Share your monorail stories

[SandmanGStefani24]

I thought with the sad news maybe we could all maybe share some good or happier stories about the monorail to get some good pixiedust going.

For me, I always liked the views of the park from the monorail. Also, I loved how random strangers would strike up conversations with you to pass the time. That's something that doesn't happen much on most public transport, but it is yet another sign you're in WDW. And of course, who could forget the announcements. "Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!", "Please stand clear of the doors", and so on. Its an essential part of the trip, and I can't wait to ride it again.

[Ian]

I, too, love the monorail ... the one thing that always sticks out with me is the portion of the narration as you near the TTC that says, "If this concludes your vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort, we hope you had a wonderful stay."

No matter how many times I hear that, if I am concluding my vacation it always gets me choked up!

[Gator]

I agree that people tend to chat a lot on the monorail. I usually ride the bus system, and it's often quiet. Everybody is mad on the bus, it seems, but that's not the case on the monorail. One day I'll spend enough money to stay at a monorail resort.

[princessimagineer]

i have all the narrator quotes memorized! including the spanish translations! i cant even speak spanish!

one of my earliest memories in my life is riding the monorail and looking out the window out at the Contemporary Resort at a purple sunset and the lights were just turning on outside the resort. I was soo little and i didnt really realized what it was until a more recent trip where i had a moment of deja vu and put two-and-two together.

im not gunna lie. i love when its like closing and your in a monorail car (or bus) standing room only and you just cant help but have a good time with the other people your standing with. i've had the most random conversations in those situations and some of my favorite disney times.

i cant wait until the next time i get to go on the monorail, because i know that disney will work through this and make the monorail system better than ever, even if its only in the technical aspects that i wont be able to notice.

[SorcererJim]

Thanks for starting this thread!

I too love the monorail and have the entire "speach" on my iPod for "pick me ups"...
As others have stated, the random conversations are what I love. I love seeing a family sitting together and thekids are all excited... and I always say the same thing "Did you guys just arrive? Is this your first day?" and even if it's not the stories just start flowing... and I love sharing my "tips" as a disney veteran (addict? :)) The monorail has always been (and always will be) an Icon of WDW for me!

[luvmyboys4ever]

The best memory for me was when we took our boys on the monorail for the first time. It was sweet to see the boys all excited...but it was my husband's reaction that will stay in my mind forever. He acted like a little kid! Since we were alone, he swung on the bars and jumped over the seat. I even have a picture. I hadn't seen the boy in him for a very long time. :)
He went every year as a child and his favorite memories were of riding the monorail with his brother. He was sooo excited to be in Disney once again. It makes me smile, just thinking about it. :D

[caryrae]

I just love it when we ride for the 1st time on our WDW vacation and driving through the CR and seeing the MK knowing the fun is about to begin.

[sorcerer fan]

In 2005 we were on the monorail to epcot and the taped speech broke down. it kept repeating itself. All of a sudden it went off and the driver came on and kept everyone entertained for the whole trip with observations and jokes and funny sayings about what he saw outside. he kept it up for the whole trip and at the station when we got off everyone waited for the driver to come out and when he stepped out of the cab, everyone that was on the monorail gave him a huge round of applause. He turned to us and did a great bow. To me that's what disney is all about, keeping people happy.

[Basket Mommy]

The first time my husband and I took our 2 youngest children on the Monorail is my best Monorail memory. We were staying @ the Contemporary, so right after checking in and putting our bags in the room, we went down and hopped on the Monorail to go to MK. We were lucky enough to have our daughter and son's first ride in the front car! She kept pushing a bolt in the front of the nose, and after a couple of times I asked her what she was doing. "Trying to honk the horn!" she said (she was almost 4). The driver heard her and honked the horn the next time she pressed the bolt. He kept doing that every time she pushed it. We laughed and laughed.

Even when we don't stay in a Monorail hotel, we make a point to ride the Monorail once per trip, even if it means going out of our way. We've ridden in the front car many times, most recently with our 2 younger kids in May. I'll be sad if they discontinue front car rides, but I'll understand if they do. Safety first!

[jmj18]

I have two favorite monorail stories.

