EPCOT Monorail Is Reopening This Weekend!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts, Epcot

Scott Gustin, a regular Disney reporter, took to Twitter to share: “NEW: The EPCOT Monorail will officially reopen on Sunday, July 18. The EPCOT Monorail last operated in March 2020 when the parks closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Gustin continues in the Twitter thread: “As part of this change, direct bus service to EPCOT will no longer be available from these hotels (and effective dates):

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – July 25
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort – July 25
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – mid-August

Of course, everything is subject to change – but it sure seems like EPCOT bus service at The Polynesian ending in mid-August means Disney expects to have Polynesian monorail service back online by mid-August.”

New Temperature Screening Process In Place at Monorail Resorts in Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With the reopening of the Magic Kingdom comes the inevitablity that Guests will stay at the monorail resorts and visit the park. Why else would you stay there, after all? Since the temperature check and security screening for day Guests is located at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Walt Disney World has set up similar systems at the resorts along the Monorail as well.

Signs and markers direct Guests ahead of security to the temperature screening area. Guests must have their temperature checked before proceeding to the security checkpoint.

Metal detectors and inspection tables are set up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, along with social distancing indicators and an a-frame sign to inform Guests of standard security procedures.

Plexiglass and metal barriers are also set up along the path to the Monorail’s boarding platform.

Similar procedures are in place at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The sign of AdventHealth, Disney’s temperature screening provider, is much more prominently displayed here.

And also at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, these signs and Cast Members are at the ready to guide Guests on to their relatively-safe day of magic.

Transportation Still Available In Limited Capacity

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed that select transportation options will be available to Guests staying on property after all the theme parks and water parks close due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Here is what the transportation situation will look like starting Monday, March 16:

OPERATING:

  • Resort Monorail
  • Buses connecting on-site resorts to Disney Springs
  • ​Buses between Disney Resorts (a new service)
  • Resort Boats

NOT OPERATING:

  • Disney Skyliner
  • Express Monorail connecting the Transportation & Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom Park
  • Buses connecting on-site resorts to the parks

New Monorail System @ WDW Seems Unlikely Right Now

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

In an unfortunate piece of news, it looks as if Bombardier, the makers of the Mark VI monorails at Walt Disney World, is in talks to sell their rail division to Alstom. Bombardier Transportation, the rail division of the company, makes subway cars, trains, and yes, monorails.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement that Bombardier would be mostly getting out of the aviation business with the sale of their stake of the a220 program. Bombardier currently has billions of dollars in debt and has been trying to restructure its core business.

What this sale of Bombardier Transportation to Alstom means for Disney fans is that there could be a delay in the rumored new monorail fleet for Walt Disney World. While Alstom is experienced in building trains and other rolling stock, it is unknown if the firm would see monorails as a core focus. In addition, mergers and acquisitions often have a lag period of a year or more that can disrupt current projects, like a new Walt Disney World monorail fleet.

Image result for disney monorail

The sale of Bombardier Transportation isn’t official as of yet, but considering Bombardier has already announced other divestitures in recent months, a sale seems imminent.