State inspections begin for Disney World Monorail; Disney alleges targeted action by Ron DeSantis

Jan 08, 2024 in "Walt Disney World Monorail System"

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Posted: Monday January 8, 2024 4:21pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

News 6 in Orlando is reporting that state inspections of the Walt Disney World Monorail system have begun.

According to the News 6 report, the Florida Department of Transportation's Structures Maintenance Office oversees various state infrastructures and has started field inspections of the monorail's structure. Additionally, it is reported that Disney has provided FDOT with safety manuals and other documentation for these inspections. FDOT plans to conduct inspections every two years but has not completed any written reports from the ongoing inspections.

The Walt Disney World Monorail System is now being inspected by the FDOT

Ron DeSantis signed bill HB 1305 into law in May 2023, which Disney claims in its lawsuit against the Florida Governor specifically targets Walt Disney World's monorail by referencing "any governmentally or privately owned fixed-guideway transportation systems operating in this state which are located within an independent special district created by local act which have boundaries within two contiguous counties."

The bill, which went into effect July 1, 2023, includes the requirement that the monorail may be suspended during safety inspections by the Florida Department of Transportation. The monorail system is a critical part of Walt Disney World's daily operations, and although Disney has backup transportation in place, including buses and watercraft, an extended "safety inspection" could cause significant inconveniences to guests.

Until these new state inspections began, Disney has been solely responsible for maintaining and inspecting the Walt Disney World Monorail system with no government oversight.

Disney has previously been responsible for inspecting its own monorail system at Walt Disney World

Disney is currently in the process of legal action against Florida's governor, and claims in its lawsuit that there has been "A targeted campaign of government retaliation-orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech-now threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights."

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TrainsOfDisneyJan 13, 2024

Jacksonville is a monorail.

Rich BrownnJan 13, 2024

Jaxx isn't a monorail.. a monorail means a single beam, not a roadway.

JoeCamelJan 13, 2024

They got lots of backup too......

mktJan 13, 2024

Oh, for sure. The only time I can think of someone being cited for it was an acquaintance who took his catalytic converters off "for more power" and proceeded to annoy an officer who stopped him for speeding. What would've been simple speeding ticket ended up netting him 8 fines and a tow truck to impound. Pro tip: it doesn't matter how you feel about cops, but don't piss them off. They have guns, handcuffs, and just enough knowledge on the law to be dangerous. You can get your payback in court.

JoeCamelJan 13, 2024

Theoretically, in practice gross emitters are only cited if there are other violations

mktJan 13, 2024

It doesn't. Not for over 20 years, and even then only in some counties IIRC. However, your car is still required to comply with federal emissions regulations. So even though you can get away with registering a car without catalytic converters that spews black smoke in Florida, if a police officer wants to, FL Statute 316.610 lets them stop you and either cite you or order you to take the vehicle off the road for it to be repaired and brought back up to compliance.

celluloidJan 13, 2024

It does have FDOT standards though. Which many company vehicles are subject to.

JoeCamelJan 13, 2024

Florida doesn't have emissions inspections?

mktJan 13, 2024

Are those Florida license plates on the back? Then the passenger vehicles in their fleet would be subject to the same inspections. Busses and mass transit, I'm not sure about, since those lack seatbelts and other safety equipment that normal passenger vehicles have, but they'd at least have emissions inspections.

TrainsOfDisneyJan 12, 2024

I did not, I said the Jacksonville FL system is a monorail and I said the system at Orlando Airport has many similarities to the WDW monorail system (rubber tires, concrete guide, automatic doors, peoplemover system, electric powered).

Rich BrownnJan 12, 2024

you were the one that referred to them as monorails, which was incorrect. I'd hope the FDOT would know the difference, but it's not like there are monorails everywhere so it will be a unique experience for them.

Surferboy567Jan 11, 2024

Money? That probably can’t help all the damage they can wreak though.

mktJan 11, 2024

Same. This is what concerns me.

Disstevefan1Jan 11, 2024

In my opinion, the ruling you speak of is not the same as RCID changing to CFTOD. I am not a fan of you know who. In my opinion, RCID changing to CFTOD was done to obviously hurt TWDC, but I also think could hurt the state, local business and taxpayers, although its too early to tell. In my opinion, CFTOD will never revert back to RCID. We will have to live with CFTOD and hope it does not do too much damage to the state, local business and taxpayers.