Wait Times Now Posted on Ferries and Monorails

This is a brilliant idea that should have been implemented years ago! Disney has finally begun posting wait times on the monorail and ferry boat signs as you exit the Magic Kingdom (although the ferry boat sign is not yet operating). If you've ever played the, "Which will be faster?" game in your head, as I have, this will certainly help! How many times have you "just missed" that ferry boat and wondered when the next would come along, or tried to figure out how many monorails you'll have to wait through for the crowd ahead of you to be accommodated? At least now, the wait board will give you a more educated estimate as to which method will be most efficient. Hooray for this new addition to the system!

Oh, and btw, the Avengers Monorail seen above has been returned to its former glory as Monorail Red. A sad day for Super Hero fans, but I'm sure it won't be long before we have another fun monorail scheme in the rotation.

 

 

 

Around the World Update

There have been several developments around Walt Disney World in the last few days that I wanted to share with you. (I was out of pocket--at a homeschool convention in Cincinnati. Many thanks to my reader Ellice who graciously allowed our family to visit the Creation Museum with her guest passes while we were there!) Here's what has been going on "Around the World":

• The on-again/off-again refurbishment of Test Track is on again! It is even listed on the Epcot park map. Currently, the attraction is expected to be closed through late November--at least. This is a major "re-imagining" of the attraction, still to be sponsored by GM, and focusing on the Chevrolet brand. Cool Wash Pizza nearby is also closing, and an a capella music group is slated to entertain guests during the refurb. In addition, the Land and the Character Spot will stay open late in Epcot to help fill the giant gap left by Test Track's temporary close.


• The Orange Bird has returned to Adventureland! This cute little mascot that was first introduced at the MK opening in 1971, and was sponsored by the Florida Citrus Growers. He went away in the early 80s but has now returned with a vengeance--on T-shirts, pins, collector's cups, etc., and especially at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, where guests can enjoy tropical treats such as the Citrus Swirl.


• Vision House has finally opened in Epcot's Innoventions--just in time for Earth Day. This "smart home" allows guests to see various forms of green technology that are beginning to be used in some new construction homes.


• The Animal Kingdom Explorers game can now be played on Facebook. Haven't had time to check this one out personally--let me know if you have and how you like it!


• The monorails have a new audio spiels. But don't worry--they still open with my favorite phrase: "Please stand clear of the door. Por favor mantengase alehado de las puertas." (Although, my Spanish scholar nephew tells me that there is some discrepancy about the subject/verb agreement or tense or something like that on the recording--not sure if mine is correct here, but it's what they put on the T-shirts.)

Magic Kingdom Monorail Closure

Beginning today, the Magic Kingdom monorail beams--both express and the Resort beams--will be closing from 11:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. for maintenance. This schedule is expected to go through the end of the month. This closure is actually unrelated to the recent weather-related beam issues I told you about here.  Instead, this closure is to allow for construction on the Grand Floridian DVC property which is very close to both beams.

Stay tuned for updates on monorail and other closures.

Damaged Monorail Beam Slows Down the System

The Walt Disney World monorail system will be operating at reduced capacity--and speed--due to damage in a joint of the beam on the portion between the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom. Extremely low temperatures in the Orlando area are said to be responsible for the damage, and no timeline has been given as to when repairs might take place or be completed. But for now, monorails are forced to travel at a crawl in the critical area, slowing down the system.

Guests should expect increased wait and travel times on both the Resort and Express monorail lines. (The Epcot line, however, is running at its usual speed.) It might be a good time to check out the ferry boats if that's not your typical mode of transportation. They can actually be as fast as the monorail, even on a good monorail day.

Friday Photo

My other car is a...

Monorail No Longer To Run for Evening EMH

Beginning July 11, the Epcot loop of the WDW monorail will stop operation one hour after regular closing hours. Likewise, beginning August 1, the Magic Kingdom monorail will stop operation one hour after regular closing hours. What this means, of course, is that guests staying for evening EMH (Extra Magic Hours) will be forced to take either a bus or boat (if available) back to their resorts after EMH. At this point morning it appears that the monorail will continue to service morning EMH. Sadly, this appears to be a permanent change--not just something Disney is testing temporarily.

As someone who is scheduled to stay at a monorail resort (Grand Floridian) in September, this is very disappointing news.  (Did I mention that this is my 40th birthday trip, and that it was a major splurge? And Epcot--the park I plan to celebrate my birthday in--has EMH scheduled until midnight on my birthday? Boo.) I can't imagine that Disney won't hear some major complaints on this one, especially considering that most guests book monorail resorts specifically because they are, in fact, monorail resorts. It kind of makes EMH not quite as appealing for those staying in a monorail resort, don't you think? Knowing you're going to face a long wait and ride on the bus (vs. a short hop on the monorail) might make some choose NOT to stay late in the parks (or choose NOT to stay at a pricey monorail resort).

Here's hoping the backlash causes Disney to reconsider!