Skyway?

[BlondeAlligator]

This might be a stupid question, but can someone please tell me why all of the Skyways were closed in all of the Disney parks? I've always wondered...

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

This is from a Disneytrivia page:

The WDW Skyway closed on November 10, 1999, joining its counterpart in Disneyland which closed on the exact same day in 1994. The Disneyland Tokyo Skyway closed in November 1998.

One of Walt Disney World's original attractions, the Skyway was a 5-minute long cable-car style ride that ran between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, passing over the Cinderella's Golden Carousel tent, and the Grand Prix Raceway. The ride was listed twice on park guide maps - it was listed as the Skyway to Tomorrowland from the Fantasyland terminal, and as the Skyway to Fantasyland from the Tomorrowland terminal. Guests boarded the Skyway from a loading area themed like a Swiss chalet in Fantasyland, and from an area west of Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. The ride was open year round until dusk, and closed temporarily during rain storms or high winds. The one-way ride required a "D-Ticket" and took an almost 90-degree turn as it passed near the Grand Prix Raceway. On November 10, 1999 , the Skyway closed for good, joining its Disneyland counterpart, which closed exactly five years earlier. The Skyway in Tokyo Disneyland closed in November, 1998.


So, why did it close? Well, despite rumors that it had closed for safety reasons after a guest fell from a ride car, the Skyway closed for more practical reasons. First, it was a very slow-loading and unprofitable attraction. Second, it was also extremely difficult to accommodate guests with disabilities, unless wheelchair-bound guests left their chair on the loading area and took a round-trip ride. However, reports that there was a death on the Skyway were in fact true, although it was not a guest who lost their life. In February of 1999, a part-time Cast Member, while not wearing any protective equipment or safety harness, was working in the loading area when he accidentally fell to his death

 

[Chuck S]

Best guess is a combiination of factors, including:

a) inefficient loading/unloading system (queue wait times)
b) upkeep and operating expenses
c) handicap access
d) insurance costs
e) guests on ride expectorating on guests below them

I do miss them, they were fun and provided a great view.