Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

[dfan07]

While visiting DCA yesterday, June 26, I wanted to ride the Red Car Trolley at around noon. The only trolley on the track was being used for the Newsboy show, so I asked a conductor near TOT when they would resume operation. He said to check back at around 6:00 PM. When I came back, the trolley still wasn't running, and a different conductor said it was closed for the night due to "technical difficulties". This means that the trolleys were closed to guests for the whole day, except for about an hour in the morning.

I found it strange that the trolley was only being used for the Newsboy show for practically the entire day. Let's hope this doesn't become a common occurrence, and that the technical difficulties get resolved.

[MAH4546]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

There aren't any technical difficulties. The parks are crowded and it's hard to run the trains in these crowds, especially between the entrance and Carthay.

[WorldDisney]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

While visiting DCA yesterday, June 26, I wanted to ride the Red Car Trolley at around noon. The only trolley on the track was being used for the Newsboy show, so I asked a conductor near TOT when they would resume operation. He said to check back at around 6:00 PM. When I came back, the trolley still wasn't running, and a different conductor said it was closed for the night. This means that the trolleys were closed to guests for the whole day, except for about an hour in the morning.

I found it strange that the trolley was only being used for the Newsboy show for practically the entire day. Let's hope this doesn't become a common occurrence, and that the technical difficulties get resolved.

Wow all the years reading your posts, I think this is the first truly negative one I read lol.

But yeah I agree actually! Its a bit annoying. I tried to ride it last Sunday around 9:40 a.m. and was told a News Boys Cars show was starting soon and to check back after an hour. I showed up again a little later AFTER the show at BVS and was told they were running, but only from CCT to TOT. But I wanted to do the entire route for my first trip and told to come back AGAIN later for that! So showed up a little before 3 and because the parade had ended it was too many people still in the area so wanted to give it 30 more mins to clear out before they run again. I FINALLY just asked when will they just run the things in normal capacity without interruption and was told from 5:30 to closing. OK!

So got there a little after 7, well after all the shows and parades ended just to make sure this time and YES they were running, but it was only one car for some reason which meant it was going to be at least 30 mins with the number of people ahead of me. I couldnt figure out why just one, but didnt care anymore. I waited the 30 mins to see it come and go twice and finally got on it. Did the 5 min route to TOT and was satisfied but told myself I doubt I will do them again anytime in the near future!

Its waaaay too much of a hassle to board these things in the morning and afternoon and in the evening if its only one running you spend a ridiculous amount of time waiting for it. And if you are waiting at CCT then it could be even longer as most people dont get out (I mean who is going to wait 30 mins for it just to get off of it at the first stop? Not many!).

So I understand its busy, there is ALOT going on and the reality is they are more for atmosphere than transportation anyway, but I hope in time they find a better system (and schedule) so people at least know when to ride them at specific times. And if its REALLY busy then at least have them both out!

I love them, they are great to ride when you finally do and its fun to just watch them roll down the streets, but they arent worth the hassle of riding sadly.

[ghosty4]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

We rode the Red Car Trolley tonight after giving it a week to calm down, and I just wanted to say, while riding the trolley itself was really cool, the talking Cast Member that Mary Niven went out of her way to add over a prerecorded spiel needs SOoo much help... if they plan to continue it past this summer. It was just like, "And over here we have, uh... Candy... err, Candy OH, err! Trolley Treats, on the left!!"

I was like, "uh, really?".

Also, like all first-timers we wanted to ride from Buena Vista Street to The Hollywood Tower Hotel and I felt SO GUILTY when we stopped at each trolley stop, and they were like, "No one getting off?? OH WELL PEOPLE WAITING!!!!"

It was kind of a mess. Probably won't be doing that again anytime soon...

[fishgal]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

It seems like because the newsies show pretty much runs all day back to back with five and dime. There just isn't much time to allow the attraction to be open to run for the guests. Especially once you add in the Pixar Parade as well.

Its unfortunate that they don't have an additional transportation option that could run the same route while the newsies are out. That would help to ease the frustration of not being able to catch the trolley. Also it would really help if they could just post a sign like a bus schedule of the precise times the trolley will pick up for the full trip throughout the day. I think one of the major things adding to guest frustration is being told to return after the show only to be told they missed the trolley and to try back at another time etc.

