DLRR Trains stopping at 2:30pm 4/30/21?

[Zurg]

The DLRR apparently stopped running at 2:30pm? Anyone have intel on why? CM shortage or for characters?

[Steve43]

I recall the trains had issues in the heat. It is about 90 degrees in Anaheim right now. The high temp might be the issue.

[Jerryp49]

The Monorail has issues with the heat..No AC in the passenger compartments.. The trains are open ,,engines run on steam,.. my guess is that there is another reason

[CAspace]

Per today’s article. the issue is with staffing.

[Jesser-pie]

J. Thaddeus Toad And another thread complaining about the trains you claimed I have no evidence for.

It seems like people care about it like I did.

[Starcade]

I believe it is lack of staffing as they have had several Engineers and Fireman ( you need both to run the train ) that have retired since the tracks where were changed around the back of ROA and finding qualified people to run that attraction is likely tough. or it could be those positions are well paid and they are deciding to cut staff in that attraction to save money. Either way when I found out I could not ride the DLRR in the evening or dusk it dramatically lowered my desire to return.

[DLR92]

I believe it is lack of staffing as they have had several Engineers and Fireman ( you need both to run the train ) that have retired since the tracks where were changed around the back of ROA and finding qualified people to run that attraction is likely tough. or it could be those positions are well paid and they are deciding to cut staff in that attraction to save money. Either way when I found out I could not ride the DLRR in the evening or dusk it dramatically lowered my desire to return.

This has put me to be upset as well. :/

[Right Down Broadway]

I believe it is lack of staffing as they have had several Engineers and Fireman ( you need both to run the train ) that have retired since the tracks where were changed around the back of ROA and finding qualified people to run that attraction is likely tough. or it could be those positions are well paid and they are deciding to cut staff in that attraction to save money.

I suspect you are right. As I wrote on the other thread on this subject, the number of people who are competent to safely and efficiently fire and operate a steam locomotive are few and far between. It's an ancient and obsolete art. Even assuming there are plenty of folks who want to fill these desirable positions, they would still need to be properly trained. Even a momentary lapse in judgment can cause the boiler to explode, killing the crew and any nearby guests. The training to assure that this doesn't ever happen takes time.

I'll wager that when Disney has enough crew to safely operate several trains over the course of two eight-hour shifts, (including breakers) you'll see the trains running into the evening.

[Eagleman]

I believe it is lack of staffing as they have had several Engineers and Fireman ( you need both to run the train ) that have retired since the tracks where were changed around the back of ROA and finding qualified people to run that attraction is likely tough. or it could be those positions are well paid and they are deciding to cut staff in that attraction to save money. Either way when I found out I could not ride the DLRR in the evening or dusk it dramatically lowered my desire to return.

It make one think..........My concern is safety
Qualified people is hard to find - IMO

[Starcade]

Something just occurred to me today, I hadn’t realized that the train that laps the Magic Kingdom in Florida has been down for almost 2 years. It went down for the construction of the Tron ride. The article I read even made it sounds like it would be down for some time still. Wondering if staff can be transferred over from FL to get DLRR back up for a full day of use or is it because they do 8 hour shifts so two 8 hours would make it way longer then park hours? Also are the engineer/fireman shifts 8 hours or are they 4 and doing two shifts currently? Just seems like there might be a way to help those that worked on the FL train if the current half day running is truly due to staffing?

[Spongeocto4]

Something just occurred to me today, I hadn’t realized that the train that laps the Magic Kingdom in Florida has been down for almost 2 years. It went down for the construction of the Tron ride. The article I read even made it sounds like it would be down for some time still. Wondering if staff can be transferred over from FL to get DLRR back up for a full day of use or is it because they do 8 hour shifts so two 8 hours would make it way longer then park hours? Also are the engineer/fireman shifts 8 hours or are they 4 and doing two shifts currently? Just seems like there might be a way to help those that worked on the FL train if the current half day running is truly due to staffing?

