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

[Mikey15]

It is not clear exactly how this will work yet. It probably won't be a as long a walk as it is for the TTC transfer.

Agreed. While we haven’t seen fully inside the CBR station yet, the view from across the pond shows the gondolas come down to, slightly more than, ground-level. Appears to be only a slight ramp or incline from the sidewalk in front of the station.

The fact that the three loops terminate at the station means there’s no going down a level to cross under to another line or anything like that. While we don’t exactly know how cast members will route the foot traffic, you’re basically talking two intersections inside the station, but with everything on the same level. Exiting and reentering the station (like you effectively have to do at TTC monorail transfer) doesn’t seem like it would be necessary.

 

[Spaceguy55]

If all the lines run counter clockwise then the transfers from POP to Epcot will be easy since you would just get off and walk a little bit and load on the same side. Same returning. Anything else is still up in the air

 

[buzznina]

It is not clear exactly how this will work yet. It probably won't be a as long a walk as it is for the TTC transfer.

I hope not because we have found the longest trip (on average) bus, boat or monorail has always been GF to/from Epcot. We will find out for ourselves in November.

 

[joelkfla]

If all the lines run counter clockwise then the transfers from POP to Epcot will be easy since you would just get off and walk a little bit and load on the same side. Same returning. Anything else is still up in the air

The Epcot line runs clockwise; the other 2 run counterclockwise.

That might be so that the queue for Epcot can be on the inside of the CBR station.

 

[karly05]

It is not clear exactly how this will work yet. It probably won't be a as long a walk as it is for the TTC transfer.

I have no idea if this is even logical, but my imagination is picturing something like 3 airport gates all feeding into a shared concourse. Arrive at Gate 1 (Pop), walk across the concourse/central lobby area and board at Gate 3 (Epcot).

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Follow up question Getting off at CBR and back on, is it like taking the monorail from GF to Epcot where you have to get off walk down and over to get in the line for the Epcot monorail?

You will have to walk from one line to the other but it should be aligned to be rather flat so not the same type of up and down as the monorail

I have no idea if this is even logical, but my imagination is picturing something like 3 airport gates all feeding into a shared concourse. Arrive at Gate 1 (Pop), walk across the concourse/central lobby area and board at Gate 3 (Epcot).

Pretty much, though will be dedicated entry and exit lines for each "gate"

 

[atkinstogram]

Thought it was interesting, a potential $60M/year increase in room rates:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1144706585807261696

How does that compare to the total cost of the Skyliner...?

 

[The Pho]

How does that compare to the total cost of the Skyliner...?

The reports are the Gondola cost up to $300 million.

Edit: just to add that Martin has stated at least $230 million.

 

[hertamaniac]

So does this mean the estimated break even point is ~ 5 years? I do wonder what the life expectancy is and service costs will be.

 

[The Pho]

So does this mean the estimated break even point is ~ 5 years? I do wonder what the life expectancy is and service costs will be.

Maintenance isn’t a huge expense usually for these (at least compared to Disney’s price), but Disney also spent significantly more than Ski Resorts do. Big Sky’s Ramcharger D Line supposedly cost about $8-12 Million, I’m not certain of that exact cost but their Powderseeker lift did cost $6.5 million.

Life expectancy is generally seen as 25-30 years, where maintenance costs start to outprice replacing the system. However there are over 100 lifts out there that were installed over 50 years ago. And incidents with chairs of any age are exceedingly rare. So with proper care, this system could be around for the 100th anniversary in 2071.

 

[hertamaniac]

Maintenance isn’t a huge expense usually for these (at least compared to Disney’s price), but Disney also spent significantly more than Ski Resorts do. Big Sky’s Ramcharger D Line supposedly cost about $8-12 Million, I’m not certain of that exact cost but their Powderseeker lift did cost $6.5 million.

Life expectancy is generally seen as 25-30 years, where maintenance costs start to outprice replacing the system. However there are over 100 lifts out there that were installed over 50 years ago. And incidents with chairs of any age are exceedingly rare. So with proper care, this system could be around for the 100th anniversary in 2071.

Given these estimates, I would say that Disney has offered an extremely cost effective, solid throughput transportation system for the resort guests. I could easily see them expanding this mode of transportation in the future.

 

[atkinstogram]

This is why I love these forums. You guys just know so much about the ins and outs of what's going on in the bubble..



The way I see it, if they make an extra $40-50m a year against an initial outlay of $230-300m, for a transportation system that adds so much energy to the area and gets people excited, as well as making them money after 5-8 years..... they'll be more than happy with it. Maybe enough to expand the network....

 

[Spaceguy55]

Rob has a video now from last night that shows a couple gondola's with internal lights...

 

[joelkfla]

Rob has a video now from last night that shows a couple gondola's with internal lights...

Here's a link to the point in the video where the internal lighting is first visible. He followed the 2 lit gondolas throughout the rest of the video.

 

[OSUZorba]

The reports are the Gondola cost up to $300 million.

Edit: just to add that Martin has stated at least $230 million.

I really wonder if Disney just over claims costs to help justify their prices. If they include a ton of burden on their cost estimates that others wouldn't include. Or if they really do massively over pay for everything.

I'm guessing it is a lot of the second one and also cost numbers always go up as they are verbally told to new people. I seen many times were the cost number you hear all the time at work are 3-5x the real number.

 

[rteetz]

I really wonder if Disney just over claims costs to help justify their prices. If they include a ton of burden on their cost estimates that others wouldn't include. Or if they really do massively over pay for everything.

I'm guessing it is a lot of the second one and also cost numbers always go up as they are verbally told to new people. I seen many times were the cost number you hear all the time at work are 3-5x the real number.

Disney doesn’t publicly release costs.

 

[OSUZorba]

Disney doesn’t publicly release costs.

I know, but "sources" always give a number, which always seems very high.

 

[rteetz]

I know, but "sources" always give a number, which always seems very high.

Disney does often overpay for things though...

 

[writerguyfl]

So does this mean the estimated break even point is ~ 5 years? I do wonder what the life expectancy is and service costs will be.

You'd also need to factor in the cost saving from not having to run all the buses. Of course, I have no idea what the cost of running a bus is for Disney. But, I'm certain Disney's bean counters calculated that amount into the overall cost of the gondolas.

 

[DanBoris]

You'd also need to factor in the cost saving from not having to run all the buses. Of course, I have no idea what the cost of running a bus is for Disney. But, I'm certain Disney's bean counters calculated that amount into the overall cost of the gondolas.

Yes, this is why the original plan was to completely eliminate buses on these routes, it was part of the cost justification for the system. It's sounding like buses will not be cut completely but they are likely to be scaled back.