What could happen to the monorail as a result of this law?

The measure has passed the Florida legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to sign it into law in the coming days. When it becomes official, the state will be given the power to shut down the monorail not only for annual inspections (which could happen during theme park operating hours,) but also can shut the transportation system down entirely for almost any reason “to ensure safety and welfare of inspectors and the traveling public.”

The effectiveness of this law, and ultimately, its impact on guests, will come down to enforcement, and how the Department of Transportation is directed to treat Walt Disney World by the Florida state government.

Could the law be enforced in a way that minimizes guest disruption? Of course. However, the fact that Disney is being singled out specifically by this law, with no other theme parks needing to submit to this type of oversight, makes it clear that guest disruption (or at least the threat of it) is largely the point.

And unfortunately, the government could make things pretty inconvenient for Walt Disney World and its guests if it wants to using this new law. The language is purposefully vague as to what could trigger a shut down realistically suspend monorail operations for any reason if they truly wanted to. Even something as simple as a summer storm could trigger an inspection for branches or debris on the track, potentially shutting the monorail down for days or weeks at a time during the summer months, which of course just so happens to be Disney's busiest travel season.

Will this also shut down the Disney Skyliner?

Interestingly, though the Walt Disney World monorail is undoubtedly the target of this bill, some vague wording means that it could also impact operations at the Disney Skyliner as well. By FDOT definition the Disney Skyliner is also a "fixed guideway transportation system," which means that, again, depending on enforcement, this additional transportation method could be subject to inspections and shutdowns if the government so chooses. 

Because the legislation has already been passed, these new regulations are already a fact for Disney. However, when they go into effect, how they will be enforced, and the long-term effects of these new requirements have yet to be seen.

Unfortunately, things are only getting more heated in the state of Florida when it comes to the government vs. Walt Disney World, and nothing is truly off the table, including, apparently, the shut down of the monorail. Hopefully it won't come to that, but between the lawsuits, inflammatory statements, and political posturing, it is certainly possible, and ultimately Walt Disney World's guests may end up paying the price for this feud.