Disney Skyliner Refurb 2025

[jesserina]

Not to mention our points go into holding at the 30 day mark if we cancel. I’m rapidly coming to the point where I need to make a decision, as we’ll be 31 days out on 12/16. We want it to be at Riviera with the convenience of the Skyliner for our plans, especially as it’ll cost us fewer points than our alternative at Polynesian.

Im honestly thinking there is no way the refurb is happening in mid-late January as in past years. They must be switching it up. They announce all closures MONTHS, sometimes over a YEAR in advance. This is very uncharacteristic. Very interested to see if/when it actually happens in 2025. I would bet money right now that it’s not in January.

 

[Lorana]

Im honestly thinking there is no way the refurb is happening in mid-late January as in past years. They must be switching it up. They announce all closures MONTHS, sometimes over a YEAR in advance. This is very uncharacteristic. Very interested to see if/when it actually happens in 2025. I would bet money right now that it’s not in January.

I sort of wish they would make an announcement that it is NOT happening in January, if it is in fact not happening, just so we can stop worrying that there might be a last minute announcement.

 

[dvczerfs]

Disney Dave, are you saying that Disney doesn’t plan a major maintenance disruption like the Skyliner refurb more than 30 days out? That’s either gross incompetence or, like the PP said, a conspiracy to lock guests into a reservation they would otherwise change/cancel. Neither is a good look. These dates should be posted 11+ months prior every year so that those of us in DVC can plan around them also. Forget the resort reservations, you’re talking airline, car service, pet boarding, and everything else that needs to be changed when you change dates or locations.

Disney has zero to do with the Skyliner Maintenance. The only thing they have to do as far as maintenance is supply an alternate form of guest transportation and the deployment of cms. Doppelmayr designed, built and does all work on the system, Down to painting the yellow and white lines on the platforms.
Disney cms only touch a few buttons on the entire system while it’s in guest operation mode. If Dopl. said tonight at 2:30 am, the IG line is going down till further notice, the line will be down till further notice. Disney is also responsible for security, that’s it. If Dopl. says I need two weeks in March, it goes down for two weeks in March.
The reason why there is no announcement, it could be anything from personnel to parts availability. When there is a hurricane threat to the area, they bring in personnel from other locations to assist. Ever wondered how they can take over 300 cabins off three lines over night and put them back again overnight? The people who climb those towers, even during operating hours aren’t Disney cms. Disney cms are not even allowed in the pit, where the cabins are in the station. If Walt himself would walk up and say, I want to go into the pit, he wouldn’t be allowed in. Disney cms are not allowed on the top of the stations, the system and its machinery are proprietary.
You drop your cell phone in the pit, a Dopl employee has to get it at night when the system is not operating. Even during operating hours, there is a strict procedure that has to be followed for that employee and cm to follow.
There is a Dopl employee in every station at all times.
As far as DVC, which I’ve been a member for 25 years, the SL is not guaranteed transportation. There is no guarantee it will operate at any given time.

 

[jesserina]

I sort of wish they would make an announcement that it is NOT happening in January, if it is in fact not happening, just so we can stop worrying that there might be a last minute announcement.

AGREE!

 

[SL6827]

Im honestly thinking there is no way the refurb is happening in mid-late January as in past years. They must be switching it up. They announce all closures MONTHS, sometimes over a YEAR in advance. This is very uncharacteristic. Very interested to see if/when it actually happens in 2025. I would bet money right now that it’s not in January.

You could be exactly right!

 

[OKW Lover]

Disney has zero to do with the Skyliner Maintenance. The only thing they have to do as far as maintenance is supply an alternate form of guest transportation and the deployment of cms. Doppelmayr designed, built and does all work on the system, Down to painting the yellow and white lines on the platforms.
Disney cms only touch a few buttons on the entire system while it’s in guest operation mode. If Dopl. said tonight at 2:30 am, the IG line is going down till further notice, the line will be down till further notice. Disney is also responsible for security, that’s it. If Dopl. says I need two weeks in March, it goes down for two weeks in March.
The reason why there is no announcement, it could be anything from personnel to parts availability. When there is a hurricane threat to the area, they bring in personnel from other locations to assist. Ever wondered how they can take over 300 cabins off three lines over night and put them back again overnight? The people who climb those towers, even during operating hours aren’t Disney cms. Disney cms are not even allowed in the pit, where the cabins are in the station. If Walt himself would walk up and say, I want to go into the pit, he wouldn’t be allowed in. Disney cms are not allowed on the top of the stations, the system and its machinery are proprietary.
You drop your cell phone in the pit, a Dopl employee has to get it at night when the system is not operating. Even during operating hours, there is a strict procedure that has to be followed for that employee and cm to follow.
There is a Dopl employee in every station at all times.
As far as DVC, which I’ve been a member for 25 years, the SL is not guaranteed transportation. There is no guarantee it will operate at any given time.

