Should Disney get rid of the monorails?

[ohioguy]

Now that alternative transportation, at a far cheaper cost, exists, perhaps it is time to retire the monorails once and for all. Maintenance, performance, and technical issues are only going to get worse. Is it that important to keep the monorails? How easy would it be to replace them with gondolas?

I could see keeping the monorail lines that serve the Magic Kingdom and the deluxe resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon (allowing the Contemporary Resort monorail to be left as is; it truly is iconic), but the EPCOT line might benefit from a switch to gondolas. The overall savings would more than offset the cost to switch. Given that Future World is being overhauled, perhaps now is the time to remove the monorail track that loops within EPCOT.

 

[John park hopper]

The monorail should be updated and expanded. Cheaper is not always better

 

[Driver]

I think it's extremely unlikely that this iconic form of transportation would be deleted. It was one of Walts loves and he specifically wanted it to be the core of transportation for the park. Also "monorail's" aren't as modern as some may think. The earliest "monorail" was in Germany around 1903 it was called the " Shwepabaum" (I'm sure I spelled that wrong ) but anyway it hung from the beam instead of riding on it.............. just my 2 cents!

 

[drizgirl]

Why would they get rid of the monorail? Can they not afford a replacement now that the old one is past its life expectancy?

 

[mergatroid]

 

[MaryJaneP]

What an uninformed possibility.

 

[NickWilde]

Removing the monorail is the last thing I imagine would happen to Walt Disney World, and probably the biggest sign of financial ruin for the company. If they close the monorail for anything other than routine maintenance, or begin charging for it, you know they’re desperate.

 

[JIMINYCR]

The Horrors to even ask the question. Get rid of them??? Certainly not. The monorails are as much symbolic of Disney as the Castle. Disney should be caring for them better and giving them the love they deserve. And they should bring back the ride up front!!!!

 

[TwilightZone]

 

[mergatroid]

The Horrors to even ask the question. Get rid of them??? Certainly not. The monorails are as much symbolic of Disney as the Castle. Disney should be caring for them better and giving them the love they deserve. And they should bring back the ride up front!!!!

Unfortunately after that poor driver was killed in the collision at Epcot, we won't see that again.

 

[networkpro]

I think it's extremely unlikely that this iconic form of transportation would be deleted. It was one of Walts loves and he specifically wanted it to be the core of transportation for the park. Also "monorail's" aren't as modern as some may think. The earliest "monorail" was in Germany around 1903 it was called the " Shwepabaum" (I'm sure I spelled that wrong ) but anyway it hung from the beam instead of riding on it.............. just my 2 cents!

Wuppertaler Schwebebahn circa 1901

 

[Damon7777]

Hey Ohioguy,
Why you be fixated on costs?

Better to dwell on guest satisfaction.

I don't care about "their" costs. I care about my enjoyment and guest utility.
Monorail stays if it can transport me efficiently(and safely)

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The monorail should be updated and expanded. Cheaper is not always better

It would probably be cheaper to replace the 12 existing trains than tear down the whole system (beams, stations, roundhouse, etc) and fill in the hole in the Contemporary than come up with an alternative to move just as many people.

 

[Driver]

Unfortunately after that poor driver was killed in the collision at Epcot, we won't see that again.

Actually that happened on the EPCOT "beam" at TTC.

 

[Driver]

Wuppertaler Schwebebahn circa 1901

Very cool!!!! Thank you!!!

 

[justintheharris]

The reason I say no is that Magic Kingdom has no practical access without the monorail at this point. And there isn't really a fix that doesn't involve turning Seven Seas Lagoon into a parking lot and leaving all the Deluxe Resorts with fantastic views of pavement.

 

[RustySpork]

If they get rid of them they'll stop breaking when people hit them with their scooters. Seems like the obvious solution to me.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It would probably be cheaper to replace the 12 existing trains than tear down the whole system (beams, stations, roundhouse, etc) and fill in the hole in the Contemporary than come up with an alternative to move just as many people.

You might recall that back in the 50's in Disneyland they had the gondolas go right through Matterhorn. They could do the same thing with the contemporary. Wouldn't be as pretty, but it could be done and hide all the cables and connectors.

 

[Rumrunner]

Disney should use some that handsome profit the parks made last year and convert the monorails into a first class operation again.

They are iconic Disney and there is absolutely no justification for letting any part of the park operations deteriorate to the point of the current monorail system.