It's A Bird,It's A Plane ...

[jsbowl16]

10 people?? Where did you get that number? These are supposed to be high capacity gondolas. Holding that few guests ata time is pointless. .

Exactly. It is pointless which is why at this point I am not worried about it being that much busier at IG especially in the mornings for rope drop. I am more worried about the look of it than it causing additional traffic at IG. If there are 100 people in line it could take 45-60 minutes just to get onto the Gondola. I see this as being more of an "attraction" than a viable mode of transportation.

 

[DLM1980]

Acording to the WDWinfo article "Little else is known about the gondolas, but it was reported that each cab will be able transport 10 guests at a time between the resorts and parks."

And really if it's a gondola there has to be a weight limit and 10 people seems about right. They can't have a gondola going that has 30-40 people. The size of it and infrastructure would be massive. Then the more people you have per gondola the longer it'll take to load and unload. And I'm imagining that when one gondola is loading/unloading, all other gondolas will be holding until clear and then move on. 10 people seems like a good number so it doesn't seem like it would be too long of a hold.

It's rumored to be a detachable gondola meaning several can load/unload at a time while the whole system is still moving. The gondola comes into the station and detaches from the main cable and moves to a slow moving platform like the Peoplemover station. Once reloaded it attaches back to the main cable and off you go

Unlike the old sky gliders where everything comes to a halt to unload/load a guest

 

[CAS239]

According to WDWNT this will be the route. So if I'm just using it to go between Epcot/HS, then it'll be MUCH faster to just walk. Get on at Epcot, ride to the next station, transfer cars or wait until people get off that are wanting to travel to resorts, then travel to HS. Seems like it would be a 30-45 min process.

So if this is how the final Gondola system is done, we'll probably use it one time just to check it out, then after that either just walk or drive to the other park, or express bus.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I really just don't understand why.

 

[CAS239]

It's rumored to be a detachable gondola meaning several can load/unload at a time while the whole system is still moving. The gondola comes into the station and detaches from the main cable and moves to a slow moving platform like the Peoplemover station. Once reloaded it attaches back to the main cable and off you go

Unlike the old sky gliders where everything comes to a halt to unload/load a guest

That sounds better but at the same time it doesn't. With that I can imagine even more backups..and then what happens if there's a malfunction and the cab doesn't connect back to the main line. I'm interested in seeing the final form pics of it as they'll have to have a system where it allows enough time for everyone to get off and then get on in the same time not creating too many hold ups. Unless they only have a few gondolas so when one is at the station then another one is a pretty decent distance away so the one gondola has plenty of time at the station

 

[DaisyJ]

Looking at the picture above of the route and all the places you'll have to transfer, it is really nothing but a time suck.

 

[jsbowl16]

That sounds better but at the same time it doesn't. With that I can imagine even more backups..and then what happens if there's a malfunction and the cab doesn't connect back to the main line. I'm interested in seeing the final form pics of it as they'll have to have a system where it allows enough time for everyone to get off and then get on in the same time not creating too many hold ups. Unless they only have a few gondolas so when one is at the station then another one is a pretty decent distance away so the one gondola has plenty of time at the station

I don't think this is going to help transport guests any faster. You still probably need to have a certain distance between the gondolas. This loading systems will basically put people in air conditioning sitting still versus standing in line but it wont make the trip any faster.

 

[BrianL]

Sounds cool to me. It may not be the most logical choice, but I think it'll be fun to ride in, and, hey, it picks up at Pop/AoA? Nice!

 

[HopperFan]

I prefer to look at this as a glass half full...Disney providing a much needed infrastructure improvement before some of these projects are completed. For at least the first year, if not 2, SWL will be a MASSIVE draw and HS needs the additional transportation and lodging options to get people in and out more efficiently. As someone who experienced the crush of people at SWW multiple times, I welcome this addition. Also, there has already been mention of improvements to be made at Epcot, but again, additional infrastructure will be necessary to get people in and out once those improvements start drawing more.