The first would be my very first trip to Disney. I was 19 years old and was so excited to be there. I will never forget my first ride on the monorail.

My second would be our trip in April. My children have been to Disney a number of times. This year, they were able to sit in the front with the driver not only once but three times during our trip. They still talk about it. It was a wonderful experience for them....and me too!!!

Can't wait to go back!!!

[StitchFan#1]

on the very last day of the trip last year I dstood and The car was half empty so I vidioed! lOL

[wdwfansince75]

I'm a train nut, and always considered the Monorail a special form of train. It comes close to being my favorite ride at WDW. And on really hot days, I have left the parks just to ride the monorail, and cool off.
There are memories of may special rides, from our very first stay at the CR in 75, and our daily rides to MK, to a side trip, to share a meal with DS#2 while he was on spring break, and to ride the monorail....just because...
But one really special ride....It was July, 1982....They were offering rides on the EPCOT monorail, to and through a soon-to-be finished EPCOT Center. I rounded up DS#2 and DFiL, and we took the ride. Even today, I replay those first views of EPCOT.

[Jll3Sonex]

My favorite monorail experience happened this year - DS and I went down to catch a shuttle launch, and spent the day at Epcot. He wanted to ride the monorail over to the TTC - so we did, and were able to get into the front! :thumbsup:

All in all, it was a heck of a trip, and a heck of a ride! Couldn't get into it for the ride back, though. Ah, well - good enough!

[diz_girl]

When I was ten (almost 11) in June '80, we were able to ride up front. We stayed at the Poly that year, so I think that it was on the local line. The driver asked if anyone wanted to drive the monorail and I was the only one who said yes. The driver allowed me to sit next to him and showed me how the controls worked and let me actually stop the monorail at a specific point on the line. It was so cool! I still tell people that I got to drive the monorail, and I'm almost 40.

We tried to ride up front on our last trip with DS on his first trip to the world, but on the couple times that we tried, a family was already in line or the crew had a "clean-up" situation. I completely understand if WDW doesn't allow people to ride up front anymore, but it's still sad if that is what will happen and my son may never ride up front like I did.

[beksy]

I always loved the monorail, especially that first ride that meant we were officially there. My sister and I competed to see who could point out the most sites. I remember passing through the CR and looking out and down at all the people. Mom always said her dream was to someday stay there. So we are taking her back for her first trip in 12 years, stretching the budget, and staying in the CR tower with a MK view. She was so excited when she found out that she cried! I also always cry at the end on my last day when it says that they hoped we had a wonderful trip.

[jonahbear2006]

We love the spanish version of please stand clear of the doors. We even bought the t-shirt. Now, at random moments in our life, we exclaim, por favor mantenganse alejado des las puertas. Once we were at our local Cheddars and a waiter stormed by saying this exact phrase and I gasped. He stopped and said, "do you know what that is?" I said, "of course, that is what the monorail says!" He was thrilled and so was I.

[tinkergal]

Last year, we were monorailing from MK to Epcot, sharing the ride w/ a 3 generation Irish family. As we disembarked, the grandpa handed my friend a pamphlet. We went on to learn that we share the same faith. So, the mom says (in a strong Irish brogue), "Aye, we're family & didn't even know it". We carried on our conversation right into Epcot; that is one of my most favorite memories ever. The grandma said she'd never seen anything like WDW (or been anywhere so hot) & was delighted to have had the opportunity - too precious!

[nicster]

Background: In 1999 we went to WDW with DD & her DH. DD had been working for DL for a couple of years, so she had been many times to DL and only once to WDW when she was a young teen. When my DH & I walked up to wait for the monorail, the cm asked if we would like to ride in the front? :cloud9: Our DD & her DH didn't hear the exchange, so when we were all escorted to the cab, I over heard him say to her "how come we only get do the coolest things when your parents are around?" :secret:

[grumpyguy]

to me the monorail is another thing that screams disneyworld.it's almost as synonomous as spaceship earth is w/epcot.
i have always thought of a monorail ride as another "attraction"..
we rode up front with the driver last time and it was very cool:thumbsup:

[Belle_0717]

I think every ride brings a memory. I can't forget our honeymoon when we rode with the driver and I videotaped. Or the first ride DNephew had, sitting quietly in his stroller not knowing what to think. Now all he can talk about is the monorail.

