Celebrating Monorail Day at Walt Disney World
The monorail is one of the most iconic modes of free transportation at Walt Disney World Resort, and it deserves a day to celebrate. Disney uses a fleet of monorail trains known as the Mark VI model, which means today, March 6th, is the perfect day to do just that.
To help celebrate, here are the stories of a few of the Disney cast members that make the trains go ‘round.
Loving What He Does
Bobb Handt is a Monorail Central Controller who knows the system like the back of his hand. He’s been working at Disney for 47 years – 35 of those spent at the monorail. Originally, Bobb was going to retire after 45 years, but he loves what he does too much to stop.
His favorite part of the role? Meeting new people. He loves talking with Guests who are traveling to their next destination and showing curious children how the monorail works.
“I enjoy working here,” Bobb said. “I always tell Guests if it’s your first time at Magic Kingdom, take the monorail or the boat. One over and one back. Encounter both. That way you find what you like best.”
Over his tenured career at Disney, Bobb has always felt the support from his fellow cast members and leaders – one of the reasons he enjoys working at Disney so much.
Teamwork is a huge part of Disney Transportation. While Bobb’s team helps the system operate on a day-to-day basis, they partner with the maintenance team regularly for upkeep.
Family Tradition
Carlos Yepes is one of the many talented cast members on the transportation maintenance team. He’s a mechanic at the Monorail Shop. After 28 years at the shop, he still remembers the day he walked into the building for the first time in awe.
Before coming to Disney in 1997, Carlos had worked in bus maintenance, but getting a call to interview for a monorail maintenance position at Disney World changed everything.
He was so enamored by the work he was doing that his family began to wonder what the hype was about. That’s when Andres Yepes, Carlos’ son, decided to see for himself. Following in the footsteps of his father, he’s been working at the Monorail Shop for 19 years now.
“One of the best parts is when I come with my family and grandkids,” Carlos said with a smile. “Everybody on the same car and having fun all day.”
Getting to see the wonderous faces of his nine grandkids as they monorail hop between the parks, resorts, and restaurants and getting to answer all their questions makes him feel like the coolest grandad on earth.
Now, Carlos’ nine-year-old grandson wants to work on the monorail one day, too. He even made himself a Monorail Shop hat so he could be just like his grandfather and dad.
The monorail creates memories for thousands of passengers every single day. For some, the monorail is their favorite attraction. Thank you to the thousands of transportation cast members who continue to move the magic along – whether aboard the highway in the sky or by land and sea.
Oh, and always remember… ¡Por favor manténgase alejado de las puertas!
Bring Home the Magic of the Monorail With This “Please Stand Clear of the Doors” Mat
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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