We can’t believe that after many, many months of waiting The Disney World Skyliner Gondola System is almost ready to launch officially!
Pop Century Skyliner Construction
Disney’s Skyliner is scheduled to open to the public on September 29th, but we were able to take a spin on Disney’s newest mass transit system earlier this week during a special event. We’re excited to tell you what we learned — and what you’ll want to know for your first ride in the sky!
See our FULL PHOTO TOUR of the Skyliner Ride HERE!
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As many of the construction walls were taken down to get the Skyliner ready for its debut, we were finally able to sneak a peek at just what a Skyliner Station actually looks like from the outside…
Hollywood Studios Skyliner Station
…and from the inside! This leads us to talk about our first surprise:
Non-Character Gondolas Might Be Preferable to Those Decorated With Characters
So we’ve been watching the gondolas “with character” for months now, and eagerly awaiting our chance to ride in one of them. As we waited to board, our fingers were crossed that we’d get to ride in a character-bedecked gondola!
Hollywood Studios Skyliner Station
We thought we’d hit the jackpot when we scored this sweet Wreck-It Ralph-themed Skyliner, but once we climbed inside…
Disney Skyliner Gondola
Our view was this! :Cue sad trumpets:
Skyliner Obstructed View
Now, I know — we should have known, right? We’ve all ridden in the wrapped monorails and buses. We understand that visibility is basically nil in those, right?
But lesson learned — we found that the non-character Skyliner we had for our second ride provided a much better view! And we were even able to take photos through the windows that didn’t resemble Lichtenstein’s pop art!
View Through a Standard Skyliner Window
The Skyliner May Slow Down and Stop…Often
While our Skyliner carried us along, there were moments when the line stopped unexpectedly. That’s because much like Spaceship Earth or Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Skyliner is Omnimover-esque; and if you know anything about these classic attractions then you know that when something unexpected happens, the whole ride slows and possibly stops.
This will likely happen while you’re riding, but don’t panic. Nothing’s wrong. And the gondola will start moving again shortly.
Skyliner over Riviera Resort
The Gondola May Get A Little…Warm!
Ever since we found out the Skyliner Gondolas wouldn’t have Air Con, we’ve been concerned about the temperature inside. And while the cross-ventilation system does its job when the gondola is moving at pace, if there is any slowing or stopping (see previous surprising experience), it can start to feel a little warm — especially during Orlando’s hot seasons. (During the winter, they may be downright cold.)
Cross Ventilation in the Skyliner Gondolas
You’re Gonna Feel the Launch…AND the Re-entry!
So that 11 mile-per-hour pace of the Skyliner Gondolas is quick, and they’ve gotta push off with some serious steam to build that up on such a short journey. When you “launch” upward, you’ll feel it!
Check out that swing!
And when you’re coming back into a Skyliner station…well, you may freak out a little bit at just how quickly you’re approaching the gondola in front of you! It was a little alarming to us because we didn’t know what to expect, but armed with this information, we’re sure you’ll handle your first Skyliner ride like a pro!
So those are just a few of the things that surprised us during our first ride! We’re headed out on the gondolas again soon and will report back with more!
For even more Skyliner info, check out our Disney Skyliner Gondola System FAQ by clicking here!
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Most test rides were not done on full capacity of sweating 90+ degree temp visitors. It will be getting hotter with all of those bodies in that gondola. When the gondola stops, so does the breeze! Then there is the weight distribution which most people won’t know about. And no standing, why, what happens when someone stands, you know they are going to try. Stopping, rocking and rolling is not what I want to do. They should have spent the money on more monorails.
Its not an omnimover. That term refers to the continuous loading, but also that the cars can be turned to present a scene and focus the viewer to the things on the side.
Shame that the views are obstructed on the character gondolas. why did they have to do this?
It’s also important to note that many (most?) of the omnimover stops are for loading/unloading people with disabilities. The skyliner has a separate setup for that that does not slow down the main line at all.
When the heat index is 100+ and the dew point is 70+, which is not atypical for central FL summers, the cross ventilation will mean nothing. Ever ridden on an air boat on an extremely hot humid day? Not pleasant. Now, factor in the “normal” stopping and the inevitable being stuck for more than a few min with 9 other people in a confined, inescapable space… Not to mention those with breathing problems or the very young or elderly. This is not a very well thought out mode of transport in that climate. I’ve been on very similar transports in Austria and even in autumn with temps in the 70s and low humidity it became very uncomfortable after a few min stopped. In the winter the cars weren’t as chilly as one would expect, 25°F was tolerable and the ambient heat from other riders along with the vents being closed made for a comfortable temp. My advice would be to not ride the Skyliner on an extremely hot afternoon regardless of your condition, if you have infants, breathing issues, high blood pressure, or an electrolyte imbalance
Agreed, the loading/unloading people with disabilities does not slow down the main line at all. I saw the setup too. But in every video that I watched the skyliner stopped, one of which stopped for 3 minutes. It shouldn’t happen at all during operation, but when it does, and it will for numerous reasons, it will get warm in there.
Ok, the Skyliner does stop for the people with disabilities or wheelchairs. That’s why it stops! It doesn’t stop randomly. And when it does stop, it gets hot because there is no air flow because these wonderful transportation carriers rely on moving for their air flow through vented windows. Thank you Gene Kishel…you got it right.
Jessica, there are wheelchair and ECV-designated queues that remain stationary for boarding. These do not affect the rest of the line.
You would think with technology now a days they would build this to where the cart would have a holding track for those on and off loads so the others carts can have a continuous flow without having to stop in the air. When the cart is loaded it would simply place its self back on the track ready to take off.
Best description I’ve read of these things (several months ago) “flying easy bake ovens” This was yet another bad idea by Disney. More doing without totally rationally thinking. It ruins the skyline of a good portion of the property as a whole, and the money should have been spent on new Monorails instead. This is florida for heaven sake, we get thunderstorms every day, who wants to be in a flying easy bake oven when the thunderstorm hits? Not me!
KraftyKouponer, Skyliner has continuous flow. Wheelchairs, ECVs, and anyone who needs extra time to board will do so with stationary gondolas on a separate portion of the line and be added to the main line without interrupting flow.
It would appear, that some people do not like the SkyLiner, and therefore not use it. Which from a selfish view. I am okay with. We are staying at the Riviera Resort in May. And will use the SkyLiner, to get over to EPCOT & Disney Studios. If this means, shorter wait times and or less people using the SkyLiner….I’m good with that. No one said, It is an attraction. It is another form of transportation. Just like I always rent a car when visiting WDW. It is what I prefer. And what works best for me and my family.
The cost to extend the Monorail is off the charts expensive in today’s dollars. Has anyone been on the Monorail when it has stopped for any period of time? now that’s hot.