Thanks for the great background information. It seems that we (the general public) know very little about the extent of involvement by Dopplemyer.

Have we seen any signs of replacement parts, or other refurbishment supplies arriving in preparation for maintenance work?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Shocked this was needed on a Skyliner refurb thread of all places… but some posts above have been removed with warnings given. Conversations and debates on a topic are absolutely fine - references to individual posters in a direct or implied negative, judgmental, or attacking way are not.

A snippet from our guidelines….

4. FIGHTING / SARCASM / ATTACKS​

While we'd like to think that a Disney fan site is always lighthearted, there are times when there are disagreements. Let's face it, there are certain topics that can transform any of us into a raging "Donald Duck." When you sense this is happening, we ask that you step away from the discussion before it escalates into a fight. Just like Mom always said about fighting, we don't care who started the argument and we don't want it on the DIS. (Okay, she didn't say the part about the DIS, but you know what we mean.) No attacking others and no sarcasm please. Either will result in an infraction


Thank you.

 

[focusondisney]

Disney has zero to do with the Skyliner Maintenance. The only thing they have to do as far as maintenance is supply an alternate form of guest transportation and the deployment of cms. Doppelmayr designed, built and does all work on the system, Down to painting the yellow and white lines on the platforms.
Disney cms only touch a few buttons on the entire system while it’s in guest operation mode. If Dopl. said tonight at 2:30 am, the IG line is going down till further notice, the line will be down till further notice. Disney is also responsible for security, that’s it. If Dopl. says I need two weeks in March, it goes down for two weeks in March.
The reason why there is no announcement, it could be anything from personnel to parts availability. When there is a hurricane threat to the area, they bring in personnel from other locations to assist. Ever wondered how they can take over 300 cabins off three lines over night and put them back again overnight? The people who climb those towers, even during operating hours aren’t Disney cms. Disney cms are not even allowed in the pit, where the cabins are in the station. If Walt himself would walk up and say, I want to go into the pit, he wouldn’t be allowed in. Disney cms are not allowed on the top of the stations, the system and its machinery are proprietary.
You drop your cell phone in the pit, a Dopl employee has to get it at night when the system is not operating. Even during operating hours, there is a strict procedure that has to be followed for that employee and cm to follow.
There is a Dopl employee in every station at all times.
As far as DVC, which I’ve been a member for 25 years, the SL is not guaranteed transportation. There is no guarantee it will operate at any given time.

Thanks for the great information!

 

[dvczerfs]

Thanks for the great background information. It seems that we (the general public) know very little about the extent of involvement by Dopplemyer.

Have we seen any signs of replacement parts, or other refurbishment supplies arriving in preparation for maintenance work?

Not a problem. Im not in that department anymore, I transferred to a different line of business. Unlike attractions, say Spaceship Earth goes down for whatever reason, you will see Disney Main. working on the problem. Disney and their engineering departments operate and maintain their attractions.
SL is completely different.
Not all maintenance require a complete shutdown. Every night they are there working on something. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown till later in the year. All depends what needs to be done.
Usually, the shutdown periods, they complete the work and reopen before the end of the shutdown period.
My guess is, when and if they are going to do a complete shut down, they will announce the closure with warning, the same they do with pools, attractions and resorts.
I do understand the difference between emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance. My point was to who makes the decisions on that form of transportation.
I always try to remember, most people don’t realize the scope and what goes into making magic. It’s a huge city, I’m in awe everyday. The public sees a small fraction of what’s going on.
I still recall a guest asked me, do they have Mayo in packets or is it a pump at Columbia Harbor House. ( I don’t work in the MK or CHH) Now, to her, that is the most important question of the day. That is what she is concerned with and she has a very good question, for whatever her reason is. It’s maybe a, who cares to everyone else but she was concerned about that. I don’t have that answer and I don’t want to give you wrong info. , but I can direct you to someone who does know the answer.
It would be mass confusion if they were to announce every non shutdown thats not going to happen. Example, I know the pool at CB was closed last May for maintenance, but this year it will be open in May. Maintenance and repairs are not like shows and parades like schedules can be changed based on projected attendance.
Any signs of future maintenance, there is always parts and materials being ship in and out all year around, it’s impossible to get a read on that.

 

[jesserina]

I sort of wish they would make an announcement that it is NOT happening in January, if it is in fact not happening, just so we can stop worrying that there might be a last minute announcement.

AGREE!

