Disney Skyliner (Gondola Transportation System) Read Post 1 Now Open!

[wnwardii]

but my guess is that they will run in most weather and if it is bad enough to not run them (would likely also be bad enough to not run boats, etc.)

With the boats, I believe that if there is lightning within a certain distance that they stop all boats. I know I have been caught in that situation before when trying to leave DHS to get to an Epcot resort. Hopefully with the gondolas they will stop loading new people and let the current "in transit" ones continue to a point of disembarkation. But given how frequently lightning is during the summer in Orlando, this may prove to be an interesting situation.

 

[The Pho]

With the boats, I believe that if there is lightning within a certain distance that they stop all boats. I know I have been caught in that situation before when trying to leave DHS to get to an Epcot resort. Hopefully with the gondolas they will stop loading new people and let the current "in transit" ones continue to a point of disembarkation. But given how frequently lightning is during the summer in Orlando, this may prove to be an interesting situation.

They don't stop the boats midway, but they do stop them at the next dock. I'd expect the Gondolas to behave in the same way. So you won't be stranded in the air, but you will probably be held at Carribean if they choose to close them. Riviera is a different station type, so maybe you'll be allowed to continue on from it before getting off.

 

[WDWFortWildernessExplorer]

They don't stop the boats midway, but they do stop them at the next dock. I'd expect the Gondolas to behave in the same way. So you won't be stranded in the air, but you will probably be held at Carribean if they choose to close them. Riviera is a different station type, so maybe you'll be allowed to continue on from it before getting off.

People traveling in the gondalas may be safe from lighting as they are not grounded. People waiting on the platforms may be exposed to a higher risk.

 

[skier_pete]

People traveling in the gondalas may be safe from lighting as they are not grounded. People waiting on the platforms may be exposed to a higher risk.

I do agree they may use different rules for shutting down the gondola. People in a boat have a much greater risk of being affected by a lightning strike than people suspended in an all metal container. However, everyone seems to say they shut the monorails down during lightning - so i'm assuming the same applies to the gondolas.

 

[rteetz]

PHOTOS: Disney Skyliner Station Progress at Art of Animation/Pop Century

 

[scrappinginontario]

PHOTOS: Disney Skyliner Station Progress at Art of Animation/Pop Century

They've made a lot of great progress, even since I was there a month ago! I'm noticing that the actual station looks very different from the concept art. Will the wavy panels be installed on top of the current structure?

Excited to ride this new form of Disney transportation!!

 

[dina444444]

They've made a lot of great progress, even since I was there a month ago! I'm noticing that the actual station looks very different from the concept art. Will the wavy panels be installed on top of the current structure?

Excited to ride this new form of Disney transportation!!

From looking at the concept art I will guess yes. What you see right now is the standard cover over the mechanics that all of the stations have in different colors. If you look at the concept art you can see what’s up right now if you zoom in.

 

[DanBoris]

From looking at the concept art I will guess yes. What you see right now is the standard cover over the mechanics that all of the stations have in different colors. If you look at the concept art you can see what’s up right now if you zoom in.

Yeah, you can see the current part of the station where the blue arrow is. This structure will extend from the station back on to the bridge.

 

[joelkfla]

But what are the trailer-shaped buildings on either side? Control rooms? Are they at all the stations?

 

[Animal]

People traveling in the gondalas may be safe from lighting as they are not grounded. People waiting on the platforms may be exposed to a higher risk.

Gondolas are almost perfect Faraday cages. No better place to be in a storm!

 

[scrappinginontario]

From looking at the concept art I will guess yes. What you see right now is the standard cover over the mechanics that all of the stations have in different colors. If you look at the concept art you can see what’s up right now if you zoom in.

Yeah, you can see the current part of the station where the blue arrow is. This structure will extend from the station back on to the bridge.

View attachment 355895

Thanks! I love the look of the concept art so am happy it’s still planned.

They have come so far in just the 5 weeks since we were there!!

Looking more and more like they might open in the spring. It will be hard to wait until our Sept Vacation to ride them!!

