Originally Posted By RoadTrip Tried leaving the parking lots at close? It makes the buses look super-convenient. Especially at the MK where you wait for a monorail or ferry, then wait for the tram to your car, then wait in an endless line of traffic to leave the lot.
Originally Posted By CDF2 Didn't somebody say that for a new monorail line it would cost something like $1M for each pillar that would have to be placed on the route? Busses seem like the only answer for WDW since you can add as many of them as you want and routes can vary whenever you want them to. Obviously Disney folks feel that since MK is the top destination then the more express busses they can run to MK the better. Totally agree about MK being a real pain if you arrive by car - wait for monorail or boat and then wait to get out of parking lot with the rest of the masses.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Back in the 80's the monorail cost, we were told, was $1 million a mile. I am sure it is a lot more now. Disney had a subsidiary called Disney Transportation that tried to sell both the monorail system and the Wedway to outside places. The only place that actually bought one was the Houston airport which bought a version of the Wedway. Disney Transportation was eventually shut down. I was on loan to them for a brief time and I still have the sales books that they gave out at presentations. My feeling about expanding the monorail system is that it is more about lack of interest rather than cost at this point. At one time the idea of the monorail was visionary. After many years of service I just don't think anyone has the vision for expanding the monorail system. I am sure there are lots of other reasons that Disney has decided not to expand the system, but mostly I think that there is not a person designated who has a vision of the entire WDW resort as a whole. Or at least no one that has the power to implement that vision. One option Disney could consider would be actually using TTC as a hub with a third system that went to the AK and the Studios. Also making stops at a couple of the resorts along the way. Also, there is a foot print in the original EPCOT plans for adding as second monorail station there (originally going to the Disney Village/Hotel Plaza). If you look at the EPCOT station, the load side is basically flat, where the unload side has that long ramp down. The original plan was to build a mirror station on adjacent to the load side of the monorail station. When EPCOT was built, monorail beam bases were poured inside EPCOT. They were removed when Mission Space was built.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I just read this yesterday National geographic Traveler April 2013 Wild Ride Fun is the new Frontier for commuters The Overvecht rail station in Utrecht, Netherlands, sports a transfer accelerator ( a slide) that scoots time-strapped travelers to the train tracks. In Singapore Changi Airport's four story helix slide brings amusement spark to your layover. And Shanghai's Bund Sightseeing Tunnel a subway line that runs under the Huangpu River is like traveling to Oz. Its clear capsule zips through a loopy kaleidoscope light show set to a campy sound track. It is hard to feel sorry for WDW ,for some reason ,and worry about their cost for improving the monorail.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>"Think of how many times you are waiting for your specific bus and they keep arriving right after each other for the same destination you do not want and they are empty arriving and departing." How many times? Never? I don't recall this happening on my trips.<< I've seen it, too. And yes, this has been the experience at the resorts, rather than the parks. One of the biggest reasons (if not THE reason) that I have no real desire to visit WDW is the dreadful transportation within the Resort property. I would probably feel differently if I lived there and was very familiar with how the system works. But for the average person, it's just a mess. (And I am a big supporter of mass transit.)
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I have witnessed questionable behavior with the bus system. I have wondered if they like to take turns piggybacking the rounds so one driver has to deal with actual customers while the one close behind actually gets a break on the job. I have also seen them eating their sandwiches while driving...guess they need a nap during their real lunch break. I have also seen the worst and rudest behavior at the DD bus locations. That is why I go early on a bus and then take a boat to a resort to catch a bus. Hate DD bus system. Occasionally a group of 2 or 3 men in a suit will wander out to observe but will NOT speak to any of the customers to ask How their day is going...So you or not sure if they are waiting for a bus or just doing the rounds to file a report that all is well. I guess everything is okey dokey we can go back to our air conditioned offices now and look busy. I have just learned to ignore and not complain cause it is just an amusement for "Castpeople"...why raise my blood pressure on vacation...I know both resorts well enough to relax and enjoy. Find the best and ignore the rest...usually.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub In my post 25 above: "Amusement Spark" is the word that describes what Disney lacks nowadays .
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Many times during the middle of the day my wife and I have been the only guests on a bus going from Boardwalk or Old Key West to one of the parks. It seems wasteful, but the only options would be to decrease the frequency they run or combine more resorts on one bus route during the day, but I doubt I'd like either of those options much.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I find that Disney moves people amazingly well considering the size of the resort and the number of guests that stay on property. Are there problems? Sure. I have waited for long periods for a bus or have been frustrated when a bus becomes full before I can board, but all in all I never find the buses to be an issue.
