News New Gondola Transportation - Disney Skyliner -

[note2001]

I understand the concerns, but think some topics really need to be put on ice until Disney builds this thing.

Even that’s not really true.

Walking shouldn’t really count as a mode of transportation. The three Epcot resorts offer boats to two parks but no buses to those destinations. The only ones that offer double options are GF, Poly, and WL. And those are just to one park.

Animal Kingdom Lodge did have a walking path to Animal Kingdom park, but had to shut it down as the tigers were put on a low fat, low cell phone diet.

 

[Kamikaze]

I missed the announcement that gondolas were going to become compulsory and replace buses.

My assumption was that ECVs, people with huge strollers, or anyone not fit enough to walk through a door in a few seconds can always just take the buses, like they do now. Nothing changes for them. The buses are happy to wait around forever while those things load.

The gondola is just an extra transport option available for those willing to take the risk. If it doesn't suit you and your family, then simply don't use it.

It doesn't make sense for them to offer both services for the routes in question. They would never save any money invested in the Skyliner. It isn't something they would have an official announcement about until the Skyliner is ready to open, and even then it will be something like 'The Disney Skyliner is going to provide transportation from (RESORTS) to (PARKS).' I don't think they will actually say the buses are discontinued, just that the Skyliner is what will run those routes. They don't offer alternate service to the Boardwalk area resorts to Epcot, so they aren't going to do it here either.

 

[Kamikaze]

Riviera will not.

Fair point. As a midline station, it wouldn't be feasible.

 

[danlb_2000]

If anyone has a link to a video/pic of the Doppelmayr system that Disney is installing that has the version where they can pull cars off to load ECVs, can you please post it? I'm super curious to see it

The only one I could find was the Banff gondola

Here is a good picture of the DHS station where you can see the double load area.

 

[larryz]

Walking shouldn’t really count as a mode of transportation.

Yes, Americans are lazy, but we're not THAT lazy.

Walking still counts. It's part of the "location, location, location" reason why the Deluxes are so darned expensive.

 

[Kamikaze]

Yes, Americans are lazy, but we're not THAT lazy.

Walking still counts. It's part of the "location, location, location" reason why the Deluxes are so darned expensive.

If that was true, though, wouldn't there be a walkway between GF and MK?

 

[larryz]

If that was true, though, wouldn't there be a walkway between GF and MK?

GF = Boat/Monorail
And they could easily install a swing bridge to make that happen, but with the current climate, that's probably not going to happen.

 

[peter11435]

Yes, Americans are lazy, but we're not THAT lazy.

Walking still counts. It's part of the "location, location, location" reason why the Deluxes are so darned expensive.

I understand your point, and I personally walk when possible. However for the purposes of this discussion it really shouldn’t count. There’s a huge difference between operating expensive and labor intensive modes of transportation and having a sidewalk. It counts as an amenity but is in no way an indication of disney’s desire or intent to offer multiple modes of transportation.

There are only three Resort to park routes that have more than one transportation option.

 

[larryz]

I understand your point, and I personally walk when possible. However for the purposes of this discussion it really shouldn’t count. There’s a huge difference between operating expensive and labor intensive modes of transportation and having a sidewalk. It counts as an amenity but is in no way an indication of disney’s desire or intent to offer multiple modes of transportation.

Well, if we really want to split hairs, EVERY resort has at least two ways to get to all the parks when you include self-driving.

But for the purposes, etc, we'll just include Disney-provided transport, and I consider the sidewalks as "Disney-provided."

I know I didn't pay for them... not completely. I've paid for quite a chunk of concrete, though, over the years.

 

[Kamikaze]

GF = Boat/Monorail
And they could easily install a swing bridge to make that happen, but with the current climate, that's probably not going to happen.

No I get that its an easy trip with multiple ways to get there, but walkability isn't the reason GF is expensive.

I do think its insane that you can't walk from Poly/GF to MK.