 

[MinnieMSue]

Omg I really really really hope this system is up and running during our June2-16 trip to Pop. I love riding in gondolas for some crazy reason (and I’m afraid of heights - go figure!). Taking off over the water is going to be so cool. Getting to the parks this way will be so much better than standing on busses. I’m not at all worried about the temperature. Yep I’m crazy lol

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Omg I really really really hope this system is up and running during our June2-16 trip to Pop. I love riding in gondolas for some crazy reason (and I’m afraid of heights - go figure!). Taking off over the water is going to be so cool. Getting to the parks this way will be so much better than standing on busses. I’m not at all worried about the temperature. Yep I’m crazy lol

I do love the location of this station ... I think descending over the water for arrival there will feel really cool as well!

 

[Katie & Glen]

But what are the trailer-shaped buildings on either side? Control rooms? Are they at all the stations?

I am going to say construction related modular building. Looks like an insulated CONEX / shipping container. There is nothing like that in any of the concept drawings, or on any gondola systems I have ridden.

 

[jlundeen]

I didn't see a reference to this here, so FWIW, I thought I'd pass it on from the Swolphin forum:

Sorry to bring this up again, but maybe some can "un-confuse" me. So... it seems according to the notices that ALL boats will be suspended - from sometime around Nov 28 until sometime around Dec 20....

I don't understand why this is the case if it has to do with the gondola - the only place on the posted map that would go over where the boats travel seems to be at the International Gateway - but yet, they specifically said people can WALK through there.... if the boats can't go through there, why can people walk through?

So confused!

 

[CarolynFH]

Sorry to bring this up again, but maybe some can "un-confuse" me. So... it seems according to the notices that ALL boats will be suspended - from sometime around Nov 28 until sometime around Dec 20....

I don't understand why this is the case if it has to do with the gondola - the only place on the posted map that would go over where the boats travel seems to be at the International Gateway - but yet, they specifically said people can WALK through there.... if the boats can't go through there, why can people walk through?

So confused!

It’s possible the closure has to do with the Swolphin dock and not with the IG or gondola. I have not heard or read anything re boat service to the other Epcot resorts. Hopefully someone will be able to clarify soon.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Sorry to bring this up again, but maybe some can "un-confuse" me. So... it seems according to the notices that ALL boats will be suspended - from sometime around Nov 28 until sometime around Dec 20....

I don't understand why this is the case if it has to do with the gondola - the only place on the posted map that would go over where the boats travel seems to be at the International Gateway - but yet, they specifically said people can WALK through there.... if the boats can't go through there, why can people walk through?

So confused!

I think it actually has nothing to do with the gondolas. People were just speculating because that is around the time they think the gondola cables will be run. No one really knows for sure though, and I don't think anyone who is staying at any of the other Epcot area resorts has had the same notice yet (please correct me if I missed something!).

 

[Lesley Wake]

I think it actually has nothing to do with the gondolas. People were just speculating because that is around the time they think the gondola cables will be run. No one really knows for sure though, and I don't think anyone who is staying at any of the other Epcot area resorts has had the same notice yet (please correct me if I missed something!).

Nope, nothing has been alerted to me and I’m staying at the Boardwalk from Dec 1-5. I even asked when I had to call resort reservations about another issue and they hadn’t been told.

 

[jlundeen]

I think it actually has nothing to do with the gondolas. People were just speculating because that is around the time they think the gondola cables will be run. No one really knows for sure though, and I don't think anyone who is staying at any of the other Epcot area resorts has had the same notice yet (please correct me if I missed something!).

I'm staying at Yacht Club Nov 24 - Dec 1, and my friends are staying at Dolphin - neither of us has heard ANYTHING directly from Disney... only what has been posted on these threads.... Apparently Costco sent a note stating it was due to the Gondola...

 

[jlundeen]

I'm staying at Yacht Club Nov 24 - Dec 1, and my friends are staying at Dolphin - neither of us has heard ANYTHING directly from Disney... only what has been posted on these threads.... Apparently Costco sent a note stating it was due to the Gondola...
View attachment 356239

Replying to my own post...

Since I'm staying Club Level, I decided to write to the Signature Services folks, and ask them... they answered almost right away that they were unaware of any disruption of service of the Friendship Boats.... so.... who do we believe? Since only the Dolphin/Swan seems to have alerted anyone, can we count of just that stop being affected? Who knows? I guess we just show up and find out then.