What is going on with the trams?

[Paul From MA]

Correct me if I have some dates mixed up. Trams were shut down in spring of 2019 for COVID distancing and all. In 2021 Disney management said that the trams would be back by 2022.My last trip was in the spring of 2022 and they only had 2 of the four trams running [though one tram was not working so it really was only 1 tram in the AM] no driver..My Wife cannot walk long distances,uses EV scooter in parks which they had a shortage of, all of them were rented out by 10am [great planning on there part] ,had to use a push wheelchair which really make the trip a memorable one for my back wise..Well with all the walking for her, this was a trip from Hell. Now its 2023 and still no Trams,{ when we were there they in spring of 2022 they had the non running trams parked right by the entrances as if to rub in the visitors faces or so it seems]... WHY....Management will they not give a truthful answer or any response as to why there not running,or when they will be back.....What is the BIG secret! Management holds on to the info better than the CIA!!! WHY??? Please give the people so we can plan our next trip.

 

[Mle8308]

There are trams at DAK and MK, still have not returned at the other 2 parks, unfortunately. It's probably still staffing issues. Sorry for your difficulties. Definitely check the WDW website before your next trip to see if they are back. I'd also recommend renting an EVC from an outside company that delivers to WDW. It's often less expensive and you are guaranteed to have one. I am sure the people on this board can make some good recommendations. It's definitely more important now than ever to do lots of advance planning for a WDW trip!

 

[Paul From MA]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

 

[DLgal]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

They are being cheap. That's the big secret.

 

[Mle8308]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

Actually, the Central FL job market is VERY tight for entry level positions. I am a former CM and have friends still working there and it is a struggle to fill entry level jobs, that's why they are recruiting so heavily for the College Program. Both waterparks are not operational at the same time because of this. Positions are prioritized. The housing market is also incredibly difficult now, especially for people at the bottom of the wage ladder, as a lot of entry level Disney jobs are - even with the recent hourly rate increase. Apartments are VERY expensive now and it's hard to find affordable housing. There is no big secret about why the trams aren't back, it's clear they have made an operational decision not to bring them back at the two parks for now. If you had checked, even Googled about trams, before you arrived, you would have seen that tram service had not been completely restored.

 

[ralphie]

Is there a drop off station? Usually there are a few wheelchairs there for use to the gate.

 

[SL6827]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

$$$$$$

 

[SteveH]

Keep in mind that it used to be "Most Magical Place on Earth." Now it's just, "It's all about the money!"

 

[Paul From MA]

Actually, the Central FL job market is VERY tight for entry level positions. I am a former CM and have friends still working there and it is a struggle to fill entry level jobs, that's why they are recruiting so heavily for the College Program. Both waterparks are not operational at the same time because of this. Positions are prioritized. The housing market is also incredibly difficult now, especially for people at the bottom of the wage ladder, as a lot of entry level Disney jobs are - even with the recent hourly rate increase. Apartments are VERY expensive now and it's hard to find affordable housing. There is no big secret about why the trams aren't back, it's clear they have made an operational decision not to bring them back at the two parks for now. If you had checked, even Googled about trams, before you arrived, you would have seen that tram service had not been completely restored.

 

[Paul From MA]

I did check and they claimed that two were up and running,....false only only one was, they said the other one was only running after lunch which really helped.Still that did nothing about the EVC shortage ,....which they did not have the fore thought to realize they would need more of the EVC's [running out at 10 AM is not good planning] on their part,

 

[Mle8308]

I did check and they claimed that two were up and running,....false only only one was, they said the other one was only running after lunch which really helped.Still that did nothing about the EVC shortage ,....which they did not have the fore thought to realize they would need more of the EVC's [running out at 10 AM is not good planning] on their part,

Unfortunately, that is actually quite common on busier days for them to be gone by mid morning. Space to store the ECV's is limited, that is why they don't have more than they do.

 

[maxiesmom]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

I work retail. And I can tell you, we cannot fill jobs as fast as people quit. Even having raised our rate of pay significantly.

If you must stay off site, the only way to be sure to get an ECV at the parks is to get there very early. And then you still have to deal with the walk to the gates.

I guess you really have to decide if staying off site is worth the hassle, and possible negative impact it can have on your trip. I too hate that the trams are all not up and running. But that is the situation we are stuck with.

 

[Cheburashka]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

There are significant staff shortages nationwide in many industries, especially service industries. This isn't just a Disney problem.