[Disney Doll]

Yep the monorail is iconic Disney. My favorite monorail memory happened by total chance and is one of our favorite bits of Disney magic. In 2007 we had dinner at 'Ohana and caught the MK fireworks during our meal. We took the monorail to EPCOT to catch a bus back to our resort and just as we were rounding Future World we got a spectacular view of Illuminations going off in the background. It was unbelievable!

I also remember that as a kid my brother and I would both hope for certain colors to pull up. My favorites were pink and purple. His were red and black. For whatever reason we felt like we had struck gold on the few occasions when our preferred color would arrive.

[jeffbdw]

Thanks for starting this thread!

I too love the monorail and have the entire "speach" on my iPod for "pick me ups"...


Where did you get this? I would love to have that on my I-pod.

[DisneyOtaku]

I've been going to WDW since I've been a little girl, and I always remember that before we started staying at the parks, we took the boat in the morning and the monorail at night. Just how we did it. So I have many memories of me and my little sister falling asleep on the train.

Now, when I get on at night and see the sleeping siblings, I can't help but smile and think of my childhood, and hope they had a magical day.

[Basket Mommy]

I remember passing through the CR and looking out and down at all the people. Mom always said her dream was to someday stay there. So we are taking her back for her first trip in 12 years, stretching the budget, and staying in the CR tower with a MK view. She was so excited when she found out that she cried!

The CR is my favorite resort. We've only stayed there once, but like you I remember rolling through it on the Monorail and hoping one day to stay there. We finally got to in 2002. We'd been planning our trip for a year and were set to go in January. My FIL passed away 12 days before our trip, but we had to go since we hadn't purchased travel insurance. We invited MIL along. She had a fabulous time. Disney eased her grief and allowed her to relax after she'd played nurse to FIL for so long. That trip was magical, and a lot of it had to do with the nightly view of the fireworks from our balcony. Amazing. I want to stay at BLT so badly!


I also remember that as a kid my brother and I would both hope for certain colors to pull up. My favorites were pink and purple. His were red and black. For whatever reason we felt like we had struck gold on the few occasions when our preferred color would arrive.

My sister and I used to do that, and my kids do it now. They'll always make little bets on which color is going to pull up next. Lime green is my favorite ; )

[Belster]

The monorail means you have arrived at Dinsey...even before hitting Main Street USA at the start of your trip...you hit the monorail, that truly begin your trip!!!

I also have the Spanish translation memorized and do not speak Spanish...lol.

Gotta love those Disney treasures!!!

[mousetrapper]

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear of the driver's death. I fear he may have fallen asleep since it was so late. My prayers are with his family and friends.

One of my favorite memories of the Monorail was when we had my mother-in-law with us for one of our trips. We sat in the front car and I remember she thought it was the most wonderful thing -- the view was spectacular. It was truly one of those magical Disney moments!

Over the years we've all just loved the Monorail -- even that unique "aroma" the cars always have! Can never quite put our finger (or nose!) on what that smell is...

Can't wait to go back...

[AdventurerKim]

I have so many fond memories of monorail rides from Poly to MK and from TTC to Epcot and back. My family rode with the driver on many occasions, mainly bc my DB wanted to, but it was fun. We rode to Poly in June just to go there and get in a monorail ride since now we stay at POP.

[lightyearfan]

well for me dw and dd, it was our very first trip to WDW and not knowing what to expect at all, i mean we had no idea of monorails ttc center, we thought you just drive up and your at the entrance, anyway like all the other posters here, it was the sounds, sites and cooled air that made us go ahhh everytimne we stepped in the monorail, we too enjoy the famous "please stand clear of the doors", "you've picked a wonderfull time to visit a WDW theme park" etc... hopefully this will bring some cheer to what recently happedned.

