Originally Posted By sjhym333 The EPCOT beam was poured by Disney on site, while the original MK beams were made by an outside company. The quality difference has been apparent since the beam opened. The beams are not straight and cause a lot of wear and tear on the monorails.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>That is correct. From Day 1, to the Mark VI upgrade, to today, it was clear that the EPCOT beam was not built with the same quality. Originally there was some sort of defect on the curve heading onto World Drive from EPCOT. By the Mark VI upgrade, the beam had the 'bumps' that pilots are accustomed to today.<<< I've never heard this... Very interesting!
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn The EPCOT beamway definitely had to be site-form because of banking on certain turns.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 True, but the real reason it was done on property was because Disney created Disney Transportation Inc, whose job it was to sell Disny's transportation systems to the public, such as the Houston Airport wedway system. Disney chose to built the EPCOT system in house to show that it could provide the things necessary to a city who might be interested in a similar system. I was briefly loaned out to Disney Transportation to help out the guy managing the project. I still have the color brochure that Disney sent to cities around the country. The dept didnt last too long. The few proposals that were put together were too expensive for most municipalities.
Originally Posted By ChiMike That's awesome sjhym! Yes, while as we both said it was apparent from the start that it was of inferior quality, I really noticed it when the Mark VIs came online. By then you could see how quickly the EPCOT beam aged compared to a much nicer and 12 year older MK loop.
Originally Posted By Boardwalkbum >>What WDW needs is a totally new and fully automated monorail SYSTEM. << Explain.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Go ride Tokyo's Disney Resort Line. Or ask Spirit of 74.. he'll tell you.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Tokyo's monos are not as elegant as WDW but they are ten times more comfortable, wide body and run on time ON A TIME TABLE, for a nominal fee that is not included in the parks' admission as is the WDW transportation fee, which is included in the price of admission but not taxed. <a href="http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/access/drl/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tokyodisneyresort.c...dex.html</a>
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>What WDW needs is a totally new and fully automated monorail SYSTEM.<<< Agreed. Just don't make ours look as clunky as yours.
Originally Posted By ChiMike I would agree with TDLFAN, as hoaksy as it is to have a "Real" Monorail pilot, I think WDW is long overdue for the TDR treatment. No more holding for traffic clearance.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <What WDW needs is a totally new and fully automated monorail SYSTEM.> Agreed, but WDW would abandon the monorail and rely on just boats and buses before that would ever happen. WDW is bound and determined to make do with what they currently have. A "new" monorail system, especially an ugly one will not draw people to the park. What I find unbelieveable is that Disney believes returning a put together monorail as news worthy. It's like recycling "used" birthday cake candles and passing them off as new. Or instead of purchasing new underwear for yourself for Christmas, taking your current underwear and wrapping it, and placing it under the tree.
Originally Posted By avimagine Now I know how Tom saves money at Christmas. Even if it's not automated a widebody system would be nice (sans Mickey Mouse windows). But would a widebody monorail "fit" on the beamway system (clearances, weight etc)
