News New Gondola Transportation - Disney Skyliner -

[GoofGoof]

Have the powers that be here thought about starting a new thread for this discussion, and including in the OP all the pertinent information, so nobody can complain about having to read through 700 pages?

There have been multiple attempts to stop the great AC debate. At least now that it’s official we won’t have pages of people saying they don’t believe there won’t be AC, but until this thing opens I don’t think the doubters who think it will be a disaster will stop.

 

[flynnibus]

Then why do we compare it to the monorail, something that was built almost 50 years ago, or what someone that died over 50 years ago hypothetically would have done?

How many monorails do you see deployed around the world? As you can see, the context between seeing a monorail, and a gondola are not nearly the same.

And what has become more associated with the monorail than Disney?

Third, you've never seen me advocate or compare this to the monorail

Monorails would still be a bold move.. but IMO a bad one as their future as concepts for advanced urban concepts has pretty much been sealed... regardless of what some fanbois think.

 

[GoofGoof]

How many monorails do you see deployed around the world? As you can see, the context between seeing a monorail, and a gondola are not nearly the same.

And what has become more associated with the monorail than Disney?

Third, you've never seen me advocate or compare this to the monorail

Monorails would still be a bold move.. but IMO a bad one as their future as concepts for advanced urban concepts has pretty much been sealed... regardless of what some fanbois think.

In defense of the gondola concept it’s still not common in urban (non-ski) settings in the US. It’s not a unique or cutting edge idea at all worldwide, but having a successful gondola at WDW could actually help facilitate its use in other urban areas here. Not exactly innovative but it could help advance the technology (maybe).

 

[AndyS2992]

The windows aren't actually going to be covered though, right? That's just asking for trouble..

 

[flynnibus]

In defense of the gondola concept it’s still not common in urban (non-ski) settings in the US. It’s not a unique or cutting edge idea at all worldwide, but having a successful gondola at WDW could actually help facilitate its use in other urban areas here. Not exactly innovative but it could help advance the technology (maybe).

But in the modern world... everyone is familiar with the idea and image of ski lifts. It's a common sight, even if not local to you or if you've not ridden them. Plus, the buckets have been part of many amusement attractions for decades. Their use in urban transit is relatively new... but the other uses are pretty well understood and common place to people. You wouldn't show a ski lift photo to anyone and have them go 'woah... what is THAT?'

In the modern media world.. the imagery and awareness of their use is pretty common.

Monorails are still incredibly niche outside of Disney, and if you asked random joe where monorails are in use... they'd probably be hard pressed to name or describe any of them outside of Disney.

Both are old tech... but one has far more common exposure than the other. The use in urban settings is the only thing that the lay are probably less aware of.

 

[GoofGoof]

But in the modern world... everyone is familiar with the idea and image of ski lifts. It's a common sight, even if not local to you or if you've not ridden them. Plus, the buckets have been part of many amusement attractions for decades. Their use in urban transit is relatively new... but the other uses are pretty well understood and common place to people. You wouldn't show a ski lift photo to anyone and have them go 'woah... what is THAT?'

In the modern media world.. the imagery and awareness of their use is pretty common.

Monorails are still incredibly niche outside of Disney, and if you asked random joe where monorails are in use... they'd probably be hard pressed to name or describe any of them outside of Disney.

Both are old tech... but one has far more common exposure than the other. The use in urban settings is the only thing that the lay are probably less aware of.

Valid points. Anyone who has been skiing anywhere on a mountain larger than the poconos has probably seen a gondola in action. It’s old technology put to a slightly different use (at least different in the US).

Today, most people probably think of Disney first, and then airports or zoos when thinking of monorails. Maybe throw in Vegas but that system has been a train wreck since before day 1.

 

[trainplane3]

View attachment 327085View attachment 327086View attachment 327087

Just sayin’

I have this feeling that you screen-shotted yourself for literally this one moment. And man was it worth it.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Literally how this thread reads...

Three years ago: "There's too many busses, they don't run on time, too many people on them, the bus drivers lie to you. They need better transportation park-to-resort!"

Now: "Gondolas are boring. Who needs them! Will the busses still be functional? I'll take those!"

 

[Ponderer]

But in the modern world... everyone is familiar with the idea and image of ski lifts. It's a common sight, even if not local to you or if you've not ridden them. Plus, the buckets have been part of many amusement attractions for decades. Their use in urban transit is relatively new... but the other uses are pretty well understood and common place to people. You wouldn't show a ski lift photo to anyone and have them go 'woah... what is THAT?'

