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

[TheMaxRebo]

I understand that the Epcot Line has to be Stopped when loading or Unloading ECV’s and Wheelchairs at the Riveria Station as they didn’t put in a Spur Line at this Station cause Riviera also is a Line Turning Point. This maybe why the Line was longer for Epcot

I believe it is designed with a bit more time in the station so assuming comfort with it, an ECV can get on while the gondola is moving but so slow that it is nearly stopped, but that there will probably be more stops than the other line as that won't always be the case

 

[Spartan86]

I believe it is designed with a bit more time in the station so assuming comfort with it, an ECV can get on while the gondola is moving but so slow that it is nearly stopped, but that there will probably be more stops than the other line as that won't always be the case

One of the preview videos showed the cabins “creeping” through DRR. I have wondered, Will ECV’s on that line be loaded “face in” at DRR using creep, and then reverse out on the stationary ECV loop at CBR or Epcot? Conversely, if headed to DRR back ECV’s in on the stationary ECV loop at Epcot or CBR, and then drive out at DRR while “creeping”?

 

[KTR]

Given the huge number of guests using ECVs and that number seems to be growing constantly it seems like a massive oversight for them to not have come up with a way to load the Riviera line without having to stop for ECVs.

 

[Fangorn]

Thank you for the detailed report

I had been wondering how much the 2nd loop would be used and if they would also allow those with larger strollers / sleeping kids to use that and it be heavily used. But if they are only sending them every 90 secs or so then it is definitely just for ECVs / where people can't transfer, etc. I can see that being annoying at times for those that have to use that 2nd loop but as others have mentioned, often times for buses you have to wait for multiple buses - so no system is going to be perfect

I think over time it will settle out and the different lines will get waits at different times - specifically with EPCOT getting a line in that mid/late afternoon time as people head there for dinner, and even more now with people going for Food and wine and then the end of Illuminations/start of EPCOT Forever

The one difference between the ECV line of the Skyliner and the same number of ECVs waiting for buses, is that with the Skyliner, all those ECVs are in a single queue and not distributed over multiple bus queues and all within sight of the regular line moving quickly. Makes it feel (even though it's not true) like you're being ignored.

That said, it is a reasonable system. Just don't use the ECV line unless you really need it.

Steve

 

[Fangorn]

One of the preview videos showed the cabins “creeping” through DRR. I have wondered, Will ECV’s on that line be loaded “face in” at DRR using creep, and then reverse out on the stationary ECV loop at CBR or Epcot? Conversely, if headed to DRR back ECV’s in on the stationary ECV loop at Epcot or CBR, and then drive out at DRR while “creeping”?

They would NOT allow ECVs or wheelchairs to "back in". Had to go straight in, and back out.

Steve

 

[TheMaxRebo]

One of the preview videos showed the cabins “creeping” through DRR. I have wondered, Will ECV’s on that line be loaded “face in” at DRR using creep, and then reverse out on the stationary ECV loop at CBR or Epcot? Conversely, if headed to DRR back ECV’s in on the stationary ECV loop at Epcot or CBR, and then drive out at DRR while “creeping”?

They would NOT allow ECVs or wheelchairs to "back in". Had to go straight in, and back out.

Steve

My MiL had a scooter her last trip and going reverse was way more challenging that forward so I was wondering about this myself. I would think many guests would be ok driving forward onto a creeping gondola (not all, of course) but backing out I think will be much more challenge and nerve wracking

 

[Spartan86]

They would NOT allow ECVs or wheelchairs to "back in". Had to go straight in, and back out.

Steve

Gotcha. Well, my guess then is ECV’S arriving DRR will often force a full stop. It will be interesting to see.

 

[Weedy]

Thank you for the detailed report

I had been wondering how much the 2nd loop would be used and if they would also allow those with larger strollers / sleeping kids to use that and it be heavily used.

Despite what we heard before the Skyliner opened the benches in the Gondolas do not fold down to accommodate ECV’s, wheelchairs and large strollers. All Gondolas are the same size no matter what line you’re in/on. So the large strollers will need to be folded up.

 

[sommergirl25]

Rope Drop Epcot on Final Illuminations Day

8:34- Pop 4 people. So peaceful
8:38- CBR
8:39- entered Epcot line at CBR- Skyliner stopped
8:44- CBR 6 people. Nice and breezy
8:48- riviera. Still slightly breezy
8:55- Epcot
8:58 through bag check
9:00 scanned magic band

We are absolutely loving the Skyliner! So incredibly peaceful! May be my favorite way to travel! Will definitely book another Skyliner Resort in the future and hope they expand the lines!

People just don’t pay attention or follow instructions so that will sometimes slow things down.

 

[Liljo22]

Given the huge number of guests using ECVs and that number seems to be growing constantly it seems like a massive oversight for them to not have come up with a way to load the Riviera line without having to stop for ECVs.

