Longtime readers of The Disney Blog know I’ve been advocating for Walt Disney World to adopt the aerial tram, aka gondola, as a method of transportation between its parks and resorts since 2013. That the first system that services two parks and four resort complexes is ready already in testing with a plan to open later this year, makes me very happy.
Update: The Disney Skyliner is the new aerial tramway coming to Walt Disney World. We have our first look inside the Gondola cabins. They’re spacious enough to hold ten guests, accommodating enough to hold a wheelchair, and ventilated enough to keep cool while moving through the sky at 11 MPH.
Walt Disney World has recently released some new details about the Disney Skyliner gondolas along with our first good look inside the guest cabins with their wooden benches and ventilation. In the video below, you get a sneak peak courtesy Walt Disney World Resort Senior Vice President Thomas Mazloum and Walt Disney Imagineering Principal Architect Dean Huspen.
When completed, the Disney Skyliner will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels, with stations at:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Upcoming Disney’s Riviera Resort
Other details we learned this week:
- When completed the Disney Skyliner system will have more than 300 guest cabins
- Each cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests.
- For those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices, one of the benches will fold up to make room in the cabin for most devices.
- The system will provide a great view from heights as high as 60 ft above the ground. It will also skim just above the water near the Art of Animation station at a height of just 15 ft.
- It will travel at a speed of around 11 MPH
- While there is no air-conditioning in the cabins, there is ventilation built into each car.
Despite the vast majority of comments I’ve seen about the Disney Skyliner gondolas becoming ovens in the Florida sun and humidity, I’m not overly concerned. I don’t think the manufacturer would sell Disney a unit it thinks wouldn’t perform and might impact future sales.
Testing with actual humans inside the cabins is expected to begin soon. A few lucky cast members will get to be the first to ride. The system is expect to open to guests this fall.
Will you in line to ride the Disney Skyliner when it opens to guests this fall?
I’m curious to see how they handle the stops….will you have to get off and on at each one?
What happends if your a resort guest at a hotel in the middle of the route and have to wait while countless cars go by filled with guest who are “Riding through” or just riding to ride.
I’m sure Disney has a plan for this but i am curious to see how it works
You will have to get off at the main Caribbean Beach Station and board a different line. The Riviera Resort is on the same line as Epcot, so you you won’t have to switch there. The question is will they send empty cabins to and from Riviera to accommodate guests waiting there?
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