In the modern media world.. the imagery and awareness of their use is pretty common.

Monorails are still incredibly niche outside of Disney, and if you asked random joe where monorails are in use... they'd probably be hard pressed to name or describe any of them outside of Disney.

Both are old tech... but one has far more common exposure than the other. The use in urban settings is the only thing that the lay are probably less aware of.

I think the thing that’s being minimized here is that, first, it’s an incredibly important part of Disney iconography. When people see a skyliner at Disney, they’re not seeing a gondola in some other part of the world. They’re seeing something that’s intimately tied in with the history of the parks. Putting this system in provides emotional continuity that no other system of transportation can offer (except the monorail). People have been meaning about Disney losing its identity - well, to me and a lot of other people, this IS Disney.

And also, you know, Walt was always disappointed that the skyways became copied as mere theme attractions, because he wanted them to be a real, workable transportation system. This is a fulfillment of his abandoned vision, handling real traffic. How many projects now can claim that?

Me, I can’t WAIT for a leisurely flight over Florida at sunset.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think the thing that’s being minimized here is that, first, it’s an incredibly important part of Disney iconography. When people see a skyliner at Disney, they’re not seeing a gondola in some other part of the world. They’re seeing something that’s intimately tied in with the history of the parks. Putting this system in provides emotional continuity that no other system of transportation can offer (except the monorail). People have been meaning about Disney losing its identity - well, to me and a lot of other people, this IS Disney.

And also, you know, Walt was always disappointed that the skyways became copied as mere theme attractions, because he wanted them to be a real, workable transportation system. This is a fulfillment of his abandoned vision, handling real traffic. How many projects now can claim that?

Me, I can’t WAIT for a leisurely flight over Florida at sunset.

Cite for Walt discussing gondolas as transportation?

 

[GoofGoof]

Cite for Walt discussing gondolas as transportation?

They did transport you from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland

 

[Ponderer]

Cite for Walt discussing gondolas as transportation?

"According to Disneyland: The Nickel Tour (Bruce Gordon and David Mumford, 1995), Walt saw an opportunity to demonstrate a new mode of transportation that was practical and futuristic:
Walt was so intrigued by the possibilities that he bought one before he even knew where it would go. In one interview, prior to the ride’s opening, he described the Skyway as 'a transportation system of the future, for use in parking lots in huge shopping centers.' By November 18, the Von Roll engineers were working with designer John Hench to finalize the attraction."

https://www.yesterland.com/skyway.html

 

[The Duck]

At the New Orleans World’s Fair In 1984, I rode this over the Mississippi River multiple times during a sweltering hot Louisiana summer. The cars were not air conditioned but well ventilated and the experience was very comfortable.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

Survived my first gondola of the season today. Lived to tell the tale.

View attachment 326634

Is that a fireproof suit ?

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

In all fairness your spontaneous combustion will be painless and swift. Plus, with the grates on the bottom, cleanup will be a breeze.

I thought we had established there will be no breeze

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Something like the cable breaking which won't be a problem because at that point they will all be at ground level.

Every cloud really does have a silver lining!

 

[danlb_2000]

The windows aren't actually going to be covered though, right? That's just asking for trouble..

Yes, we know that the cars will have some sort of character wrap on it, it's like the wraps on the bus where you can still see out through it.

 

[Goofyernmost]

At the New Orleans World’s Fair In 1984, I rode this over the Mississippi River multiple times during a sweltering hot Louisiana summer. The cars were not air conditioned but well ventilated and the experience was very comfortable.View attachment 327211View attachment 327211

Don't be confusing the issue with facts and personal experience. The damn things are going to roast us to death like a Thanksgiving Turkey. And that's that! End of discussion.

Spoiler: As a side note....

I have never been to a place that was hotter and more humid then New Orleans and I spent a year in Vietnam.

 

[abaker1975]

Don't be confusing the issue with facts and personal experience. The damn things are going to roast us to death like a Thanksgiving Turkey. And that's that! End of discussion.

Spoiler: As a side note....

I have never been to a place that was hotter and more humid then New Orleans and I spent a year in Vietnam.

Quite, how is that going to help people knock Disney?

 

[The Mom]

The issue of A/C, or lack thereof, has been discussed multiple times. They are not going to have it...period. Every possible worst case scenario about how hot it will be has been discussed. Repeatedly posting about how horrible it might be is not going to change anything.

We will just have to wait until it is up and running to see if heat is a problem, or if the design allows adequate "breeze" to make the ride uneventful.

Once again, any further A/C posts will be deleted - it has already been discussed and dissected from every possible angle.