Gondolas...I just can’t figure this out

[joelkfla]

I'm not sure I like the idea of knowing they can come off the cable so easily... Add that to unairconditioned? NO THANK YOU! These sound like miserable nightmares.

They don't come off the cable easily. When they're on the cable, powerful springs hold the grip closed. There's a mechanism that mechanically opens the grip as the cabin enters the station. Another mechanism mechanically opens the doors at a certain point. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of these systems operating safely around the world.

 

[suemom2kay]

I'm not sure I like the idea of knowing they can come off the cable so easily... Add that to unairconditioned? NO THANK YOU! These sound like miserable nightmares.

Is the lack of a/c confirmed? That would be nuts!

 

[Dug720]

Is the lack of a/c confirmed? That would be nuts!

Everything I've seen has said no a/c.

 

[USCfan08]

Does anyone know if they will play music, like the busse or if they’ll have commentary, etc. like the monorail ride from Epcot to TTC.

I always enjoy the movie music on the ride to Hollywood Studios.

 

[Colleen27]

No a/c, really? Where is that info coming from? I have a really hard time imagining any form of mass transit in FL not having a/c! That would make for a miserable ride for a long stretch of the year, especially considering that the cars are basically glass boxes (aka greenhouses).

I assume, based on the design, that the security checkpoints will be prior to loading. Anything else seems reckless, considering how high profile Disney could be for an attack and the vantage point those cars will offer. And that should help with potential congestion at the IG. It will probably also help that these are a steady stream rather than a large vehicle dumping a huge number of people in one fell swoop.

 

[suemom2kay]

Everything I've seen has said no a/c.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I really hope so. I did see a video somewhere about wheelchair cabins but what about weight (power chair and person) Some can be 500LBS

Even figuring the average person weighs 140 (low, but it accounts for children), an eight passenger car would hold 1,200 pounds - so, the person using the ECV plus four more people.

 

[HopperFan]

Is the lack of a/c confirmed? That would be nuts!

Several reports ...

Doppelmayr, the company that is building the gondola system for WDW
confirmed that the gondolas will NOT offer air conditioning
while at the European IAAPA Convention.

(International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions)

 

[AngiTN]

Is the lack of a/c confirmed? That would be nuts!

Yes

No a/c, really? Where is that info coming from? I have a really hard time imagining any form of mass transit in FL not having a/c! That would make for a miserable ride for a long stretch of the year, especially considering that the cars are basically glass boxes (aka greenhouses).

I assume, based on the design, that the security checkpoints will be prior to loading. Anything else seems reckless, considering how high profile Disney could be for an attack and the vantage point those cars will offer. And that should help with potential congestion at the IG. It will probably also help that these are a steady stream rather than a large vehicle dumping a huge number of people in one fell swoop.

Tha manufacturer

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not sure I like the idea of knowing they can come off the cable so easily... Add that to unairconditioned? NO THANK YOU! These sound like miserable nightmares.

Keep in mind, these are not a new invention. This system is in use in a multitude of places. You aren't using something that isn't tried and true.

 

[Colleen27]

Several reports ...

Doppelmayr, the company that is building the gondola system for WDW
confirmed that the gondolas will NOT offer air conditioning
while at the European IAAPA Convention.

(International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions)

Tha manufacturer

Wow. Just wow. There goes all my excitement to see these things in action.

 

[AngiTN]

Wow. Just wow. There goes all my excitement to see these things in action.

It was known before that anyway. There's not really any way to put AC in them. It's not like you can install a window unit in each Gondola, or otherwise connect them to an airconditioning system. The power cables can't carry cool air.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Respectfully, a lot of these posts sound NIMBYish. Did Disney ever promise exclusive IG access to visitors at the five resorts?

They did not promise exclusive access but part of the appeal of Epcot deluxe resorts is entering at the IG instead of going through the zoo at the front gates. If IG starts feeling like the front gate, well it's a lot harder to justify the high prices at BW/YC/BC. It's not just the walking distance.

 

[epcotty]

I imagine it'll be like the old skyway

 

[writerguyfl]

Is the lack of a/c confirmed? That would be nuts!

Actually, not nuts at all. Although North Americans tend to associate gondolas with ski resorts, these systems are operated in 95 different countries across 6 continents. And, some of those countries are in sub-tropical climates similar to Florida. Gondolas with air conditioning are the exception, not the rule.

