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

[NickMaio]

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?

Somewhat true - However, at one point Disney was far more concerned with guest experience and atmosphere than shareholders and cheaping out on image and maintenance/up keep.
I think at some point, maybe not this generation, Disney as a company will realize that you need to spend 10 times as much for that 1 customer than you do for the repeat customer. This is common sense marketing.
We are already hearing of multiple families saying that they used to go every year but have stopped, for various reasons.
Perhaps a decline in DVC enrollment.

Disney was built on the experience - the atmosphere - the staff. These are the reasons why millions of families went in the 70's-80's-90's.
Not thrill rides.

 

[Bender123]

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

I doubt its just due to cleaning...they do a fine job cleaning, so lets leave that issue aside. The problem with the monorails, now, can almost entirely be attributed to the monorails running on 30 years of constant beatdowns. There is only so much cleaning you can do before the smells get baked into the materials, the dents/dings cant be painted over and the material starts breaking down. You are talking 30 years with only fairly basic rehabs, nightly cleaning and minimal/no updates/replacements.

They could clean all they want, but its not going to fix any of the root problems...The monorails either need to be replaced or they, at the very least, need to be stripped down and rebuilt.

 

[NelleBelle]

Exactly!!

 

[John park hopper]

I doubt its just due to cleaning...they do a fine job cleaning, so lets leave that issue aside. The problem with the monorails, now, can almost entirely be attributed to the monorails running on 30 years of constant beatdowns. There is only so much cleaning you can do before the smells get baked into the materials, the dents/dings cant be painted over and the material starts breaking down. You are talking 30 years with only fairly basic rehabs, nightly cleaning and minimal/no updates/replacements.

They could clean all they want, but its not going to fix any of the root problems...The monorails either need to be replaced or they, at the very least, need to be stripped down and rebuilt.

Stop and think how many people own 30 year old cars that look like they did when first bought it, really how many people own a 30 yar old car. The only option is a total restoration and I don't think Disney is about to do that. Sad fact of life things age and fall apart.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I don't think they are THAT bad, but there is honestly no excuse to not have clean carpets, sets, and working A/C in every car.

 

[Bullseye1967]

https://www.local10.com/theme-parks...f-plans-to-discontinue-resort-monorail-system

 

[Omnikron]

Perhaps we should bring over some of the Tokyo folks in tell us how a true guest experience should be for a 5 star theme park and resort should run their monorails. I know Tokyo and DW are two completely different systems and there would need to be some major construction, notably through the Contemporary. But I've seen better looking public transportation than what's being presented to guests currently.

 

[POLY LOVER]

There is a report on a Disney blogger web site that the monorails will be put out of service due to their age etc. Disney claims it's not true? Anyone know anything?

 

[Rumrunner]

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.

The parks are packed-Disney should have the money to keep the MK and other parks pristine. Noticed their net revenue was down 4% last year-with Star Wars suppose to be a great deal and parks packed one has to ask what is the deal?

 

[John park hopper]

Perhaps we should bring over some of the Tokyo folks in tell us how a true guest experience should be for a 5 star theme park and resort should run their monorails. I know Tokyo and DW are two completely different systems and there would need to be some major construction, notably through the Contemporary. But I've seen better looking public transportation than what's being presented to guests currently.

View attachment 256035View attachment 256036

I watched a show on the Japanese high speed railway not too long ago. The Japanese know how to run things. I forget the time frame but on a regular schedule the trains and cars are taken out of service and completely torn down and refurbished they come out looking like new. Now granted the WDW monorail isn't a high speed train but when has it ever ben rebulit to original specs. Disney take a lession from the Japanese ====no better higher them

 

[POLY LOVER]

I watched a show on the Japanese high speed railway not too long ago. The Japanese know how to run things. I forget the time frame but on a regular schedule the trains and cars are taken out of service and completely torn down and refurbished they come out looking like new. Now granted the WDW monorail isn't a high speed train but when has it ever ben rebulit to original specs. Disney take a lession from the Japanese ====no better higher them

There is no excuse for not maintaining your property. They have the money and resources they just are in the mode of milk it dry then address it. Walt is spinning in his grave. This can't be allowed to continue, the bean counters and poor management will destroy these parks. Instead of keeping things five star they are coming up with a 50.00 up charge to get a few more fast passes.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Perhaps we should bring over some of the Tokyo folks in tell us how a true guest experience should be for a 5 star theme park and resort should run their monorails. I know Tokyo and DW are two completely different systems and there would need to be some major construction, notably through the Contemporary. But I've seen better looking public transportation than what's being presented to guests currently.

View attachment 256035View attachment 256036

TDR's monorails are hideous on the outside. Inside they're amazing!

 

[POLY LOVER]

TDR's monorails are hideous on the outside. Inside they're amazing!

Is Tokyo Disney part of the same company?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Is Tokyo Disney part of the same company?

Think of it as a franchise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Disney_Resort

Ya know, maybe I can get a license from Disney Corp and open up a Disney park in my back yard!!

 

[POLY LOVER]

Think of it as a franchise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Disney_Resort

Ya know, maybe I can get a license from Disney Corp and open up a Disney park in my back yard!!

I've never been there is it really run that much better.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I've never been there is it really run that much better.

For the most part, yes. While a lot of has to do with culture, the owners are Conte ally bound to standards set in the late 1970s that Disney has no qualms about hypocritically enforcing.

 

[POLY LOVER]

I believe that when Walt was the owner he was not distracted or focused on any other business. It's was his and his idea and his pride said it was going to be different and the best. I believe that Disney is way to large and diversified to run the parks as they need to be to maintain the high standards that Walt set. This is why they are buying up other content because it's easy and lazy. They don't have the passion to create new ideas that are beyond ordinary.
I really wish the parks were their only concern but that genie left the bottle.
It's sad to see a monorail moving along with an open door or talk the monorails are dirty or to be discontinued because they have been allowed to fall into disrepair. I wish they would make the park totally independent of the other businesses and hire a CEO to run them that respects its history and will run them accordingly.

 

[FettFan]

TDR's monorails are hideous on the outside. Inside they're amazing!

Quite. Disneyland's monorails are retro-futuristic rocket ships.

WDW's monorails are 1980s Learjets.

TDR's monorails are.....giant railbound sperm whales.
The white body and ocean-green wave pattern makes me think of Moby D ick.

"FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE! FOR HATE'S SAKE, I SPIT MY LAST BREATH AT THEE!"

EDIT - Well that's just PEACHY. I can't even enter the name of one of the greatest American novels ever written thanks to WDWMagic's filtering system. Surely they could program these boards to accept the phrase "Moby Dick" as an exception to the filtering?

 

[larryz]

"FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE! FOR HATE'S SAKE, I SPIT MY LAST BREATH AT THEE!"


EDIT - Well that's just PEACHY. I can't even enter the name of one of the greatest American novels ever written thanks to WDWMagic's filtering system. Surely they could program these boards to accept the phrase "Moby ****" as an exception to the filtering?

You could call it Moby Rick. We'll know what you mean.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I believe that when Walt was the owner he was not distracted or focused on any other business.

Walt was constantly losing interest and getting distracted. It was a reoccurring theme of his life and how he got involved in so many fields besides animation.