why stay at a skyliner resort ?

[snappy]

I have acrophobia as well. It became worse after I passed the 50 years of age mark. I wonder if barf bags will be offered?

 

[SgtTibbs]

I highly doubt Disney will start restricting bus service to force people to use the gondola -

I do expect they will reduce bus service but not to force people to use the Skylier but rather because most people will be using the Skyliner.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

1. This system was not designed by Disney. They are using 100% stock equipment from Doppelmayr. Doppelmayr is expert in system design for gondolas and ski lifts. This may be Disney's first gondola, but certainly not Doppelmayr's.

2. The system is better off with its non-AC design than trying to do AC. The two major systems worldwide with AC are in cooler climates. On a gondola system, all power for the car must be carried onboard the car. This means battery systems. AC is a huge power hog, as anyone who has ever paid a summer power bill can testify, or seen their gas mileage take a dump when they're driving with the AC on. Batteries suitable for onboard a gondola, without an external fuel source, simply cannot keep up, and you have to have low ventilation to try to keep the cool air in. Meanwhile, because these cars move rapidly, forced air is reliable, and never runs out of juice, and the opening of the doors doesn't let all the air out. Batteries simply cannot run all day and create AC under current tech. Forced air plus glass treatment will make these rides far more comfortable than being stuck in a monorail for half an hour.

3. The stock equipment in use detaches from the cable in a turnaround for complex loads. ECVs can roll in and out of the carriages in use. The line will not be stopping and starting like an old-school omnimover when presented with ECV transfer.

GREAT ANSWER!
So informative!
Thank you!

 

[Dug720]

CBR has always been my favorite resort, but I have not been able to stay there for a couple of years because my trips fell when they were doing the food tent thing, and being gluten-free I didn't trust a non-permanent set up like that to be able to feed me.

I've been looking forward to returning, but will NOT be using the gondolas - not for any fear of heights or closed-in spaces, and surprisingly not because of the lack of a/c (I live in NYC and have dealt with subway cars where it was off or broken) but just because I have always hated those things even just as theme park rides. If they limit bus schedules for Epcot, I'll either pay for a Lyft to Epcot or take the MK bus and then transfer to the monorail. To Studios? Not a problem for me - that park has been dead to me for a while.

 

[AngiTN]

Because it won't matter if they don't have AC. Disney won't install something that is intolerable so I'm sure what they have in mind will be usable in one way or another. I don't believe in passing judgment in something until it's installed and in use and experienced first hand.

 

[AngiTN]

Not planning on using these much, if any. Fear of them basically. Husband doesn't even like getting on the monorails anymore because he knows they need to be replaced. Surely can't imagine getting on one of these in the dead of summer, but we don't go to the theme parks in the extreme heat anymore. Done that once, and done. I believe Disney will reduce the number of buses to the parks at the resorts that these gondolas service. I think this will result in more people driving to the parks, which is good for Disney, I think? More parking fees in their pocket, and having to provide less transportation for more guest if they provide their own. Win-Win for Disney.

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
You are talking about more people driving who are staying at a resort.
People who are staying at a resort don't pay to park at the parks.

 

[Nancyg56]

I believe Disney will reduce the number of buses to the parks at the resorts that these gondolas service. I think this will result in more people driving to the parks, which is good for Disney, I think? More parking fees in their pocket, and having to provide less transportation for more guest if they provide their own. Win-Win for Disney.

First, resort guests do not pay to park in parks.

Second, Disney has done everything possible to get people to leave their vehicles home and use WDW transportation. They do NOT want their guests using a car to go anywhere, and have chosen to charge resort guests if they park overnight at a WDW resort. The more dependant on WDW transportation a guest is, the moe money spent in Disney and not elsewhere.

Third, I cannot believe that the bus service will be removed at a gondola resort. I understand that monorail resorts use that mode of transport to Epcot and MK, however given that there are a lot of people who will refuse to enter a gondola, I believe there will be a concession to them. Reduced service yes, and that makes sense, but I think it will be available.

 

[snappy]

There is no bus service to Epcot and HS from the Epcot resorts. Walk or boat unless bad weather curtails boat service. I haven’t been following the reports of the construction cost of the gondola system but I bet it’s big bucks. In my opinion it’s likely Disney’s current management will reduce bus service at gondola resorts to partially defray the cost to build the gondolas.

 

[SL6827]

That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
You are talking about more people driving who are staying at a resort.
People who are staying at a resort don't pay to park at the parks.

If people have a car at their resorts, they will pay to park, except for those who are excluded from having to pay.

 

[SL6827]

Third, I cannot believe that the bus service will be removed at a gondola resort. I understand that monorail resorts use that mode of transport to Epcot and MK, however given that there are a lot of people who will refuse to enter a gondola, I believe there will be a concession to them. Reduced service yes, and that makes sense, but I think it will be available.

I did not say bus service removed, I said reduced. Just like you did.