Since they really know the show schedule for the day I think they could relatively easily post a trolley schedule sign with times at each end of the route that changes daily.

Edit- now that I think of it the posted times wouldn't help that much because more people would probibly show up than the trolley could handle, hmm fastpasses? Wow i can't believe i just suggested fast passes for a trolley ride

[ni_teach]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

I think that these are all growing pain of the DCA 2.0 and will work themselves out over the next few months. I thought that the trolly was cool seeing it come down the street and really added a lot to the park.

[eicarr]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

I would die laughing if they supplemented service on the line with the Jolly Trolly. Maybe funny just for me (so out of place) though I'm sure its the wrong track gauge.

I guess they can't make the trollies run with 2 cars joined. While it's good that everything is too successful for the trollies and cars land street entertainment, it kinda sucks that I'll have to come on an off day in March to experience everything running(with half the attractions down for maintenance and no shows going).

[disneycoug]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

We rode the Red Car Trolley tonight after giving it a week to calm down, and I just wanted to say, while riding the trolley itself was really cool, the talking Cast Member that Mary Niven went out of her way to add over a prerecorded spiel needs SOoo much help... if they plan to continue it past this summer. It was just like, "And over here we have, uh... Candy... err, Candy OH, err! Trolley Treats, on the left!!"

I was like, "uh, really?".

Also, like all first-timers we wanted to ride from Buena Vista Street to The Hollywood Tower Hotel and I felt SO GUILTY when we stopped at each trolley stop, and they were like, "No one getting off?? OH WELL PEOPLE WAITING!!!!"

It was kind of a mess. Probably won't be doing that again anytime soon...

My conductor was great! Remember, they're all new to that job, so it'll take awhile for them to get completely comfortable and work on their spiel.

And don't feel guilty. There's only one stop where getting off isn't mandatory, and the cast members there tell everyone that it's not a mandatory stop and they can only get on if someone gets off. It's not like it's a long walk from CCT to the BVS Station.

I think the Red Car News Boys need to have their name changed. Have them arrive on a delivery truck, so they can stop where the 5 and Dimes do and not block the Trolleys. And of course get rid of the obnoxious synth and that.

[bigwavedave]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

i THINK mAIN STREET HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE WHEN THE PARK GETS TO BUSY MANY OF THE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION ARE CLOSED DUE TO SAFTY

[MarkILIS]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

I saw it on BVS around 7:20 last night and they needed a CM walking out in front in addition to the sounds of the trolley itself to ensure everyone got out of the way. It added a nice energy to the street to see it in motion.

[Seawolf]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

Don't they have two trolley's? If so it would make sense to load guests at both ends of the track and close the middle one for now.

[ni_teach]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

Don't they have two trolley's? If so it would make sense to load guests at both ends of the track and close the middle one for now.

Yes, they have two trolleys.

What I don't understand is the extra stops that they make. I would get rid of those and just have people get on and off at both ends. It would speed things up a bit.

[Fukai]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

At Tokyo Disneyland, they always had a second cm walking the track in front of the Jolly Trolley to make sure no park guests got nailed.

Yes, as mentioned above, the obvious solution is to have the newsboys arrive on an old-fashioned open-backed truck of the period.

[bebs]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

every time I've been in the park since the opening in june, they do have a cm walking in front of the red car trolley to allow the trolley to move at a normal and safe pace without hurting a guest.

[chesirecat]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

I don't get why:

1. The Trolley doesn't go in a circular path, which I figure would mean that four or more of them could be running. I guess because of the trolley wires?

2. Why isn't there a "train around the park", or its 1930s equivalent? DCA needs something like this as some parts of Paradise Pier guests assume nothing is there . . . You enter Disneyland and boom, you walk on the train.

3. Where are the 1930s cars?? I would assume BVS would have other forms of transportation. I guess maybe because the street is somewhat smaller than Main Street it won't have these.

4. Other than shops meant to move merchanise, does BVS have any cinemas or curiosity shops there mostly for show?

[explodingboy]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

First, I apologize for breaking up your post in a strange order.

