Is the Skyliner making you consider any resort you normally wouldn't stay at?

[Moliphino]

For me, the gondolas are making us stay away from those resorts in the summer. We’re here now and it’s hot. If I put my kids in a non-running van with tinted windows which are vented, i go to jail. At Disney, it’s celebrated. No way my kids will ever get in those at these temps.

The gondolas are moving, so there's airflow through the vents. Not really the same thing.

We usually stay at Pop, anyway, so this hasn't changed anything for us. I am excited to try them out, though. Being able to use the IG entrance at Epcot is a welcome change.

 

[maxsmom]

We do consider transportation. The Polynesian is our favorite (or mine) followed closely by the Contemporary. Walking to Magic Kingdom is what draws us there. Then there are the monorails and boats. We like the Yacht Club (haven't stayed at the others around there) b/c you can walk to EPCOT. However, the gondolas will have no affect on our resort decision. We may change our minds once we give them a try but as of now they are really a non factor for us. Oh, we also love the POP but only for a night or 2. We love the resort, it's just much harder to sleep there. You hear all of your neighbors. This is the main reason we don't stay there for our entire vacation, usually only a night or two. The gondolas, at this point, won't change that.

 

[Minnie1222]

No, I will continue to stay at my usual resorts (most likely YC or GF).
What I will definitely do is to ride the gondola to the end of each line and back.

 

[tguz]

This will be our second year (third overall) in a row staying at Pop. I was hoping it would be open this month for our vacation (7/28 - 8/3) but my Gondola hopes are fading fast as time is running out. Our next trip after this will be 2021 but I think POR.

 

[Kickstart]

It's logic. All outdoor rides and pools are closed during thunderstorms and/or if lightning is spotted anywhere within a certain radius, even if there is no rain. The same is true for the friendship boats on Crescent Lake. No way would they keep people up in the gondolas while there is lightning around. And there is lightning on an almost daily basis throughout the summer.

It might not be as bad as you think. It's a tried and true technology used in many mountainous regions. They can handle pretty strong winds and I believe you can significantly mitigate the lightening hazard.

Looking at some of the pictures of the Skyliner towers, it appears they have two "earth wires" running on top (directly over the two cable). I believe this is for lightening protection. Now, if Disney shuts down the gondolas during a lighting storm out of an abundance of caution, that's another thing.

It will be interesting to see. My guess is they'll be more reliable than the boats.

 

[Devil13]

Sure - Never stayed there and this is a reason to give it a shot.