News New Gondola Transportation - Disney Skyliner -

[Flynnwriter]

Q: How do you make a Disney theme park look like a tired zoo?
A: Gondolas!

 

[Grimley1968]

PHOTOS - Disney Skyliner gondola construction update at Disney's Hollywood Studios

It is gondola update day on WDWMAGIC today!

That only got me even more geeked out about the Skyliner.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Q: How do you make a Disney theme park look like a tired zoo?
A: Gondolas!

How many zoos have gondolas and how many don't?

 

[Flynnwriter]

Save these photos of the Skyliner! You’ll be able to post them again when Disney takes them down.

 

[Andrew C]

Save these photos of the Skyliner! You’ll be able to post them again when Disney takes them down.

weird....

 

[Rickster7]

When is this going to be operational?

 

[Horizons1]

That looks so attractive....not.

 

[marni1971]

When is this going to be operational?

12-15 months.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This project would be more appealing if the gondolas went to one of the hotels featuring interesting restaurants and an atmosphere suitable for strolling, like the Lodges. It would be great to hop in a gondola after a day at the park and glide to the buffet at AKL. As is, there isn’t much of interest at Animation or Caribbean unless you’re staying there - which I’m sure was part of the point, but is still a bit of a downer.

 

[tirian]

But, I thought they were going to much higher up so everyone would panic about the visual impact from across the lagoon, forced perspective ruined!!???!! There's supposed to be chaos ensuing!

As long as I can spit on people’s heads...

 

[Casper Gutman]

Good thing you are not being forced to ride them!!!!!

The point is I’d like an excuse to ride them, so I wish they weren’t going to two of the (subjective opinion alert) least interesting resorts on property.

 

[tirian]

How many zoos have gondolas and how many don't?

To be fair, at one point, these were common in many US zoos—actually, around the same time the MK had its Skyway. It offered beautiful views of unthemed backstage areas and flat warehouse rooftops, and that was during the Good Old Days.

 

[tirian]

Well said. There is always going to be a need to balance costs against custom theming. I imagine some of the same critics here populate the forum with comments that Disney is too expensive.

The Disney powerline is not much of an argument - there is exactly one of these in a prominent spot. It’s great Disney Magic tao be sure but was limited to one tower.

Overall - the Skyliner looks to be a major enhancement at WDW. Easily the weak link in the Disney experience is the bus system - reminding people of their work commute more than anything else. I am sure everyone on the board has experienced the pleasure of being jammed on a bus after a long park day and having to stand for the ride on top of that.

The Skyliner can be an important step to improving the transport experience, and can be expanded to other routes in the resort. Coupled with the monorail, the boats, the Minnie vans and eventually autonomous vehicles- we can look forward to removing most of the buses (and hopefully a chunk of the private cars) from the property.

One final comment - we all love the monorail - but the concrete post and beams are as utilitarian as the gondola towers - they are just concrete - they are in many spots not even one color grey - they are mottled. They also have very visible tire rub marks from the drive system. None of that has stopped it from being magical.

I will always wish the monorail had been expanded and a Peoplemover had been installed back in the 80s–90s, but at least the Skyliner is superior to a bus system.

 

[Ripken10]

surprised we don't have some local telling us how many total towers are done, with how many total are left - that's probably my math background crying out.

 

[fngoofy]

Gondolas are known for elevation change so more data points could be needed. This is a good picture though. How tall would you say that was in cubits?

26.67 cubits

 

[Goofyernmost]

The point is I’d like an excuse to ride them, so I wish they weren’t going to two of the (subjective opinion alert) least interesting resorts on property.

Not sure why you would need an excuse to ride them. Just get on ride it and get off when you tire of it. Same as you can do with the Monorails, buses or boats.

 

[Goofyernmost]

To be fair, at one point, these were common in many US zoos—actually, around the same time the MK had its Skyway. It offered beautiful views of unthemed backstage areas and flat warehouse rooftops, and that was during the Good Old Days.

The only one I had heard of (which means nothing I realize) is the one that was in Bush Gardens in Tampa. Other then that I know of none. But, I don't get out much. I know I feel better about riding over a parking lot then a savanna chocked full of meat eating predators.

 

[GCTales]

The only one I had heard of (which means nothing I realize) is the one that was in Bush Gardens in Tampa. Other then that I know of none. But, I don't get out much. I know I feel better about riding over a parking lot then a savanna chocked full of meat eating predators.

Oakland zoo and Taipei zoo both have them. Oaklands is pretty new.

Pretty sure there is also one at a zoo in Sweden.

 

[Flynnwriter]

weird....

Weird? It’s I was meant to imply that the gondolas are a potential iffy idea and the likleyhood of them functioning long term is unlikely.

 

[Blueliner]

The only one I had heard of (which means nothing I realize) is the one that was in Bush Gardens in Tampa. Other then that I know of none. But, I don't get out much. I know I feel better about riding over a parking lot then a savanna chocked full of meat eating predators.

The San Diego Zoo has one, and I still consider that to be a pretty fine zoo!