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

[sachilles]

My random thoughts after looking at the new tram loop and security setup at DHS relative to the skyliner project. I feel like the tram loop project is the bottleneck for getting the skyliner project open.

I'm not sure if the tram/security project tells us anything though. It looks like you will offload on the water side and load on the other side. Where the new bag check is, allows guests from the skyliner to still go through that check area. That being said, it's still a little odd of a set up. They could add more roof cover closer to the skyliner, once these other ones are open and functioning. Otherwise you would have to route guest through another area during construction to get folks in and out the park right now.

My other thought is there is no apparent structure for security at the riviera. Given that there are two separate entrances at the Riviera station due to is V shape, you would want security outside the station I would think. It doesn't mean they can't have security in two places though.

 

[mamaofsix]

Just doing some rough conservative math...5 gondola's leaving every minute with 6-8 people =30-40 people leaving the station per minute..
I just don't believe that even at park closing and especially leaving the resorts.. there will be that many people that will make it to the loading area each minute on a consistent basis.
It's not like everybody is going to leave their resort room at the same time..and going to DHS/Epcot.
The crowds are massive at closing but not everybody will be going to the station, so the ones that will are scattered thru that crowd and will need time to negotiate their way thru.
I'm pretty sure that either by waiting for a lull or just waiting to leave the resort/park there should be plenty of empty gondola's most of the time...they will be running 12+ hours every day.
The CBR hub could be like grand central station at times..but if you wait, there will still be a lull.
It may just be me but...what's the hurry..it's a vacation.
I'm looking at these as being more of a fun ride than anything else, and a 100% sure I can be king of the gondola mid day

Sorry if this has been answered already in this thread - didn't want to read through it all!

Is the "gondolas leaving the station every 10 seconds" statistic simply what is being observed in testing? If so, has it also been observed that each gondola is pausing for a minute or two to mimic how long it would take to actually load people? I understand that the gondolas go off the line for loading, but I am also wondering if it will really be possible to spit out filled gondolas as fast as it is during the testing when considering the human passenger loading / unloading factor. Especially when considering ECV or stroller loading...

 

[SgtTibbs]

Sorry if this has been answered already in this thread - didn't want to read through it all!

Is the "gondolas leaving the station every 10 seconds" statistic simply what is being observed in testing? If so, has it also been observed that each gondola is pausing for a minute or two to mimic how long it would take to actually load people? I understand that the gondolas go off the line for loading, but I am also wondering if it will really be possible to spit out filled gondolas as fast as it is during the testing when considering the human passenger loading / unloading factor. Especially when considering ECV or stroller loading...

ECV's and Stroller loading is separate, cabs are pulled off the main line giving these guests as much time as they need to load/unload and then they are slotted back onto the main line.

For the main line the cabs keep moving as people load/unload. Think about the Haunted Mansion or Buzz light-year.

 

[crvetter]

Sorry if this has been answered already in this thread - didn't want to read through it all!

Is the "gondolas leaving the station every 10 seconds" statistic simply what is being observed in testing? If so, has it also been observed that each gondola is pausing for a minute or two to mimic how long it would take to actually load people? I understand that the gondolas go off the line for loading, but I am also wondering if it will really be possible to spit out filled gondolas as fast as it is during the testing when considering the human passenger loading / unloading factor. Especially when considering ECV or stroller loading...

There are two loading patterns: 1) people loading while the gondolas move very slowly through the station, people will load on one side of the station while people unload on the other; or 2) those that need extra time will load on the secondary loop that is stationary (one you mentioned). All but Riviera will have this setup. So the secondary loop which is stationary isn’t meant for the average guest but those that need extra time loading in an ECV or strollers or have difficulty stepping into the slow moving gondola.

So because most will be loading while they move it is expected that they should be leaving about every 10 seconds at most.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Sorry if this has been answered already in this thread - didn't want to read through it all!

Is the "gondolas leaving the station every 10 seconds" statistic simply what is being observed in testing? If so, has it also been observed that each gondola is pausing for a minute or two to mimic how long it would take to actually load people? I understand that the gondolas go off the line for loading, but I am also wondering if it will really be possible to spit out filled gondolas as fast as it is during the testing when considering the human passenger loading / unloading factor. Especially when considering ECV or stroller loading...

ECV's and Stroller loading is separate, cabs are pulled off the main line giving these guests as much time as they need to load/unload and then they are slotted back onto the main line.

For the main line the cabs keep moving as people load/unload. Think about the Haunted Mansion or Buzz light-year.

There are two loading patterns: 1) people loading while the gondolas move very slowly through the station, people will load on one side of the station while people unload on the other; or 2) those that need extra time will load on the secondary loop that is stationary (one you mentioned). All but Riviera will have this setup. So the secondary loop which is stationary isn’t meant for the average guest but those that need extra time loading in an ECV or strollers or have difficulty stepping into the slow moving gondola.

So because most will be loading while they move it is expected that they should be leaving about every 10 seconds at most.

Just to add, from what I have seen for the "regular loading" I was seeing reports of about 45 seconds to unload and then 45 seconds to load (which might not sound long, but I think is more than enough time for people to get off/on)

 

[SgtTibbs]

those that need extra time will load on the secondary loop that is stationary (one you mentioned). All but Riviera will have this setup.

So how will guests that need extra time load/unload at Riviera? Please don't tell me they intend to stop the entire line from Riviera to Epcot every time a group with strollers wanders up.

 

[joelkfla]

So how will guests that need extra time load/unload at Riviera? Please don't tell me they intend to stop the entire line from Riviera to Epcot every time a group with strollers wanders up.

