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

[bryanb]

If scooters are allowed to be loaded on the gondola, I question how many "station backups" will occur. The scooter drivers have a hard time getting on and off the buses. I just can't see them boarding and unloading quickly enough to not cause a cable stoppage.

Not sure how they'd handle it if there are cabins that accommodate scooters/wheelcharis, but many new attraction designs now have additional ways to load guests who need more time. For example, they could have a separate area with a ramp where it is possible to pull a gondola off the line and park it for longer periods. If that's not good enough, there will have to be a balance between keeping the system running efficiently and how often it must stop for loading. Either way, hopefully the bus remains an option and this will just take pressure off the bus system.

 

[suemom2kay]

Nothing official, but estimates are that the trip should take no more the 15 minutes between any to end points (e.g Pop to park, or Epcot to DHS), depending on how long it takes to transfer at the CBR station.

Thank you.

I’m not gonna lie. I love the exclusive IG entry when I stay at the Epcot resorts. But I’m happy to also see some alternative transportation to the parks! I like that the gondolas won’t have to go through security as that is what tends to easily cause a backlog at the IG.

 

[DanBoris]

Thank you.

I’m not gonna lie. I love the exclusive IG entry when I stay at the Epcot resorts. But I’m happy to also see some alternative transportation to the parks! I like that the gondolas won’t have to go through security as that is what tends to easily cause a backlog at the IG.

It's still not clear if they are going to inside or outside the security check.

 

[AngiTN]

It's still not clear if they are going to inside or outside the security check.

Yep, just an assumption for now. I can't fathom no security checks before boarding but anything is possible

 

[kandb]

We stay at one of the hotels in the BW area every August, even the friendship boats get really hot sometimes and they are on the water. I cannot imagine being high in the air with no A/C. I wonder if they will have at least fans? I can't imagine if they get stopped in the sky for an extended amount of time (in case something malfunctions). People will roast.

 

[writerguyfl]

Thank you! You know a lot about gondolas lol.

Part of my doctoral dissertation involves mass transit. So, my knowledge comes from researching how gondolas and cable cars are used in urban environments.

I wish that I had as much confidence as you do that they'll leave the buses in place.
They don't have buses from Monorail resorts unless the monorail is down.
So logic would say they'll have no buses for gondola resorts unless the gondola is down.
Curious, what makes you think this will be different?

I sort of see the monorail as the exception, not the rule. There are other resorts that offer two modes of transportation. For example, Disney still provides buses at resorts that also offer boat transportation. I could be wrong, but I don't see buses getting completely eliminated from "gondola" resorts.

If scooters are allowed to be loaded on the gondola, I question how many "station backups" will occur. The scooter drivers have a hard time getting on and off the buses. I just can't see them boarding and unloading quickly enough to not cause a cable stoppage.

As DanBoris notes, each station will have two loading areas. One area will have gondolas that continue moving at a very slow pace. Most guests will board gondolas there. The other area has the ability to completely stop the gondola. Once stopped, the scooter can be driven at-grade onto the gondola. Unlike buses, there's no need to use ramps.

The best analogy is a combination of Toy Story Mania and an omni-mover like The Haunted Mansion. At Toy Story Mania, guests needing additional time have their own loading station. Imagine if that set-up was combined with a continuous loader like an omni-mover. Except, instead of having designed "accessible" vehicles, the operators can grab any gondola and move it to the non-moving loading zone. With large stations, the likelihood of backups causing the need to stop the line is low.

As both I and other posters have commented, none of this is new technology. Gondolas and other ropeway systems are a common form of transportation in other parts of the world. Doppelmayr's systems meet current accessibility standards in the European Union, the United States, and every other country in which they operate.

We stay at one of the hotels in the BW area every August, even the friendship boats get really hot sometimes and they are on the water. I cannot imagine being high in the air with no A/C. I wonder if they will have at least fans? I can't imagine if they get stopped in the sky for an extended amount of time (in case something malfunctions). People will roast.

Unlike the monorail, gondola systems have back-up systems that can be used to bring the cars into the next station.

 

[DanBoris]

We stay at one of the hotels in the BW area every August, even the friendship boats get really hot sometimes and they are on the water. I cannot imagine being high in the air with no A/C. I wonder if they will have at least fans? I can't imagine if they get stopped in the sky for an extended amount of time (in case something malfunctions). People will roast.

Currently available AC technology for these systems requires constant re-charging in the stations, so even if there were AC it likely wouldn't be to helpful in the case of an extended break down.

 

[seashoreCM]

It would be desirable if gondolas were "open cages with (transparent) adjustable rain shields" as opposed to "closed bubbles with adjustable vents."

It was almost in an earlier lifetime that I rode on some transit cars in San Francisco that originally had sealed picture windows but were all retrofitted with opening windows although not retrofitted with air conditioning. Is it possible that Disney might have an afterthought and do a wholesale retrofit of this kind on the gondola system?

 

[suemom2kay]

I sort of see the monorail as the exception, not the rule. There are other resorts that offer two modes of transportation. For example, Disney still provides buses at resorts that also offer boat transportation. I could be wrong, but I don't see buses getting completely eliminated from "gondola" resorts.

This is only partially true. Unless things have changed in the past couple of years, there is no bus to Epcot from Beach/Yacht/Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin. I wonder if they will keep the buses. From an efficiency perspective, seems like there would be no need for them. Maybe they would keep them for guests with fear of heights? It is certainly interesting to watch it unfold.

 

[joelkfla]

It would be desirable if gondolas were "open cages with (transparent) adjustable rain shields" as opposed to "closed bubbles with adjustable vents."

