When Walt Disney introduced the ideas for EPCOT the city back in 1966, he presented a bold, forward-thinking vision of transportation. More than 50 years ago, he identified the difficulty in moving the masses through a densely populated area. Walt was looking at the traffic challenges in U.S. cities, but you could easily apply those concerns to Walt Disney World today. Here’s an excerpt from the EPCOT film about the transportation plans:

“Two separate but interconnecting transit systems will move people into and out of EPCOT in speed, safety, and comfort through the central terminal. Both are electrically powered: the high-speed monorail for rapid transit over longer distances, and a concept new to the American City for shorter travel distances, the WEDWay People Mover.”

While these ideas were just conceptual, there was logic in plans to simplify modes of travel through the Monorail and People Mover. This vision describes cars as tools for “weekend pleasure trips”, not the essential means of transportation we see today. We’re moving closer to that way of life in cities today, but progress is slow. Self-driving cars will eventually be our primary way to travel, but how long before this change occurs?

This question stands out when you look at the transportation conundrum that Disney is facing in Orlando. Attendance continues to rise, and the transportation infrastructure is buckling under that pressure. Doors are flying off monorails, buses are packed with guests, and driving is frustrating. Disney must act now to stave off more difficulties in the future. What they do in the next few years could pay huge dividends for the resort and its guests for decades to come.

Beyond their impact on the parks, progressive transportation at Disney World can inspire people to think differently about travel at home. If guests can skip the rental car or leave their car at a central hub, they’ll escape from concerns of getting around. Effective monorails, self-driving cars, and other automated transportation could change our world. Disney has the chance to showcase a better future while earning additional revenues and guest satisfaction in the process.

An All-New Monorail?

Rumors about exciting changes to Disney’s theme parks seem to arrive nearly every day. I try not to become too wrapped up in raving or ranting about them immediately. There are exceptions, however. Jason Diffendal of WDWNT posted an article on Monday that described the possibility that Disney would replace its Mark VI fleet with a brand new set of monorails. A few weeks ago, I made the case of how the monorails were the symbol of Disney World. My concern was that Disney would shut them down for good due to rising maintenance costs.

It is too early to take these rumors as even close to official news, but they can give a little hope. Disney has to understand the value of the Monorail fleet even if just for marketing. They also need a way to justify the exorbitant costs of resorts on the Monorail loop. Guests may tolerate buses from other hotels but expect the Monorail from signature ones. The Mark VI vehicles have been around for too long, and developing a new fleet would definitely pay off for Disney in the future.

Looking beyond the business concerns, the Monorail is needed to retain the inspiring side of Disney World. The original EPCOT city never came to fruition, but Disney still incorporated many concepts into the full resort. I rode the Monorail and People Mover as a kid, and I yearned for the future when those transportation modes would dominate our skylines. Disney World is a commercial venture, but it can still inspire kids (and adults) to think in a broader way about our world’s possibilities.

No Drivers Necessary!

A first step in this exciting future is driverless vehicles, and Disney World is a perfect place to test them. They could expand on the success of the Minnie Vans (and hopefully lower the cost) in a way that allows guests to more easily navigate the resort. This is hardly breaking news. A Los Angeles Times article by Russ Mitchell from April 2017 explains how Disney would begin testing driverless shuttles later that year. On a recent episode of The Disney Dish podcast, Len Testa indicated that cast member tests were happening very soon.

I’m excited to have the chance to ride these vehicles, but that only scratches the surface. If driverless transportation is successful at Disney World, guests will be more likely to pursue options in their lives. This feeling connects to the original EPCOT idea where industry leaders present the latest technologies and inspire visitors. Disney could arrange the roads and lanes to deliver more safety than on a typical interstate. This option would also lessen the burden on the bus system.

Another reason that self-driving cars make sense is because they’re commercially viable. Disney can charge a fee and save money on fuel costs with electric vehicles. Guests that have never experienced a driverless car will be more likely to take a shot while on vacation. They’ll also look for any chance to avoid the buses and save time reaching the parks. If Disney sets up the system well, they can’t lose.

The Disney Skyliner: A First Step

My optimism for the Monorail and driverless vehicles partially comes from Disney’s surprising choice to build a gondola system. The Disney Skyliner should open in 2019 and will offer another way to travel between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby resorts. The convenience to avoid cars and buses should be invaluable. It’s also the first recognition from Disney that they need to upgrade Disney World’s transportation system.

The five stations will connect the Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century and the Art of Animation Resort, and the upcoming Riviera Resort to the two parks. I’ll be curious to see how Disney prices those hotels once the Disney Skyliner opens. Many people will want to stay there solely to experience the gondola ride. Rooms should become a lot harder to book, especially after Galaxy’s Edge opens in 2019.

What makes the Disney Skyliner exciting isn’t just the transportation benefits; it looks like great fun! Disney understands the draw and is connecting the vehicles to iconic characters like the “Fab Five”. A December 8, 2017 post from the Disney Parks Blog also cites special views of attractions from the gondolas. I hope they’re extremely popular and inspire Disney to look for other ways to expand transportation options. Current management is hesitant to invest in the parks without a financial return, and the Disney Skyliner should provide huge revenues.

A Promising Future

It’s easy to identify concerns with the current approach from Disney leadership. They’re too focused on intellectual properties, ticket prices keep rising, and new fees are common. The exception might be transportation, especially if stories about self-driving cars and the monorail become a reality. I’m trying to stay cautious and not get too bullish about prospects for better transportation. Even so, there is logic for Disney to invest the money if they want to keep promoting Disney World as a unique resort.

Visiting the parks as a kid, I loved the way that Disney showed the potential for our transportation future. The bold idea of the “world on the move” inspired me in Tomorrowland, Future World, and beyond. Disney has dropped the ball in recent decades and enhanced challenges they’re facing today. Even so, there’s still a chance to build a smarter and more convenient system for the massive resort. If Disney succeeds with these plans at Disney World, we all could be in store for a better tomorrow.

Sources: WDWNT, Los Angeles Times, Disney Parks Blog, The Disney Dish Podcast

Related Articles

Why the Disney Monorail Matters

Disney Transportation: Progress and the Future

The EPCOT Film: A Lost Dream of Tomorrow

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