Monorail Resistance

[Zazu]

The other day I was at Boardwalk, needed to get to Magic Kingdom, and had enough time to pick my route. I elected to walk through Epcot, check out some of the F&WF, and take the monorail.

I noticed that I was walking slower than usual, and came to a halt before I got to the end of the boardwalk. When I notice me doing things like this, I stop and try to figure out what message my subconscious is trying to send me.

I decided that the message was that I wasn't yet ready to ride the monorail again -- it would have been my first trip since the wreck. Surprised me a bit, as I don't normally think of myself as being that sensitive or sentimental, and I hadn't really been thinking about Austin all that much.

But I guess I'm just not ready yet. I turned around, walked to the Studios and took a bus. I'll probably try again next month. Hope it's not permanent.

Anybody else still having such problems (when not being harassed by asshat SGs)?

[darph nader]

Don't know what to say. :( All in good time though.

[kurtisnelson]

I had a hard time hopping on after the wreck... Still have not ridden the Epcot beam or hung around concourse. First front cab ride again will also be hard.

[joanna71985]

I don't know why, but I haven't had any issues riding the monorail.

[turkeyham]

I plan to ride the monorail to get to Epcot. I think I will try to take short cuts to the parks and areas next month while I am on vacation. ;)

[ktulu]

I'd have no problem, and I only need to look to Walt to know why.

"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

I understand if others do have problems...

[Cranbiz]

I don't know. I really haven't thought about it too much.

Then again, maybe sub consciously I have. The other day I was heading for Magic to check in and I looked at the monorail with no line and the ferry which was still across Seven Seas Lagoon and opted for the ferry. Not sure why but maybe Zazu is on to something.

[Big Wallaby]

An interesting question and experience. My experience would tell me that yes, it probably is what it seemed.

The first five times I've been out to Epcot, even when transporting with guests, when we would get to Pylon 375 I would start to feel the dread of going over that place.

The first time driving was absolutely awful. I had to hold out of view of the station for about 5 minutes before I could continue. I actually pulled out my iPhone and played a song that Little Wallaby and I used at our wedding, one that is always very uplifting to listen to, and it seems to fit so many situations.

Since then, I am able to drive and ride on the Epcot beam... though I don't know if I could in Coral.

Funny how our brains work, eh?

Zazu, if you'd like a friend there when you do finally decide to ride... let me know.

[Monorail_Red]

I'd have no problem, and I only need to look to Walt to know why.

"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

I understand if others do have problems...

^What he said...

When I was there last weekend, I got off the Epcot Monorail and had to transfer over to the Resort Monorail, and as many of you know you have to walk on the ground under the beams from the Epcot exit ramp to the Resort entrance ramp.

When I saw the evidence on the beam from what happened it hit me pretty hard. :(

[February]

((((((Zazu))))))))) You may not be a 'huggy' type of guy I dunno but I felt like I wanted to offer you one anyway. I'm sorry to hear that you felt that way, but I believe it's entirely understandable- especially for someone who knew Austin and also for someone who works at a Monorail resort especially. It has got to be difficult for you guys in so many ways that the rest of us will never know.

You know- through all of this- it never occurred to me once not to get on the trains again, or even to hesitate. They're so much a part of me- I couldn't even think of that. Knowing they were still running and that my friends were making that happen- I was even more motivated to be there.

I rode the trains as much as I could the weekend I was there in July. In fact, it was strange to me that on that trip and for the first time in my life, I had the chance to ride in completely empty cars more than once- and at odd times it seemed the people would just get out all at one stop and I'd be alone or I'd get into a car and no one else would follow (even when the MK was open). I could tell you all a story about the ride I had alone in the car after I got back from talking to Wallaby after the Vigil but it may make people cry. It makes still makes me cry. But if people think it might be somehow theraputic to hear it I'm willing to try to tell it.

I never got to ride the Epcot beam while I was there- because I was afraid of missing out on meeting up with people as they were coming/going before shifts and stuff if I got way out there and had to delay coming back. But it was something I wanted to do, and I won't hesitate to do it next time I'm there.

Maybe it's because of the fact that I did take the trip and got to attend the vigil. If I hadn't done that- I don't know that I would have been able to look at the Monorails that are on display all over my house (at one point I had considered taking them down and packing them away for awhile- I haven't done it) let alone ride a real one again.

But I keep thinking of exactly what Ktulu said with Walt's quote- and I keep thinking about how much everyone said that Austin lived to drive those trains.

My heart is still with all of you who do- Wallaby, Doc, all the gentleman and ladies I met down there.

I really do think of you every day. In fact, this week it looks like I'll finally get to take the blanket I made in Austin's honor to the hospital (delayed by all the eye surgeries and also another recent hospitalization that had nothing to do with the eyes) when I'm there for tests this week.

Zazu, I hope that the day will come when you feel you can ride them again- but however you feel, it's all right. Sometimes, we just can't explain why certain things effect us the way we do- it's part of whatever that mysterious tie is that makes us all human.

hugs
bru