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

[Spaceguy55]

When they do away with the regular bus service. " mainly at AOA and POP" it will be a big change for those who now go to the food court for breakfast , the quick 2 minute walk to get on a bus to the parks will be replaced with a longer walk to the Skyliner station in the elements...

 

[umichigan10]

The monorails have AC (given that is working and power wasn’t lost). The Skyliner will not have AC but let’s not go down that worm hole again...

True but we’ve also discussed how fail safe the gondola is against a full stop. Unlike the monorail which has to get towed

 

[Disneylover99]

I completely understand the difference. The monorails are high up, but they are GROUNDED. They run on top of a rail and even though there are windows, most of the time it's easy to avoid seeing the ground and realizing how high up you are. The main difference though, is that rail and the fact that they aren't SUSPENDED above the ground, potentially swaying (even if it's just a very tiny bit). I don't have a terrible fear of heights, but I do understand what you and others are saying and how they are different.

Thank you for understanding. Unfortunately, the struggle is real.

Having said all of that, I believe Rteeze when he says the buses are either going away (to HS and Epcot from these particular resorts) or being greatly reduced in frequency once the gondolas come online.

Most likely.

People are welcome to try to take Disney to court over this, I'll just sit back and . I agree they are providing reasonable accommodations to those with phobias that would make gondolas a no-go. Just my opinion, obviously.

Well, I won't be taking Disney to court. I'll just stay at POFQ if the buses cease to exist at Pop. I don't think offering a Gondola only is a reasonable accommodation for people with these types of phobias. But I know you can't please everyone. I'd actually be happy with an infrequent bus. Anyways, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[danikoski]

I don't believe they will end busses to the gondola resorts for DHS and Epcot, but I do believe they will severely limited it, either by running less or by all gondola resorts on the same bus. But they may eliminate it, based on the fact monorail resorts do not have alternative free transport to Epcot. And since they already have done this at three of their flag ship resorts (along with DVC resorts), I don't envision there being legal grounds to sue...maybe, but that might be why they continue limited bus service.

Personally, I don't stay at monorail resorts because, although I enjoy riding the monorail, I fear getting stuck on it for hours, especially on that TTC to Epcot stretch. Until they get new ones, I would prefer to only ride the resort loop if necessary. But I actively choose not to stay at a monorail resort because of it.

 

[Mome Rath]

Here's the thing; you do not have to ride the Gondola. You ride a bus to one park, and then hop the bus to a different park. Or you rent a car, or you use a Minnie Van. There are so many more phobias that Disney does not have to address; take Amaxophobia for example. Amaxophobia is the fear of riding in vehicles. Disney does not have to have special accommodations for those with amaxophobia, nor agoraphobia (which can be severely triggered on buses).

As an aside; therapies for phobias are really effective. People don't have to suffer with phobias. I'm in the mental healthcare field, phobias can be addressed really well with several different therapy types.

 

[peabody58]

A 'tongue in cheek' response to the current thread's direction. Next years conversation at Guest Services.

Disney, you are required to provide me with accommodating transportation or I'll sue!!
- We have an excellent Skyliner for you.

Are you crazy?! I suffer from Acrophobia (fear of heights).
- The complimentary buses are running every hour.

I suffer from Trochophobia (fear of buses).
- You are within walking distance of EPCOT.

I also suffer from Ambulophobia (fear of walking/falling).
- So may we recommend Uber/Minnie Van, etc. as an option?

Did I mention I suffer from Taxiphobia?
- Our Friendship boats are very relaxing.

No go - I developed Naviphobia after a career in the Navy.
- The Monorail is running very well today.

Can't risk triggering my Siderodromophobia (fear of trains).
- If I might ask sir, why did you decide to vacation here at WDW at the Boardwalk?

My doctor felt a long distance trip to WDW it would help with my Aviophobia (fear of flying), Enochlophobia (fear of crowds) and Coulrophobia (fear of clowns).
- We're very sympathetic to your concerns. Please accept this Fast Pass and a free Mickey Bar as our way of making you feel appreciated.

Woo Hoo!! Best vacation ever!!!!

 

[Disneylover99]

Here's the thing; you do not have to ride the Gondola. You ride a bus to one park, and then hop the bus to a different park. Or you rent a car, or you use a Minnie Van. There are so many more phobias that Disney does not have to address; take Amaxophobia for example. Amaxophobia is the fear of riding in vehicles. Disney does not have to have special accommodations for those with amaxophobia, nor agoraphobia (which can be severely triggered on buses).

