https://wdwnt.com/2018/04/rumor-new-monorail-fleet-has-been-ordered-for-walt-disney-world/

The current fleet of 12 gradually started to replace the aging Mark IV monorails, used since WDW opened in 1971, back in 1989.

A number of issues for the aging fleet over the last few years, one being a door on Monorail Red that opened while in transit on the EPCOT beam back in January. Last year, a piece of Monorail Blue broke off over the EPCOT parking lot. Word has it that Bombardier, who built the current Mark VI system, will supply the new trains.

Thoughts?

 

Will the new trains have WiFi?  That’s all that matters these days.  

Its typical for transit systems to update their fleet. I just rode D.C.'s metro and its a huge improvement

Long, long, long, LONG overdue.

Stylize the new fleet to have a similar nosecone to the current one and this will be a very welcome change.

The last thing I read said it was unlikely that Bombardier could make a new fleet of monorails by 20-21. It said that Disney would likely have to look to Hitachi or someone else for a new set.

Apparently, Disney has plans that are under wrap for building a new hotel over the Epcot Entrance. The building would frame the monorail track and spaceship Earth. While the construction happens, Epcot monorail line would have to be closed. This gives Disney 2-3 spare trains for parts while new trains are built and brought online.

I had a friend in engineering at Disney that told me they was looking for alternatives to the monorail. That was said probably 10 years ago.  I probably posted on here about it back then. They seemed to be more interested in getting rid of it 10 years ago.