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

[Anthony Vito]

What about something simple like the ability for the passengers to turn on a light? They could then use the communication system in the gondolas to ask passengers to turn the light on - now that would go back to the communications systems working properly and clearly. There would also be the issue with language barriers for non-English speaking guests, but I'm sure they could figure that end of it out - even just having a recorded message during such situations that plays in multiple languages.

 

[Spridell]

Look at that S Car go. And I showed myself out.

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Exactly what they need to add with maybe a small light shining on it to make it visible at night.

 

[fla4fun]

IMHO - it's not the mode of transportation that I have an issue with - it's the increase in price once the Skyliner opened. Point of reference, and only because I happen to know, we stayed in a 1 BR suite @ AoA, Aug 2019, price was $440/night. Same room right now, Aug 2020 is $490/night. That's an 11% increase. Did rack rates go up that much WDW wide when the Skyliner opened? I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. Now I have full confidence that the Skyliner will be back up and running by summer 2020, but it does seem like the people in Pop, CB and AoA should be given the pre-Skyliner rate until it is fixed. Sorry to say, but I really think it's going to be a rather lengthy delay before that happens.

I got a pre Skyliner rate, as no opening date had been set for either the Skyliner or SWGE at the time I booked. My rate is about 5% higher than the same time last year, before taxes. That is why I am reluctant to move. If I had a larger variance due to the Skyliner I would 100% agree with you. Disney has quietly raised rates more than once this year, and I think both the Skyliner and SWGE played into it.

I doubt if they would discount stays already booked, but it would be nice if there was some recognition of the situation, even if it was a gift card or a true anytime FP.

 

[tlmadden73]

IMHO - it's not the mode of transportation that I have an issue with - it's the increase in price once the Skyliner opened. Point of reference, and only because I happen to know, we stayed in a 1 BR suite @ AoA, Aug 2019, price was $440/night. Same room right now, Aug 2020 is $490/night. That's an 11% increase. Did rack rates go up that much WDW wide when the Skyliner opened? I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. Now I have full confidence that the Skyliner will be back up and running by summer 2020, but it does seem like the people in Pop, CB and AoA should be given the pre-Skyliner rate until it is fixed. Sorry to say, but I really think it's going to be a rather lengthy delay before that happens.

Rates across the board (even in just early 2020) are way more than 2019. I dont think prices have gone up specifically at the Skyliner resorts, just all over.

 

[mom2rtk]

Rates across the board (even in just early 2020) are way more than 2019. I dont think prices have gone up specifically at the Skyliner resorts, just all over.

Have you seen what happened with the Pop Century rates?

 

[tlmadden73]

Have you seen what happened with the Pop Century rates?

Not specifically (I saw a DISCOUNTED rate of $200 for end of March 2020) .. which is crazy high for ANY value, even one with fast transport.. but Pop has always been more than the other values. How much have the risen?

 

[Spridell]

The more I am thinking about this I am surprised the gondolas have no visible indications on the outside notifying cast members that people are inside.

The monorails have this

I travel with someone who uses an EVC and outside the door there is a light notifying the cast member a wheelchair is inside that cabin and the light also tells the cm what station that person is going to.

This should be added to the gondola system.

 

[NoTime42]

I agree with others that the blue car likely failed to grip the cable.

It's possible that it was due to a manufacturing flaw with just that one car, and not a problem with the system. Metal ramps holld the clamp open and guide it onto the cable, once it's on there the weight of the cabin holds the clamp closed. Any of the metal tabs wheels or ramps could have been misaligned on that car, or maybe the clamp didn't close all the way.

I’d think misalignment vs grip. With a weak grip then the next yellow car would have pushed it OK. I think the multiple car squeeze indicates the blue car was stuck...pointing more to alignment

 

[jade1]

What about something simple like the ability for the passengers to turn on a light? They could then use the communication system in the gondolas to ask passengers to turn the light on - now that would go back to the communications systems working properly and clearly. There would also be the issue with language barriers for non-English speaking guests, but I'm sure they could figure that end of it out - even just having a recorded message during such situations that plays in multiple languages.

There's many options really.

 

[mamaofsix]

On board camera?

I was just thinking the same thing. Actually, I'm surprised to learn they don't already have security cameras in each cabin. I guess I had just assumed they did - made me feel less worried about riding one with a stranger because I thought they had cameras. I obviously assumed wrong!

Cameras don't add that much weight. They should absolutely add them.

 

[DavidHobart]

Rates across the board (even in just early 2020) are way more than 2019. I dont think prices have gone up specifically at the Skyliner resorts, just all over.

Prices at the skyliner resorts went up about 20% for 2020. Prices at the other values and moderates went up about 6-8%.

 

[NoTime42]

I was just thinking the same thing. Actually, I'm surprised to learn they don't already have security cameras in each cabin. I guess I had just assumed they did - made me feel less worried about riding one with a stranger because I thought they had cameras. I obviously assumed wrong!

Cameras don't add that much weight. They should absolutely add them.

These 1 wire gondolas are not connected to the grid for unlimited power usage.
Batteries to power any on-board electronics wind up being heavier than any device.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Prices at the skyliner resorts went up about 20% for 2020. Prices at the other values and moderates went up about 6-8%.

Personally, I can’t say I’m surprised by this. The resort I choose to stay in now has 2 forms of transportation I can choose to use. (Once the Skyliner re-opens) It also has a dedicated bus service as opposed to buses that stop at more than one resort.

Each person can chooses where they wish to stay and as their budget allows.

To the best of my knowledge, the prices at the moderate and deluxe resorts also vary greatly between other resorts in their categories. It’s just how it happens.

When I compare the identical room at Caribbean beach for mid-week Oct 2019 and mid-week Oct 2020, it has ‘only’ increased by 10%. This is a key resort y toI the Skyliner.
I truly believe the Pop increases are due to its popularity more than the transportation although transportation is key too.

When a resort is running at near capacity most nights when lesser expensive rooms at other value resorts are not, Disney is going to push the price up. We see it in resort prices, food, tickets and more. If we’ll pay it, they’ll increase it!!

 

[mamaofsix]

These 1 wire gondolas are not connected to the grid for unlimited power usage.
Batteries to power any on-board electronics wind up being heavier than any device.

When considering how heavy 10 human beings are, a battery really isn't that much added weight.

 

[Heelish]

When considering how heavy 10 human beings are, a battery really isn't that much added weight.

Its not hard to see the difficulty of cameras on the skyliner. The only thing they are going to catch is a makeout session or a domestic situation. Cameras wont help. Everyone has phones and can call for help and use the call box for help too. The biggest problem I have found is that there is no way to tell from underneath which skyliner unit is which, and that needs to change.

 

[Krandor]

Its not hard to see the difficulty of cameras on the skyliner. The only thing they are going to catch is a makeout session or a domestic situation. Cameras wont help. Everyone has phones and can call for help and use the call box for help too. The biggest problem I have found is that there is no way to tell from underneath which skyliner unit is which, and that needs to change.

Yep and that shouldn't be that hard to do.

 

[Heelish]

There's many options really.

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Really like these options.

 

[rteetz]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-causing-major-delays-evacuation-in-progress/

 

[Lalalyn]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-causing-major-delays-evacuation-in-progress/

So they aren’t looking into or evaluating evacuation procedures? How to communicate with those riding the Skyliner during extended stops? I was expecting a more comprehensive statement.

 

[rteetz]

So they aren’t looking into or evaluating evacuation procedures? How to communicate with those riding the Skyliner during extended stops? I was expecting a more comprehensive statement.

I’m sure that is part of the investigation. Disney isn’t going to give a novel for a statement. No company does that.