Originally Posted By Bolna I think 20 years does not have to be old for trains - our local underground trains were from the early 70s and just are getting replaced now - so that is nearly forty years. And it isn't that they were falling apart the last twenty years (and they never smelled as bad as the monorail does).
Originally Posted By TDLFAN 20 yrs is not old as long as the mechanical machines are maintained properly. I can't say that about the WDW fleet of monorails.
Originally Posted By Bolna ^^^ Yes, that was the point I was trying to make.... Or that they bought something not really well designed in the first place. Knowing lots of different modern city transportation systems here in Europe I can't see any appeal of the WDW monorails in their current form besides the view one has (if the windows aren't hidden behind some advertisments). However, with a full upgrade they could improve them a lot.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Years ago Disney decided that they would only keep things like the trams and monorails open for so long at EPCOT before it became silly to spend the mone on a couple of handful of people. When I was in mgmt at EPCOT I would have dozens of CM's hanging around while a table or two or guests in France would sip coffee. Eventually we conviced upper mgmt to allow us to bring a van into the park and pick up the guests exiting the park and take them to the gate. We eventually got to the point where another van would then pick them up at the gate and drop them off at their resort hotel or TTC. It saved us a lot of money. I am not sure what Disney does today.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I just can't believe what they are thinking... Seems like Fantasmic not being shown daily anymore all over again --- yet it was shown twice a day every day I was just there.... what it seems like is that these decision releases are extremely poorly thought out... as well as some of the decisions themselves not thought thru. really some piss poor decisions for the things mentined. Also it's been a few posts-- want to make sure my head is clear on this one... em - or anyone else-- the ferry boats are also not running at this time also --during EMH ??
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<the ferry boats are also not running at this time also --during EMH ??>> That is correct.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I usually try not to over react to some of the things that get ripped apart here because by the end of the thread they are not as dire as in the beginning-- but on this decision I see nothing but one of two things - 1/ really crappy decision for guest satisfaction 2/ really poorly researched- thought out decision--- either way until it is reversed will result in pretty much pissed off chaos for those attending late EMH - and expecially for those staying in monorail hotels. this one is just dumb..
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>But the smell of the monorails is charming, right? Surprised we haven't had a thread where someone praises the smell as quintessentially Disney<<< <<When they smell CLEAN, like they did about 10 years ago. Now? They smell like BO and words I can't say here! >> Oh, what's wrong with you, Explorer? Doncha know those are MAGICal smells? I'm surprised I haven't heard someone say they heard a podcaster or blogger talking about how disgusting filth stenches that have become acceptable SOP are like pixie dust and pentunias (sorry, I needed a quick 'p' ... word ... do they smell?) and would hate if they 'changed them'. Gotta constantly defend Disney because it's only in this Walmarted World of Disney that people have been able to create Disney Lifestyles. People already talk about moldy smells at WDW as being something 'Disney' ... I just chalk that up to again, the incredible degree of mental illness in the fan community mixed with Disney's incredible ability to take advantage of it (I got an amazing email on said subject this morning that would absolutely be part of a book on it).
Originally Posted By ReelJustice ^^Spirit, I sent you a PM at Discussion Kingdom. Had no other way to get in touch with you.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Unfortunately, this situation keeps getting worse. Is it possible losing 2 trains for about a year and one for 2 years now has put strain on the other 11 trains or does 1 missing train not make a difference? The oldest trains in service are 22 years old, and the youngest are 20. The first fleet ran 18-20 years. It is time for new trains, a need I don't see satisfied soon. I wonder what the future of the system is?>> I don't believe age is an issue at all. There are domestic airlines that have in their mainline fleets aircraft that were built when Nixon was in the White House. And they're very safe (albeit not fuel efficient). The issue is they haven't been maintained and are totally ghetto. I also am amused when I hear about the time they run etc ... I look at TDR's system and it never breaks down, never has 'holds' for traffic, and is so spotless it looks like it opened yesterday. And, yes, I do realize it has only been around a bit more than a decade. Not the point. WDW simply doesn't want to maintain anything, which is why so many things are falling apart. I won't forget when some idiot exec decided that you didn't need to have maids clean carpeting so the vacuums disappeared. But again, people have become conditioned to crap-level quality being Disney quality. And they have a whole Social Media list of people who will spout it off to anyone. Disney monorails didn't used to look, smell and operate like a third world nation's transport. They do now. Oh, and do answer the question, the future of the system right now is to run it into the ground and hope a buyer comes in and has to deal with it.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<Oh, and do answer the question, the future of the system right now is to run it into the ground and hope a buyer comes in and has to deal with it.>> Basically what EE, Hokie, and I have been discussing.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> People already talk about moldy smells at WDW as being something 'Disney' ... I just chalk that up to again, the incredible degree of mental illness in the fan community mixed with Disney's incredible ability to take advantage of it (I got an amazing email on said subject this morning that would absolutely be part of a book on it). << Just like your friend who said s/he doesn't look down to notice the dirty resort carpets, the fans could claim they don't breathe and thus don't notice the smells of mildew, mold, and B.O. that can be found in monorails and attractions. Then again, it's just easier to claim that the smell of mold is magical. (Only in the world of Disney fandom...)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just can't believe what they are thinking... Seems like Fantasmic not being shown daily anymore all over again. >> Well, they brought it back. So what if it is in pathetic show condition. It's MAGICal. It has pixie dust. You can't expect Disney to keep things in proper condition, right? It's amazing they can even keep the lights on. Bless, Bob Iger, Meg Crofton and Tom Staggs ... we should all be happy they haven't bulldozed the place for subdivisions and Super Walmarts. Hey, maybe we could start a collection online to help Disney keep the 'rails running. I'll put in the first $5. Who's with me? <<However on this question: <<The bigger problem might be who will build them. Disney hasn't had much luck with the companies that they have used to build new monorails>> Well, they already are in business with Siemens who for sure would love to build new monorails - they build trains.>> Yeah. I'm sure the 'problem' with Disney's monorails isn't with Disney wanting to spend $785.42 on a train ;-) Gotta be they simply can't find a supplier ...
