90s to start;
Reality: WDW will likely never see an addition to the system and will ride these trains to failure before deciding to replace.

 

[PeterAlt]

Not necessarily. In this case, they've managed projects like this for Anaheim multiple times over. It's easier with WDW's trains because the same company that built them is still available.

And then there's the legal problem. Disney sold the patents fair and square to Bombardiar. It's not theirs any more to mess with. By attempting, they are risking a huge legal battle. The legal fees alone to wage such a battle makes doing it themselves prohibitively expensive and not an option.

 

[articos]

And then there's the legal problem. Disney sold the patents fair and square to Bombardiar. It's not theirs any more to mess with. By attempting, they are risking a huge legal battle. The legal fees alone to wage such a battle makes doing it themselves prohibitively expensive and not an option.

Nope. Disney is free to do what they wish with their system. The patents being transferred is an entirely different matter. And I'm not saying Disney would try to rebuild them themselves. Like they've done with Anaheim, they'll bring in outside expertise, and in this case, that means Bombardier, who I'm sure would rather have the business.

 

[PeterAlt]

Hey, do you see the state the world and the World are in? ... There is a difference between pessimisim and realism.

Me: I'd like to get that EPCOT to Disney-MGM via EPCOT Resorts loop promised in the early 90s to start;
Reality: WDW will likely never see an addition to the system and will ride these trains to failure before deciding to replace.

That's where we differ. I can never say never, let alone let go of that idea. Managers change. Times change. There's ups and there's downs.

I can understand that being let down so many times has built up an auto defense system that expects nothing fantastic any more and accepts let-down as the new normal. To me, that's giving up. I will never give up. If letdown is the new normal, I will refuse to let it stand. I will fight and make sure that it doesn't. If lame becomes the new normal and fans accept that, than it truly has become the new normal because Disney will see that the fans accept it and will not be driven to change!

 

[Longhairbear]

That's where we differ. I can never say never, let alone let go of that idea. Managers change. Times change. There's ups and there's downs.

I can understand that being let down so many times has built up an auto defense system that expects nothing fantastic any more and accepts let-down as the new normal. To me, that's giving up. I will never give up. If letdown is the new normal, I will refuse to let it stand. I will fight and make sure that it doesn't. If lame becomes the new normal and fans accept that, than it truly has become the new normal because Disney will see that the fans accept it and will not be driven to change!

If memory serves me correctly, and I had somewhat of insider info at the time, Disneyland almost lost it's monorail entirely. When the trains were breaking down, in need of parts no longer available etc., the then current management team decided to do away with the monorail altogether. I don't remember who or what intervened, but the monorails were saved from going to Yesterland.

 

[TP2000]

If memory serves me correctly, and I had somewhat of insider info at the time, Disneyland almost lost it's monorail entirely. When the trains were breaking down, in need of parts no longer available etc., the then current management team decided to do away with the monorail altogether. I don't remember who or what intervened, but the monorails were saved from going to Yesterland.

PRESSLER!

(Inside joke in SoCal from a decade ago, but it was fun being able to yell that name again.)

 

[zulemara]

I'll believe it when I see it

WDW is more likely to get more watercraft specifically for the MK guest load than they are new monorails. And I've been told more boats have already been ordered....

 

[monothingie]

Not true.
Also not the case. The fleet can be upgraded.

Not going to get into an argument with you, but before you state something as fact, look at the details of the suits. Bombardier and Disney fought to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Bombardiers having a future relationship with TWDC is tenuous at best.

 

[COProgressFan]

See my post just above.

One more thing to add: The current WDW trains, with any current issues they have, still have life in them. As Red mentioned, they are being continually upgraded and worked on, and with an interior refresh and the system upgrade that's coming, the chassis of the current trains could be in service for a while still. When anyone else says "New trains coming" that could mean current trains that have been overhauled.

I had read about the system upgrades, but is an interior refresh planned as well? The interiors of the trains are in terrible shape. Broken plastic moldings, filthy carpets on the walls and doors, filthy, ripped seating. 23 years of abuse is enough. A cosmetic refresh is badly needed.

 

[articos]

Not going to get into an argument with you, but before you state something as fact, look at the details of the suits. Bombardier and Disney fought to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Bombardiers having a future relationship with TWDC is tenuous at best.

I'll discuss things that I have insight into. If I don't have knowledge of it, I don't comment at all. In this case, I'm familiar. When it comes to lawsuits, money talks, as I'm sure you'd agree. If the company needs Bombardier's expertise, they'll write a check. The lawsuit was 20 years ago, and there's very few people in decision-making capacities that were around then that would have any bearing on the companies working together. I also know that Disney execs have since been hired by Bombardier, so there are new relationships in place. And Disney has had multiple multi-million dollar suits before with many parties they've gotten back in bed with, happily. Henson sued Disney for millions in the 90s as well. It's just a part of doing business.