They still use a train in Animal Kingdom. And they likely have positions for the Monorail and WDW's ferry boats. Are they different? Yes, but they still require engineers & drivers to run.

Disneyland's budget is likely to remain small til mandates are lifted, more crowds return and/or the new fiscal year in the fall.

[linkeq2001]

All of this has got me thinking. With the extremely stingy bean counters in key positions throughout the parks now......how long is it until one of them goes “You know, staffing and operating these real trains is really expensive and cumbersome. Will guests notice if we shut these down or replace them?”

[Right Down Broadway]

They still use a train in Animal Kingdom. And they likely have positions for the Monorail and WDW's ferry boats. Are they different? Yes, but they still require engineers & drivers to run.

Apples to oranges. Might as well compare a surgeon with the office receptionist.

[Right Down Broadway]

All of this has got me thinking. With the extremely stingy bean counters in key positions throughout the parks now......how long is it until one of them goes “You know, staffing and operating these real trains is really expensive and cumbersome. Will guests notice if we shut these down or replace them?”

Don't think that this hasn't been discussed.

[Mr Wiggins]

All of this has got me thinking. With the extremely stingy bean counters in key positions throughout the parks now......how long is it until one of them goes “You know, staffing and operating these real trains is really expensive and cumbersome. Will guests notice if we shut these down or replace them?”

That's the Pressler-era thinking that shuttered the Submarines for years (until they figured a way to use it as a brand marketing platform) and eliminated the Skyway.

The trains are a quadruple problem for Disney -- expensive to operate, expensive to maintain, low capacity, and (worst of all) zero brand synergy.

We shouldn't be surprised if the train operating hours are cut back to "weekends and holidays only" -- and eventually eliminated.

Chapek isn't called Pressler v2.0 for nothing, folks.

[Right Down Broadway]

The trains are a quadruple problem for Disney -- expensive to operate, expensive to maintain, low capacity, and (worst of all) zero brand synergy.

We shouldn't be surprised if the train operating hours are cut back to "weekends and holidays only" -- and eventually eliminated.

I believe that, except for the summer season, Knott's operates their trains on the schedule you describe above.

A number of years ago there was serious talk in Florida of gutting their genuine steam locomotives and converting them to "steam outline" engines (engines that maintain the outward appearance of a steam locomotive, but are powered by internal combustion diesel engines). This is, after all, what they have at HK DL.

[Starcade]

If they permanently removed the DLRR I think not only would they meet up with huge resistance by fans but also internally in Marketing as the DLRR is often used as one of the tentpole attractions in media. Many guests see the Castle, the Carousel and the DLRR as the three legs of a table that is the park. The Castle is the mind, DLRR is the Body, and the Carousel is the spirit. I know nothing is sacred anymore since Eisner was in charge but some things just have too much a popularity and marketing use. I remember when the train was down during the construction of SWGE I did notice the parks seemed less crowded and I often wonder if the DLRR is one of those attractions that guests feel makes the park incomplete when it's down causing many to hold off going?

On all but empty park days the DLRR always has guests waiting at all stations and often we have to wait for the next one due to the trains being full so I do not see a loss of interest with guests for a generation or two.

Also even if they converted all the engines to diesel or even electric, I believe there is a still a ton of regulations, licensing and training required due to the shear mass of the train and the amount of guests that could be injured if an engineer makes an error etc.

[arrosen1]

Still closed @2:30 on May 26...too bad...

[Starcade]

I forgot to post this earlier, we were a Knott's last Sunday and their Large Steam train ( not sure if it is steam or diesel or a hybrid of both) but it was not running all day. I heard a guests talking to a park employee and they were mentioning a lack of staffing being the issue there as well.

[BigThunda]

I forgot to post this earlier, we were a Knott's last Sunday and their Large Steam train ( not sure if it is steam or diesel or a hybrid of both) but it was not running all day. I heard a guests talking to a park employee and they were mentioning a lack of staffing being the issue there as well.

They are waiting for a special, one-off part for the engine to arrive. It has nothing to do with the lack of staff.