Not a problem. Im not in that department anymore, I transferred to a different line of business. Unlike attractions, say Spaceship Earth goes down for whatever reason, you will see Disney Main. working on the problem. Disney and their engineering departments operate and maintain their attractions.
SL is completely different.
Not all maintenance require a complete shutdown. Every night they are there working on something. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown till later in the year. All depends what needs to be done.
Usually, the shutdown periods, they complete the work and reopen before the end of the shutdown period.
My guess is, when and if they are going to do a complete shut down, they will announce the closure with warning, the same they do with pools, attractions and resorts.
I do understand the difference between emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance. My point was to who makes the decisions on that form of transportation.
I always try to remember, most people don’t realize the scope and what goes into making magic. It’s a huge city, I’m in awe everyday. The public sees a small fraction of what’s going on.
I still recall a guest asked me, do they have Mayo in packets or is it a pump at Columbia Harbor House. ( I don’t work in the MK or CHH) Now, to her, that is the most important question of the day. That is what she is concerned with and she has a very good question, for whatever her reason is. It’s maybe a, who cares to everyone else but she was concerned about that. I don’t have that answer and I don’t want to give you wrong info. , but I can direct you to someone who does know the answer.
It would be mass confusion if they were to announce every non shutdown thats not going to happen. Example, I know the pool at CB was closed last May for maintenance, but this year it will be open in May. Maintenance and repairs are not like shows and parades like schedules can be changed based on projected attendance.
Any signs of future maintenance, there is always parts and materials being ship in and out all year around, it’s impossible to get a read on that.

This is truly fascinating! The skyliner is my ‘favorite ride’ at Disney and I loved learning some things about it!! How can a guest identity who is a Disney CM vs a Dopplmayr employee? I never even realized it.

 

[Princess2R]

The busses at Pop are ran like a machine. I was there last week and we did a lot of MK and AK days. I was shocked at the frequency and speed. One MK bus was pulling away and then another pulled right up. So I’m thinking if the skyliner is down, they will have a similar bus system in place for all parks!

That's the truth.

While I enjoy riding the skyliner, the buses are just so efficient !

 

[Princess2R]

I think it will still happen and we'll hear very last minute.

Highly unlikely to happen during busy spring break season and def not when it's hot or rainy with thunderstorms

 

[Princess2R]

Not a problem. Im not in that department anymore, I transferred to a different line of business. Unlike attractions, say Spaceship Earth goes down for whatever reason, you will see Disney Main. working on the problem. Disney and their engineering departments operate and maintain their attractions.
SL is completely different.
Not all maintenance require a complete shutdown. Every night they are there working on something. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown. It could be possible they don’t need a complete shutdown till later in the year. All depends what needs to be done.
Usually, the shutdown periods, they complete the work and reopen before the end of the shutdown period.
My guess is, when and if they are going to do a complete shut down, they will announce the closure with warning, the same they do with pools, attractions and resorts.
I do understand the difference between emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance. My point was to who makes the decisions on that form of transportation.
I always try to remember, most people don’t realize the scope and what goes into making magic. It’s a huge city, I’m in awe everyday. The public sees a small fraction of what’s going on.
I still recall a guest asked me, do they have Mayo in packets or is it a pump at Columbia Harbor House. ( I don’t work in the MK or CHH) Now, to her, that is the most important question of the day. That is what she is concerned with and she has a very good question, for whatever her reason is. It’s maybe a, who cares to everyone else but she was concerned about that. I don’t have that answer and I don’t want to give you wrong info. , but I can direct you to someone who does know the answer.
It would be mass confusion if they were to announce every non shutdown thats not going to happen. Example, I know the pool at CB was closed last May for maintenance, but this year it will be open in May. Maintenance and repairs are not like shows and parades like schedules can be changed based on projected attendance.
Any signs of future maintenance, there is always parts and materials being ship in and out all year around, it’s impossible to get a read on that.

Very interesting!

 

[SL6827]

I think it will still happen and we'll hear very last minute.

Highly unlikely to happen during busy spring break season and def not when it's hot or rainy with thunderstorms

If that's the case, then yes, they are trying to cut thier losses, but at the guest expense.

 

[FairyGodmother00]

I will be so disappointed if it's down during our trip because it's my DS and DIL's 1st trip to WDW along with their 4 year old. I know it's a ride in its own and their little guy would love it. I guess we will continue to wait and just have to go with whatever.

 

[SL6827]

If this turns out looking like it was just Disney trying to prevent cancellations during that third week, guest will soon not forget such announcement timing in the years to come. I'm going to give Disney the benefit of the doubt right now.

 

[jesserina]

If this turns out looking like it was just Disney trying to prevent cancellations during that third week, guest will soon not forget such announcement timing in the years to come. I'm going to give Disney the benefit of the doubt right now.

It would be extremely uncharacteristic! And I feel like getting a full crew from Doppelmayr on site with such short notice would be strange too!!

 

[EverAfter<3]

We are due to arrive at Pop on the 7th of Jan - surely if they were going to close the skyliner in Jan they would have announced it by now?

 

[gottalovepluto]

We are due to arrive at Pop on the 7th of Jan - surely if they were going to close the skyliner in Jan they would have announced it by now?

One would suspect but we here cannot guarantee that anymore than you can guarantee it.

Personally, at this point I’d gamble it will be running.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wondering if there is any reason people think Disney has to announce this. Couldn't they just close it down on a day of their choosing and direct people to alternate transportation?