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

[sachilles]

I certainly think this is a proof of concept type of installation. They believe it will work. The imagineers have indicated that it will work. The planners believe it will work. The price tag is low enough to allow them to try it.
They just don't know until it's put into service if there are any "gotchas". They'll install this and see how it goes. If it goes reasonably well, I think you will see them starting to advertise it's virtues to everyone. "It's energy efficient, it's good for the environment, it's faster, it's safer" and so on. Get people to love it, then the monorail gets replaced by it.

This will be the working prototype, if successful you'll see it expand. It might evolve after operating it a bit and getting a practical education on daily life with it.

My question is what is next. It's sound like Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom is in consideration for something, maybe not a ropeway, but something. You don't replace the monorail until you HAVE to. I think the Springs area to include saratoga, okw and POR somehow have to fit in at some point.

I feel like the front of epcot really needs to be the hub for future expansion, but maybe it's the TTC.

 

[Madonna3]

I certainly think this is a proof of concept type of installation. They believe it will work. The imagineers have indicated that it will work. The planners believe it will work. The price tag is low enough to allow them to try it.
They just don't know until it's put into service if there are any "gotchas". They'll install this and see how it goes. If it goes reasonably well, I think you will see them starting to advertise it's virtues to everyone. "It's energy efficient, it's good for the environment, it's faster, it's safer" and so on. Get people to love it, then the monorail gets replaced by it.

This will be the working prototype, if successful you'll see it expand. It might evolve after operating it a bit and getting a practical education on daily life with it.

My question is what is next. It's sound like Animal Kingdom Lodge to Animal Kingdom is in consideration for something, maybe not a ropeway, but something. You don't replace the monorail until you HAVE to. I think the Springs area to include saratoga, okw and POR somehow have to fit in at some point.

I feel like the front of epcot really needs to be the hub for future expansion, but maybe it's the TTC.

I agree with this. I think it was short sighted not to have a direct link from AKL to AK. I mean... why not? I think the end goal is to provide direct transportation to all resorts.

 

[skier_pete]

I could see an expansion to include the Southwest area of the park (AKL, DAK, BB, CSR) but I don't think the monorail has a big chance of going anywhere, unless there's some serious infrastructure issues with it. The cost to demolish it would be high, and replacing it wouldn't be a walk in the park. Who knows anyways - these companies don't think beyond the next quarter profits, never mind having a 20 year plan for resort transportation.

As I said this has 3 main functions in order of importance:
1) Selling a DVC resort. (remeber - $900 million dollar "deluxe" in Disney's pocket in 5 years)
2) Upselling and/or filling more consistently CBR/AOA/Pop. ($20-30 million per year)
3) Reducing transportation staffing. (A possible minor benefit -saving maybe $2-5 million per year.)

Without the DVC - this would never be happening. There has to be some benefit to replacing the monorail besides slightly lower maintenance fees.

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with this. I think it was short sighted not to have a direct link from AKL to AK. I mean... why not? I think the end goal is to provide direct transportation to all resorts.

I still think this is so strange. We were staying at DAK in 2010, and you could hear the opening ceremony loud and clear from our resort room. It's THAT close. I think they just cheaped out and thought the buses would be fine. (And the fact is they are - 5 minute ride from the resort to the park.) But again, psychology says why don't they have something besides buses.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I still think this is so strange. We were staying at DAK in 2010, and you could hear the opening ceremony loud and clear from our resort room. It's THAT close. I think they just cheaped out and thought the buses would be fine. (And the fact is they are - 5 minute ride from the resort to the park.) But again, psychology says why don't they have something besides buses.

It's because of animals...AZA restrictions I would guess.

They could have figured out something...but remember that it was late Eisner, they already spent a fortune on both places, and eventually even Disney says "no mas"

 

[OldsDr]

I don't disagree but doesn't Disney do everything they should? I've heard it both ways that disney will eliminate buses and that's they won't.

If these things move enough people I could see them trying to eliminate busses. After all isn't there no bus service to MK and EP from the monorail resorts. (Never stayed at one but I think I saw that)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If these things move enough people I could see them trying to eliminate busses. After all isn't there no bus service to MK and EP from the monorail resorts. (Never stayed at one but I think I saw that)

There is bus service to Epcot from those hotels...there are two ways to get to mk...so it's unnecessary

 

[sachilles]

It's because of animals...AZA restrictions I would guess.