Completely disagree with this solution. This a huge price tag that will serve few, even fewer if this thing is shut down every time there is a storm, lightning etc .... in Florida. DHS needs a new entrance, which it is getting, new bus stop arrangement, assume that is also coming and bottom line .... DHS is going to have to manage it's potential crowds with gate limits. No gondola is going to change DHS crowd management problems.

I have experienced SWW multiple times .............. crowded yes, crush of people, no, not once. Actually other than celebrity meeting structure, I was quite impressed with it all. Will SWL be crowded, yes and honestly they might have to regulate entry into that land within the park because right now there will be nothing new to come with it for "adults" who are not interested in a couple kiddie rides. Indiana Jones, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast ..... DECADES old with no change, Fantasmic .... old & worn ..... Great Movie Ride (rumors but replacement sounds meh) ....... the WHOLE park needs refreshing to be of interest across the board to these crowds. Rather than spend millions to build and maintain an attraction outside the park (which is not cash generating) how about spend the money IN the parks so that those who come have interest in spreading themselves throughout the park.

Mention of improvements at Epcot .............. throwing out vague uncommitted comments means absolutely nothing. All the imagineering that happens here on the boards in rumors means nothing. Disney announcing a commitment with hard copy plans of fixing that mess in Future World among other areas that we can hold on to ............. instead of diverting millions on millions that's costs won't go away - on a sky bucket ride for a couple resorts ............ would be welcome news instead of disappointing.

Poor Caribbean Beach, if that will remain it's theme and name with sky buckets flying above .... poor folks heavily invested in Boardwalk, hoping for some relaxing moments at the pool only to have their sky taken away ...... POP Century, well we can guess their rates are going to shoot up there between that and their new room demographic .... unless they will be banned from getting on and it's only for AoA. They could build a wall at the end of the bridge and the POP folks can just peer over and watch. But more likely the rumor that POP will be more in the moderate price range after it's renovation if this is built ... just moved lots of folks to Allstars. Regardless, any resort that will have a cable stop can expect big jumps in the cost of their room ... they will try to pay for this somehow. Can't imagine the new price of an AoA suite with it's own ride attached.

And by many responses, my opinion and am sure many who now avoid the monorail for fear of stopping ........ if the buses don't continue from those resorts there will be many guests driving to those parks. But likely they will have to continue buses because at 10 per car ... it won't be able to meet the demand, particularly at all the peak hours. It will also likely take much longer by time you wait in line and slowly cruise to the final destination which may include getting off and switching to another based on proposed route. If they don't offer buses, cars will be rolling, uber will be called.

This is not to help with infrastructure or transportation needs any more than the cute boats they offer at MK to backup the monorail. This is purely a PR move, look what we have that you don't have (we have heard rumors of Universal transport options to new land), come to Disney and ride in the sky from your resort ... it's a very expensive commercial.

WHY? - publicity ... and the first time they have to evac it .... they'll have lots of publicity.

 

[Jennasis]

Acording to the WDWinfo article "Little else is known about the gondolas, but it was reported that each cab will be able transport 10 guests at a time between the resorts and parks."

And really if it's a gondola there has to be a weight limit and 10 people seems about right. They can't have a gondola going that has 30-40 people. The size of it and infrastructure would be massive. Then the more people you have per gondola the longer it'll take to load and unload. And I'm imagining that when one gondola is loading/unloading, all other gondolas will be holding until clear and then move on. 10 people seems like a good number so it doesn't seem like it would be too long of a hold.

There is a ski gondola in Whistler that holds 28. They better do something like this at Disney or why bother??

 

[CAS239]

Id personally much rather see them improve the boats rather than a gondola. I really don't see why they didn't go this route as it's more of a no brainer, cheaper, and can transport more people. Doesn't help the resorts that aren't connected by water, but it's an improvement I'd really like to see.

