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

[DisFanDad]

Agreed. But the nature of the transportation system is also different. Unlike the boats and buses, you aren't bringing 50-100 people at a time to those 4 gates. You are only bringing 10-20 people (depending on capacity) every few minutes. So the spacing is different. Might they have to expand the number of turnstiles? Yes. But probably not as much as an entrance that services the hundreds coming in off the monorail all at once, or many bus loads showing up all at once. The resorts are huge, but the delivery system, while having a large capacity, is actually better spaced to allow for orderly procession through fewer gates.

Every Few minutes ? They could be as close to every 15 seconds, esp at busy times (morning/night). That's how often many of the big gondola systems depart.

 

[beer dave]

That's a GREAT point. You aren't just adding 3 more resorts, they are 3 of the biggest ones.

I'm more concerned about the extra foot and eating / drinking traffic at the boardwalk---- as of now I'm betting not many patrons of CBR and CSR and POP ever make it to Big River, Jelly Rolls, and such..... Think of what the boardwalk view rooms might turn into with 3 huge resorts suddenly given availability of travel to this area--- where in the past they would have to double bus or take a taxi---- after illuminations at 9? just head over to the boardwalk for some drinks for the next couple hours.... could be bad. Unless the gondolas stop running shortly after the parks close, but likely they will be kept running for just this reason.

 

[MommyinHonduras]

What is the projected timeframe for this to be up and running?

 

[beer dave]

What is the projected timeframe for this to be up and running?

No one knows. Actually we don't even "know" they are building it.....

Guess would be by star wars opening.......

 

[George4]

This is an insane rumor. Between the speed of these vehicles and the relative inconsistent arrival of passengers, they would be better off building an airport style tramway, but at that point you could just expand the monorail at an exorbitant price. The buses aren't phenomenally expensive to operate and run fairly consistently to move people. Can you imagine the issues if a gondola system broke and people had to be rescued one car at a time? Good lord it would be crazy.

 

[amcc]

They have to have air. The heat in those glass enclosed bubbles that for safety reasons probably won't have operable windows will be awful in the summer. What if they stop for 15 min at 2 pm in July? It will be over 100 degrees in no time. Boats don't compare - the breeze on the water coupled with open windows makes all the difference.

 

[Sweettears]

They have to have air. The heat in those glass enclosed bubbles that for safety reasons probably won't have operable windows will be awful in the summer. What if they stop for 15 min at 2 pm in July? It will be over 100 degrees in no time. Boats don't compare - the breeze on the water coupled with open windows makes all the difference.

I don't disagree with your comments regarding the gondolas but having been on the boats with 80 degree temps I have to disagree with th"all the difference" part.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I don't disagree with your comments regarding the gondolas but having been on the boats with 80 degree temps I have to disagree with th"all the difference" part.

I want them to have AC. I hope they have AC and are enclosed. But, truth is they probably won't need it. The could be "open air" gondolas that are well ventilated. Basically, they will be secure enough so no one can fall or jump out but still an open cabin. I'm not saying they will be ideal or won't get hot on a 95 degree day in the summer; but, it would probably be about the same as riding in a golf cart or on the train. They will be high enough and go fast enough that the breeze will keep things from being unbearable. I actually think they could be more uncomfortable on a cold night after Illuminations in January or February.

 

[beer dave]

I want them to have AC. I hope they have AC and are enclosed. But, truth is they probably won't need it. The could be "open air" gondolas that are well ventilated. Basically, they will be secure enough so no one can fall or jump out but still an open cabin. I'm not saying they will be ideal or won't get hot on a 95 degree day in the summer; but, it would probably be about the same as riding in a golf cart or on the train. They will be high enough and go fast enough that the breeze will keep things from being unbearable. I actually think they could be more uncomfortable on a cold night after Illuminations in January or February.

Really if they are open air, with a roof covering, the temperature would be no different than walking around the parks-- except for that there would not be the hot pavement reflecting back at your legs--(disney rash anyone?) --the roof needs to have an overhang large enough to keep the rain out... in non hurricane situations at least. When we ride the boats there is a toss up between sitting outside for moving air and sitting inside for shade-- the combination of the two non evils would probably be sufficient. For the record I want AC too....

 

[extreme8]

If they're built they won't be open air.
Imagine the lawsuit the first time someone strolling along got conked in the head by a resort mug thrown from a gondola.

 

[SgtTibbs]

If they're built they won't be open air.
Imagine the lawsuit the first time someone strolling along got conked in the head by a resort mug thrown from a gondola.

If you plan to hold Disney responsible for every stupid/criminal thing a guest could possibly do you might as well close down the parks today.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you plan to hold Disney responsible for every stupid/criminal thing a guest could possibly do you might as well close down the parks today.

Isn't that one of the reasons the original Skyway attraction closed?

Based on the prototypes I have seen though, it looks like the ventilation openings are at the to of each car, so not easy to shove stuff out. I'm sure they've solved that. That said, I see no way these will not still be stifling in the Florida head. All the air movement in the world won't take the humidity out of the air for me.

