Disney Skyliner (Gondola Transportation System) Read Post 1 Now Open!

[DisFanDad]

I am so impressed by the work that was done by Disney fans to put this puzzle together, and the context and information about other such transit systems as to the capacity and speed and versatility of this. I think while we don't know for sure what type of system it is (17mph or 35mph, 10 loader or 15 - 20 loader, etc) its given us a pretty good spectrum on which we know this system will fall. Its pretty awesome.

 

[DisFanDad]

Just so everyone knows, these are locations of each station.

Also are these each station, or are they each pylon ? support ? That seems like a bunch of stations ...

Cancel that, AOA, DHS, CBR 1, DVC CBR, IG ... thats 5, so I guess that makes sense.

Wondering if separate permits would have to be filed for each pylon ?

 

[rteetz]

Also are these each station, or are they each pylon ? support ? That seems like a bunch of stations ...

Cancel that, AOA, DHS, CBR 1, DVC CBR, IG ... thats 5, so I guess that makes sense.

Wondering if separate permits would have to be filed for each pylon ?

Each station. This permit is specifically for utility work. I'm sure for pylons they would need permits.

 

[DanBoris]

I've heard some rumors that it will connect to Epcot where the African Outpost currently is. Has anyone else heard that?

I'd prefer that to the IG.

There was a site that put out a map showing a station there, but that is not consistent with what we have seen in the permits.

 

[DanBoris]

I know we don't read too much into the address on a permit, but the avenue of the stars location finally confirms the international gateway.

Permit addresses can be tricky, but Avenue of the Stars addresses tend to be accurate and this one puts it right near the IG.

 

[rteetz]

Rumor has it no AC in the Gondolas.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Rumor has it no AC in the Gondolas.

OUCH! They do know these are in Florida and not Maine, right?

 

[danikoski]

Rumor has it no AC in the Gondolas.

Ummm...no...I wouldn't be using these then in Florida...
This seems completely odd though because the gondolas can have AC/heat pretty easily and most just use a battery or solar, from what I understand. That'd be a pretty bad move by Disney for customer experience. The only thing I can think of is if they have a different method to cool the gondolas that they aren't calling AC.

 

[mybabesuz]

Never in a million years!
I have been stuck on Monorails and the Lift at Blizzard Beach WAY to many times!
I think I would have a heart attack stuck on one of these!
And then along comes the Thunder Storms!
No Thank You!

 

[rteetz]

OUCH! They do know these are in Florida and not Maine, right?

Apparently a lot of gondola systems don't use AC while they could most just don't. These will have a ventilation system though.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Apparently a lot of gondola systems don't use AC while they could most just don't. These will have a ventilation system though.

Venting only in 100 degree air in 100% humidity in July...this is insane cost avoidance...I can see not heating them b/c Florida only needs heat like 5 days a year...but not air-conditioning is insanity! Already stinking tourists coming back to their resorts in the afternoon after a storm - I can actually see people gagging from the smells that will build up in their rides...

I thought they wanted these to cause people to pay more...you'd have to pay ME to ride them at all in the summer...

And yes, a lot don't air condition b/c they are used in COLD climates...

 

[rteetz]

Venting only in 100 degree air in 100% humidity in July...this is insane cost avoidance...I can see not heating them b/c Florida only needs heat like 5 days a year...but not air-conditioning is insanity! Already stinking tourists coming back to their resorts in the afternoon after a storm - I can actually see people gagging from the smells that will build up in their rides...

I thought they wanted these to cause people to pay more...you'd have to pay ME to ride them at all in the summer...

And yes, a lot don't air condition b/c they are used in COLD climates...

We will have to wait and see what happens I guess.

 

[DanBoris]

Ummm...no...I wouldn't be using these then in Florida...
This seems completely odd though because the gondolas can have AC/heat pretty easily and most just use a battery or solar, from what I understand. That'd be a pretty bad move by Disney for customer experience. The only thing I can think of is if they have a different method to cool the gondolas that they aren't calling AC.

There is a guy from https://liftblog.com/ posting about this over at WDWMagic. He has stated that there is only one gondola system in the world that has AC. AC is not an easy thing to do because gondola cars are not normally connected to a power source.

 

[Sweettears]

There is a guy from https://liftblog.com/ posting about this over at WDWMagic. He has stated that there is only one gondola system in the world that has AC. AC is not an easy thing to do because gondola cars are not normally connected to a power source.

Not a tech or engineer but it seems like it would be relatively easy with solar cell energy

 

[DanBoris]

Not a tech or engineer but it seems like it would be relatively easy with solar cell energy

I wouldn't be so sure about that when you consider how little surface area there is for solar cells and how much power AC requires.

 

[DanBoris]

Turns out that there are at least two systems that have AC, London's also has it. It uses super capacitors to supply the power. Super capacitors can store power, but unlike batteries they charge and discharge very rapidly which works for these systems because they can charge at each turn station.

http://gondolaproject.com/2012/09/12/how-londons-emirates-air-line-cable-car-powers-cabins/

 

[jbcheerchick93]

So interesting! I can't imagine that they'll be running these in the summers of Florida without any AC, but it wouldn't be the craziest thing WDW has tried to pass off as being acceptable. I would love to see a system like this in place for resort to park and park to park transportation....maybe the busses running between parks is a good way for them to gauge what they can charge/do with inter-park trans.

 

[DisFanDad]

Turns out that there are at least two systems that have AC, London's also has it. It uses super capacitors to supply the power. Super capacitors can store power, but unlike batteries they charge and discharge very rapidly which works for these systems because they can charge at each turn station.

http://gondolaproject.com/2012/09/12/how-londons-emirates-air-line-cable-car-powers-cabins/

THats hilarious because when I read your first post I was like, um, Capacitor technology could get this done easily.

 

[hakepb]

There is a guy from https://liftblog.com/ posting about this over at WDWMagic. He has stated that there is only one gondola system in the world that has AC. AC is not an easy thing to do because gondola cars are not normally connected to a power source.

That guy said Dubai's system has batteries that charge in each station, but the weight of the batteries and A/C reduces capacity from 10 to 8

 

[Nancyg56]

If you look at the satellite images, you'll see that access from the WS between AA and Italy to the CBR already exists. The roadway is located next to the Fire station on BVD and is used by authorized personnel and vehicles to access Epcot. In order for it be usable by guests, they'd have add a couple of pedestrian bridges similar to the two installed near DS, one over Buena Vista Drive and one over Avenue to the Stars inside Epcot. It'd be a lot cheaper then the silly gondola concept.

BTW, the only unofficial response I've heard internally regarding this scheme is laughter and jokes.

I think that they should stop laughing. Disney has looked at so many ways to increase revenue and this is one way to add value to "moderates" while increasing transportation options for guests.

I admit that I cannot follow what this system could look like, but I could not picture my kitchen during the conception stage, and needed to wait til it was finished for my visual. I can picture the concept though, and think that DIsney could add more thatn $10 extra per night for these "gondola" resorts. WHen we discuss Deluxe resorts in Disney we talk about the "Monorail" resorts and the "Epcot resorts. And then there are AKL and WL. We already have given them names and distinct attribute that justify the differences in cost. Now if Disney adds "value" with a unique transportation option they can do this for moderates too, and bump up the cost.

As far as adding walkways to save money....don't do it for me. I can walk all day and half the night at Disney, but I don't want to walk "home." I would wait in line to ride home in a gondola though! And I would pay more per night to do so. See? They just sold me! LOL!