Florida’s sunshine has taken a break today as we’ve shown you what Disney World looks like during a “severe weather warning” day.
A very wet Fantasyland
Dozens of attractions closed due to the weather and related outages, Blizzard Beach closed temporarily, and other areas were impacted throughout the parks, like the Disney Skyliner. We got a closer look at what it was like to be on the Skyliner during today’s storm.
Thanks to our DFB reader, @olivia.eugenie.crowe on Instagram, we were able to get some insight into the Disney Skyliner stopping today during Florida’s severe thunderstorm. She shared that guests were stuck in their gondolas for over an hour due to the intense lightning, rain, and winds.
Severe weather in Magic Kingdom
During the storm today, we saw the gondolas paused.
We caught the Skyliner at a standstill earlier during the heavy rain! 🚡 pic.twitter.com/nNOyAQG2LH
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 11, 2021
In the past, we’ve seen the Skyliner close temporarily on a few different occasions. With today’s fairly lengthy closure, we couldn’t help but be reminded of the incident that occurred back in 2019 when some of the gondolas collided. During that incident, some guests were stuck on the Skyliner for up to THREE hours and several guests ultimately had to be evacuated from the air by emergency vehicles.
Thankfully, today’s pause appeared to be for less time as Crowe shared, and guests did not need to be evacuated from the air by emergency vehicles.
First Responder Truck Evacuating Skyliner Gondolas in 2019
Prior to the Skyliner moving again, Crowe said that guests were instructed to open the emergency kit that is stored in each of the gondolas. Drinkable water, glow sticks, cool packs, and more are included inside of the kits.
Credit: Olivia Crowe
We got a look at this emergency kit previously when the Skyliner collision occurred in 2019. We even shared our thoughts on all of the items that SHOULD have been included in there.
Click here to see our thoughts on the items that should have been included in the Skyliner emergency kits!
Crowe said she was given $25 Disney gift cards after guests were able to exit the gondolas during today’s incident.
Credit: Olivia Crowe
When the Skyliner collision occurred in 2019 and several guests were stuck there for multiple hours, we saw tweets and had guests report that they were given two $50 Disney gift cards and two Disney World park hopper tickets to make up for their trouble. Disney also had some cold water available for guests as they left back in 2019, and transportation ready to get them back to their homes and resorts.
As we’ve shared in our DFB video all about emergencies and evacuations in Disney World, the type of compensation you might get for any inconveniences you experience during an evacuation will likely depend on the sort-of “level” of the emergency or evacuation — how serious things were, whether you had to evacuate from something in a more difficult way, how long you were stuck, etc.
The Disney Skyliner on a Sunny Day
Severe weather is something that you should take into consideration and prepare for if you’re planning to visit Disney World. So, what should you do to make sure you’re ready? We’ve got a whole bunch of posts to help! Click here to see what a “severe weather warning” day looks like in Disney World so you know what to expect.
It’s a Poncho Kind of Day
Click here to get 4 important tips for handling severe weather warnings in Disney World. And click here to see what it’s like to wear a Disney World rain poncho on a severe weather day.
Click here to see those important tips for handling severe weather!
With summer approaching, you’ll want to plan ahead for hurricane season. Currently, analysts are predicting above-average activity for the 2021 hurricane season. So, if you’re planning to visit during that time, it’s important for you to be prepared.
Hurricane Day in Disney
Click here to see 6 tips for planning a Disney World trip during hurricane season. And click here to see what you need to know if a hurricane threatens Disney World.
You can also check out our video below to see how to survive Disney World weather and hurricane season.
Click here to see what it’s like to be stuck in a Disney Skyliner for 3 hours!
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I will definitely be checking my weather apps before making any plans to get on the Skyliner. Not sure I want to be up there during a torrent or lightning storm. LOL
Explain to me how it was safer to keep these gondolas full of people hanging there for an hour rather than quickly running down the line to get everyone off.
I would of thought Disney would of know when a storm was coming they do have radar . My family and I was in the pool and the life guards told us to get out of the pool . There was a storm
20 miles away . It must of been scared for these people rain and wind . People are not really fond of it still new having problem on and off . If people are going to be aware before riding it .
Do those emergency kits come with a toilet?