 

[DisFanDad]

This is an insane rumor. Between the speed of these vehicles and the relative inconsistent arrival of passengers, they would be better off building an airport style tramway, but at that point you could just expand the monorail at an exorbitant price. The buses aren't phenomenally expensive to operate and run fairly consistently to move people. Can you imagine the issues if a gondola system broke and people had to be rescued one car at a time? Good lord it would be crazy.

Sure, but the point is that these systems are actually VERY reliable, and they are built to withstand VERY harsh weather conditions. I am not sure what your concerns are regarding speed or inconsistent arrival of passengers. The inconsistent arrival (at least at pick up points) of passengers is actually what makes these awesome. No need to worry that if you miss the buss you need to wait 20 minutes. No need for a bus to sit and wait until more people show up to fill the bus better. The gondola vehicles just come and go every 15 or 30 seconds, whether people get on them or not.

 

[rteetz]

This is an insane rumor. Between the speed of these vehicles and the relative inconsistent arrival of passengers, they would be better off building an airport style tramway, but at that point you could just expand the monorail at an exorbitant price. The buses aren't phenomenally expensive to operate and run fairly consistently to move people. Can you imagine the issues if a gondola system broke and people had to be rescued one car at a time? Good lord it would be crazy.

When you look at the evidence it's not insane.

 

[jknezek]

I still don't see how you do it in an enclosed system without air conditioning.
http://heatkills.org/how-hot/

I agree that as long as it stays moving, an enclosed system can be fine even on a 90 degree day with some well designed ventilation. But once it stops? And it will stop occasionally. No loading or unloading is going to be perfect. No mechanical system will be flawless. Once it stops on a 90+ degree FL day, there is almost no way without active AC to keep it from gaining at least 10 degrees every 15 minutes. With a full load of body heat and a sunny day? I'm guessing you would see over 20 degrees every 15 minutes based on the info on the website about cars. Anyone want to be crammed into one of these for as much as 5 minutes once it is you and your 15 friends dangling 20 feet up in a 110 degree solar oven?

I'm guessing they won't be enclosed if they are determined not to use ac. Glass and air flow is going to be the enemy. Guests get wet all the time in summer showers on the boats, they will use these just the same if they are open to the weather with big roofs to keep much of the rain out. Will they worry about someone throwing a coin? Sure. And I'm guessing they won't make it easy in the gondola design. But really, if there is no AC, it has to be an open design. Or someone is going to die of heat stroke while they try and unload a stuck ECV one sunny August day.

 

[LaidBackDad]

If they're built they won't be open air.
Imagine the lawsuit the first time someone strolling along got conked in the head by a resort mug thrown from a gondola.

We know for sure this isn't even a valid concern. If you look at the permits and the suspected path of the gondolas, 99% of the route isn't even over pedestrian areas. Any pedestrian area that is under the gondolas could be covered if that was even a real concern or at worst the gondola themselves could be screened in. There are dozens if not hundreds of examples around the would that use open gondolas over pedestrian areas and falling objects thrown from the cabin has hasn't been a reason to remove the attraction.

 

[Josh Hendy]

I believe that the gondolas will have to be enclosed with glass because of both safety requirements and weather.

Strong air conditioning is probably too much to expect, because of the great demand for power. Even if they have A/C in London, that's a place where it hits 80F maybe once a year whereas in Orlando 80F must be close to the year-round average midday temperature.

Perhaps therefore, passive venting and fans, or meager A/C is what we'll get. Probably the cars will use solar panels and reflective glass to the max.

 

[rteetz]

Permit filed today

1092 CAYMAN WAY, BAY LAKE, FL - ITJ Trailer

 

[George4]

When you look at the evidence it's not insane.

I don't mean that the evidence is insane, but the plan itself is insane. The monorail stops what, maybe 5-10 times per year requiring a fire truck or two to come out and rescue everyone on the 1-2 trains that are stuck. If the gondola system stops 5-10 times per year, how many gondola's would have to be individually rescued taking significantly more manpower and time to rescue the people stuck in the air, on a cable that has some bounce and give to it. I'm sure that won't cause any negative issues - "I was stuck in the air at Disney for 5 hours waiting to be rescued".

 

[George4]

Sure, but the point is that these systems are actually VERY reliable, and they are built to withstand VERY harsh weather conditions. I am not sure what your concerns are regarding speed or inconsistent arrival of passengers. The inconsistent arrival (at least at pick up points) of passengers is actually what makes these awesome. No need to worry that if you miss the buss you need to wait 20 minutes. No need for a bus to sit and wait until more people show up to fill the bus better. The gondola vehicles just come and go every 15 or 30 seconds, whether people get on them or not.

The monorail is the most reliable transportation system on the planet (last I saw), and still breaks down 5-10 times per year. At least those trains are in one place. The gondola's would be all over the park requiring significant time and resources to rescue all of the trapped people. A broken down bus can be rescued in 5-10 minutes.