Exactly. That's a big part of the fun for me.
And I think it was part of the original vision for the parks.
Which is why I'm disappointed when parks fans are like, "Buses are good enough."
I don't think a Disney park should settle for good enough!
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Disney Parks Transportation
- Thread starter Mr. Engagement
- Start date
And I think it was part of the original vision for the parks.
Which is why I'm disappointed when parks fans are like, "Buses are good enough."
I don't think a Disney park should settle for good enough!
One of the gloriously inefficient modes of transportation at WDW is the fleet of Main Street vehicles at MK. Most guests rush right past these on their way to the "rides," and you can probably get to the hub more quickly on foot, but there is something so magical about a ride on these classic vehicles.
For all the talk about "streetmosphere," having real cars tooling up and down Main Street does so much to add a sense of lively activity. Honestly, I think the illusion these things provide of Main Street USA being a "real" town is what makes the land work so well as a transition from the real world to the Magic Kingdom.
My favorite is the omnibus.
For all the talk about "streetmosphere," having real cars tooling up and down Main Street does so much to add a sense of lively activity. Honestly, I think the illusion these things provide of Main Street USA being a "real" town is what makes the land work so well as a transition from the real world to the Magic Kingdom.
My favorite is the omnibus.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Absolutely! One of the things I love most ago it visiting Disneyland is how they continue to operate the transportation on Main Street. At WDW and Paris you have to get lucky with the timing - at Disneyland they run horse cars, bus, cars, fire truck, etc. continuously (pausing here and there) till 1:00 and then the horse cars go in but others operate till around 5:00.
Before they moved the barn off property - the horses would stay out till 5:00 as well.
But yes!!! Main Street Transportation adds so much to the streetmosphere!
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
If only that were possible these days with guest behavior in WDW MK. Everyone and their brother, sister, friend or enemy like to walk four abreast as well as get that oh so original photo with the castle in the background no matter how many people are just attempting to get to the hub.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
it is possible, the Main Street vehicles still operate at MK - just on a very limited schedule. If they couldn’t operate safely, they wouldn’t operate at all.
SteveAZee
Premium Member
I wonder if part of the appeal in general is 'being driven' vs 'driving' is more childlike.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
More from my collection 
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Things are too quiet on this thread! Couple more transportation photos!
I LOVE how the Monorail just barely seems to fit! I mean, what's the clearance, like 8 inches?
It was such a stroke of genius to have it literally enter the Contemporary building.
I know we have accessibility/loading issues with unlevel floor height, but man, it's a thing a beauty and quintessentially WDW!
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
Yes indeed - I’ve been going through many of Adam the woos videos after he passed and his stay at the contemporary during a hurricane was truly fascinating - seeing the monorails and all parked in the contemporary.
I don’t think it hurts the dwell time to roll a ramp over to the doors.
I think it's more of the appearance of things that I take issue with.
It sort of comes across like, "We didn't design this with everyone in mind, but we can break out this beat-up old ramp if you really need it."
I'd love to see a more elegant, integrated (and automated) design.
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
I will defend the buses. I like them and they are part of the Disney experience to me. Last time we went, our first time staying off property, when we had the opportunity to be on a Disney bus, it felt like a part of the experience that we had been missing. And there really is nothing better than spending a park day in "surface of the sun" temperatures and then getting on to an ice-cold bus after closing to be driven back to your resort.
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
The Vegas monorail does have level boarding and that is nice.
JerseyMan95
Member
Oh, wow. These are amazing. That Skyliner silhouette at sunset!
JerseyMan95
Member
Thanks! Spent a good 15-20 minutes taking photos from DHS parking lot during that sunset!
nickys
Premium Member
Exactly!
It’s fine if someone wants to board, the CMs can be prepared and have the ramp ready.
Seeing someone have to shout from a carriage that they need a ramp is horrible. I can’t image me what it’s like for someone travelling solo -they can’t jump onto the platform to attract attention. Meanwhile there’s always someone whining about the delay in earshot.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
The majority of CMs working at the monorail stations ask the occupant their final destination and radio ahead to that station so the CMs on the platform are prepared to assist with the ramp, especially when the occupant is not in one of the cars that are specially designated for wheelchairs and scooters.
Ease of accessibility is the reason those cars are in the center of the train.
In all the times I have ridden a monorail I have never heard anyone in a chair or scooter shout for assistance in order to board or unload from a monorail.
Disney did not design the monorail system with ADA compliance because that standard did not exist until 1990. No one in 1970 could have foreseen the number of disabled guests who would actually be able to visit WDW thanks to “modern” (for lack of a better word) devices. The current design met all safety standards in place at the time.
I am on the bandwagon of those who wish the monorails were replaced by new, automated and integrated models. It would be a smart - though costly - decision for the long term.
Unfortunately I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Ayla
Well-Known Member
I drive every day at home. Part of being on vacation for me is not having to drive.
Tom P.
Well-Known Member
I agree, but the buses fulfill that for me, because you are being driven by someone else and can relax.