I think the difference to me, is they are taking away a previously free mode of transportation and replacing it with something that fewer people will be able to ride.

I mean, are there people out there who suffer from a fear of riding in vehicles who are thrilled with the prospect of riding in a gondola? Doubtful.

 

[rteetz]

I think the difference to me, is they are taking away a previously free mode of transportation and replacing it with something that fewer people will be able to ride.

I mean, are there people out there who suffer from a fear of riding in vehicles who are thrilled with the prospect of riding in a gondola? Doubtful.

I would have to think the numbers of people who wouldn’t ride in a gondola is very small or similar the number of people who won’t ride in a Disney bus.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would have to think the numbers of people who wouldn’t ride in a gondola is very small or similar the number of people who won’t ride in a Disney bus.

Small? Probably. How small? Nobody knows. I'm sure most people will love the Gondola. There will likely be others that get off the Gondola and say, never again! Regardless, I know I'm in the minority here and like I mentioned earlier, I'll just stay at a different resort if there is no bus at the Gondola resorts.

 

[Mome Rath]

I think the difference to me, is they are taking away a previously free mode of transportation and replacing it with something that fewer people will be able to ride.

I mean, are there people out there who suffer from a fear of riding in vehicles who are thrilled with the prospect of riding in a gondola? Doubtful.

It would depend on what aspect of riding in vehicles was distressing for the person. Just as one example, if they were scared of others driving because a fear of that person getting lost or being unsafe they may be fine in a gondola whereas they would not like buses.

Technically they are not removing buses, but rather (we assume maybe) they are removing a direct bus route. Taking buses will be an option there may just be one more leg of bus journey to take. There are example on Disney property of that already even with monorails.

 

[Disneylover99]

Technically they are not removing buses, but rather (we assume maybe) they are removing a direct bus route. Taking buses will be an option there may just be one more leg of bus journey to take. There are example on Disney property of that already even with monorails.

Yes. I know. They would be removing a previously direct to park bus route to HS/Epcot from the Gondola resorts.

 

[fla4fun]

Disney won't be legally required to have an alternative to the Gondolas anymore than ski resorts aren't required to have alternatives. And they aren't spending all this money on Gondolas only to keep full bus services running. The busses will be cut, the same as they don't run busses for Resorts with boat transportation.

They run a bus to MK from WL, as well as boats . . .

I will consider gondola resorts in the winter, but no way in the summer or fall. I am very sensitive to heat and need to be able to get inside AC quickly. In the parks, I spend a lot of time in shops I have no interest in for this reason. Spending more than five minutes in a clear bubble crowded with people in triple digit temps physically won’t work for me. Most of my trips are solo and I don’t want to risk passing out without someone traveling with me. But in the winter I think they may be kind of fun. I have missed the Skyway at MK, and the views should be interesting.

I agree it’s on me to plan ahead and not book a gondola resort when I can’t utilize it. Let’s see, I can’t do the dog resorts due to allergies, and now I have to avoid gondola resorts in summer . . .the number of available resorts keeps getting smaller . . .

 

[umichigan10]

They run a bus to MK from WL, as well as boats . . .

I will consider gondola resorts in the winter, but no way in the summer or fall. I am very sensitive to heat and need to be able to get inside AC quickly. In the parks, I spend a lot of time in shops I have no interest in for this reason. Spending more than five minutes in a clear bubble crowded with people in triple digit temps physically won’t work for me. Most of my trips are solo and I don’t want to risk passing out without someone traveling with me. But in the winter I think they may be kind of fun. I have missed the Skyway at MK, and the views should be interesting.

I agree it’s on me to plan ahead and not book a gondola resort when I can’t utilize it. Let’s see, I can’t do the dog resorts due to allergies, and now I have to avoid gondola resorts in summer . . .the number of available resorts keeps getting smaller . . .

I thought I saw a thread a while back that they discontinued the pet program. I could be wrong though

 

[Iowamomof4]

I thought I saw a thread a while back that they discontinued the pet program. I could be wrong though

Yes, as of August (or was it October?) I think.

 

[rteetz]

Yes, as of August (or was it October?) I think.

It ends October 15th this year.

