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

[OSUZorba]

I floated the idea of an underpass earlier, and it was soundly shot down. The station does appear to be slightly above ground level, but not enough to pass under without some serious digging. I think any underpass or overpass would need to be accessible, meaning either long ramps, or elevators on both sides. And not just for handicapped, but strollers too.

You don't have to be that far away from the station before the gondolas are above head height. I don't really think an underpass would be needed, or at least not a deep one.

 

[jerseygal]

Looking forward to the progress!

 

[eeyoreali]

Will both of the lines (Epcot & HS) be open and running 2019? I thought I read somewhere that only the one to HS would be ready in 2019.

 

[umichigan10]

Will both of the lines (Epcot & HS) be open and running 2019? I thought I read somewhere that only the one to HS would be ready in 2019.

Fall 2019 is the official timeframe

 

[DanBoris]

Will both of the lines (Epcot & HS) be open and running 2019? I thought I read somewhere that only the one to HS would be ready in 2019.

All three lines are supposed to open at the same time, by fall of 2019.

 

[briand1023]

So cool!! Exciting!!

From the angle it looks like the gondolas over Hourglass Lake may be much lower than I had anticipated! Way a pretty ride this will be!!

Cannot wait!!!

Pretty ride but with no A/C it may be a tad warm in the summer months.

 

[RRB]

Just checked into the Boardwalk yesterday. Cables (not the main haul rope cable) are now pulled from IG all the way to the Caribbean Beach station

 

[OSUZorba]

Pretty ride but with no A/C it may be a tad warm in the summer months.

Yeah. It'll be really rough going from the non-AC parks, standing in the sun, with no wind to a non-AC gondola that'll provide its own shade and wind.

I will bet money that the gondolas will be more comfortable than Slinky Dog's queue.

 

[mom2rtk]

I can't help but wonder if they want it to go live without the multitude of summer guests......

If they are looking to avoid multitudes of crowds, I would think they'd want to open it as far in advance of Star Wars opening as possible. Waiting until November seems to place it very close to some of the highest possible crowds.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I’m a bit behind on this thread, but what’s the speculation for why it’s taking so long to open if the cables are up? Riviera Resort completion?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I’m a bit behind on this thread, but what’s the speculation for why it’s taking so long to open if the cables are up? Riviera Resort completion?

Production of the gondola cars themselves. It seems they will open the Skyliner as soon as Disney receives them (after install and testing).

 

[Turn the Page]

Yeah. It'll be really rough going from the non-AC parks, standing in the sun, with no wind to a non-AC gondola that'll provide its own shade and wind.

I will bet money that the gondolas will be more comfortable than Slinky Dog's queue.

I love this.

I was just listening to a well known Disney podcast last night and they were discussing the delay on the gondola and a few commentators were advocating the theory that they were waiting to open it until the weather was cooler because they were worried about the heat in the summer.

Again, Disney knows how hot it gets in the summer, they aren't going to build a transportation system that is going to prostrate guests from heat exhaustion on a regular basis.

 

[Turn the Page]

Production of the gondola cars themselves. It seems they will open the Skyliner as soon as Disney receives them (after install and testing).

I know this has been cited as the reason on this thread but does anyone know what the original source for this theory was?

 

[rafiki]

I’ve been following/lurking around the Skyliner discussion from the beginning and I just have to say that I don’t understand the angst about it in some posts. While I agree with many posts on many boards complaining about the deterioration in the Disney parks experience, I think the Skyliner system will be a roaring success. I’m definitely not an expert on these systems, but I think people will love riding it, in much the same way they enjoyed the old MK and Disneyland ride and they enjoy sky gliders at state fairs, etc. These kinds of rides remain very popular. People see it like a bonus attraction ride, suitable for all ages; in the same way they did (and still do despite the issues) with the monorails. And I’m in the camp that thinks the lack of AC will not deter many people from using it. In fact, I think many people staying in other resorts will bus to one of the Skyliner resorts just to ride it, at least once. Or they’ll ride the complete loop from Epcot or DHS just for the fun of it. I intend to.

I think it is going to be an incredibly efficient system, better than the busses, although I worry it will be so popular with non-Skyliner resort guests that it may become overcrowded.

I guess I just feel that although Disney has diminished the parks experience In many ways over the years, they deserve credit when they do something right and I think the Skyliner is one of those times.

 

[Chumpieboy]

I love this.

I was just listening to a well known Disney podcast last night and they were discussing the delay on the gondola and a few commentators were advocating the theory that they were waiting to open it until the weather was cooler because they were worried about the heat in the summer.

Again, Disney knows how hot it gets in the summer, they aren't going to build a transportation system that is going to prostrate guests from heat exhaustion on a regular basis.

The ride will exit through a gift drink shop

 

[monica9]

Sorry if mentioned before but how many guests fit in each Gondola? Are the seats similar to the monorail (benches) and standing room? Will you get a full view of outside even though it will enclosed?
How long did they say it will take to get from at AOA to one of the parks?

Hoping it is up and running by the beginning of October. The first two nights of our stay will be at AoA so I'd love experience it without going out of our way to do so.

Thanks

 

[rteetz]

Sorry if mentioned before but how many guests fit in each Gondola? Are the seats similar to the monorail (benches) and standing room? Will you get a full view of outside even though it will enclosed?
How long did they say it will take to get from at AOA to one of the parks?

Hoping it is up and running by the beginning of October. The first two nights of our stay will be at AoA so I'd love experience it without going out of our way to do so.

Thanks

8-10 people. Benches will fold up for more space. Full view of outside. Images are on previous pages and on the first post.

 

[Tigger's ally]

The ride will exit through a gift drink shop

I may get shamed on here for this, but I always kind of lamented the need for a DRINK shop after getting off IASW. I usually have the patience of a vulture, but the song is ok at the beginning and so repetitive at the end....

 

[Q-man]

Production of the gondola cars themselves. It seems they will open the Skyliner as soon as Disney receives them (after install and testing).

Plus it is possible the installer put in the towers and cable earlier than needed to buy the steel before the tariffs kicked in.

 

[OSUZorba]

I know this has been cited as the reason on this thread but does anyone know what the original source for this theory was?

I think Martin "confirmed" it, but that was the heavy speculation since there appears to only be one or two on site.

My guess is the cable installation went quicker than required so the contractor could get a large milestone payment earlier.