That would mean having to close the loop at the Rivera and people having to unload and then get back in line again. Having to change Gondolas again is going to be way more inconvenient than stopping for a minute while a EVC boards.

 

[joelkfla]

I believe it is designed with a bit more time in the station so assuming comfort with it, an ECV can get on while the gondola is moving but so slow that it is nearly stopped, but that there will probably be more stops than the other line as that won't always be the case

I was told by cm's that the line had to be stopped for ecv's at Riviera. They requested that I not exit there on my ecv. Had I been staying at Aruba, I might have pressed the point, but I decided to be considerate and not try to exit just for sightseeing.

 

[Fangorn]

My MiL had a scooter her last trip and going reverse was way more challenging that forward so I was wondering about this myself. I would think many guests would be ok driving forward onto a creeping gondola (not all, of course) but backing out I think will be much more challenge and nerve wracking

Backing off the gondola may be easier than backing in. Backing out, there isn't a lot of distance to travel and it should be a straight shot out the door. Not as much opportunity to miss the door as there would be trying to back in.

I'd still expect issues at times, but having seen things in operations, I'm thinking they're doing it the most efficient way.

Steve

 

[SarahD112]

I’m curious about the real time numbers for Pop to Hollywood Studios. If it doesn’t start until 5:45am, how long after 6am gates open would we be arriving? The numbers may be a little skewed with everyone riding just to ride, but I doubt that’s the case at 5:45am.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I was told by cm's that the line had to be stopped for ecv's at Riviera. They requested that I not exit there on my ecv. Had I been staying at Aruba, I might have pressed the point, but I decided to be considerate and not try to exit just for sightseeing.

interesting since I heard the opposite that they don't have to stop

 

[OSUZorba]

People just don’t pay attention or follow instructions so that will sometimes slow things down.

I think over time they'll learn how to herd people better. Disney is extremely good at getting people to move and load on rides without the normal stupidity issues.

It might be more fencing, more CMs, more paint, etc.

 

[OSUZorba]

That would mean having to close the loop at the Rivera and people having to unload and then get back in line again. Having to change Gondolas again is going to be way more inconvenient than stopping for a minute while a EVC boards.

They could've put in the second loops there too, but it would've added a lot of footprint and complexity to the station.

 

[rteetz]

I was told by cm's that the line had to be stopped for ecv's at Riviera. They requested that I not exit there on my ecv. Had I been staying at Aruba, I might have pressed the point, but I decided to be considerate and not try to exit just for sightseeing.

The line doesn’t have to be stopped completely they can slow it down even more than other stations there so it can keep moving and you can exit or board with an ECV.

 

[firefly_ris]

They could've put in the second loops there too, but it would've added a lot of footprint and complexity to the station.

But, might have been worth it to avoid all these stoppages... since to me it seems the point of the thing is that it is in continuous motion and they had to know people would complain about it stopping frequently...

But I guess that still wouldn't get rid of the whole people not paying attention to their surroundings or their children thing. Reminds me of when I was at the airport a couple of days ago and there was a little girl, probably 2 years old, wandering alone up by the xray machines... a TSA agent had to actually call out "who's little girl is this?" and some lady way back in line says, "Oh, that's mine. I have a baby back here too." Um.... ok? I have 3 kids, doesn't mean I randomly let some of them a hundred feet away from me in the middle of an airport security area. Just bizarre. I imagine there are plenty of people like her wandering the Skyliner queue...

 

[firefly_ris]

The line doesn’t have to be stopped completely they can slow it down even more than other stations there so it can keep moving and you can exit or board with an ECV.

Oh ok. So the stoppages likely aren't from the Riviera ECV loading, more just people in the regular queue not boarding properly?

 

[FinnsMom7]

But I guess that still wouldn't get rid of the whole people not paying attention to their surroundings or their children thing. Reminds me of when I was at the airport a couple of days ago and there was a little girl, probably 2 years old, wandering alone up by the xray machines... a TSA agent had to actually call out "who's little girl is this?" and some lady way back in line says, "Oh, that's mine. I have a baby back here too." Um.... ok? I have 3 kids, doesn't mean I randomly let some of them a hundred feet away from me in the middle of an airport security area. Just bizarre. I imagine there are plenty of people like her wandering the Skyliner queue...

majority of them stuck in their phones instead of parenting, or paying attention. My last trip a few weeks ago in Epcot, a kid yelled MOM at least a dozen times, I looked half of them, she was STUCK on her phone, kid could have walked off across the park before she looked up (only because someone bumped into her and she was annoyed) and said yea what - poor kid looked so defeated.
hopefully once the Skyliner is not so shiny and new people riding will be getting on with a purpose instead of an IG photo opp