Disney Skyliner (Gondola) Construction Updates

[scrappinginontario]

Since the Gondola system named the 'Disney Skyliner' was confirmed at D23 last weekend, I thought it would be good to have a common thread where we could post construction updates and photos.

What information and updates do you have to share about this exciting new mode of Disney transportation?

 

[B.W.L.]

Following...Thank you!

 

[mara512]

I will be at POP first week of September so hoping to share pictures with everyone.

 

[pens4821]

Is there any timetable on when it's to be completed?

 

[joelkfla]

Is there any timetable on when it's to be completed?

No. Typically aerial gondolas are built in about a year, but there's been speculation on the DIS Rumors board that, since one of the stations will be on the grounds of the new Riviera DVC, Disney may want to hold off finishing the system until major construction on the Riviera is complete.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can they complete certain parts and get them working before adding other sections?

 

[NotUrsula]

The system is manufactured by Doppelmayr; most speculation is that the system that will be used will be one with detaching cars, so that the load speed can vary without slowing down the line. (On a detachable, cars can shunt off into a byway for loading, then are shunted out and pulled away by the main line as it passes.) Presently the largest car that they offer in this type is 15 passenger, which has a current top transport speed of 3600 passengers per hour, and it can handle strollers and wheelchairs without folding them; I'm thinking that they may try to design a slightly higher-capacity car for Disney, since climbing it up a mountain isn't an issue there. (However, the Sentinel says that the permits filed with local government say that the cars' capacity is planned at 10-persons; that seems too small.)

If you watch the videos here, all the systems you'll see are the kind that do not stop for loading; that's the way that they prefer to set it up for optimal load speed, just the same way that the TTA and SE load, from a moving walkway. (Besides that, most of the detachables in service now are at ski areas, where disability loading isn't that much of an issue.) If they use detachables, they can shunt off a couple of cars at regular intervals and load the folks who can't manage the moving walkway load into those, then shunt them back into the line once they are fully loaded.

https://www.doppelmayr.com/en/products/detachable-gondola-lift/

 

[joelkfla]

Can they complete certain parts and get them working before adding other sections?

They could, but everybody has to go thru the Riviera station to get to Epcot.

 

[joelkfla]

The system is manufactured by Doppelmayr; most speculation is that the system that will be used will be one with detaching cars, so that the load speed can vary without slowing down the line.

It will be a detachable gondola. Virtually all systems built these days are detachable. Even the old Skyway was.

(On a detachable, cars can shunt off into a byway for loading, then are shunted out and pulled away by the main line as it passes.) Presently the largest car that they offer in this type is 15 passenger, which has a current top transport speed of 3600 passengers per hour, and it can handle strollers and wheelchairs without folding them; I'm thinking that they may try to design a slightly higher-capacity car for Disney, since climbing it up a mountain isn't an issue there.

I think that's very unlikely. 15 seems to be where the technology is. But it appears that most systems being built currently use 8 or 10 passenger cabins. 3600 pph is the equivalent of about 48 buses; 2/3 of that would be about 32 buses.

Larger cabins can be used on 3-cable systems, but those systems are more expensive, and require stronger towers which are visually obtrusive, so I don't think Disney will go that way. The concept art shows a typical single cable setup.

If you watch the videos here, all the systems you'll see are the kind that do not stop for loading; that's the way that they prefer to set it up for optimal load speed, just the same way that the TTA and SE load, from a moving walkway.

There is no moving walkway. The cabins slow down to about a mile an hour, and riders just step into the moving cabin.

It seems feasible that they could have a handicapped loading platform and switch a car into that area as needed (like TSMM), but I haven't been able to find any existing examples of that on the web. Existing systems at ski resorts use switches to route chairs and gondolas running on the same cable to different loading areas, so they could do the same for wheelchair loading.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

This looks like such and interesting concept, too bad i saw seconds from disaster before ever going on one. :/

 

[JimMIA]

No. Typically aerial gondolas are built in about a year, but there's been speculation on the DIS Rumors board that, since one of the stations will be on the grounds of the new Riviera DVC, Disney may want to hold off finishing the system until major construction on the Riviera is complete.

OTOH...as long as the Skyliner doesn't present safety issues or interfere with the construction, what better advertising for DVC? I know they got a great marketing boost from monorail riders seeing BLT being built as they passed by.

 

[joelkfla]

One of those floating barriers is in place on Hourglass Lake north of the bridge. That's reported to be where the Pop/AoA station will be going. No sign of actual construction yet.

There is another barrier and active work on the north shore of the lake.

 

[joelkfla]

OTOH...as long as the Skyliner doesn't present safety issues or interfere with the construction, what better advertising for DVC? I know they got a great marketing boost from monorail riders seeing BLT being built as they passed by.

And in ancient history, the Epcot Monorail was finished while Epcot was still under construction, and Disney sold tickets to ride the monorail and see the construction in progress.

 

[JimMIA]

And in ancient history, the Epcot Monorail was finished while Epcot was still under construction, and Disney sold tickets to ride the monorail and see the construction in progress.

Yep. The Mouse will not let a little thing like construction stand in the way of good marketing.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Ive heard that there are some construction walls up near the International Gateway in Epcot and also something floating in the water near Pop Century. Does anyone have pics of either of these things or other locations that might show that construction has begun?

 

[MommyinHonduras]

CBR/HS http://blogmickey.com/2017/07/photo-land-clearing-hollywood-studios-gondola-path-underway/

Epcot http://blogmickey.com/2017/06/photos-construction-walls-epcot-gondola-station/

POP/AOA http://blogmickey.com/2017/07/photos-gondola-construction-makes-way-art-animationpop-century/


These are all I have seen. All about two weeks old now.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Another update on Blog Mickey with more pictures of hourglass lake!

http://blogmickey.com/2017/07/photos-hourglass-lake-gondola-construction-july-2017/

 

[scrappinginontario]

I've heard more walls have gone up at Pop and there is some work on/around the bridge but I believe the bridge is still open.

Anyone at Pop who can offer more details or pics?

 

[JennLTX]

We'll be there next week and I'll try to remember to take a few snaps.

 

[KittyKitty]

How will the Skyliner work during rain and thunderstorms?