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

[Rivergirl2005]

Follows the plan I heard. June/July, all depends on how things go.

Any chance of 1st and 2nd week of June or more closer to the end of June?

 

[rteetz]

Any chance of 1st and 2nd week of June or more closer to the end of June?

It’s too early to say.

 

[Mark Cameron]

I would think with all the testing they are doing between CBR and Hollywood Studios right now, they should have a good bit of data and should take less time on the other lines.

 

[cisco911]

I would think with all the testing they are doing between CBR and Hollywood Studios right now, they should have a good bit of data and should take less time on the other lines.

Thats the true question. All the testing is being done on that one line. The other two lines are still not being tested. I would assume the other two lines would require the same level of testing. I wonder if they would open the CBR to HS line and leave the others closed or would they want the whole thing to be open at the same time?

 

[Mark Cameron]

Thats the true question. All the testing is being done on that one line. The other two lines are still not being tested. I would assume the other two lines would require the same level of testing. I wonder if they would open the CBR to HS line and leave the others closed or would they want the whole thing to be open at the same time?

I'm willing to bet they will start testing the CBR to POP/AoA line pretty soon. I think if any of the lines aren't open by the time SWGE opens, I bet it's the Epcot line.

 

[sachilles]

I think the Epcot line offers the most challenges, with the turn and turn/load stations.
Honestly think the limiting factor is the construction around the stations. That needs to be ready for people as much as the gondola itself.

So I think the DHS tram loop, CBR station, and IG gate improvements all really need to be ready for prime time before they open the skyliner. No sense opening into construction zones and temporary walkways, that will be done shortly after.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thats the true question. All the testing is being done on that one line. The other two lines are still not being tested. I would assume the other two lines would require the same level of testing. I wonder if they would open the CBR to HS line and leave the others closed or would they want the whole thing to be open at the same time?

I'm willing to bet they will start testing the CBR to POP/AoA line pretty soon. I think if any of the lines aren't open by the time SWGE opens, I bet it's the Epcot line.

I am not an expert, but I would think the first line would require the most testing as they are also testing how to get the gondolas themselves on and off and getting all the gondolas in and inspected, and just dealing with any Disney red tape ... basically just the nuts and bolts of how to do the testing - so now that they know how to do the testing the other lines should go a little faster

I agree that I don't think they would open just the CBR to DHS line, but if they can get the AoA/Pop line done as well and just leave the EPCOT one they could open the other two first ... but guess we shall see

 

[scrappinginontario]

I work in IT which I know is very different from gondolas but we recently did a HUGE system upgrade. The first portion to be implemented and tested revealed 15x the number of challenges and problems then the final portion did. Each portion of the project got better as we learned from what had happened in the first section. I’m guessing the gondolas would be similar.

 

[The Pho]

I am not an expert, but I would think the first line would require the most testing as they are also testing how to get the gondolas themselves on and off and getting all the gondolas in and inspected, and just dealing with any Disney red tape ... basically just the nuts and bolts of how to do the testing - so now that they know how to do the testing the other lines should go a little faster

I agree that I don't think they would open just the CBR to DHS line, but if they can get the AoA/Pop line done as well and just leave the EPCOT one they could open the other two first ... but guess we shall see

Most of that should already be known. They’ve had a Gondola on property before, they currently operate a chair lift, and Disney has been hiring people with years/decades of experience with these systems.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Follows the plan I heard. June/July, all depends on how things go.

We check out of POP on 6/22.....bet ya it opens on 6/23

 

[ThistleMae]

Thats the true question. All the testing is being done on that one line. The other two lines are still not being tested. I would assume the other two lines would require the same level of testing. I wonder if they would open the CBR to HS line and leave the others closed or would they want the whole thing to be open at the same time?

The way Disney does things, I wouldn't be surprised if POP and AOA were left out of the initial "GO". That way everyone staying at those resorts can be disappointed!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Most of that should already be known. They’ve had a Gondola on property before, they currently operate a chair lift, and Disney has been hiring people with years/decades of experience with these systems.

yeah, and maybe I am putting too much on to this - but just feels doing the testing elsewhere and doing it at Disney isn't the same (just due to any approvals and legal compliance and all that sort of stuff) so has to be some uniqueness to testing the first gondolas on site at Disney that know they know and is one less thing to worry about for the other lines

But maybe that impact is much more minimal that it is in my head

 

[kappyfamily]

I also listened to that podcast. Too bad it was after the fact as I want to comment in the chat box so bad. How they were all concerned about the safety of the whole thing. My comment would have been have you guys ever driven around Orlando or in Florida in general.? As someone who travels to Orlando once a year and rents a car, it is often scariest experience of my life. and I’m doing hail Mary’s every time I drop the car back off that nothing happened to us. I have witnessed some serious crazy driving in the Orlando areaI would rather be riding the skyline 24/7 then driving in the car in Florida

This is me but in Miami. I drive all over the country for work and nothing is worse than Miami. Holy smokes.

 

[ThistleMae]

I can't even imagine how much it must cost to insure WDW! Anyone have a guess or even know?

 

[Spaceguy55]

Generally most large corporations have a umbrella policy with a certain deductible and a fixed premium.
The transportation "Minnie vans , buses, etc" may be required to have it's own commercial liability policy as required by the state.
As far as cost,I've managed properties and had umbrella policies and can say they are pretty affordable as you increase your deductible...I'm sure Disney's cost is in the millions.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I can't even imagine how much it must cost to insure WDW! Anyone have a guess or even know?

I could probably do some digging since I know my company reinsured at least some of their exposure

But they must have sooooo many different coverage - from the more property based ones, to workers comp, to D&O/E&O, then some umbrella over it

Plus they are large enough that they could self insure some of it

 

[DanBoris]

I can't even imagine how much it must cost to insure WDW! Anyone have a guess or even know?

I believe Disney parks are self-insured.

 

[OSUZorba]

I'm willing to bet they will start testing the CBR to POP/AoA line pretty soon. I think if any of the lines aren't open by the time SWGE opens, I bet it's the Epcot line.

This is what I think too. I think they probably want to open them all at once, but will open CBR to DHS and POP before SWGE even if the Epcot line isn't ready.

That said, there is still a lot of time left and I bet they will all open together.

 

[OSUZorba]

This is me but in Miami. I drive all over the country for work and nothing is worse than Miami. Holy smokes.

Really? I've never felt unsafe with the driving in Orlando or Miami. Orlando annoys me with all the slow old people.

Nothing like driving in Texas (at least used to be, all the new people have made it more sane). I've even had a gun pulled on me on US-75 in downtown Dallas.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Really? I've never felt unsafe with the driving in Orlando or Miami. Orlando annoys me with all the slow old people.

Nothing like driving in Texas (at least used to be, all the new people have made it more sane). I've even had a gun pulled on me on US-75 in downtown Dallas.

Orlando is tough just as there are soooo many people visiting in rental cars and not used to the car itself or the roads, etc.

New York City is kinda nuts but at least most of the people are competent drivers. Personally I've found Boston to be the worst