 

[larryz]

No I get that its an easy trip with multiple ways to get there, but walkability isn't the reason GF is expensive.

But you have to admit it's close to the MK.

 

[Kamikaze]

But you have to admit it's close to the MK.

No easier to get there than from Poly though. Contemp is actually the easiest. But yes, its physically very close.

 

[Lensman]

There are accessible loading stations? Where the entire car comes off the track and is held stationary and then rejoins the line? That's great if that's true. And I hope they are available to many people, not just people in ECVs and wheelchairs

It was 70 outside and 80 in the car. The "passive ventilation" system was in motion and consisted of two vents at the top of the window. Yes, a breeze did come in when the car was in motion, but it was still 10 degrees hotter than outside. So put it in Orlando when it's 90 and do the math. But I don't want to belabor that point

I still can't see how these things work at WDW with the continuous loading and unload. When I think of the clientele at WDW, this would not be the transportation system I would think of. It's a great way to move fit skiers in the French Alps though

The first post in this thread has an index to discussions of various points. If you find a point of discussion that isn't covered and concerns you, bring it up and the FAQ in the first post will be updated to include a link to the discussion. Basically, every question you've asked has been covered about 10 times already - about once every two months except for the issue of not having AC which is covered every two weeks at least for the past year.

If you don't want to use the search feature in this thread to find the answer, let me know and I will use the search feature and link to the various posts that discuss the issue that you can't find. The secret to my ability is that I use the "search within this thread" feature, the understanding of which is reserved for people who are particularly generous and nice, though sometimes a little self-absorbed.

I've quoted the relevant part of the first post.

What we know, based on inform from @MisterPenguin

• This is verified by around 5 insiders, permits, the beginning of construction, and documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. [confirmed at D23 2017]

• It will connect POP/AoA and Caribbean with DHS/Epcot. And likely raise the prices there.

• Possible I.D. of the gondola make and model here.

• Can gondolas handle wheelchairs, strollers, and EVC? Yes, here.

• Will it be installed in other places? No plans right now, but, always a possibility if it works out well.

• All the gondola stations will be ground level with a steep incline coming in/out [here]

• gondolas stations will be themed to nearby architecture: International Gateway will be Parisian; DHS will be Art Deco; AoA/Pop will be a Wave (near Little Mermaid); CBR Stations will be regal and stoney (which is which isn't confirmed). [here]

• gondolas will be 8 person cabins from Doppelmayr, have a through-put of 5,000 people per hour, have wi-fi, and ample passive ventilation [here]

• It has been reported that the gondola's will NOT have air conditioning, but there is extensive discussion that this should not be an issue.

 

[peter11435]

Well, if we really want to split hairs, EVERY resort has at least two ways to get to all the parks when you include self-driving.

But for the purposes, etc, we'll just include Disney-provided transport, and I consider the sidewalks as "Disney-provided."

I know I didn't pay for them... not completely. I've paid for quite a chunk of concrete, though, over the years.

The sidewalks are certainly Disney provided. But still not comparable to the other modes of transportation.

 

[BrianLo]

If anyone has a link to a video/pic of the Doppelmayr system that Disney is installing that has the version where they can pull cars off to load ECVs, can you please post it? I'm super curious to see it

The only one I could find was the Banff gondola

Completely, completely different installations. The Banff Gondola is a 1982 built product. The Dopplemayr system being utilized in WDW is a near first North American installation of D-line. Disney is working with Dopplemayr for custom station and installation changes to address many of these complaints you (and many before you) have brought up. Unlike the Banff installation there will be a regular loading platform and a completely separate slow loading/stop platform. Allowing complete uninterrupted operations. Unlike many other ski hill based installations. There is no video, because this is a unique load setup.

Furthermore the gondola cars have been developed with solar shield, a completely different product and ventilation setup for a gondola operating year round in Florida, not made for a Vermont Ski resort.

