The Disney World Monorail won't run during evening Extra Magic Hours

by Dad

There are some reports that the Disney World Monorail will quit running 1 hour after the Magic Kingdom closes EVEN on nights where evening Extra Magic Hours are happening.

Dad's Extra Magic Hours page

Disney World Monorail won't run during Evening Extra Magic Hours

Disney World Monorail and Extra Magic Hours
Photo by Jeff_B.
This is causing a big hubub over on some of the Disney World forums. Really? Is this such a big deal? The only people it really effects are those staying at one of the monorail hotels. If you are staying in one of the non-monorail hotels, you are going to grab a bus at the Magic Kingdom bus stop. Or, you are going to ride the ferry back to the parking lot and grab your car.

If you are staying at a monorail hotel, the launches and the ferry will still run. The only caution about this announcement is don't park at Epcot and go to Evening Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom.

Dad's Magic Kingdom page

Dad's Bottom Line

This just make sense for Disney. It takes 15 or more cast members to keep the monorails running no matter how many guests are on each train. I'm sure Disney has taken a good look at how many guests are on the monorails during evening Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom and determined that it's not economical to continue using them. No big deal.


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The Disney World Monorail won't run during evening Extra Magic Hours

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May 03, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mother's Viewpoint
by: Annmarie

We are about to go to Disney and we booked a hotel on the monorail system. Though the hotels were pricier, we have two children and therefore a double stroller. We were looking forward to the ease of pushing the stroller directly onto the monorail as opposed to emptying it out, folding it, then hauling it onto a bus. And more than likely disturbing any sleeping children in the process. I know that's why I'm disappointed in the new operating hours. Why did I spend the extra money to enjoy easy transportation and extended hours when I've now learned I have the hassle of bussing it if I would like to enjoy the extra park time?
Jul 23, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Confirmed- WDW Monorail won't run during evening Extra Magic Hours
by: Jimmy

Dad-
I just got back from my WDW vacation on 7/17/11 and the monorails do stop running an hour after the park closes, even on the extra magic hours evenings. However, bus service is still available during and after the extra magic hours in the evening. I was told the reason that Disney started shutting down the monorails earlier is so that it gives them enough time to perform the nightly maintenance on the monorails. The "World" never sleeps. It is like a small city unto itself.
Jul 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Here's Disney statement
by: Dad

"From time to time, we make adjustments to our operations to accommodate for planned transportation maintenance. With that in mind, operating hours for the Epcot Monorail system will be modified to operate one hour after regular park close beginning July 11, 2011 and the Magic Kingdom Monorail system will also operate one hour after regular park close beginning August 1, 2011. At that time, watercraft (where applicable) and additional buses will be available to transport guests to their destination."

Does it make any difference that the reason is not financial but it's to do maintenance? Disney announced a while ago that they would be upgrading the monorail system to add some new track so additional work can be done.

The current Walt Disney World monorail cars are getting really old and require a lot of tender loving care. They tried a new car system at Disneyland a couple of years ago, but haven't moved them to WDW yet.
Jul 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		feedback from Disneyphiles
by: Bruce

Here's a link (if permitted here) to a forum where this topic is discussed. I haven't read all of them, but I think their mostly quite negative reactions speaks for itself. It's not being taken well. If Disney fans don't like it, the average vacationer dropping $5 grand may have an issue as well.

I suspect it's only a temporary measure anyway. It's that dumb economically.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2755740

Dad's Answers

This is the thread I was referencing in the original story.
Jul 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Bad math?
by: Anonymous

Enjoying the website. It's very well organized compared to most.

But did I miss something with my math? $20/hour x 15 employees x 3 hours is $900, not $10,000. And even if it was, it all comes down to the damage to the reputation done vs the cost savings. That answer will only come with time.

Assuming they close the monorail line once a week and save even $10,000 a week, if they suffer just 4 cancellations of week-long vacations each week due to annoyance with Disney cost-cutting, out of 4-5 thousand rooms available, then they lose money doing the cuts. If my $1500 number is closer to the truth, then a SINGLE CANCELLATION each week would negate any savings.

This is why accountants make terrible resort managers. They understand only the cost part of the equation. REVENUE is where its at. Disney spends tens of millions on ads to promote going to WDW at discounted rates. They give up millions in discounts to induce visitors. In a business where marginal costs of filling a hotel room are minimal, that is the real cost. Vacancies!

