Originally Posted By ChiMike >>^^Mike, there's no way 4 hours of extra maintenance is going to make that much of a difference. They need new Monorails. I think it's becoming more obvious by the day.<< Without a doubt. You are spot on. It's not just about 4 hours (2.5 hours) of additional maintenance, it's about not having them run as much, slow down the hours of operation of each train each day. It's about not running EPCOT all night so a handful of people can get back to their cars. And make no mistake those extra maintenance hours will help keep the band-aides on. But, yes, it is extremely obvious that they have put off a proactive approach to the monorails for a long time. It hasn't just been two years. I'm in agreement with everything. This is wrong. What it will do to guests is wrong. It is another example of them having been worried about the short-term in all facets of the operation. It's another - I told you so moment. ..And it also helps them save $$$$ with reduced operations.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I'm still not buying this. -em?<< I'm buying the idea that Epcot and Express are going down. But didn't Express draw down already during extra hours? I too have a hard time believing that every guest at the priciest Magic Kingdom resorts who like there extra hours at MK, considering they're paying a premium to stay near it, are now not going to be use the monorail to return to their room after a VERY long night in the park. It sounds like a complete disaster. Even with supplemental buses. So, I agree SJHYM, it is surprising, but I guess it takes a lot to spin my head now a days.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>So, in a year, will the trains be looking new again, and be used all the time? << Yeah right! >>Once again, Mike, and I mean no offense, but I will believe it when I see it, and I'll eat my foot, too. LOL/<< Offense? I can't imagine why I would be offended? I'm on the same page as all of you. I think it would be a horrible move, it would not surprise me if it occured, and I understand the underlying reason if it does. The trains are falling apart. Disney has been penny wise and pound foolish. They keep raising ticket prices, hotel rates, >chuckle<, man what a bunch of screw ups!
Originally Posted By -em I will confirm that is what was posted on the HUB today- Shutting down the Express beam makes sense (and often happens already)as you'd still have the resort beam so while its more indirect service to the MK its still service but I find shutting down the Epcot beam the amazing part as its a HUGE part of the perks of staying on the monorail beam esp when they are to the point of running only 2 rails on Epcot most if not all of the day... I agree we need new 'rails esp since most of society doesnt have cars as old as the 'rails nor driven for that many miles as long and hard as the rails ride...
Originally Posted By ChiMike Thanks! So the resort line is maintained. It's good to know it's just Express. That makes way more sense. From my past experience, they shut it down already so not that big of a deal.
Originally Posted By -em Well technically they didn't say it was or wasn't included but the grand statements say the whole system is shut down so who exactly knows... -em
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Offense? I can't imagine why I would be offended? I'm on the same page as all of you. I think it would be a horrible move, it would not surprise me if it occured, and I understand the underlying reason if it does. The trains are falling apart. Disney has been penny wise and pound foolish. They keep raising ticket prices, hotel rates, >chuckle<, man what a bunch of screw ups!<<< Because these discussions get heated, and I don't mean any disrespect! LOL! And yeah, there's no reason for the money made off of tickets to go for a new set of trains.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Thanks! So the resort line is maintained. It's good to know it's just Express. That makes way more sense. From my past experience, they shut it down already so not that big of a deal. ---- that makes perfect sense then.. completely cutting off monorail service would have been insane
Originally Posted By -em So I went and re-read the statement and it looks like ALL 'rails will end 1 hr after park close with watercraft and busses picking up the slack... Crazy!
Originally Posted By ChiMike I can't imagine staying at the GF and having to wait for a boat or bus. How absolutely embarrassing. I hope they hear from their guests.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I hope they hear from their guests. << You don't understand, ChiMike. I read Disney's press release on the subject and they assure me that guests were offended that the monorails were being operated as much as they were. This is all an attempt by Disney to give the guests the most magical experience possible. It's what the guests want, man.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<So I went and re-read the statement and it looks like ALL 'rails will end 1 hr after park close with watercraft and busses picking up the slack... Crazy!>> Nah, they're just EXCEEDING GUESTS EXPECTATIONS of the 21st century ... where people march in the street AGAINST healthcare and education and FOR tax cuts to huge corporations. People are idiots. They get what they deserve, but unfortunately they drag the few of us with brains and standards down right along with them. I guess this is a sure sign Four Seasons is dead and Disney doesn't have to worry about competing. Sure ... pay $700 a night for a standard hotel room in O-Town that is marketed as 'a monorail resort' and get your fat arse put on a bus.
Originally Posted By Manfried Here's something to consider when bellyaching about the cutbacks. Read this link: <a href="http://www.blooloop.com/Article/-How-Big-is-Too-Big-Theme-Park-Resort-Design-and-the-Effects-of-Higher-Energy-Prices/273" target="_blank">http://www.blooloop.com/Articl...ices/273</a>
Originally Posted By dshyates But Manfried, what about those of us who have been saying since the addition of the moderates and Typhoon Lagoon that the're non-existant masterplan was designed by morons. and that because of the way they developed the place that energy costs were going to eat them alive. So are you saying that I should give them a pass for being idiots?
Originally Posted By 3disneylocations >>*Resort Launches are not handicapped or stroller accessible.<< Don't know when you were a CM, but resort launches are ADA comp. Been on them w/friend in wheelchair. So...
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost If...and I do mean if, this is true it isn't because the trains are falling apart. My experience is that the more equipment is used fewer problems develop. Strange but true. I thought about it and it occurred to me that it was a good way to get people out of MK and even Epcot at a reasonable pace. To have people lingering behind over an hour after park closing is very costly in CM costs. I have seen messages posted on boards about how long people intentionally stay behind in these parks because they want to see it empty. So they wander around in the shops, buying nothing, wasting time all the while people are on the payroll and unable to actually close and clean up because of guests just loitering. If they tell them that the transportation system will not be running an hour after closing then they will need to get their collective butts out if they want to take the easy way back. Actually, I don't see anything wrong with that. I also would be a little more realistic about what "park closing" means. If EMH is in MK for example then the park is still open, just not to everyone. They would have to operate for an hour after that was done. I really don't think it is unreasonable to feel that guests should be out of the parks within a reasonable time after closing. Somebody is paying for those bodies to be there unnecessarily.