Build more docks so you have boats going directly inbetween Epcot and HS & boats going directly from resorts to parks & vice versa. Also greatly improve the boats. Why they have nearly fully enclosed boats without air conditioning in this Florida heat is mind boggling. We took the boats one time and it was during the summer which I didn't realize at the time how big of a mistake it would be. Inside the boat was 10x hotter than just walking inbetween the parks and then add in all the stops you have to make. That was a one and done.

Universal boats are 100 times better. They're business rivals but Disney needs to take a page out of their book. Universal has open boats so you get plenty of wind and they have multiple docks so you have direct access to where you want to go.

I know plenty enjoy taking the boats..But until they either open up the boats or provide A/C, and make direct lines, we'll continue to just walk inbetween HS/Epcot or drive

 

[JoAnnPan]

I will happily wave from the street below

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I have no interest in riding in one of these. Rode in one in Gatlinburg once-I was terrified the whole time that it was going to fall. We were also packed in like sardines. I know these are only suppose to hold 10 people at a time so they are smaller, that doesn't sound like it will help that much with transportation.

How often are they going to have to close down operation because there is lightening and storms in the area?

I know there are far greater minds at Disney than mine, but I don't get this at all. I'm in agreement with others in that I'd much prefer Epcot and FW get updated.

 

[Jennasis]

Despite my bellyaching about these, this is once again another move by Disney that has no impact on me (or maybe the word relevance is more appropriate?). We have our own car on our trips and typically drive everywhere but MK. I don't really see us even using the gondolas. As DVC owners we typically stay at our home resort of BLT.

 

[Micca]

A couple of things come to mind about the complaints here:
1) With regard to Epcot & Tomorrowland updates being a higher priority, do we know for sure it's one instead of the other?
2) Re the small capacity of the gondolas: Disney has been moving masses of people on their properties for decades. Do they not have any credibility that they might know something about doing it efficiently?
3) Tagging on to item #2--they probably have considered the safety aspects and are comfortable with moving forward.
4) For those commenting that it just doesn't make any sense, again I would give Disney some credit for planning. It's possible they have some things in the works we don't know about yet and that we're only getting a piece of the puzzle for now.

I don't think WDC is infallible but I'm going to cut them some slack until the picture comes more into focus.

 

[mom2rtk]

I really don't have an opinion until I have the answer to 3 questions:

1) will the cars have A/C?
2) will bus service still be readily available (as in without longer than previous waits) from the gondola resorts to the gondola parks?
3) what will this do to the price of the gondola resorts (including our favorite "go to" value resort Pop Century?

Those 3 issues will make or break it for me.

 

[CAS239]

I really don't have an opinion until I have the answer to 3 questions:

1) will the cars have A/C?
2) will bus service still be readily available (as in without longer than previous waits) from the gondola resorts to the gondola parks?
3) what will this do to the price of the gondola resorts (including our favorite "go to" value resort Pop Century?

Those 3 issues will make or break it for me.

I'd be willing to say

1.) Absolutely
2.) Of course bus system will still be available and I doubt it increases their already decent waits. However with some hotels expanding they'll likely permanently bring in more buses
3.) I could easily see the gondola resorts going up by $20 a night. Which is unfortunate because the value resorts are already over priced

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd be willing to say

1.) Absolutely
2.) Of course bus system will still be available and I doubt it increases their already decent waits. However with some hotels expanding they'll likely permanently bring in more buses
3.) I could easily see the gondola resorts going up by $20 a night. Which is unfortunate because the value resorts are already over priced

I agree with you on the first 2. But there are some absolutely insisting those things will not be the case.

 

[safroim]

I really just don't understand why.

It's a pretty specific route only servicing CBR and POP and EP and HS. My guess is Disney has identified transportation issues to and from those two resorts to and from EP and HS. Maybe they don't want to jam up the roads with more buses. Seems like a pretty unique solution and for all we know a lot of the infrastructure is in p,ace so it might not be that expensive of a project.

 

[Farro]

I think it may look kind of cool actually. If they do it right, can be sort of a throwback to a World's Fair or something...

Seems very "vacationy"