Victor

[goofygirl67]

Mine was last year, I was going from the TTC to EPCOT and was planning to be in the first car. A mother and her teen/20ish daughter came and asked if they could ride up front. They were allowed and turned and asked me if I wanted to join them. I jumped at the chance and had a great time. :cloud9:
Before, I always thought a family should ride up front instead of someone who is alone, afterall WDW is for famlies. I will always cherish that ride since I always thought it was the best leg of the monorail rides to take. I hope that guests will be able to ride up front again in Dec when my Mom comes for a visit.

[Belle619]

My first trip to WDW was when I was 26 with my older sister. She and I had pooled all of our money together so that we could stay at the Poly. She made the reservations and kept apologizing when we arrived that our room only had a view of the parking lot - not exactly the best room in the resort. We had gotten in late, so we had turned in not long after arriving.

The next morning, I woke up and opened the curtains and to my sheer delight - the monorail passed right by our window! I was so excited! I woke up my sister and we both couldn't believe how cool it was to see it whiz by our balcony! It just excited us even more for our first day in the parks - like surprises would be waiting for us around every corner during the trip!

[VolMickey]

On our first trip with our DD (she was then 4) we stayed at the CR and had a MK view on the 11th floor or so. It was a great trip.

On one of the last days, we rode in the front with the driver and we asked her where we were riding... She said "In na no' " [meaning, in the nose]. It melted my heart as she had some serious speech challenges early in life and she was so excited when she said it.

That's my best monorail memory.

[seanyred]

My wife and I were on our 1st Anniversary trip in 2005 and being the monorail nut I am, I really wanted to ride up front from the TTC to EPCOT. Usually when I would go ask to ride uprfront there would be a family with kids asking at about the same time and I would let them go instead. But on one day we got to the station and there was no one around and the front was open. I so enjoyed that long trip up front and being able to talk about the monorail with the Pilot. (I still have my co-Pilot license). When I retire I want to be a pilot.

[bruin1344]

mimicking the announcer who says "please hold small children gently by the hand" after riding the monorail

[gerald72]

Here's my best monorail story:
The first time I took my daughter to Florida, we went to WDW and to see my dad in Tampa later in the week.
My daughter (6 at the time) wouldn't believe we were actually in Florida until she saw MK.
As we were coming upon MK in the Monorail, she saw Cinderella Castle in the distance. She asked me, "Is that where Grampy lives?"
How could I tell her no?

[VolMickey]

How about the "mini-Monorail" at MCO?

[jakeybake]

My greatest monorail memory is of my first ever ride.

My DRHW and I went to WDW on our honeymoon way back in 1991. At that time I had never been to WDW (my father wasn't a WDW, circus, parade or carnival kind of guy) and was in total awe of how amazing and beautiful everything was.

We were there for 2 weeks. Our first week was spent at the CB and being WDW newbies we rented a car, drove everywhere, wasted valuable time on Internaional Drive, outlet stores, Universal etc. so we never rode the monorail, not even once, during that first week. I did see it during our trips to Epcot but only from afar.

Our second week we stayed at GF and we turned in our rental car so the monorail was a must. On our first afternoon there we hopped the monorail over to MK. I remember it like it was yesterday.

As we rounded the bend to MK, I took one look at the entrance, all the people milling around, all the excitement and I became quite emotional. I turned to my DRHW and said, "I can't believe I'm here. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be here and I'm here with the most wonderful woman alive. I owe it all to you."

Both of us looked at each other, our eyes welled up and we walked hand in hand down the ramp and into the park.

I know it sounds totally corny but I am well known as "Captain Sentimental" around these parts so if you knew me, you would know that this story fits me like a glove. It is and one of the single most incredible moments of my life.

From that point forward a WDW addict was born!

Jay

[threeh]

We always walk the walkway by seven seas lagoon past the CR where it would connect to GF if there was a bridge. There is a bench there, we sit and watch the monorail make it's loops. My family also always makes a game of guessing which monorail will come next in the station.
I really love watching the monorails pass by, they are part of the wdw experience. We've gone as family 7 times and still alert one another when a monorail is passing overhead and what color it is!!

[TheTexasKid]

Riding in the cab with the driver. The view is incredible. You don't get a view like that riding in one of the passenger cars. I just wish I had a video camera, so I could film my experience.