The gondola you rode in Stowe is actually Leitner/Poma.

Many of us have rode far more than a single gondola, at a single resort, in a single state, in a single country, in a single microclimate.... I can see ski lifts out my window. Heck, @Liftblog here is a professional lift-y and runs a blog about it. This is why people are being particularly testy with one-off anecdotes. This thread is full of them, we'd rather hear info and anecdotes from the person in the industry...


Moreover the thought process that the WDW market is somehow unique fails to acknowledge that most gondolas are not urban installations, but actually overwhelmed with families of inexperienced skiers who can barely stand up in boots, let alone load something efficiently. Gondola's are typically favoured by new skiers/snowboarders due to a perception of higher quality, chairlifts by those more experienced. The WDW clientele meanwhile is well versed in throwing elbows to jostle their way onto a ride vehicle.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The biggest thing I cannot see working out is the continuous movement of the gondola cars for boarding and unloading. Unless there is a way to completely pull the cars off the line and let people load, I cannot see a way that an ECV can safely load, nor an open stroller. Even a family with little kids is going to be hard-pressed to jump on and off in time. As well as anyone who isn't physically nimble for whatever reason. I consider myself relatively fit and I almost flopped on my face getting off the first time.

Posted several times in this thread...

Gondola on wheels...

 

[MisterPenguin]

"Resorts have multiple transportation modes to get to the parks.".

False.

First of all, no resort has any way to get to DAK except by bus (we're counting free transportation modes provided by WDW).

Which means the resorts that do have multiple transportation modes only have them to some and not all the parks. Even the Contemporary has to take a bus to get dropped off at the gates of DAK or DHS.

Every Value resort and Coronado and AKL only have buses to get to any park.

And as a side note, when there is a non-bus transportation option (monorail or ferry), then almost always buses are not an option. Buses are only used in those cases when the alternate transportation mode isn't available. So, the idea that the 'gondola resorts' will keep their buses is really super unlikely (also, insiders tell us that that will be the case).

 

[winstongator]

"Resorts have multiple transportation modes to get to the parks.".

False.

First of all, no resort has any way to get to DAK except by bus (we're counting free transportation modes provided by WDW).

Which means the resorts that do have multiple transportation modes only have them to some and not all the parks. Even the Contemporary has to take a bus to get dropped off at the gates of DAK or DHS.

Every Value resort and Coronado and AKL only have buses to get to any park.

And as a side note, when there is a non-bus transportation option (monorail or ferry), then almost always buses are not an option. Buses are only used in those cases when the alternate transportation mode isn't available. So, the idea that the 'gondola resorts' will keep their buses is really super unlikely (also, insiders tell us that that will be the case).

Well, I blew writing that. I meant that for resorts with non-bus ways to get to particular parks, sometimes there are multiple ways to get there: monorail & boat, or boat and walking. Buses work as backup. I wouldn't immediately cut off bus service for the resorts served by the gondolas, but I imagine that there will be a lot more passengers on the gondolas than on the buses.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Well, I blew writing that. I meant that for resorts with non-bus ways to get to particular parks, sometimes there are multiple ways to get there: monorail & boat, or boat and walking. Buses work as backup. I wouldn't immediately cut off bus service for the resorts served by the gondolas, but I imagine that there will be a lot more passengers on the gondolas than on the buses.

Why not just force the issue. People will adjust quicker with fewer choices and a whole lot less confusion will happen if they just do it from the get go. Either bring your anti-gondola disaster pills along or go to a non-gondola resort. Simple really.

 

[Kamikaze]

Why not just force the issue. People will adjust quicker with fewer choices and a whole lot less confusion will happen if they just do it from the get go. Either bring your anti-gondola disaster pills along or go to a non-gondola resort. Simple really.

Or bring a car or money for Minnie Vans. Thats why they won't do both, the existance of Minnie Vans. If you are scared about the Skyliner, you have a Disney provided alternate choice, its just going to cost you.