Monorail Expansion

[G2-4T]

Hey folks

Just got back from the parks and went on the Behind the Steam Train tour [very good for anyone into railroads]. Anyway, the tour guide said that monorails to AK and MGM are in the works as the current Disney Transport bus routes will go over capacity in just about 2 years at the current pace. No exact dates specified but it sounds like a go for the project from the way he talked about it... About time too since they can haul a lot more than the buses, have lower operating costs, etc. plus are just plain more fun!

[js3901]

According to The Disney Corner, It's in the "Imagineering" stage and expected date of completion is slated for 2007-2010. Long way off, yet with the work to do to build new monorail routes...

Anyway, it'd be cool to hear the speils on the new routes, and also see where they go. I wonder if they'd just go to AK and MGM, or if they'd also build a route to say Downtown Disney or the water parks too...

[QuickGold]

I'm not holding my breath. Monorail expansion is one of those rumors that never goes away. Seeing is believing.

[subsonic]

How hard can it be to build more routes? I'm sure it's cheaper in concrete to build tracks instead of roads. I guess you would have to add in the maintainence and operation costs. Still, it would be darn cool to see more monorails.

[G2-4T]

From an engineering stand point it isn't hard, esp. since word has it the pilings for the columns are poured along the route to MGM and AK. The beams are prefab and the columns are easy enough with mass produced rebar and forms for the whole project. And it uses far less concrete then roads [not to mention that there is little need for road repairs on the "highway in the sky" like there is on the roadways]. Yes, maintenance and operating costs are there but they are both cheaper than adding more buses. It all boils down to management and money - if they want to do it they certainly can make it happen.

[QuickGold]

The problem is it's prohibitovely expensive.

[G2-4T]

The problem is it's prohibitovely expensive.

I wouldn't go that far - Disney has done a lot more expensive things that do a lot less [look at some of their costly experiments - Imagination's first rebuild, Mill. Village, etc.]. And for Disney nothing seems to be too expensive, it is just a matter of who is in charge and what their "vision" is like.

As a transportation engineer I would say it is a much better investment then working on their roads [which are all private once you enter the park], it will save the need to expand them and also save on wear and tear. It sounds like Disney finally realizes this from what I've heard, that was always the hold up before - they thought they could get away with doing nothing. With the bus capacity overload just a couple years away [and ever increasing crowding on the roads in the busy season] it sounded like they are finally taking expansion seriously.

[js3901]

I think the main problem why it'll take so long is the fact that

1) need to figure precise route for each new branch, and

2) build the stations at each new destination. I think the station building is going to take the longest as it was said before that the track is mainly prefab.

[rdeacon]

Hey folks

Just got back from the parks and went on the Behind the Steam Train tour [very good for anyone into railroads]

Have to agree with G2.. My father-in-law and I took the train tour last March... it was a sweet tour.

As for the Monorail Expansion, I agree it probably was a cost issue why they didn't expand it. It's a lame excuse for not expanding it. How sweet would it be to ride the monorail to MGM or AK, or Downtown Disney. Monorails zipping all over the place, sure beats the snot out of Buses. darn buses take forever half the time too....

Rich

[QuickGold]

I wouldn't go that far - Disney has done a lot more expensive things that do a lot less [look at some of their costly experiments - Imagination's first rebuild, Mill. Village, etc.]. And for Disney nothing seems to be too expensive, it is just a matter of who is in charge and what their "vision" is like.

Wel it really is money. It would cost a few million dollars to expand and then of course you have to figure out how to work in new stations and all so thats more money. Disney parks just doesnt have that kind of money around.

[js3901]

Disney parks just doesnt have that kind of money around.

You're kidding, right? WDW makes a few million per year just on ticket sales and resort reservations. And not to mention concession/sourvenir sales. While there is alot of overhead costs (maintainence of parks, payroll of CMs, etc), I think the Disney Co. (and Disney Theme Parks in particular) are not in danger of going under any time soon. The sooner we get the money-grubbers out of the executive offices, things should turn around...

[subsonic]

Wel it really is money. It would cost a few million dollars to expand and then of course you have to figure out how to work in new stations and all so thats more money. Disney parks just doesnt have that kind of money around.

What I'm saying is that they have already built roads to go from one place to the other. It would have probably been cheaper to build Monorails.

[QuickGold]

If it was so cheap and easy don't you think they would have constructed the expansion by now? WDW has alot of expenses and since 2001, they've had financial cutbacks. Of course WDW makes money, but in terms of priority, monorail expansion is not very high up; Disney figures the bus transportation is more economical and productive.

[js3901]

I would think the Monorail is more cost-effective and better for the environment. Disney is all about conservation, so why have a fleet of buses that produce alot of diesel exhaust when you can have a quiet, fast, reliable transportation method that runs on electricity rather than fuel. Plus, the Monorail can fit twice or thrice the amount of people that a bus can. I think the main reason why they haven't been expanded before is basically a logistics issue.

As the area continues to expand ( more parks and such), they become more popular/congested. To simply cut off access to an area (or across a roadway) to buid the track would be a pain. Also think of this: WDW and the surounding area is MARSHLAND. It's kinda hard to build anything in a swamp.

I don't think it's all about money. I do think that this should/will happen. It's just a question of when...

[G2-4T]

WDW has had some execs at the top in the past that have shot down Imaginears attempts to bring more Monorail service to the area.... Quite the anti-transit types from what I heard and very much keep the status quo for the existing bus and monorail service. And I think Sub is right, it would've been cheaper to build 'em all along rather than sink a load into roads. (and well put on the money-grubbers js3901!)