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

[rteetz]

I can't imagine no bus service being available, for the reason mentioned that the gondolas could potentially be inoperable for considerable periods of time due to T-storms as well as other mechanical issues. And to have to quickly put buses into service for an unknown length of time, possibly more than once in the same day, just doesn't seem like it would be easy to do versus having them run as they do now. And as others have said, there are a number of resorts with more than one mode of transportation already, so this would not be anything new. As a resort guest, I would like to have a reliable (and imediately available) backup plan to get to/from the parks.

Mechanical issues in gondola systems are rare. If there is some sort of issue they can manually pull them into the station. These can run in storms for the most part unless of a lightning threat. They can withstand a good amount of wind as well. The Skyliner will also have a much higher overall capacity than buses. I wouldn’t necessarily consider buses a reliable backup plan either. Those can certainly have issues too.

 

[rteetz]

This is how they currently handle the Epcot resorts. If a storm comes up, the boats shut down and buses are pulled off other routes to cover the 5 Epcot resorts from Epcot and DHS.

I don't know that there will be no bus service, but I see it being very limited, like the buses from MK to TTC.

Agreed.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Keep in mind selling Riviera, scaredy cats have money as well.

Ok? But are they selling Riviera yet? I would hope whatever the transportation options end up being decided upon are fully disclosed so one can make an informed decision on whether or not a gondola resort is a good one for their personal needs.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

But many resorts currently only have 1 method of transportation now (POP & CBR in particular). So why now would they suddenly have 2 full time options for certain parks.

Please know that I don’t care one way or the other what the ultimate decision is. But in a thread this long, I’m just curious what is news, what is rumor, what is speculation, what is wishful hoping and what is armchair imagineering.

The first post of this thread has a summary of what is known or at least expected ... I think other than where the stations are and that there will be characters on some of the gondolas and the concept art for the overall layout there isn't a ton that Disney has officially, officially announced ... but a lot is from insider information and I would say more than speculation (maybe call it "educated speculation")

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The first post of this thread has a summary of what is known or at least expected ... I think other than where the stations are and that there will be characters on some of the gondolas and the concept art for the overall layout there isn't a ton that Disney has officially, officially announced ... but a lot is from insider information and I would say more than speculation (maybe call it "educated speculation")

I appreciate insider tidbits a lot. But I admit I haven’t been following all 175+ pages as they are posted so that’s what I’m trying to decipher right now as it pertains to buses as a full time backup.

 

[rteetz]

I appreciate insider tidbits a lot. But I admit I haven’t been following all 175+ pages as they are posted so that’s what I’m trying to decipher right now as it pertains to buses as a full time backup.

The first post is a good place to start for most of the info consolidated.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I appreciate insider tidbits a lot. But I admit I haven’t been following all 175+ pages as they are posted so that’s what I’m trying to decipher right now as it pertains to buses as a full time backup.

yeah, that is unknown at the point - all we have is the thoughts from the insider tidbits. As mentioned, the first post has what we know and there it is worded as: "It is expected that bus transportation to the parks and resorts involved in this new transportation system will decrease or go away altogether."


I assume as things become more known/"official" that @rteetz will update the first post - that is probably the best source for what we know/don't know/speculate

 

[jade1]

Ok? But are they selling Riviera yet?

Are they using the gondola yet?

I would hope whatever the transportation options end up being decided upon are fully disclosed so one can make an informed decision on whether or not a gondola resort is a good one for their personal needs.

Exactly why I said "Keep in mind Riviera".

I'm not saying they will keep buses with the gondola, but I would "keep them in mind" when trying to sell Riviera.

No buses will loose some buyers that are afraid of the gondola, it's just whether WDW will consider that group as necessary or not.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

yeah, that is unknown at the point - all we have is the thoughts from the insider tidbits. As mentioned, the first post has what we know and there it is worded as: "It is expected that bus transportation to the parks and resorts involved in this new transportation system will decrease or go away altogether."


I assume as things become more known/"official" that @rteetz will update the first post - that is probably the best source for what we know/don't know/speculate

Thanks!

I guess that’s why I asked why people seem so adamant that the buses are staying as full time option. Because based on the wording of that sentence in particular, it sure doesn’t seem like it.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Are they using the gondola yet?



Exactly why I said "Keep in mind Riviera".

I'm not saying they will keep buses with the gondola, but I would "keep them in mind" when trying to sell Riviera.

I’m sorry you misinterpret my question as snark. It was a legit question about Riviera sales as I genuinely do not know.

Perhaps they will get to keep the bus as a viable full time option merely because of the class of resort? I do not know. And perhaps they don’t either until they get potential buyer feedback regarding it?

