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

[beer dave]

I'm just saying it is currently being done, today elsewhere. I think physics is the same in Florida as Colorado. The movement is very slow, and they can slow or stop it if required. I've used those gondolas and pushed wheel chairs, I don't think it would be an issue for a pushed chair or a self powered chair by someone physically able to self power all day at WDW.

I want to say bad things..... we will skip that part........ stopped is the key. If that can be done, it will be acceptable.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I want to say bad things..... we will skip that part........ stopped is the key. If that can be done, it will be acceptable.

There's a 100% chance I totally agree with everything you didn't say...

 

[danikoski]

I like this...good job

One problem is that WDW outsourced most if not all their engineering and consultants can't sometimes see their nose despite their face...
It's hit or miss...especially if they aren't in tune with the day to logistics of being a worker and a traveler at WDW.

I believe Doppelmayr is probably going to be their contractor for these gondolas, and that company has built multiple urban rope car systems. They also build funicular rail systems for cities (which I would still like to see Disney use in conjunction with the skyway). They should have a pretty good handle on traffic flow for the gondolas.

 

[OSUZorba]

I want to say bad things..... we will skip that part........ stopped is the key. If that can be done, it will be acceptable.

Not sure what I said that warrants bad things being said. This is a problem that already has a solution implemented all over the world. It is a problem I am sure WDW is aware of and is planning for. I've never personally seen a wheelchair loaded on a gondola, but I have seen many strollers and bikes, and it was literally zero problem. Based on the operator's websites, they also claim that wheelchairs are no problem.

Here is a video showing a wheelchair and stroller loading in Breckenridge, that does not require the gondola to slow or stop (edit: apparently the forum won't use the start time in the link, start at 4:43):

I agree it would be best to have a separate rail that would allow for full stopping of the gondola (can see something similar a little later in that video for the maintenance rail). Or at least the ability to unsync the gondolas in the house to allow stopping of one gondola (and those behind it it) without preventing the capture and release of the ones behind and forward of it.

These are problems that have solutions, being worked by people that do this for a living. They aren't going to have wheelchairs and ECVs dragged along by a gondola, and I seriously doubt (hope) that they are going to install a system that requires the whole cable to be stopped every time they do an ECV or wheelchair load/unload.

 

[beer dave]

Not sure what I said that warrants bad things being said. This is a problem that already has a solution implemented all over the world. It is a problem I am sure WDW is aware of and is planning for. I've never personally seen a wheelchair loaded on a gondola, but I have seen many strollers and bikes, and it was literally zero problem. Based on the operator's websites, they also claim that wheelchairs are no problem.

Here is a video showing a wheelchair and stroller loading in Breckenridge, that does not require the gondola to slow or stop (edit: apparently the forum won't use the start time in the link, start at 4:43):

I agree it would be best to have a separate rail that would allow for full stopping of the gondola (can see something similar a little later in that video for the maintenance rail). Or at least the ability to unsync the gondolas in the house to allow stopping of one gondola (and those behind it it) without preventing the capture and release of the ones behind and forward of it.

These are problems that have solutions, being worked by people that do this for a living. They aren't going to have wheelchairs and ECVs dragged along by a gondola, and I seriously doubt (hope) that they are going to install a system that requires the whole cable to be stopped every time they do an ECV or wheelchair load/unload.

Gee, and I was pretty sure condescending comments were the same in Florida as they are in Colorado.....

The issue isn't if people can load wheel chairs with out the car stopping--- it is if they can do it in WDW. The wheel chair and ECV group in WDW consist largely of people who, while even though able bodied and mobile in normal life, cannot spend the day on their feet or walking at WDW. Regardless of the reason, many of these people are new to wheel chairs.

Great video but the abilities of the guy zipping in on the chair would be about 1 in 1000 at wdw.

So while physics is the same, physical capabilities may not be.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Gee, and I was pretty sure condescending comments were the same in Florida as they are in Colorado.....

The issue isn't if people can load wheel chairs with out the car stopping--- it is if they can do it in WDW. The wheel chair and ECV group in WDW consist largely of people who, while even though able bodied and mobile in normal life, cannot spend the day on their feet or walking at WDW. Regardless of the reason, many of these people are new to wheel chairs.

Great video but the abilities of the guy zipping in on the chair would be about 1 in 1000 at wdw.

So while physics is the same, physical capabilities may not be.

I'm with you...WDW is "unique"...

It's not aspen and it's not some quaint, storied city In Switzerland or Belgium where they still assume people use common sense.

I suggest (again) that they next you find yourself there you take a lot at the demographics and the driving skills in the parks. Just saying. It's an issue.

 

[dlavender]

Not quite...some ecvs are owned/private...but many are rented from medical supply companies outside of WDW.

It is Florida...after all

When did you move to the midwest?

Are they going to have people transfer? So if leaving HS, and wanting to end up at BW, will you transfer at CBR?

 

[rteetz]

When did you move to the midwest?

