After the wild incident on Monorail Red. Disney promptly added signage on their monorails warning guests to not lean up against the doors. According to WDWNT, Disney has already ordered a new fleet of monorails. Reportedly being built by Bombardier of Canada, the same company that built the Mark VI trains for Walt Disney World, and one of only a very few companies in the world with the ability to build mass transit class monorails.
The Mark VI fleet supposedly cost $3.5 million per train. That would amount to $7.5 million in today’s dollars. Which is a expensive overhaul even for a global corporation like Disney. If the new monorail fleet rumor proves true. It could be the reason why the Main Street Theater project was forever cut.
The new fleet will have custom features so it fits with the classic Disney image. Bombardier is currently marketing its INNOVIA 300 series which may be Disney’s new monorails with the modifications of course.
Right now the new Bombardier monorails are running in Saudi Arabia and Brazil.
The only noticeable difference other than being way newer in comparison to Disney monorails. Is the cones on the end will have to be on of the changes Disney makes in order to keep their classic monorail image.
Although the now infamous Monorail Red incident is being touted as the final nail into the coffin. Disney’s monorails have been deteriorating for a long time. In June 2017, a large piece of Monorail Blue fell off while traveling above the Epcot parking lot. A lot of monorails have suffered numerous breakdowns especially during last summer. Also the monorail automation system still doesn’t work properly.
Are you excited for new monorails at Walt Disney World if this rumor proves true? Tweet us @BoardwalkTimes your thoughts on the current monorail situation.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