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<Well, they brought it back. So what if it is in pathetic show condition. It's MAGICal. It has pixie dust. You can't expect Disney to keep things in proper condition, right? It's amazing they can even keep the lights on. Bless, Bob Iger, Meg Crofton and Tom Staggs ... we should all be happy they haven't bulldozed the place for subdivisions and Super Walmarts. Hey, maybe we could start a collection online to help Disney keep the 'rails running. I'll put in the first $5. Who's with me?>> "In this economy, somethings gotta go."-JT~I have a bulge for Spirit~04
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Oh, and about people lingering in the parks - especially at Epcot I am sure there are a number of people who come out rather late, but can't be counted as just lingering around: Those with very late reservations at the WS restaurants. You can get a reservation there until just before 9pm, so it may very well take you more than 1 hour to finish your meal and get to the front of the park.>> Lingering guests are not a problem in the sense that people should be able to take their time eating a meal or shopping or using a restroom etc and still be able to find transport back. A GROWING problem is the Disney podcasters/webmasters/bloggers who will now prurposely hang out in the parks to be the last one out ... to get shots or video of Main Street or World Showcase or construction walls with no one around. And, yes they may be my (rightfully) favorite whipping boys and girls, but they do this crap regularly. And, no, Disney Security doesn't simply tell them 'Folks, it's time to leave. Park is closed and I'm gonna escort you to the exit.' If you have a meal at Chefs de France at 8:50 p.m. and the park closes at 9, they have to realize an average meal will take at least 90 minutes and then (unless you are an EPCOT Resort guest) you need to walk a mile back to the front of the park. It is rational to expect transport to be operating.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Yep, Disney had a heck of a time with Bombardier trains that Disneyland just recieved. Stuff like no AC and fixed windows. DUH!!!! Who coulda thunk they would need AC in LA?>> I don't think those trains came from Bombardier. They turned the contract down as it wasn't worth their time and the low-low-LOW number Disney was offering. Disney took apart the old trains and tried to reverse engineer the new ones. I don't recall all of the details, but they were so smug and didn't even want Bob Gurr's advice (and why would you, right?) As to AC, it really isn't a necessity in Anaheim PROVIDED you do have windows that open ... but I would have still mandated it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<^^Spirit, I sent you a PM at Discussion Kingdom. Had no other way to get in touch with you.>> Explorer can shoot you my email (in private). I won't help lend legitimacy to the passive-aggressive little boy who runs the site by dropping in there. I thought creating the site to spite people on another was a mistake. I was correct.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<Explorer can shoot you my email (in private). I won't help lend legitimacy to the passive-aggressive little boy who runs the site by dropping in there. I thought creating the site to spite people on another was a mistake. I was correct.>> Done, and I understand.
Originally Posted By WDWVacationer <<Oh, and do answer the question, the future of the system right now is to run it into the ground and hope a buyer comes in and has to deal with it.>> I really wish they were not banking on that... As for Disneyland's trains, they were built by Dynamic Structures with some design influence from WDI. They essentially handled the mechanical stuff. (They've also worked on Forbidden Journey, Test Track, Soarin' and Space Mountain DL.) I would hope WDW would stick with Bombardier. The design is fine, and Bombardier trains are reliable from a mechanical standpoint. They just need mechanical and interior work.
Originally Posted By hopemax I told my Dad to tell my Mom to stick her ear to the ground since she works at the TTC. Maybe she can overhear something while on lunch break. At least about if its temporary, both MK lines affected, etc. But I can't shake the feeling that this sounds like what happened with DL's Space Mountain. One day we're going to wake up and monorail operations will shut down entirely, but this time with no replacement in sight. Probably timed with the next big economic jolt. And a few year after that, a bunch of people telling us that monorails are no longer relevant. WDW getting rid of them is no big deal and everyone needs to get over the past because times change.