Strollers should be able to load while the cabin is moving. There are many videos online showing this at other installations; e.g. 2:31 in this video:

ECV & wheelchair handling at Riviera is unknown. It's possible they will have to stop the line. It's also possible they could slow down the line. It's also possible that the drive wheels at Riviera will be geared to move the cabins through the station at a lower speed.

 

[lugnut33]

Is it weird that I'm making a room reservation for Memorial Day weekend and under transportation at Caribbean Beach Resort they list the Skyliner. Why would they do that if it's not operational yet and won't be hauling guests until Fall?

 

[DBDiz]

Is it weird that I'm making a room reservation for Memorial Day weekend and under transportation at Caribbean Beach Resort they list the Skyliner. Why would they do that if it's not operational yet and won't be hauling guests until Fall?

There's rumor of Iger announcing tomorrow updated SWGE dates for FL opening in Sept, maybe they'll announce an updated Skyliner date of June too?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I too am hoping that tomorrow's update by Iger will announce an opening date for the Skyliner!!

It seems the majority of the work for the gondolas themselves appears to be done, but it's the on the ground stuff re: stations, emergency evacuation prep, etc, is still very much a work in progress.

 

[rteetz]

There's rumor of Iger announcing tomorrow updated SWGE dates for FL opening in Sept, maybe they'll announce an updated Skyliner date of June too?

Tomorrow is for DL's opening date. September still seems to be pushing it for DHS. Skyliner is more likely July/August than June.

 

[rteetz]

I too am hoping that tomorrow's update by Iger will announce an opening date for the Skyliner!!

It seems the majority of the work for the gondolas themselves appears to be done, but it's the on the ground stuff re: stations, emergency evacuation prep, etc, is still very much a work in progress.

Not sure a Skyliner date is important to shareholders. They much would rather hear about Fox and SWGE.

 

[Patches Lee]

Noticed that Skyliner is being mentioned on the Beach Club and Boardwalk overview pages "What Makes This Resort Hotel Unique" section. Though they still list the Sandcastle Club in the overview as well.

 

[DanBoris]

There's rumor of Iger announcing tomorrow updated SWGE dates for FL opening in Sept, maybe they'll announce an updated Skyliner date of June too?

The Skyliner shows as an option no matter what dates you book for, so it is a little deceiving.

 

[BorderTenny]

Strollers should be able to load while the cabin is moving. There are many videos online showing this at other installations; e.g. 2:31 in this video:

ECV & wheelchair handling at Riviera is unknown. It's possible they will have to stop the line. It's also possible they could slow down the line. It's also possible that the drive wheels at Riviera will be geared to move the cabins through the station at a lower speed.

Compared to that system, the Skyliner at Disney is practically ground level.

 

[Q-man]

Sorry if this has been answered already in this thread - didn't want to read through it all!

Is the "gondolas leaving the station every 10 seconds" statistic simply what is being observed in testing? If so, has it also been observed that each gondola is pausing for a minute or two to mimic how long it would take to actually load people? I understand that the gondolas go off the line for loading, but I am also wondering if it will really be possible to spit out filled gondolas as fast as it is during the testing when considering the human passenger loading / unloading factor. Especially when considering ECV or stroller loading...

Looking at this video it looks like 4-5 cabins are in the load zone for 15-20 seconds each with one departing about every 8 seconds. Go to the 35 second mark so you can see the departing interval.

 

[joelkfla]

Looking at this video it looks like 4-5 cabins are in the load zone for 15-20 seconds each with one departing about every 8 seconds. Go to the 35 second mark so you can see the departing interval.

I'm still seeing 10 seconds separation. It's impossible to time exactly how long a cabin is in the load zone because of the cut in the middle of the video, but it's at least 20 seconds.

 

[NotUrsula]

When there are passengers on the gondola the movement will be less.

Assuming that the passengers are sitting still.

This aspect is where my nightmares happen. I have absolutely awful vertigo and positional hypotension, and I can ride ferris wheels, gondolas, roller coasters, etc. ONLY when they rise/fall at a steady pace and do not flip or rock. The Skyliner's operation should be very nice and stable (except perhaps in a summer storm), UNLESS some other passenger decides that deliberately rocking the gondola is a great idea.

For this reason I'm unlikely to ride the Skyliner except when the crowd density is low, because while I can trust my family members not to do that to me, I've got no control over random strangers. Trust me, I've got over 50 years of experience that demonstrates that there are a RIDICULOUS number of people in this world (even adults) who think it is hilarious to deliberately rock the cars of Ferris wheels and gondola systems.

 

[sachilles]

I'm still seeing 10 seconds separation. It's impossible to time exactly how long a cabin is in the load zone because of the cut in the middle of the video, but it's at least 20 seconds.

I took the video. They were about 20 seconds on the straight part of the load side. Really depends when they tell you that you can load. If you have from the apex of the turn, then you get about 25.

 

[gap2368]

Assuming that the passengers are sitting still.

This aspect is where my nightmares happen. I have absolutely awful vertigo and positional hypotension, and I can ride ferris wheels, gondolas, roller coasters, etc. ONLY when they rise/fall at a steady pace and do not flip or rock. The Skyliner's operation should be very nice and stable (except perhaps in a summer storm), UNLESS some other passenger decides that deliberately rocking the gondola is a great idea.

For this reason I'm unlikely to ride the Skyliner except when the crowd density is low, because while I can trust my family members not to do that to me, I've got no control over random strangers. Trust me, I've got over 50 years of experience that demonstrates that there are a RIDICULOUS number of people in this world (even adults) who think it is hilarious to deliberately rock the cars of Ferris wheels and gondola systems.

there is a good chance you will have a car for just your family and if you do not you could simply ask the CM to have your own due to a disability/ medical problem not sure if someone in another car was rocking it if it would make others ( I think this one is too big for that )