Originally Posted By woody What work are they doing to the monorail station? I knew there were complaints that the elevator wasn't glass enclosed when the New Tomorrowland 1998 was opened, but I didn't think the monorail station needed much work. Do they have big design changes?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer One of the biggest problems is that the elevator they installed for wheelchair access at the Monorail station at Tomorrowland is right where the main loading was for the Subs (It was installed after they closed). It is also an older structure. The plan is to totally redo the area (except the rail), including new ramps (goodbye speed ramps) and wheelchair access. Also, as part of the new structure on the lower level, a new queue system, FASTPASS distribution, and a special virtual viewing area, to allow those who can't handle the sub stairs a chance to see a video of the ride.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <There is no "logical" place for a stop, as the route doesn't get near any of the hotels....> What's the nearest point? Got a map of the route?
Originally Posted By warpdrvr I would think the closest point for the hotels on the current route is at the DTD tram stop, if I'm not mistaken (and I often am)
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Basically Disneyland Drive is North-South, the Parking Structure is North, and the Disneyland Hotel is south of it. Downtown Disney's main pathway is East-West, the Disneyland Hotel to the West, the DtD Tram Stop to the West. The tram basically goes from the North point to the west point, making a triangle. (The tram goes along the outer border of Disneyland.)
Originally Posted By cwade <<DLH and PP don't have an alternative system in place when the Monorail is down. When it's down you are ought of luck. >>>"...by a more often run tram service perhaps"<<< What tram service are you referring to? The parking lot tram does not service the hotels.>> They used to and can again, they simply drive through the timon lot and go accross the street to Simba lot and drop off there.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The trams cross a public road, and Disney would have to get a waiver. Not sure if they can get one anymore, as the state has been cracking down on these trams, even with the ones the State Fair boards use, they can't cross the city streets with passengers. The LA Fair had to totally redo their routes to avoid city streets.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The trams cross a public road, and Disney would have to get a waiver. Not sure if they can get one anymore, as the state has been cracking down on these trams, even with the ones the State Fair boards use, they can't cross the city streets with passengers. The LA Fair had to totally redo their routes to avoid city streets.
Originally Posted By belle42 Is this why the double decker bus service from ESPN Zone (DTD) to Mickey and Friends stopped?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer The Double Decker Bus service stopped in September of 2001 due to security issues (the bus ran down right between Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Hotel). The road has been closed with barricades to prevent vehicles from going down it.
Originally Posted By bean i wish they would start using the doyble decker buses again. its not like they can't add those retractable barriers like they did in other area. If not at least they could have the buses go from the parking lot south to the parking lot and stop on the north entrance of DTD next to Espn and Rainforest instead of going down the previous road between the hotel and DTD
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Disney COULD do a lot of things.. But it looks like it is a combination of additional cost of operating the trams, and the need to have folks walk thru Downtown Disney to keep the tenants happy that makes the return of the hotel trams not likely.
Originally Posted By gadzuux >> Going bi-directional is what trashed up the monorails in the first place. They were never designed to run that way. << I've heard this theory before, but I'm not sure I believe it. The monorails are run with electric motors. The motors and the vehicles don't care whether they're going one way or the other - it's all the same to them.
Originally Posted By FormerDiz <I've heard this theory before, but I'm not sure I believe it. The monorails are run with electric motors. The motors and the vehicles don't care whether they're going one way or the other - it's all the same to them.> Its not about the motors. Structurally they were never designed to go both directions. The pick up shoes were designed for high speed in one direction and no more than 3 MPH in reverse (to back out of the roundhouse). The way the tires, shocks and motors are arranged are only intended to go in one direction. The drive motors are at the back of each cabin and spin the back load tires to push the train forward. Running this system in high speed reverse basically rattles the train apart.