Conversely, many travelers with the means to stay at a monorail resort don't really care if it cost $.25 more that day to stay there. They'd likely consider it more of a big deal than someone who has been to WDW dozens of times, also.

I agree they should charge what the market bears and that success will mean a better park in the future. No problem there. But at some point the cost cutting damages the brand. I think I can make a valid mathmatical argument that the cost savings of cutting such a visable and iconic service are neglible when dealing with millions of visitors each year and a billion dollar concern.


Finally, keep in mind that to attract future visitors they will need to capture the current generation. This means today's 16 y/o there with the folks will be paying the bill 20 years later. In a world where he can watch tv on a phone, instantly talk to or message anyone in the world, and can download web pages like yours on a tiny device in a second, I doubt they'll take kindly to longer lines for anything. Lines should be getting shorter, not longer. Conveniece is what will stand out when vacation dollars get harder to come by.

I've been 25 times or so. I have 10 days of passes I just bought. Whether it will take me 2 years or a decade to use them up will depend on how pleasant the experience is when I go there. The crush at closing at MK is not most people's favorite time there after a long hard day. I doubt losing an important path back to one's car or hotel room will sit well. Especially not one so unique to Disney.

I doubt it will matter to most. But that isn't the problem. As my math shows, it only has to matter to a handful each week for it to become a money LOSING cost-cutting method.
Jul 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks Bruce
by: Dad

Bruce,

Thanks for your comment.

Yes, this is a cost cutting measure that may not, in the long run, make a lot of sense. It also may end up being a short term cut, or it may stick. Who knows.

I'm in favor of Disney World making all the money it can. Yes, Disney World should make money. Why? Because when Disney makes money, they spend it on upgrading and remodeling the parks. Disney is spending about a billion dollars to upgrade the Magic Kingdom. They are also spending a billion dollars upgrading California Adventure.

I want Disney to spend billions to upgrade all the other parks. I want Disney to make money. If they can save $10,000.00 dollars per night (I bet it's more than that) by having a few guests take the boats back to the hotels (yes, I've been one of those more than once) rather than the monorail, it might be a good cost saving measure.

It might not.

Shutting down evening Extra Magic Hours, which is a huge cost, would be a big deal. Stopping the monorail for a couple hours, in my opinion, isn't.
Jul 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstar 		On the other hand
by: Bruce

In your news item on Disney possibly not running monorails during the extra magic hours, you stated:

"It takes 15 or more cast members to keep the monorails running no matter how many guests are on each train. I'm sure Disney has taken a good look at how many guests are on the monorails during evening Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom and determined that it's not economical to continue using them. No big deal."


Even considering a healthy average wage/benefits cost of $20/hour, that is just $300/hour for 15 employees. So, to run the monorail for (I assume) 3 hours you have a cost of just $900. There are some added operating costs I can't calculate as well. But say it's another $600 for fuel and wear. Considering the fact that the MK grosses maybe $2M a day, these added costs represent less than 1/10th of one percent of their receipts. With the monorail a major icon of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World, I'd say it would be a fool's economy to cut out such a high-profile service. Doubly so when Disney has just raised ticket prices fairly significantly for the 2nd time this year. Additionally, these "extra magic hours" are used as an incentive to get guests to stay onsite. The income benefits of that are incalculable, but certainly someone spending $350/night or $450/night to stay at a monorail resort deserves Disney at full speed, not some stripped down version. Also keep in mind that those extra hours of park operation certainly drew some people there who otherwise would not have attended. If only a couple dozen guests came in additionally that night it would pay for the monorail.

I cannot tell you how annoyed I have been in the past to visit during slow periods, only to still have to wait in lines for this or that because some bean counter decided it would save $10/hour to cut a staff member off early. I have managed recreation facilities myself, and have cut staff when demand was down, but we certainly did not charge Disney prices, did not earn Disney profits, and did not expect our customers to wait longer because of staff cuts.

You seem to be hardcore Disney fan and perhaps will accept more than most tourists, but in my opinion it will not do Disney any favors in the long run to cut corners in the most visible ways possible like this.

I'd be pissed if I went to the MK at night and was denied a big part of the experience, a ride home on the monorail at night. It costs a family of four about $600 a day to stay on the monorail line and go to the MK. The $.25 Disney saves on that family by cutting the monorail service is not likely to be worth the annoyance they'll have.

I suggest an old business school reading assignment, "in search of excellence" from the 80's. There are plenty of theme parks out there. Disney had better be a cut above or they'll kill the cash cow.

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