 

[jade1]

I’m sorry you misinterpret my question as snark. It was a legit question about Riviera sales as I genuinely do not know.

Oh sorry about that, No they are not selling it yet.

Perhaps they will get to keep the bus as a viable full time option merely because of the class of resort? I do not know. And perhaps they don’t either until they get potential buyer feedback regarding it?

Maybe not "class" but for sure "sales". Now you are keeping Riviera in mind for this conversation.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I’m sorry you misinterpret my question as snark. It was a legit question about Riviera sales as I genuinely do not know.

Perhaps they will get to keep the bus as a viable full time option merely because of the class of resort? I do not know. And perhaps they don’t either until they get potential buyer feedback regarding it?

Usually they don't announce the DVC sale or the date they will start offering the sale of the contracts at the new DVC resorts until they are pretty close to being done - I think some of it is for legal reasons but also as (basically) each time they increase the price of the points and also b/c they want to sell what is still available before officially announcing the next location.

So I would think the gondolas will be nearly complete or maybe even up and running before they officially announce the sale of the Riviera DVC - and would expect the officialy details of how transportation will work after the gondola's are open to be announced.

I agree they really need to have that officially out before they sell the Riviera DVC so owners know what they are getting - or not.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Oh sorry about that, No they are not selling it yet.



Maybe not "class" but for sure "sales". Now you are keeping Riviera in mind for this conversation.

Haha, no problem. It’s bound happen when people are typing and not speaking as things are lost in translation, as they say

Regarding Riviera in particular, I guess I wouldn’t presume that all 3 resorts would have to have the same transportation options. I’m presuming that it will be sold & marketed as “deluxe” (as we know those categories today) but I just don’t see CBR & POP needing the same, if for no other reason than amenities being lesser at those resorts.

In short, if Riviera manages to have a full time bus to EP & DHS in addition to the gondola, I don’t presume to think POP/AoA and CBR will too.

 

[STLstone]

These resorts will still have buses to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. If there are no direct buses to Epcot or DHS, and someone really doesn't want to ride the gondola, they could ride to MK and take a bus or the monorail(s) to the other park.

This does lack convenience, but every bus trip to DHS or Epcot from these resorts will be less convenient than the gondolas.

 

[jade1]

I agree they really need to have that officially out before they sell the Riviera DVC so owners know what they are getting - or not.

Yep exactly. Riviera sales will be a factor in this "transportation" discussion.

I am also pretty sure DVC has transportation language that covers any future transportation changes language.

Heck the skyliner in theory could be a complete failure and discontinued. I'm sure its not money back if so.

Pretty sure DVC resorts can drop all transportation if they want.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yep exactly. Riviera sales will be a factor in this "transportation" discussion.

I am also pretty sure DVC has transportation language that covers any future transportation changes language.

Heck the skyliner in theory could be a complete failure and discontinued. I'm sure its not money back if so.

Pretty sure DVC resorts can drop all transportation if they want.

I am a little out of my debt as not a DVC owner, but I believe part of their annual maintenance dues is to cover the cost of on site transportation (which is the reason why people staying on DVC points don't need to pay for daily resort parking) so definitely think there needs to be pretty detailed language in there about what you are paying for

 

[DanBoris]

Thanks!

I guess that’s why I asked why people seem so adamant that the buses are staying as full time option. Because based on the wording of that sentence in particular, it sure doesn’t seem like it.

Even if they don't completely eliminate the buses, there is no way they will run with the same frequency as they do now. Cutting down on buses is part of what pays for this new system.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

These resorts will still have buses to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. If there are no direct buses to Epcot or DHS, and someone really doesn't want to ride the gondola, they could ride to MK and take a bus or the monorail(s) to the other park.

This does lack convenience, but every bus trip to DHS or Epcot from these resorts will be less convenient than the gondolas.

I am sure a Cast Member would also be happy to help you call a MinnieVan

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Even if they don't completely eliminate the buses, there is no way they will run with the same frequency as they do now. Cutting down on buses is part of what pays for this new system.

And eliminating them altogether (except during technical issues or weather outages) saves even more.

 

[jade1]

I am a little out of my debt as not a DVC owner, but I believe part of their annual maintenance dues is to cover the cost of on site transportation (which is the reason why people staying on DVC points don't need to pay for daily resort parking) so definitely think there needs to be pretty detailed language in there about what you are paying for

Yep dues would/could change. But verbiage is scarily in favor of WDW with the DVC contracts. It's basically room only guarantees (and only at your home resort) if I remember.

Heck the parks could close for some reason over 50 years.

Not much reason for transportation to a closed park.