It was almost in an earlier lifetime that I rode on some transit cars in San Francisco that originally had sealed picture windows but were all retrofitted with opening windows although not retrofitted with air conditioning. Is it possible that Disney might have an afterthought and do a wholesale retrofit of this kind on the gondola system?

Considering the lack of decorum and consideration for others in 21st century society, I don't think Disney would want to give riders the opportunity to shower CBR and the DHS parking lot with thrown objects.

Based on the various concept art, I think at least some of the "vents" will be openable windows along the top of ends, but not openable far enough to put a hand through or to allow rainfall incursion.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It would be desirable if gondolas were "open cages with (transparent) adjustable rain shields" as opposed to "closed bubbles with adjustable vents."

It was almost in an earlier lifetime that I rode on some transit cars in San Francisco that originally had sealed picture windows but were all retrofitted with opening windows although not retrofitted with air conditioning. Is it possible that Disney might have an afterthought and do a wholesale retrofit of this kind on the gondola system?

Open cages(?) with adjustable rain shields would require CMs to adjust the rain shields every. single. time. it rains, and again every time the rain stops. On Every. Single. Car. Not gonna happen.

Open cars encourage throwing items, or even leaning/falling/jumping out. Not gonna happen.

There is absolutely ZERO reason or sensibikity to retrofit anything on a system currently being installed. The customer - Disney - would simply incorporate changes into the design at the most fiscally responsible point. Not gonna happen.

 

[AngiTN]

This is only partially true. Unless things have changed in the past couple of years, there is no bus to Epcot from Beach/Yacht/Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin. I wonder if they will keep the buses. From an efficiency perspective, seems like there would be no need for them. Maybe they would keep them for guests with fear of heights? It is certainly interesting to watch it unfold.

Right. MK resorts have both but I believe that's because they have small boats that can't take ECV, with only a few larger boats at WL/FW. And the boats do have to shut down at times, weather mostly. At least at Epcot area resorts you have an alternate already at your beckon call, if the weather shuts down the boats, your own 2 feet.

 

[Weedy]

Testing cabins in the station

 

[hsmamato2]

I confess I don't read up much on gondolas etc but I have two concerns....
1) LIGHTNING and storms (basically all the time in FL)
2) Heat within the bubble of the car combined with breakdowns(sorry but Disney track record of breakdowns with stuff is pretty bad)
I can't get my mind past either of these thoughts,and I don't know if I'll ever,ever want to try these things. (I mean, a breakdown on a ride or monorail means you just sit there.... on a gondola I can't imagine the misery of a prolonged time being stuck)

 

[DanBoris]

I confess I don't read up much on gondolas etc but I have two concerns....
1) LIGHTNING and storms (basically all the time in FL)
2) Heat within the bubble of the car combined with breakdowns(sorry but Disney track record of breakdowns with stuff is pretty bad)
I can't get my mind past either of these thoughts,and I don't know if I'll ever,ever want to try these things. (I mean, a breakdown on a ride or monorail means you just sit there.... on a gondola I can't imagine the misery of a prolonged time being stuck)

1. These systems can operate safely in lighting storms. The towers are grounded so you are pretty safe in the cars, it would really be no different then being in a monorail or regular car. With that said, Disney may choose not to run them during bad storms or when lighting is close by.

2. They will not have AC, but all indications are that they can be kept comfortable with just passive ventilation. The windows will be tinted to help but down on the heart from the sun, and in a lot of places the cars run lower then the tree tops which will also help with shade. Breakdowns should be rare with these. This system is being built by Doppelymyar, one of the top company's in the business, who has being installing these systems all over the world for decades. They also have multiple backup systems to keep the line running in the event of a failure. The drive station will have a generator that can be used to power the line in the event of a power failure. Some of these system even have a diesel engine connect directly to the driver system as a further backup.

 

[kandb]

This is only partially true. Unless things have changed in the past couple of years, there is no bus to Epcot from Beach/Yacht/Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin. I wonder if they will keep the buses. From an efficiency perspective, seems like there would be no need for them. Maybe they would keep them for guests with fear of heights? It is certainly interesting to watch it unfold.

Doubt they will keep the buses. For people who have a fear of heights, Disney will say to use the Minnie vans. More $$$ for Disney.

 

[bryanb]

Doubt they will keep the buses. For people who have a fear of heights, Disney will say to use the Minnie vans. More $$$ for Disney.

Just checking... do you have information on this or is it more of a guess? The reason I ask is that it's not so far-fetched that they would remove regular bus service. (For example, I believe the boats are the only way to get from Boardwalk area resorts to HS.)

 

[kandb]

Just checking... do you have information on this or is it more of a guess? The reason I ask is that it's not so far-fetched that they would remove regular bus service. (For example, I believe the boats are the only way to get from Boardwalk area resorts to HS.)

No, I don't but I just doubt they will run buses and gondola unless the gondolas are not operating. TBH, it's just my guess.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

No, I don't but I just doubt they will run buses and gondola unless the gondolas are not operating. TBH, it's just my guess.

From the rumors giant threat, the first page states that the gondolas can handle 3 bus loads of people in 5 minutes. With that kind of capacity, there would be no need for busses.

 

[DanBoris]

Just checking... do you have information on this or is it more of a guess? The reason I ask is that it's not so far-fetched that they would remove regular bus service. (For example, I believe the boats are the only way to get from Boardwalk area resorts to HS.)

People with inside knowledge of the project have said that the plan is to completely eliminate bus service between the gondola resorts and parks. Even if they back down on that idea, you can expect that the service will be cut back considerably. It doesn't make sense to spend all this money to build a new transportation system if you can't save money by cutting back on an existing system.