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Ahead of the 2028 dismantling of one of the last United States Monorail systems, the transportation system connecting Disneyland Park and the Downtown Disney District experienced a catastrophic failure.
Disneyland Resort boasted the first daily-operating Monorail system in the country. The Walt Disney Company later recreated the Monorail at Tokyo Disney Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, connecting guests between Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and the Transportation & Ticket Center.
The city of Las Vegas later followed suit, using the same Mark VI trams as Walt Disney World Resort to build a public Monorail system. In fact, the first-ever Monorail tracks in Vegas used two retired Walt Disney World Monorail cars. The current system connects tourists and residents to resorts, convention centers, and attractions along the Las Vegas Strip.
Credit: Disney
In late 2020, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) acquired the Las Vegas Monorail Co., saving it from bankruptcy. However, the report included a budget line for LVCVA to dismantle the Monorail by 2030, potentially as soon as 2028.
The company that formerly offered repair parts for the aging transportation system was sold, making it nearly impossible for LVCVA to repair the Monorail. The issue could also impact Walt Disney World Resort unless they craft replacement parts internally.
“Sooner or later, it will break down and require a replacement part that can’t be obtained because it’s not manufactured anymore,” Casino.org reported.
Credit: Inside the Magic
Only the Las Vegas Monorail is scheduled for permanent closure, but it’s not the only futuristic transportation system experiencing issues. Disneyland Resort’s Monorail, which uses a different tram type than its Central Florida and Las Vegas counterparts, recently broke down with guests on board.
Last weekend, Redditor u/NotADeadTurtle shared their experience live as they sat waiting on a broken Monorail car. After leaving the Downtown Disney station, the Monorail could not ascend the hill toward Tomorrowland station in Disneyland Park.
“They keep reversing and then going forward to try and gain momentum,” the Disney Park guest wrote. “It’s getting hot and musty in this full monorail car.”
Disneyland Resort’s Monorail doesn’t have air conditioning, so it stops operating throughout the hottest parts of some summer days. Unfortunately, these Disney Resort guests didn’t anticipate spending longer than a few minutes on the hot tram.
Luckily, the pilot eventually gained enough speed to ascend the hill. Still, the guest was frustrated that they didn’t shut down the system and reverse back to Downtown Disney.
Credit: Inside the Magic (Luke D.)
“It’s seems like it reverses fine,” they said. “Wish they would just take it back to downtown Disney already.”
It took five attempts for the Monorail to make it over the hill. However, a Disney cast member explained that safety mechanisms make it impossible for trams to back up to Downtown Disney station. From u/Shredder3200:
“The reason why it can’t back up to downtown Disney is that when one monorail leaves downtown Disney the one at Tomorrowland also leaves to downtown Disney. And the monorails have systems aboard that if they get too close they will auto E-stop and won’t let them get any closer. It’s generally just easier to go back far enough to get enough speed to go over the berm than it is to have both trains do a massive backwards procedure.”
Have you ever gotten stuck on the Monorail at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Share your story with us in the comments.
