Thoughts on Monorails; Why They're Dirty, Not So Magical

[Cmdr_Crimson]

They're in terrible shape. I have yet to be inside a cabin that didn't have trash littered about, markings on the walls, chipped paint, a fresh clean scent, obvious stains everywhere. Its a shame, really. They're often people's first and last Magic Kingdom experience and they should be treated as such.

Must be Jedi-Mind trickery then with those ad's they are throwing around..

 

[Incomudro]

I remember being utterly amazed by the "Highway in the Sky" as a kid. Riding on the monorail from the TTC over to Magic Kingdom was the highlight of our trips and if we were lucky enough to have park hoppers and ride from TTC to Epcot, that was even better. Of course the monorail was never anything exclusive to WDW, but coming from a rural area, I'd never seen such a thing. Nowadays I avoid the monorail at all costs, if possible. They're in terrible shape. I have yet to be inside a cabin that didn't have trash littered about, markings on the walls, chipped paint, a fresh clean scent, obvious stains everywhere. Its a shame, really. They're often people's first and last Magic Kingdom experience and they should be treated as such.

Yeah, riding the Monorail through the Contemporary, hearing the narrator describe the Seven Seas Lagoon as I took in the beautiful view through the windows of the gleaming Monorail are fond memories.

 

[Bacon]

Not really, these are valid points.

It was because of the not so magical quote lol

 

[wendysue]

We haven't ridden the monorails for a couple years. The last time we rode, it smelled like a toilet.

 

[John park hopper]

The first time I rode the monorail was in 72 and it was clean, bright and new, it was amasing, As the years have progressed It has declined from DIsney neglect. Recently rode it this year and such a disappointment looks like it may go the way of Discovery Island and River Country---- hope not

 

[NelleBelle]

As a preface, I've always been somewhat of a germaphobe after working in healthcare. Public transportation, of any kind, creeps me out (planes, trains, Uber, etc). Visiting WDW is an exercise in germ warfare for me, especially as we've watched the decline of the parks from what they used to be. We've always been careful to wash our hands/use Purell after rides, but I am not kidding when I say I'm surprised the health department hasn't shut these things down.

We rode the monorails for the first time in several years last Oct ('16). OMG, I nearly puked when we got on! The seats were sticky and grimy. The smell permeating was as if we standing in a giant diaper genie vs. the world's largest traveling urinal. On heaven forbid if I had to hang onto the overhead rails if we had to stand! I felt as if I would literally catch some disease that was a multi-drug resistant. You couldn't pay me to stay at one of the monorail resorts unless it was the Contemporary and we could walk to the MK. We would then drive ourselves to Epcot rather than take one of these disgusting for transportation again.

 

[NickMaio]

Amen Disney Fan,

These need a serious overhau!!!! - - The smell alone is garbage.

If one of the largest companies in the world uses urine smelling cleaning chemicals - - this makes little sense. They try so hard in every aspect to keep things clean and tidy. Let's drop the ball for our guests before they even get into the parks.

Plain and simple it is the inadequate ventilation system and the carpets/ seats. Rotten

To the people who keep stating that there is already many threads here so don't bother posting.
By their logic we should not be posting anything negative at all because "hey" it's already been done.
Please pay no attention to them.

Disney has paid staff that circulate through various internet forums to gauge actual guest satisfaction. They read these forums. Make a post tell them how unhappy or dissatisfied you are.
Actually, let the world know - - - it is after all - - - the WHOLE point of a discussion based internet forum.

Sorry we talked it about it already - it's on page 348 - "Delete"

 

[Winter]

What are you guys talking about? This is the best the monorails have ever been in!!! In fact, the number one thing I'm most excited about for my next trip is to ride the Red Monorail with the doors open!

 

[POLY LOVER]

Unfortunately the only thing that will send a message to Disney executives is a huge hit to their bottom line. When attendance drops and the impression of Disney around the country is that it's not worth the money and it's not that special place anymore then they will react and hopefully try to RESTORE! The magic. I hope it won't be too late.

 

[MisterPenguin]

What are you guys talking about? This is the best the monorails have ever been in!!! In fact, the number one thing I'm most excited about for my next trip is to ride the Red Monorail with the doors open!

Indeed, for all those concerned with the cleanliness of the monorails, Disney has devised a genius plan to air them out.

 

[Bender123]

Indeed, for all those concerned with the cleanliness of the monorails, Disney has devised a genius plan to air them out.