 

[gillep]

The only resort that I will stay at that the gondola services is the new Riviera resort, but that's only because POP and CBR are my two least favorite Disney properties and I have no desire to stay at either again, and we have no need to stay at AOA. I am actually pretty excited about the gondola, even if I likely won't use it often. I am not sure that Disney will keep bus service at these resorts to the parks that the gondola services but we won't know until it opens.

 

[fhtpdw20]

I have two concerns. First will they be able to operate during rainy periods? Most transportation other than buses are usually effected by wind and lightening. Second, how will they affect people with dog allergies who are forced to be in a contained area after "Rover" has exited the vehicle leaving pet dander in their wake since AOA is a pet friendly resort?

 

[Lewisc]

per DIS news "
Disney Confirms Skyliner Gondolas Will Not Have Air Conditioning"
So why stay at a connecting Skyliner resort ?

I'm confused. Are the bus stops air conditioned? Is Disney putting domes over the parks so they can be air conditioned,?

People who dont want to ride the gondola can drive, take a minivan, taxi uber lyft or indirect bus. Bus to AK then bus to another park. Or stay in a different resort. Buses dont run at the same time as the boats for epcot resorts or monorail

I'd be shocked if disney runs reguar bus service when gondolas are operational

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Scooters are going to have a different loading platform. So they will bring a gondola over to a separate track area, load in the scooter, and then send it back out with the rest. Like the Toy Story midway mania loading system. It will work well.

 

[jarestel]

The vast majority of people staying at Skyliner resorts will use the gondolas to access Epcot and DHS. IMO, this will enable Disney to reduce, but not eliminate, bus service from those resorts. But my "Carnac the Magnificent" hat has been known to fail me from time to time, so as always, time will tell.

 

[Lewisc]

The vast majority of people staying at Skyliner resorts will use the gondolas to access Epcot and DHS. IMO, this will enable Disney to reduce, but not eliminate, bus service from those resorts. But my "Carnac the Magnificent" hat has been known to fail me from time to time, so as always, time will tell.

I'm sure buses will be used to replace gondola service during some weather conditions. I don't know if bus service will be needed to supplement bus service during peak times, park closing for example.

Currently buses run every 20 minutes or so. Do you envision a system where buses run hourly? Guests will be waiting, and complaining, a long time. I guess they could add a stop to a bus coming from another resort. That bus is full the wait time jumps from 10 minutes to 30. Busy time of day? Repeat that experience and you'll have a few very unhappy guests. Do you think when that happens Disney will dispatch a bus for the handful of guests waiting?

Guest who have no interest in ever taking the gondola stay in a non gondola resort

 

[Lynne M]

Second, how will they affect people with dog allergies who are forced to be in a contained area after "Rover" has exited the vehicle leaving pet dander in their wake since AOA is a pet friendly resort?

Pets are not allowed on Disney buses, boats or monorails. I'm sure they won't be allowed on gondolas, either.

 

[jarestel]

I'm sure buses will be used to replace gondola service during some weather conditions. I don't know if bus service will be needed to supplement bus service during peak times, park closing for example.

I don't think, and this is only my opinion, that Disney will force people who may have phobias about heights for example to use the gondolas. There will be some who just don't like the idea of riding gondolas and Disney won't simply say, "too bad, too sad" to those guests. I reference WL, where the majority of MK visitors take the boat, but there is a bus (usually less than one-half full) as well. Like I said, time will tell and I could certainly be totally wrong.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I haven’t been following the reports of the construction cost of the gondola system but I bet it’s big bucks.

It's less than you might imagine. A lot of modern gondola systems, the key expense is right of way.

irst will they be able to operate during rainy periods?

Yes. The gondolas in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Medellin all operate in most weather conditions, including rain. The main limiter for gondolas is high winds. Outside the United States, trams, gondolas, and funiculars are common, supplementing other mass transportation systems in an effort to reduce pollution, traffic, and crowding. They're tons cheaper to build than subways, highways or rail lines.

 

[fla4fun]

I'm sure buses will be used to replace gondola service during some weather conditions. I don't know if bus service will be needed to supplement bus service during peak times, park closing for example.

Currently buses run every 20 minutes or so. Do you envision a system where buses run hourly? Guests will be waiting, and complaining, a long time. I guess they could add a stop to a bus coming from another resort. That bus is full the wait time jumps from 10 minutes to 30. Busy time of day? Repeat that experience and you'll have a few very unhappy guests. Do you think when that happens Disney will dispatch a bus for the handful of guests waiting?

I can see them going to a longer period between buses and combining routes. They could run one bus to AoA, Pop, and CBR instead of three separate buses, which would take longer and use fewer buses. The gondola will be the faster option, and if people don’t like gondolas and don’t have a car, there’s always Uber/Lyft/Minnie Van. It is possible that they will go to no buses eventually though. I would not put it past them.