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

[TheMaxRebo]

You didn’t go to Lehigh University, by any chance?

One of my kids has been asking to stay at AOA for the longest time. The skyliner might actually make that happen.

I did go to Lehigh! Graduated in 2000 with a degree in Computer Engineering. Met my wife there who got a degree in Chemical Engineering

Still very active in the alumni group if you have any questions or anything

 

[karly05]

Ok, so I've been watching the Day 1 (?) Skyliner videos, and I have a stupid question...
Do they not play a message when it temporarily stops?

I saw one where it slowed to a stop, paused for a full minute, and re-started, all with no audio.
Now, yes, I understand that the stop and start is really smooth, but something like "Hey, this is a temporary stop" would be OK.
Ya know, just like when the Ghosts are causing problems at the HM?

I have been watching videos like mad! So excited!!!!

I've seen at least a couple where there was an unexpected stop in midair, and the voice did come on with the expected message (temporary stop, please remain seated, will resume shortly).

BUT I saw one coming in to Pop/AOA where NONE of the usual messages were playing. (Line didn't stop, but no "we're approaching Pop Century" etc.) Presumably malfunction.

 

[tarak]

I did go to Lehigh! Graduated in 2000 with a degree in Computer Engineering. Met my wife there who got a degree in Chemical Engineering

Still very active in the alumni group if you have any questions or anything

LOL, my husband is a Lehigh grad. 1994, I think, in mechanical engineering.

 

[scrappinginontario]

My CM daughter just Facetime'd me as she was riding the Gondola. I think I may have been more excited than her.

Was she on when it was dark? Is there any lighting when it’s dark?

Just curious.

I would like it to be dark to see out at night but would also appreciate even a little lighting when riding with other guests for 11+ minutes but I guess not totally different from buses.

 

[PolyRob]

These videos are getting me pretty excited, but WHAT is that pronunciation of "Caribbean" Beach on board?! Ker-ribbean?

 

[jade1]

Riding the monorail tonight got me wondering on the views. Are they less intrusive on the skyliners?

 

[PolyRob]

Riding the monorail tonight got me wondering on the views. Are they less intrusive on the skyliners?
View attachment 438495

From the videos it seems the mesh covers a majority of the cabin, but the design doesn't come through as much.

 

[vacationer1954]

The man wins the best attitude award

This cannot be overstated.

 

[vacationer1954]

From the videos it seems the mesh covers a majority of the cabin, but the design doesn't come through as much.

It is hard to translate what we're seeing on a video to what it'll seem like in person. What we know is that for the gondolas that have designs, you can barely see the design from inside, and clearly the mesh affects the ability to see "out" in some way (though almost surely less significantly through human eyes than through a camera lens). People were concerned about guests clamoring over getting the gondola featuring their favorite Disney character; I think it is more likely that guests will be clamoring over getting the plain gondolas.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Rob finally got to ride the Skyliner. So happy for him. A little SNAFU when he was in line. The man wins the best attitude award

He should have been the first to ride. He has given the skyliner so much free publicity with his constant progress updates since construction began. I agree on the best attitude award.

 

[FCDub]

It is hard to translate what we're seeing on a video to what it'll seem like in person. What we know is that for the gondolas that have designs, you can barely see the design from inside, and clearly the mesh affects the ability to see "out" in some way (though almost surely less significantly through human eyes than through a camera lens). People were concerned about guests clamoring over getting the gondola featuring their favorite Disney character; I think it is more likely that guests will be clamoring over getting the plain gondolas.

Most people will not care because they’re just trying to get from point A to point B

 

[STLstone]

With the pending opening of the Skyliner, I assume this thread will soon either be moved or closed. This will be bittersweet for me because I'll be happy the Skyliner is open, but this thread has been my favorite of the last couple years.

So, before it's gone, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that contributed info, asked questions (even the repetitive ones) and also participated in the discussions/arguing. And a big thanks to @rteetz for keeping us on track!

 

[Tigger's ally]

so unrelated to this thread, but Disney related and I think a fun story ....

