Disney Parks Transportation

[MickeyLuv'r]

Some of my favorite spots in the parks are places where multiple modes of transportation intersect or pass one another.

I’ve been trying to think specific examples. Anyone have any favorites?

I like the road that leads to CR, where the monorail runs along the road.

Not quite what you mean, unless you count walking as a mode of transportation, but I also like the portion of the monorail that runs inside Epcot.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Why so quick to be aggressively snarky and dismissive?

I was referring to the railroad and the monorail.

No, of course the Skyliner didn’t predate the buses. But the Skyway did!

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Photo: Yesterland

Yay!!! Those were the days.

On my first visit I sadly did not choose to experience dreamflight, figment or horizons or visit Discovery Island.

But we did ride skyway multiple times!!!!

 

[Mr. Engagement]

maybe we should just define it this way -

The monorail and skyliner are the most unique transportation options.

Followed by the Boats.

And the least unique would be the bus.

To me, uniqueness is only one part of the equation. There’s something about the Monorail, Railroad, and boats that would make me (and probably other people) want to ride them just for fun, even if they weren’t just getting me from point A to point B.

I would not say the same thing about buses.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

I like the road that leads to CR, where the monorail runs along the road.

Not quite what you mean, unless you count walking as a mode of transportation, but I also like the portion of the monorail that runs inside Epcot.

No, I love those places where transportation passes near pedestrian paths, too! Especially bridges, over/underpasses, and elevated tracks!

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Unsung heroes of the WDW transportation system: the parking trams!

View attachment 915106
All the flexibility of buses (except speed), and probably the most efficient load/unload on property. Not accessible for folks in wheelchairs and such, and can be inconvenient to have to fold strollers, but these trams are real workhorses.

Remember when the trams didn't have side doors? Now that was exciting!

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Monorails are very expensive to build - so there is a legit issue there.

There’s not too many options for new boat routes that make lots of sense - but many that they built to begin with wouldn’t make sense either and they work!

Skyliner or peoplemover (using the generic people-mover term that can cover lots of systems) can be added for some quick jumps easily.

Expensive, indeed. But Walt and the original designers thought it was worth it, and I think the parks are better for it.

I just wish current management shared that philosophy.

Also, Disney spends loads of money on things that (arguably) add less functionality, capacity, and fun to the parks.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Remember when the trams didn't have side doors? Now that was exciting!

I do! Sitting on the end felt like living dangerously! So fun.

But I also remember people dropping belongings and CMs having to shout NOT to reach/jump out after them.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say I really love Universal's boats. Just as WDW's transportation folks can be really nice, the boat captains at Universal also do a great job.

I miss the days when the WDW bus drivers would tell jokes/trivia on the way to the parks. IMO, that made the WDW buses special.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say I really love Universal's boats.

Yes!!! And just like at Disney they add really nice kinetic energy.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

I’ve never understood why Disney hasn’t continued to develop and deploy PeopleMovers across WDW.

The clean, quiet, all electric linear induction system seems like it would be (relatively) cheap, efficient, and low-maintenance (though I believe it does require a flat grade). The Disney-made one at George Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston is famously still going strong 45 years later.



Imagine elevated tracks (with solar panels on the roofs) connecting resorts, parks, and retail!

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The Disney-made one at George Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston is famously still going strong 45 years later.

All my connections always happen in Dallas - I want to go through Houston just to ride this!

 

[nickys]

Why so quick to be aggressively snarky and dismissive?

I was referring to the railroad and the monorail.

No, of course the Skyliner didn’t predate the buses. But the Skyway did!

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Photo:

You replied to posts that included the Skyliner, and said all the other forms of transport predated the buses.

Even excluding the Skyliner, of course the boats and monorail predated the buses - there were 2 resorts across the lake. There was no need for buses. The next resort was FW campground.

As soon as they built the Disney Village resort (what is now SSR), they presumably started running buses.

 

[nickys]

I’ve never understood why Disney hasn’t continued to develop and deploy PeopleMovers across WDW.

