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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!!!

[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? 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?"

[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

[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.

[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...

[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.