When I was in college the mascot for our University was The Engineers. One spring break a group of us came down to Florida and one stop was at Pleasure Island and specifically for the Adventurer's Club. One of the CMs working there I guess knew that was our mascot and when she found out where we were from she kept yelling to other CMs - "watch out, or they will come at you with their slide rules!!!'


I miss the Adventurer's Club

Rose-Hulman by chance?

Never mind, see the Lehigh convo now.

 

[PolyRob]

It is hard to translate what we're seeing on a video to what it'll seem like in person. What we know is that for the gondolas that have designs, you can barely see the design from inside, and clearly the mesh affects the ability to see "out" in some way (though almost surely less significantly through human eyes than through a camera lens). People were concerned about guests clamoring over getting the gondola featuring their favorite Disney character; I think it is more likely that guests will be clamoring over getting the plain gondolas.

I was going based off of what the riders stated in some of the videos. In the 2-hour live-stream a few pages back, Cory mentioned he was in the Peter Pan cabin and couldn't see the design until he really tried to make out the shapes and saw Wendy whereas when transferring to an unwrapped cabin he had an unobstructed views and saw things he had never seen before. I know from personal experience that the design of the temporary monorail wraps come through day and night.

 

[HeiHei2018]

It is hard to translate what we're seeing on a video to what it'll seem like in person. What we know is that for the gondolas that have designs, you can barely see the design from inside, and clearly the mesh affects the ability to see "out" in some way (though almost surely less significantly through human eyes than through a camera lens). People were concerned about guests clamoring over getting the gondola featuring their favorite Disney character; I think it is more likely that guests will be clamoring over getting the plain gondolas.

I know from riding wrapped (non-Disney) buses that those wraps make my motion sickness way worse. I'm fine if I can look out the window and watch the scenery go by, but the wraps with their little holes to let in light screw with my brain. I am unusually sensitive, so most people probably won't notice. I look forward to first-hand reports from others with variations of motion sickness.

 

[jade1]

From the videos it seems the mesh covers a majority of the cabin, but the design doesn't come through as much.

I see, it probably reduces sun/heat a bit as well.

But kinda hated it last night on the monorail, so hoping it's a better design or as mentioned get an occasional cabin without. And agree getting A to B is the main point.

Plus if there's been no complaints it must not be bad.

 

[thegales]

Was she on when it was dark? Is there any lighting when it’s dark?

Just curious.

I would like it to be dark to see out at night but would also appreciate even a little lighting when riding with other guests for 11+ minutes but I guess not totally different from buses.

It was dusk, so no interior lights at that point. When she rode later, she said there was lighting under the seats or around the bottom of the Gondola. She also said when riding in a wrapped Gondola at night, it was difficult to see things outside of the Gondola.

Another interesting thing about whether there would be lines. All CM's had to start at DHS. So that is where the majority were finishing riding as well. As it got closer to 9:30 pm, when it was going to stop running, everyone was trying to get on the DHS line (at Caribbean Beach?). At that station, a line to get on the Gondola formed, but it kept moving. For that last ride, 10 people were put on their Gondola. So I could imagine at the end of a normal evening at DHS or Epcot, a line would probably form for the Gondola's, but it would keep moving, and you would probably ride with folks you did not know.

She thought the entire experience was great.

 

[firefly_ris]

Was she on when it was dark? Is there any lighting when it’s dark?

Just curious.

I would like it to be dark to see out at night but would also appreciate even a little lighting when riding with other guests for 11+ minutes but I guess not totally different from buses.

There are lights underneath the bench seats.

 

[jade1]

 

[wareagle57]

Riding the monorail tonight got me wondering on the views. Are they less intrusive on the skyliners?
View attachment 438495

You can't see the characters this much from inside the gondola, but I also couldn't take picture at all. The little dots overtook being able to see anything. You can see ok through them with your eyes though. And pictures might turn up a little better if you were taking them from the other side of the cabin instead of right up against it like I was.