In an update to today’s earlier story, sources indicate that Disney has changed direction and has decided not to reopen the EPCOT Monorail line for the foreseeable future. Disney tested running monorails on the EPCOT line a few days ago, but it was ultimately decided that opening the EPCOT service would cause some physical distancing issues in places, mainly at resort monorail stations where space is limited as it is.
Cast members were seen placing new distancing markers at the EPCOT Monorail station in the Transportation and Ticket Center today, but this is to help with distancing for current extended queues for the Express Monorail.
With this decision, it would seem likely that the EPCOT Monorail will not return to service until after the pandemic has subsided.
They didn’t change course, your story was wrong. They were never intending to open the epcot line.
That’s not correct though. They literally tested trains on the EPCOT line last week with the intention of a return. What typically happens in these situations, individual proprietors raise questions or concerns. It sounds like the resorts had issues, but I’m sure other departments did too. If my source was bad, we wouldn’t always be the first site to tell you when each monorail returns to service, but alas, we have been.
It’s very easy to run a news site when you don’t have to do it. It’s very easy to come in after a story update and make claims as if you know more than someone. We do make mistakes, and things do change, that doesn’t change the nature of reporting. It isn’t an infallible position. That doesn’t make you all-knowing either, and the Disney fandom’s general problem is a competition to be “the best” fan. Your comment here doesn’t make you better than anyone and it doesn’t eliminate WDWNT’s existence, despite your efforts. I tend to believe that most humans understand the nature of trying to keep up with all of this, especially within the company, given how many cast members know that things change on a daily basis.
We ran the correction, you jumping in with a snide comment isn’t some act of justice. We didn’t build a following on nonsense, people aren’t that dumb.
Whoa, Tom – it’s just a troll. A harmless little aggravating, irritating troll. Carry on!
Brad, let me summarize the author’s brilliant and well worded response… You’re a toolbag. 👍
The internet is such a lovely place…
All this social distancing is do much garbage by now
If your getting the virus your going to get it
Disney is using it now to take more from the guest but charge more for hotels and tickets period
I go to the parks at least 4 times a month. I don’t agree with you at all. I feel Disney is doing all they can to keep people safe. Disney has no capacity limits inflicted on them. They can go full capacity but they chose on their own to keep their capacity low to keep you safe. I don’t find anything including hotels to be more money. Also they are all booked up all the time so some people are happy and feel safer to go with the restrictions, I think Disney is doing a great job.
Disney is in the business of making money. Limiting the number of guests is not making them money, it is keeping the guests safer. I agree Disney is doing what is right for guests.
The Epcot monorail line has no resort stations, only TTC and Epcot.
More people would take the monorail daily at the resorts to transfer to the EPCOT line…
That’s true, but it seems like a poor excuse to not open it. Because if it isn’t open, then the guests are crowded together on the buses or bus stops. This sounds more like a money saving excuse for Disney. So the monorail resort guests haven’t been using the Monorail for Epcot. Hm.
what will disney do when all the magic is gone? or too damn expensive for anyone except the uber wealthy?
Disney always had something new. Now it seems to be a sad story about all the many things that have disappeared , taking the magic.
Disney was great in its day but now too political
No worries. People will continue to go, with or without the magic. They are going now, and the Epcot monorail hasn’t even been open.
Even with the restrictions Disney is still magical. At least for our family it is. As a Florida resident and an Annual Pass holder I find the parks more magical without tons of people. Parking is great, walking is great and the cavalcades although they are not full fledge parades are awesome.
So far, I’ve seen no magic. Just excuses and inconveniences. Staying in a $500+ per night room and the closest ice machine is around the building, cross the street up the hill by the pool. Are you kidding me? I’ve discovered the people who are nuts about this place either grew up up nuts about it or drink some form of kool aid. I can make a list of issues since we arrived. We actually discussed leaving after day 1, but wanted to be fair. After day 4 still not impressed at all. Over priced over hyped and a full on rip off. One and done.
The Monorails are as icon to Disney as are the Castles. Walt would hate thst they have been so neglected.
They need to test each monorail a certain amount of hours on each beam to make sure all the new safety controls are working correctly. They have been doing a great job at handling the crowds.
Magic? It’s all but disappearing at WDW. No parades, no fireworks, no shows, no meet-and-greets, no fast passes, no character breakfasts, no railroad and now shutting down one complete monorail line. No magic, however WDW is still collecting “magical” prices. Anyone who’s never been to WDW should absolutely stay away until the magic is back. I’ve been there countless times, yet I won’t return until the magic returns.
Don’t listen to this. It is still magical. The experiences may have changed but the magic is still there . The cavalcades, the characters and the overall experience although different in ways did not in anyway diminish the experience for us. My family loved it and getting on the attractions was amazing. There is no where else you can go at this time to enjoy this type of experience.
I’m with HMoleman742. We won’t likely return until most of the magic is restored. We are from the middle US, generally an annual pass holder and visit 4-6 times a year. Went in September. Crowds were very low. Still to much of what we love is shut.
Covid is an excuse to not provide services. Period.
I actually think the cavalcades are an improvement. Still get the parade vibe and cute floats but it’s not a huge disruption to park operation and walking around.
I think it’s sad either way. I enjoyed park hopping and using the monorail frequently. Universal has park hopping and park passes to use short lines for popular attractions. Why can’t Disney do that too? Disney can’t be a snob about Universal anymore. If Disney is losing money, it is about the decisions they are making (making it hard for their customers to find minuscule amounts of magic).
Park hopping (after 2pm) has been back for a while now at WDW. There’s a bit of fine print involved, but has been no issue for us on several occasions.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney uses their COVID excuse as the reason why they are keeping EPCOT monorail line closed dispute already having COVID restrictions on the 2 Magic Kingdom monorail lines.
*I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney uses their COVID excuse as the reason why they are keeping the EPCOT monorail line closed despite already having COVID restrictions on the 2 Magic Kingdom monorail lines.
Disney World is so far behind Universal Orlando its not even funny. Disney world needs to build a 5th amusement park instead of new hotel after hotel. The parks already don’t have enough good rides to occupy current guest but they keep building new hotels. Also they need to get a fast pass like Universal has where you ride at the front of the line all week. Disney world has gotten too corporate. The parks aren’t as clean as they use to keep them and the cast members are not as friendly as they use to be. Finally, Disney world has priced my family out of future vacations. Universal Orlando has my business!
Forgive me if this is a stupid question and I’m just reading this wrong, but can you no longer get to Epcot on the monorail if you are staying at Bay Lake or one of the other monorail resorts?
The EPCOT monorail is not open