People always complain the window vents are insufficient...Might as well step their game up and just have open doors.

 

[NickMaio]

Disney has some serious housekeeping issues to address - - - - Perhaps if they spent less time cramming a Starbucks into turn of the century Main Street USA and more time looking at the "Little things" Disney would be a different place.

Their value hotels are starting to become a serious joke - - - - - value should be changed to dingy class hotels.

That Starbucks is a huge button and eyesore for me. Totally destroys the atmosphere!

 

[larryz]

As a preface, I've always been somewhat of a germaphobe after working in healthcare. Public transportation, of any kind, creeps me out (planes, trains, Uber, etc). Visiting WDW is an exercise in germ warfare for me, especially as we've watched the decline of the parks from what they used to be. We've always been careful to wash our hands/use Purell after rides, but I am not kidding when I say I'm surprised the health department hasn't shut these things down.

We rode the monorails for the first time in several years last Oct ('16). OMG, I nearly puked when we got on! The seats were sticky and grimy. The smell permeating was as if we standing in a giant diaper genie vs. the world's largest traveling urinal. On heaven forbid if I had to hang onto the overhead rails if we had to stand! I felt as if I would literally catch some disease that was a multi-drug resistant. You couldn't pay me to stay at one of the monorail resorts unless it was the Contemporary and we could walk to the MK. We would then drive ourselves to Epcot rather than take one of these disgusting for transportation again.

I'm guessing you don't drink out of the water fountains, then...

What are you guys talking about? This is the best the monorails have ever been in!!! In fact, the number one thing I'm most excited about for my next trip is to ride the Red Monorail with the doors open!

At least it won't smell so bad...

 

[MAGICFLOP]

I think it is a tough proposition to keep the monorails clean, because so many people ride them and the air conditioning creates condensation. I always tried to avoid the monorail, I liked riding the boat and letting the breeze hit me.

 

[NickMaio]

More people ride POTC....when was the last time you thought Jack Sparrow peed his pants?
Seriously though, Disney is a billion dollar conglomerate. I think they could spring to replace the carpets, seats and AC systems.

As first impressions go. The monorail is easily hands down the worst in the Diz catalogue.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

More people ride POTC....when was the last time you thought Jack Sparrow peed his pants?
Seriously though, Disney is a billion dollar conglomerate. I think they could spring to replace the carpets, seats and AC systems.

As first impressions go. The monorail is easily hands down the worst in the Diz catalogue.

Those are red ink on the ledger...no profits can be made off them.

I think the monorail's days are numbered longterm...question is how many days?

 

[POLY LOVER]

Though personal trips to Walt Disney World for me began in the mid 1990s, I have noticed a steep decline in monorail 'show quality' in this period of time. Though this argument may have been made, hear this one out.

As a frequent visitor of these parks, I have begun noticing slight declines in upkeep throughout each park. In regards to our monorails, their exteriors often seem quite unclean, however, their exteriors are no match for their interiors.

I understand, these monorails have been in service for quite some time, however, certain upkeep issues intrude into guest experiences. Many monorails have developed quite a terrible stench, due to heavy usage in combination with air conditioning condensation that develops mold (apparent near bottoms of compartment walls). However, little remedial work has taken place, as it seems it has been deemed too costly or time consuming.

Though each of these issues intrudes into guests positive experiences, it bothers me to a higher degree that guests pay exorbitant room rates to stay near certain resorts which have monorail service, sometimes unaware that this service no longer warrants such high rates as it is subpar in quality.

To wrap things up, these issues stem back to a corporate culture of cost-cutting, a culture choking out everything that made this vacation destination the "Most Magical Place on Earth".

Well, now that you've seen how I view this issue, I would be delighted if you would share your thoughts on this topic too.​

How much can we attribute the dirt to some people just being pigs, sorry to say? To keep them spotless with the crowds they are attacking would require having cleaning personal getting on and off at each stop cleaning as they go.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Can someone who works for Disney compare cleaning and maintenance service now vs. then. Has it changed or is it the same?

 

[NelleBelle]

I'm guessing you don't drink out of the water fountains, then...

Heck no! Water fountains (anywhere) freak me out!! All I picture are mouths all over that thing and then recirculating mouth germs with lukewarm water (yuck)!! As for WDW water, can't stand the taste of swamp so I end up drinking bottled water.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Who has time for water? Drink beer.