Getting to EPCOT with new monorail schedule

[andypooh]

We would like to get to EPCOT shortly before the park opening at 9am. We are staying at BLT. Can we do this with WDW transportation with the new monorail schedules? Thanks

[Strmchsr]

With the current monorail schedule I think you'll have to take the buses.

[andypooh]

There usually are not buses from MK to EPCOT, correct?

[vilewmn]

So sorry to be asking. I must have missed this. Just exactly when to the monorails start operating in the morning? When did this change take place?

[VWL Mom]

There usually are not buses from MK to EPCOT, correct?

Correct, there is no bus service between MK and Epcot.


So sorry to be asking. I must have missed this. Just exactly when to the monorails start operating in the morning? When did this change take place?

The new schedule took effect June 22nd and as of yet has not end date.

MK Resort Beam: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 midnight
MK Express Beam: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Epcot Beam: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

[andypooh]

But there will be bus service from MK to EPCOT early in the morning until the monorail starts running for the day? Or do I need to take a taxi from MK to EPCOT to get there by park opening?

[marlyn]

But there will be bus service from MK to EPCOT early in the morning until the monorail starts running for the day? Or do I need to take a taxi from MK to EPCOT to get there by park opening?

Why not just bus to Epcot from the contemporary if they have bus service. Not sure about that...

[andypooh]

Why not just bus to Epcot from the contemporary if they have bus service. Not sure about that...

That is what I want to know. Will I be able to get a bus at BLT/contemporary at 8:15am that goes to epcot?

[marlyn]

That is what I want to know. Will I be able to get a bus at BLT/contemporary at 8:15am that goes to epcot?

I checked the contemporary's web page and it says buses go to Epcot and they begin 1hr before park opening.

[andypooh]

I checked the contemporary's web page and it says buses go to Epcot and they begin 1hr before park opening.

Thanks

[VWL Mom]

There will be buses servicing all the monorail resorts during this time to get to/from parks when the monorail would normally be running. There will also be extra boats/launches put on.

There will not be service from MK to Epcot.

[andypooh]

There will be buses servicing all the monorail resorts during this time to get to/from parks when the monorail would normally be running. There will also be extra boats/launches put on.

There will not be service from MK to Epcot.

I said MK when I meant BLT/Contemporary
Thanks

[vilewmn]

Originally Posted by vilewmn View Post
So sorry to be asking. I must have missed this. Just exactly when to the monorails start operating in the morning? When did this change take place?
The new schedule took effect June 22nd and as of yet has not end date.

MK Resort Beam: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 midnight
MK Express Beam: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Epcot Beam: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
__
Thanks VWL Mom ! Very useful information! ________________

[RBrooksC]

I find this interesting especially after watching the Modern Marvels episode about WDW and how the monorails are maintained.

It looks like it is less expensive to shorten the monorail hours instead of upgrading the trains.

When was the last time the monorail trains were upgraded?

[Strmchsr]

When was the last time the monorail trains were upgraded?

The current Mark VI monorails came online in 1989 but they were given a complete overhaul and updated to the LMCU2 system in 2007. DLR got the Mark VII trains in 2008 (and they look awesome!) but they were designed for the smaller beams of DLR and probably won't be coming to WDW.

[RBrooksC]

DLR got the Mark VII trains in 2008 (and they look awesome!) but they were designed for the smaller beams of DLR and probably won't be coming to WDW.

I knew that DL had the newer trains. While I wasn't aware of the narrower beam you would think they would have a plan to upgrade the trains with something similar that supports the wider beam in WDW.

[Strmchsr]

I knew that DL had the newer trains. While I wasn't aware of the narrower beam you would think they would have a plan to upgrade the trains with something similar that supports the wider beam in WDW.

The problem is that there is no clear vision at WDW for the monorail system. Some want to just keep the current trains running until they die then do away with the whole system. Others want to expand the monorail system and invest in the new trains (the footprint for more lines is already in place and has been for a while) which would probably be a Mark VIII rather than the DLR Mark VII. But until someone makes a clear decision things will probably just stay as is.

[RBrooksC]

The problem is that there is no clear vision at WDW for the monorail system. Some want to just keep the current trains running until they die then do away with the whole system. Others want to expand the monorail system and invest in the new trains (the footprint for more lines is already in place and has been for a while) which would probably be a Mark VIII rather than the DLR Mark VII. But until someone makes a clear decision things will probably just stay as is.

Well, is one of the problems with Master Plans for places like this, especially when there are so many opinions.

I would hate to see them do-away with the whole system. The monorail system is such an integral park of the WDW experience.

And I think that is where the problem lies. It is very expensive to do anything with that monorail system. Whether it is upkeep and preventive maintenance or it is upgrading and, eventually, expanding, will take a lot of capital that may not be realized in the timeframe that the Disney Company would like to see. If the ROI for this project is not to be seen for a long time, they will be hard-pressed to do it any time soon.