 

[kandb]

It would probably be cheaper for you the stay on site in a value resort and save the money you are paying to rent an ECV in the parks every day. If you stayed on site, you could have your ECV right at your hotel, get on the bus in the ECV and the bus would drop you off right at the entrance of the parks. Moneywise, you might break out even plus no more aggravation about the ECV and walking. Disney really makes life easier for you if you stay at their resorts. They want all your money, including your hotel/resort money. They do discount hotels at times. Maybe look into it! GL!

 

[gottalovepluto]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so an outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

Those 2 trans aren’t worth the money they will cost to bring them back right now. It’s pretty simple or they’d be back.

We only stay on-site with our ECV user because of the mess it is trying to off-site and rent from Disney. We save a nice chunk of change not renting ECVs from Disney and we preserve our precious morning time for doing things in the parks not deal with rentals. Our ECV user’s physical health cannot handle the long parking lot walks and their mental health does need to be in constant fear there will be no ECV for them which would ruin their day.

All that said we do not own any off-site property or time-share situations. If that is your case have you considered renting the ECV that folds up into the trunk? You would need to be physically strong enough to do so though.

 

[Goldelpack]

WDW has had more than 2 years to fill the jobs it cannot be that hard, and as far a EVC 's we stay off site so a outside company dose not work for us. I just want to know what the big secret about bring back the trams is!!

Regarding the ECV rentals - you can rent from any of the very numerous vendors that deliver pretty much anywhere. There's lots of information on these on the "DIS ability" board right here. You can use transportation to and from the parks that can transport your ECV.
Apparently it IS that hard for them to fill the jobs - and since there's a variety of options for those of us that need to use mobility aids - not having the tram isn't a huge priority for them.

 

[captain america 2003]

where is the announcement regarding the return of parking lot trams for EP and HS ? They promised these would be back by the end of 2022 . It is now the end of June 2023 and still nothing . And why isn't anyone talking about this ? It was almost 2 years ago when Steven Colbert openly mocked Disney for not having this service running . Virtually everything else has returned to normal operations since the pandemic closures . So why hasn't Disney restored this service ? For a while it was suggested that they couldn't hire enough cast members to reopen/restart pre-pandemic services but now that doesn't seem to be valid when many other things have opened since they promised the trams would be back by the end of 2022 . Crickets !

 

[maxiesmom]

where is the announcement regarding the return of parking lot trams for EP and HS ? They promised these would be back by the end of 2022 . It is now the end of June 2023 and still nothing . And why isn't anyone talking about this ? It was almost 2 years ago when Steven Colbert openly mocked Disney for not having this service running . Virtually everything else has returned to normal operations since the pandemic closures . So why hasn't Disney restored this service ? For a while it was suggested that they couldn't hire enough cast members to reopen/restart pre-pandemic services but now that doesn't seem to be valid when many other things have opened since they promised the trams would be back by the end of 2022 . Crickets !

Many companies are still short workers. Not long ago the Swan and Dolphin posted they were looking to hire workers. I was curious and looked. Those 2 resorts alone needed over 100 people. And no many things have not returned to normal. Many restaurants and grocery stores are still running with less hours.

 

[dvczerfs]

I was in transportation and I started seeing these come through. They fold up the size of a small suitcase, there are also other models that fold up pretty small. They run off a battery similar to a battery you find on a drill. They are fairly light weight but even if you can’t carry it, when it folds up, you can pull it like a suite case.
Trams are driven by the cms who work in the parking lots. They do rotate so you don’t get to come to work everyday, hop in an air conditioned cabin and drive for eight hours and go home. ( I worked with someone in parking) Standing in that parking lot isn’t an easy job. They are taken care of but….. it gets a bit warm here in the sun standing on black top. Lol
Ive left MK in the middle of the day and one tram running and it was just about empty. I can just about bet the farm it is run like most businesses, if there isn’t a big need for it at curtain times, they run the minimum, just my guess.

 

[Mle8308]

where is the announcement regarding the return of parking lot trams for EP and HS ? They promised these would be back by the end of 2022 . It is now the end of June 2023 and still nothing . And why isn't anyone talking about this ? It was almost 2 years ago when Steven Colbert openly mocked Disney for not having this service running . Virtually everything else has returned to normal operations since the pandemic closures . So why hasn't Disney restored this service ? For a while it was suggested that they couldn't hire enough cast members to reopen/restart pre-pandemic services but now that doesn't seem to be valid when many other things have opened since they promised the trams would be back by the end of 2022 . Crickets !

Hiring or lack of being able to hire, is absolutely valid right now. They can't even open two water parks in the summer - the busiest season for them!