The clean, quiet, all electric linear induction system seems like it would be (relatively) cheap, efficient, and low-maintenance (though I believe it does require a flat grade). The Disney-made one at George Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston is famously still going strong 45 years later.



Imagine elevated tracks (with solar panels on the roofs) connecting resorts, parks, and retail!

Pretty sure there was a rumour that they were considered at one point for AKL.

I think now they have a problem with 21 resorts, 6 parks and a network of major multi-lane roads. Intersections are dangerous (Disney are very risk averse), and constructing bridges is expensive.

If they wanted to go this route, they might need to have a “park and ride” system and stop cars from entering the bubble. But then they have to deal with luggage and expectations of being taken directly to the resorts.

The majority of guests complain about the buses because they aren’t direct. They are often shared between resorts or there are multiple internal bus stops.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Just my .02, but I happen to love the bus system at WDW! I’m a people person and have no problem talking to anyone…learning where people are from, how their stay is going…I’m probably one of the few that lamented the day AoA & POP did away with the buses to HWD & Epcot…

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The most obvious people mover style (could be any type of system) would be world showcase entrance to front Epcot entrance to French quarter to Riverside.

build the bridge over Epcot center drive so you can easily add more tracks if you ever want to expand towards Disney Springs

 

[David K]

Not quite sure this fits, but my wave-a-wand wish for transportation would be to make the whole resort walkable. Sidewalks everywhere. If I had to guess, the problem is that both wildlife and crosswalks are risks, so the lack makes sense. But there are a lot of big rides I’d give up in exchange for some pavement.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

You replied to posts that included the Skyliner, and said all the other forms of transport predated the buses.

Even excluding the Skyliner, of course the boats and monorail predated the buses - there were 2 resorts across the lake. There was no need for buses. The next resort was FW campground.

As soon as they built the Disney Village resort (what is now SSR), they presumably started running buses.

No, the post I replied to did not mention the Skyliner.

But it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t hurt to ask questions and give the benefit of the doubt.

The MK parking lot was built across a lake from the front gate on purpose. Walt famously loved different modes of transportation and wanted to feature a variety of them in his parks (even though they cost more and weren’t as flexible).

Buses existed when they designed WDW. I think you’re right about when they added buses, and I think it was when they started adding more remote resorts.

In my opinion, it would have been truer to Walt’s philosophy if they had built a more varied and creative system.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Not quite sure this fits, but my wave-a-wand wish for transportation would be to make the whole resort walkable. Sidewalks everywhere. If I had to guess, the problem is that both wildlife and crosswalks are risks, so the lack makes sense. But there are a lot of big rides I’d give up in exchange for some pavement.

Good point! There are quite a few areas that just aren’t accessible by walking (and some that might technically be walkable, but not realistically).

I know the weather conspires against walking, but I agree walkability should be a priority. Footpaths, pedestrian bridges and underpasses would be nice.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Pretty sure there was a rumour that they were considered at one point for AKL.

I think now they have a problem with 21 resorts, 6 parks and a network of major multi-lane roads. Intersections are dangerous (Disney are very risk averse), and constructing bridges is expensive.

If they wanted to go this route, they might need to have a “park and ride” system and stop cars from entering the bubble. But then they have to deal with luggage and expectations of being taken directly to the resorts.

The majority of guests complain about the buses because they aren’t direct. They are often shared between resorts or there are multiple internal bus stops.

Good point. That sort of goes back to the thread about the Disney Springs buses being limited to resort guests. I think some people are trying to use the (free) parking at DS as a sort of park and ride.

 

[Mr. Engagement]

Just my .02, but I happen to love the bus system at WDW! I’m a people person and have no problem talking to anyone…learning where people are from, how their stay is going…I’m probably one of the few that lamented the day AoA & POP did away with the buses to HWD & Epcot…

Years ago, we took the Sassagoula River Cruise from Port Orleans to Disney Springs, and met the loveliest couple from Ohio on the ride. We ended up exploring DS with them and actually kept in touch via email for a while after that.