I don't get why:

1. The Trolley doesn't go in a circular path, which I figure would mean that four or more of them could be running. I guess because of the trolley wires?

3. Where are the 1930s cars?? I would assume BVS would have other forms of transportation. I guess maybe because the street is somewhat smaller than Main Street it won't have these.

It's not somewhat smaller than Main Street, it's ridiculously smaller. As it is the crowds alone make that street congested and tight. Add in the RCT and it's organized chaos. Adding vehicles would multiply that 10 fold.

4. Other than shops meant to move merchanise, does BVS have any cinemas or curiosity shops there mostly for show?

That's not really their M.O. anymore. Moving merchandise is key now. Take Cars Land for example. There was plenty of opportunity to add some cool and unique shopping features but they are all mostly the same thing. BVS is really no different. I feel like if they could re-vamp Main Street and add in more generic stores to push more merchandise in replace of the unique things we have, they would.

2. Why isn't there a "train around the park", or its 1930s equivalent? DCA needs something like this as some parts of Paradise Pier guests assume nothing is there . . . You enter Disneyland and boom, you walk on the train.

This I actually agree with you on. Something like that would have been neat!

[flynnibus]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

I don't get why:

1. The Trolley doesn't go in a circular path, which I figure would mean that four or more of them could be running. I guess because of the trolley wires?

A circle means twice as much track. Where are you going to find space to run a second trolly down that same street? Where are you going to find enough space to allow the trolly to make a full circle to turn back around? (notice how big the circle is up near the theater? It has to be that size to allow for the turning radius of the trains).

2. Why isn't there a "train around the park", or its 1930s equivalent? DCA needs something like this as some parts of Paradise Pier guests assume nothing is there . . . You enter Disneyland and boom, you walk on the train.

Trollys are street car transportation.. their purpose is to move you about town. DCA wasn't built for a train surround.. and why would you bother duplicating so much of what you have right across the esplanade?

3. Where are the 1930s cars?? I would assume BVS would have other forms of transportation. I guess maybe because the street is somewhat smaller than Main Street it won't have these.

They are out there - just stationary. You may find citizens using more vehicles of different sorts in the future too..

4. Other than shops meant to move merchanise, does BVS have any cinemas or curiosity shops there mostly for show?

Shopping, food, and has plenty of atmosphere and detail to soak up. The Trolly, citizens, and entertainment of the area are the show for that part of the park.

[Disneyland 1951]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

Reasons the Red Trolley has only a few runs during the day:


Because of the crowd it travels very slowly, it takes 10-15 minutes to travel each way.
(Slower than the walking speed of the cast member in front of it.)

The Major reason is the street entertainment that stops it from running.
8:30 am Five & Dime
9:30 Five & Dime
10:00 Red Car News Boys
10:30 Five & Dime
11:00 Red Car News Boys
12:00 Red Car News Boys
12:30 Five & Dime
1:00 Red Car News Boys
1:30 Five & Dime
2:00 Pixar Play Parade
3:00 Red Car News Boys
3:30 Five & Dime
4:00 Red Car News Boys
4:30 Five & Dime
5:00 Pixar Play Parade
6:00 Five & Dime
7:15 Five & Dime
8:15 Five & Dime

If they can find a way to have it run when Five & Dime is performing they could double the runs.

[1Disneylandfan]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

^ I saw it running before 10:00am this past Saturday. Your right because of the parades and the entertainment that happens, it limits the riding time guests can have. Pretty much from 10am to 6pm it doesn't run because of said entertainment. I got to ride it around 6:15pm, and it is fun. Not sure if it keeps running up till park closing though.

[The Forbidden Eye]

Re: Trolley Troubles: RCT is MIA

^ I saw it running before 10:00am this past Saturday. Your right because of the parades and the entertainment that happens, it limits the riding time guests can have. Pretty much from 10am to 6pm it doesn't run because of said entertainment. I got to ride it around 6:15pm, and it is fun. Not sure if it keeps running up till park closing though.

It does run until park close. Though from 9pm-11pm, the Trolley was limited to going from ToT to Carthay Circle only since the WoC crowds during that time will congest the route from Carthay Circle to the entrance of the park.