 

[articos]

I had read about the system upgrades, but is an interior refresh planned as well? The interiors of the trains are in terrible shape. Broken plastic moldings, filthy carpets on the walls and doors, filthy, ripped seating. 23 years of abuse is enough. A cosmetic refresh is badly needed.

It's not in the immediate future, but they do know the trains need interior work. Expect it to happen, but maybe not as quickly as we would like.

 

[COProgressFan]

It's not in the immediate future, but they do know the trains need interior work. Expect it to happen, but maybe not as quickly as we would like.

Not very encouraging. I'm sure "they" (meaning the people who operate and deal with the trains on a daily basis) know all about the work that needs to be done. But "they" who have never left their corner office backstage at the Studios probably don't care.

 

[wdw71fan]

Watercraft HAVE been ordered, and modifications to the Mercury landing area by central shops is taking place (first thing being done is cleaning It up...)

As far as new trains are concerned... All I am saying is that the current fleet is WAY beyond is operational lifespan, and they are viewed by management as money pits because of the costs to upgrade them to the new control system, coupled with the costs of complete interior and exterior renovations.. Monorail Yellow has a crack in the fiberglass nearly the length of the segment on car 3.. (not visible externally)..

Translation, trains are coming... Bom isn't involved.

 

[thehowiet]

Watercraft HAVE been ordered, and modifications to the Mercury landing area by central shops is taking place (first thing being done is cleaning It up...)

As far as new trains are concerned... All I am saying is that the current fleet is WAY beyond is operational lifespan, and they are viewed by management as money pits because of the costs to upgrade them to the new control system, coupled with the costs of complete interior and exterior renovations.. Monorail Yellow has a crack in the fiberglass nearly the length of the segment on car 3.. (not visible externally)..

Translation, trains are coming... Bom isn't involved.

Appreciate the info. Are you able to share any info regarding a general time frame for the new trains? If Bom isn't involved, I wonder who is....

 

[articos]

Not very encouraging. I'm sure "they" (meaning the people who operate and deal with the trains on a daily basis) know all about the work that needs to be done. But "they" who have never left their corner office backstage at the Studios probably don't care.

They meaning the new head of Transpo and a few others above his level and they actually do care. The condition of the monorails has been noted by Burbank.

 

[articos]

Appreciate the info. Are you able to share any info regarding a general time frame for the new trains? If Bom isn't involved, I wonder who is....

If the decision is to order new trains and Bom is not selected, that leaves Hitatchi as the other major player. As far as I know, the decision has not been made yet, so my knowledge differs a bit from '71's.

 

[wdw71fan]

I should have said Bom isn't currently part of the discussion.. not that they won't be part of it, I have no idea.. but right now a manufacturing partner has not been identified..

If you want my take on the possible expansion, look for it in the thread from a couple of months ago... Like I said there.. A study was launched mid last year with regards to a large scale monorail expansion at WDW.. While busses are cheaper, they are not nearly as effective at moving massive amounts of people at once.. Look at the staton 18 backups that happen when monorails are down at park closing (or post MSEP/Wishes).. you've got a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait for a bus ahead of you.. Not to mention the safety implications of having that massive of a crowd stagnant by the MK bus terminal.. It's not pretty, and not good, and they are working on it.

 

[Did Knee]

A study was launched mid last year with regards to a large scale monorail expansion at WDW.. While busses are cheaper, they are not nearly as effective at moving massive amounts of people at once.. Look at the staton 18 backups that happen when monorails are down at park closing (or post MSEP/Wishes).. you've got a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait for a bus ahead of you.. Not to mention the safety implications of having that massive of a crowd stagnant by the MK bus terminal.. It's not pretty, and not good, and they are working on it.

Is any part of that study public? I'd be interested to see what the "throughput per hour" is in terms of passengers numbers from a monorail station and how that compares with what can be done with buses. Also, these Monorails have been in place for how many years? How long does a bus last?

 

[RSoxNo1]

I should have said Bom isn't currently part of the discussion.. not that they won't be part of it, I have no idea.. but right now a manufacturing partner has not been identified..

If you want my take on the possible expansion, look for it in the thread from a couple of months ago... Like I said there.. A study was launched mid last year with regards to a large scale monorail expansion at WDW.. While busses are cheaper, they are not nearly as effective at moving massive amounts of people at once.. Look at the staton 18 backups that happen when monorails are down at park closing (or post MSEP/Wishes).. you've got a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait for a bus ahead of you.. Not to mention the safety implications of having that massive of a crowd stagnant by the MK bus terminal.. It's not pretty, and not good, and they are working on it.

Well they're building another bus lane at MK, will that help?