More about Dopplemayr (the manufacturer): https://www.doppelmayr.com/en/the-group/facts-and-figures/

The gondolas will have heat resistant wraps that will reflect sunlight. Additionally, slatted windows and constant motion will provide air flow.

The good news is that no one is going to force guests to use the system. Instead of hopping on a gondola at Epcot to return to your resort, you can take a bus from the main entrance. Just keep in mind that you may end up waiting outside (with zero air conditioning) at the bus stop for longer than the time you'd be riding in the un-air-conditioned gondola.

(Note: The status of buses from "gondola" resorts have not been officially announced. Some claim buses will cease; I firmly believe they will still run. Although, the frequency of buses will probably be reduced.)

 

[goofy4tink]

You'll still be able to pretty much roll out of bed and stroll over to your park of choice in 5-15 minutes. Visitors using the gondola, if i understand right, may well have to transfer if coming from Pop/AoA at least.

Not easily. No direct buses. Getting back is even harder.

And maybe this will reduce the number of unauthorized people parking there.

I've never seen the appeal of Boardwalk's nighttime 'entertainment' for non-resort guests. A magician? Not worth the time. Shopping? There is nothing at BW that can't be found elsewhere. BW really isn't all that different than most other deluxe resorts as far as entertainment goes. Sure, there's Jellyrolls, but in reality, how late are the gondolas going to run? And who wants to walk all the way back to the IG at 1am??

I doubt this system will prevent 'unauthorized' parking. It will mean a lot of transferring if using the gondola system. The allure of parking at BW seems to be 'watch the fireworks, stroll back to BW, grab an ice cream (maybe), hop into the car and drive away'. It's about convenience. When I was just there, last week, the number of cars in the guest parking lot was incredible over the weekends...Food and Wine time. It was hard to find a spot to park. However, during the week, much easier, lots of open spaces. Same thing late at night on the weekends.

I'm really not trying to be negative. But, if I'm paying a boatload of money to have direct access (boat, walking) from my resort to a park, I find it odd that there are going to be value resorts that will have similar capabilities. Hop on the gondola and go to DHS and Epcot. Will those resorts with gondola access now raise their room rates? A selling point of the Epcot resorts is the easy access to both parks....IG into Epcot, and walking to DHS. With the construction of the new platform at DHS, it's hard to see how our walk will be the same. It has to become more convoluted. Which means more will be taking the boats. So, will Disney put more boats on? I doubt it.

 

[Selket]

Will those resorts with gondola access now raise their room rates?

I think definitely yes they will raise the rates on those other resorts like PoP, CB, etc. with gondola access. It will be a selling point for the resorts for sure.

I don't know all the routes of the gondolas but I'd trade resort to park gondolas for park to park ones. I really miss that express bus that you could pay for that ran between parks - I'd like to be a able to park hop with the convenience of the gondola and without having to walk out of the park, catch the bus/boat, go through security again.

 

[suemom2kay]

Actually, not nuts at all. Although North Americans tend to associate gondolas with ski resorts, these systems are operated in 95 different countries across 6 continents. And, some of those countries are in sub-tropical climates similar to Florida. Gondolas with air conditioning are the exception, not the rule.

More about Dopplemayr (the manufacturer): https://www.doppelmayr.com/en/the-group/facts-and-figures/

The gondolas will have heat resistant wraps that will reflect sunlight. Additionally, slatted windows and constant motion will provide air flow.

The good news is that no one is going to force guests to use the system. Instead of hopping on a gondola at Epcot to return to your resort, you can take a bus from the main entrance. Just keep in mind that you may end up waiting outside (with zero air conditioning) at the bus stop for longer than the time you'd be riding in the un-air-conditioned gondola.

(Note: The status of buses from "gondola" resorts have not been officially announced. Some claim buses will cease; I firmly believe they will still run. Although, the frequency of buses will probably be reduced.)

Thank you! You know a lot about gondolas lol.

 

[suemom2kay]

Have they announced estimated times to get from the different resorts to the parks via gondola?

 

[goofy4tink]

I think definitely yes they will raise the rates on those other resorts like PoP, CB, etc. with gondola access. It will be a selling point for the resorts for sure.

I don't know all the routes of the gondolas but I'd trade resort to park gondolas for park to park ones. I really miss that express bus that you could pay for that ran between parks - I'd like to be a able to park hop with the convenience of the gondola and without having to walk out of the park, catch the bus/boat, go through security again.

Oh man, I miss those buses!!!!