Sitting up front on the monorail

I try to do it at least once per trip.

A good tip is to know that you are only allowed to stay on for as long as the run that you are on. For example, if you're on the MK resort loop, and you get on at the MK, you have to get off when you've arrived at the MK again. That's why you have a good chance of getting a spot up front if you are boarding at MK -, because those already on, will more than likely have boarded at MK or will want to get off there. Of course there may be other families ahead of you at the platform.

I agree that the TTC-Epcot run is the best.

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Upcoming Trips

July 2010 - Old Key West

Oct 2010 - Boardwalk Villas

The trip to Epcot is so-so at best, but the entrance into the park is fantastic.

I once hit off a conversation with the driver and I ended up riding around the front of the monorail for a couple of hours.

(Umm.. this was over 25 years ago, and I was single and the driver was ummm... female....)

Thats all there was to it, but I had a marvelous time!

Edward! You Monorail Mack Daddy!

Scandalous!

I love riding in the front of the monorail--favorite route is probably magic kingdom so that I can see all the resorts!

Can you get on and just go for a ride? Example: Ride to epcot and back to T&TC without getting off just for a ride.

John

Officially, I don't think they'd make you get off to go to the park, but I can see a friendly suggestion that you should make room so that OTHERS can ride up front.

They usually let you do whatever you want at WDW!

I agree though, let the driver know your plan when you get on. That way you will avoid any confusion at the Epcot stop.

This sounds like so much fun but I have never done it. Maybe in August...

i recommend it. you guys are staying at a monorail resort so you should be on there plenty and get an opportunity sooner or later.

I think it's required by the Contemporary code of honor to ride up front in the monorail at least once during your stay. Don't flaunt mouse-law...it never ends well!

Does anyone know if they are allowing guests to ride in the front of the Monorails yet, or if they are ever going to again? I know in September when we went they were still investigating the accident. I would love to get our friends we are taking in the front car for the view.

They are still not permitting guests to ride up front and it APPEARS that this may be permanent. The investigation report is over and Disney has been found negligent and they have been fined. Disney has insituted some changes but nothing as far as passengers. The fines even included not having a safety guard on a drill press in the repair facility, and workers not wearing safety harnesses when working in scissor lifts and cherry picker type machinery. Only one portion of the fine was as a result of the accident itself.

This is so sad -- all around. The accident itself is heartbreaking.

I'll corroborate vettelover's story -- I don't think they're allowing people in the front car anymore.

Yeah I sort of figured that would probably happen. It is a shame though. We had only found out you could ride up there a few years ago when we were standing near the front waiting to get loaded and the driver asked if we would like to ride with him. Glad I had the experience to do it.

Did you get a pilot's license? I always thought those were cool.

No! Didn't know they gave them out! That will be a keeper if you have one of those. Maybe you had to do the whole loop to get it.

Signed by the Mouse himself!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembered the co-pilot license But, yeah. Sitting in the front was really fun and after reading that they're not letting people in the front, I too am glad I had the experience.

Disney girl - Welcome to the boards! I think we got a co-pilot's license a time or two...will have to look around for it now, since you can no longer ride up there.

I've read that WDW wants to do it again, but the monorail is governed by the Florida Dept of Transportation and they have put the kibosh on it. I think eventually it will happen again (we loved doing it)

Yeah I don't think we will ever see that again. (riding in the front I mean).

I hope so...I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone, and of course my heart goes out to the family of the castmember that was killed, but when something like this happens, I always think in terms of odds. This has never happened before. I can't imagine it being a big threat.

agreed.... Its the needle in a hay stack theory and since the one incident happened... Its the 9/11 situation we have with airports.

that's for sure, unfortunately we have lost many rights and privilages due to a small risk of accident. We should be able to take a risk if we want, not have it governed by "just in case". We can't protect everyone from everything, especially Disney with all those crowds. I actually feel very safe there and think it's amazing how few accidents there are (or are reported that we hear about). The amount of people there still overwhelms me, and that it is so managed, it's Disney afterall. We miss riding up front too, the kids did it all the time. Better find those pilot licenses laying around and put them somewhere safe as a keepsake.