Are they going to have people transfer? So if leaving HS, and wanting to end up at BW, will you transfer at CBR?

Yes if at DHS you will have to change gondolas in order to go to the Epcot area. Same if you were going from DHS to AoA.

 

[dlavender]

Yes if at DHS you will have to change gondolas in order to go to the Epcot area. Same if you were going from DHS to AoA.

I wonder if, for convenience, more ECV riders will choose a different mode of transport?

Either way, I'm interested to see what WDW has up their sleeve for this.

Hopefully this isn't just an elaborate zip line. Here's your carabiner and some rope, have fun!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

When did you move to the midwest?

Are they going to have people transfer? So if leaving HS, and wanting to end up at BW, will you transfer at CBR?

Is that why the sign said "welcome to Michigan"???

 

[Josh Hendy]

No matter what Disney's traffic engineers and the contracting company recommend, I have a feeling that Iger and his spreadsheet weenies will decree (a) an impressive-looking but suboptimal gondola system, and (b) upcharge bus/vans for everyone who dislikes or cannot use the gondolas.

That should cover their main priorities which are rapid timeshare sales on the one hand, and monetizing every single possible service to the max on the other.

 

[danikoski]

I'm with you...WDW is "unique"...

It's not aspen and it's not some quaint, storied city In Switzerland or Belgium where they still assume people use common sense.

I suggest (again) that they next you find yourself there you take a lot at the demographics and the driving skills in the parks. Just saying. It's an issue.

Doppelmayr built the rope car system in London...That isn't some small quaint village.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Doppelmayr built the rope car system in London...That isn't some small quaint village.

No...it's a bustling city at fast pace with people wanting to get to their lives...for the most part.

It's not WDW which is almost the opposite.

It's a different example, for sure, but still fits the case.

 

[skier_pete]

These are problems that have solutions, being worked by people that do this for a living. They aren't going to have wheelchairs and ECVs dragged along by a gondola, and I seriously doubt (hope) that they are going to install a system that requires the whole cable to be stopped every time they do an ECV or wheelchair load/unload.

This is my point. The same people that are arguing that they can't handle ECVs are the ones who were arguing 3 months ago that direct connecting CBR to Epcot is completely impossible. How they do it isn't your problem...they'll figure it out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No matter what Disney's traffic engineers and the contracting company recommend, I have a feeling that Iger and his spreadsheet weenies will decree (a) an impressive-looking but suboptimal gondola system, and (b) upcharge bus/vans for everyone who dislikes or cannot use the gondolas.

That should cover their main priorities which are rapid timeshare sales on the one hand, and monetizing every single possible service to the max on the other.

I'm not quite with you here...

Can it be an elaborate, fairly cheap way to sell the timeshares a jack up prices?...a "headfake" in a way? Sure. I fear that as well (see: above)

But I don't buy the "upsell the buses" angle...you're off the grid on that one, amigo

 

[SgtTibbs]

As far as I can see the only real problem with the planned Gondola system is that's it's way too limited. I say add them from one end of the property to the other. Including between parks. You get on in MK and step off inside security at Animal Kingdom. That's what I want.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This is my point. The same people that are arguing that they can't handle ECVs are the ones who were arguing 3 months ago that direct connecting CBR to Epcot is completely impossible. How they do it isn't your problem...they'll figure it out.

No...you're parsing that...

We said a canal was impossible and a foot bridge didn't make any sense...I know...I was there.

Check the scoreboard. If those discussions had been "rumor Disney is looking at new transport system to interconnect all Epcot resort area to studios and allow for timeshare redevelopment"...you would have gotten a different angle.

But as always...those "insider" rumors hinted at dredging the whole back of Epcot for a boat...which made no damn sense. And the prosecution rests.

And what I'm saying here is you absolutely can't trust the sometimes dopey (not exaggerating) clientele of WDW...to be able to adjust to anything that isn't 100% about color code signs and having employees but baby powder on their bums...it was awful 15 years ago and I can't imagine how much worse it's gotten. It's an astonishing thought.

So my stance is that a ski cable system with people who know what they doing - or perhaps even an urban transit system (again...where most aren't first timers) - doesn't quite cut it. I think they need a different set of priorities and I sure hope they know it or this will not fare well.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

As far as I can see the only real problem with the planned Gondola system is that's it's way too limited. I say add them from one end of the property to the other. Including between parks. You get on in MK and step off inside security at Animal Kingdom. That's what I want.

If this really is effecient/ successful...I see no reason other than cost AK and downtown don't get pulled into the loops...we'll see

 

[SgtTibbs]

If this really is effecient/ successful...I see no reason other than cost AK and downtown don't get pulled into the loops...we'll see

In the long run, I'd like to see a full Gondola system paired with a massive fleet of self driving mini-buses to wisk you directly to your destination.

 

[KYMickey]

Here is an interesting article I just read a lot more information about existing gondola systems and some in-depth discussion of what it would take for Disney to implement it.
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/04/depth-speculation-disney-world-gondola-project-will-take-shape/