 

[toonaspie]

From the latest I've seen on Caribbean Beach's construction, I noticed that the new bus depots have specific areas for both DHS and Epcot. Why build them if they know the gondolas are coming? From seeing that, I think there will still be bus transportation for those parks even with gondolas intact. Just don't expect them to be running at the same frequency as they are now.

I also believe that you can get the people at the front desk to arrange for a bus for you under certain circumstances at no charge (or at least that's what I heard).

 

[joelkfla]

My issue is claustrophobia. If I could ride on top of the Gondola I would. I psych myself up to get on the monorail and I've developed a number of coping strategies over the years. The monorail is nowhere near as small as a Gondola. I can see the Gondola being an issue for many people.

Does the gondola cabin being almost entirely glass and (we hope) having constant flow-thru ventilation mitigate your fears? Do you not have a problem riding a crowded bus? Not arguing, just asking.

I think the difference to me, is they are taking away a previously free mode of transportation and replacing it with something that fewer people will be able to ride.

That's progress. There are always lots of people on the Transportation board saying they won't ride the buses because they're too crowded and the wait time is unpredictable. Maybe Disney thinks more people will be willing to ride the gondolas.

 

[fla4fun]

Does the gondola cabin being almost entirely glass and (we hope) having constant flow-thru ventilation mitigate your fears? Do you not have a problem riding a crowded bus?

My mom had claustrophobia and she would always stand by and facing the rear or front door on the bus. We also stayed in the Epcot resorts area a lot so we could walk to two parks. For her, it was being near an exit that helped her not feel trapped. She wasn’t fond of the monorails and no elevators. Sometimes it would hit during certain attractions, like the dark passageway at the beginning of SSE. Once she could see the evac steps, she would feel better. She wouldn’t have felt comfortable standing or sitting in the middle of a crowded bus.

With Epcot and the studios being reasonably close, if they were going to provide backup transport by bus, I wonder if they would combine the two parks on one route, with the buses coming in maybe once per hour.

I always had a car with me, but would ride the buses, boats or monorails to get around. Next year I won’t have the car with me so I won’t have another option unless I want to pay (which I don’t or I would just have my car there).

Forgot the dogs are going away in October. That will open up my choice of resort a bit. Thanks for the reminder !

 

[Disneylover99]

Does the gondola cabin being almost entirely glass and (we hope) having constant flow-thru ventilation mitigate your fears? Do you not have a problem riding a crowded bus? Not arguing, just asking.

The space is just too small for me. I would feel/be trapped. And we usually go in August, so the heat and humidity would be a huge problem. But the fact that it's mostly glass may help others who have similar issues. Crowded buses are okay for me as long as I'm standing near a door. Knowing that the driver could open the door for me helps to keep me calm. I could never sit on a crowded bus.

That's progress. There are always lots of people on the Transportation board saying they won't ride the buses because they're too crowded and the wait time is unpredictable. Maybe Disney thinks more people will be willing to ride the gondolas.

For sure. There are plenty of people who hate the buses and the waits. I'm sure Disney is happy to cater to them. The difference is they just don't want to ride the buses. But myself, and others like me, just can't physically get on the Gondola without the risk of having a full on panic attack. I am seeking treatment and making improvements. I can now get on some elevators that are mirrored inside. I have lots of strategies for dealing with my claustrophobia. But at this point, getting on the Gondola would most likely set me back.

 

[sndral]

...
Personally attacking me is pretty pointless. I am the only one giving facts here. Well, my spouse and I are both contributing to the discussion via my account. A doctor and a lawyer with quite a bit of experience in these matters. This has been pretty amusing.

I see you’ve been on the DIS for 3 months, thus, you may be surprised to learn that there are many doctors who post here and even more lawyers. Technically, most lawyers are doctors since most have Juris Doctor degrees. However, this is the first time I’ve seen someone claim to be posting as a lawyer and for a doctor. Since it’s the internet and anyone can claim to be anything they want, I think I’ll claim I’m a ...
If you would like a refresher on ADA law and Disney, I suggest you search the DIS for the never ending threads about the lawsuits against Disney when they did away with the GAC a couple of years ago. It didn’t end well for the plaintiffs.
At this stage, since nobody has sued Disney about the not yet built Gondola system, and since you drive to WDW and have posted that after your last visit you won’t stay on site again and thus won’t be needing transport from a gondola resort, I submit that your arguments are both not ripe and moot.