They could have figured out something...but remember that it was late Eisner, they already spent a fortune on both places, and eventually even Disney says "no mas"

I not familiar with the acronym AZA, could you elaborate please?
It is such a straight shot from the closest bus stop at AKV to the current bus drop off area at AK, I would think there could be a few options besides bus. It's approximately 3/4 a mile as the crow flies. The issue I think is more the cost of the conveyance vs the number of users. I hardly see it being worth the investment for the number of beds there, unless it's pedal cabs or something. Even a protected walking path with pedestrian bridges would likely be a better long term investment. Taking into the account for the dislike for labor costs, I think a full time walkway security guard on a segway, with a protected walking path would cost less than some sort of mechanical conveyance.
It's either that, or include it into a lodging expansion over there, or have the transport link more than just those 2 spots(cornado and/or blizzard beach).

 

[Madonna3]

If these things move enough people I could see them trying to eliminate busses. After all isn't there no bus service to MK and EP from the monorail resorts. (Never stayed at one but I think I saw that)

Which believe it or not, is a huge aggravation. If I'm at the front of the park and want to go back to my room at the Yacht, I have to WALK ALL THE WAY through World Showcase to the IG and then to my room, or grab the boat at the IG. If there were bus service, it would service guests at the front of the park.

 

[Madonna3]

I not familiar with the acronym AZA, could you elaborate please?
It is such a straight shot from the closest bus stop at AKV to the current bus drop off area at AK, I would think there could be a few options besides bus. It's approximately 3/4 a mile as the crow flies. The issue I think is more the cost of the conveyance vs the number of users. I hardly see it being worth the investment for the number of beds there, unless it's pedal cabs or something. Even a protected walking path with pedestrian bridges would likely be a better long term investment. Taking into the account for the dislike for labor costs, I think a full time walkway security guard on a segway, with a protected walking path would cost less than some sort of mechanical conveyance.
It's either that, or include it into a lodging expansion over there, or have the transport link more than just those 2 spots(cornado and/or blizzard beach).

American Zoological Association.

 

[danikoski]

I not familiar with the acronym AZA, could you elaborate please?
It is such a straight shot from the closest bus stop at AKV to the current bus drop off area at AK, I would think there could be a few options besides bus. It's approximately 3/4 a mile as the crow flies. The issue I think is more the cost of the conveyance vs the number of users. I hardly see it being worth the investment for the number of beds there, unless it's pedal cabs or something. Even a protected walking path with pedestrian bridges would likely be a better long term investment. Taking into the account for the dislike for labor costs, I think a full time walkway security guard on a segway, with a protected walking path would cost less than some sort of mechanical conveyance.
It's either that, or include it into a lodging expansion over there, or have the transport link more than just those 2 spots(cornado and/or blizzard beach).

AZA= Association of Zoos and Aquariums

https://www.aza.org

They accredit zoos and aquariums

 

[rteetz]

There is bus service to Epcot from those hotels...there are two ways to get to mk...so it's unnecessary

Actually there isn't all the time. They do offer it sometimes at peak times of the year but otherwise its walk or boat to Epcot from the resort area there.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Which believe it or not, is a huge aggravation. If I'm at the front of the park and want to go back to my room at the Yacht, I have to WALK ALL THE WAY through World Showcase to the IG and then to my room, or grab the boat at the IG. If there were bus service, it would service guests at the front of the park.

Pssst!!

Little known insider tip: yacht club is directly behind Epcot...and there's a secret gate...just to let you know...

Don't tell anyone

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Without the DVC - this would never be happening. There has to be some benefit to replacing the monorail besides slightly lower maintenance fees.

The monorail is what it is...but everyday they go without a longterm solution being implemented puts its future further in doubt.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

AZA= Association of Zoos and Aquariums

https://www.aza.org

They accredit zoos and aquariums

Correct and they are very serious about appropriateness of exhibits, breeding programs, and impact on the animals.

You can't just put up fences and be aza. And if you're not, you can't be in the adoption and breeding programs and you have no future as a viable zoo.

So Disney, while top dollar, maybe could not have sold some type of transit system or path near the off limits habitats due to animal concerns...if they had pitched one...who knows?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Actually there isn't all the time. They do offer it sometimes at peak times of the year but otherwise its walk or boat to Epcot from the resort area there.

I meant from the monorail resorts to Epcot...as per the previous post/statement.

 

[dlavender]

Even a protected walking path with pedestrian bridges would likely be a better long term investment.

They should have done one from CBR to Epcot.

 

[Moliphino]

I meant from the monorail resorts to Epcot...as per the previous post/statement.

I don't think there are buses from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

 

[CMNJ]

I don't think there are buses from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

Having stayed at Poly and CR/BLT on 4 different trips I agree-we only ever had bus service to Epcot when the monorail was down. Same thing with MK

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't think there are buses from the monorail resorts to Epcot unless the monorail is down.

Hmmm...

Remember that Epcot involves a transfer station...so there's that.

Maybe they discontinued that...but it wasn't always so.

Perhaps you wouldn't have noticed if you had taken the monorail?