Jump to content

FIRST LOOK: We Go INSIDE Disney’s Skyliner Gondola! Ventilation, Wheelchair Accessibility, and Seating Questions Answered!


Recommended Posts

Posted

It’s finally time for us to get an INSIDE LOOK at Disney’s Skyliner gondolas and answer some long-held questions about cooling, wheelchair accessibility, and comfort!

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Disney’s Skyliner

The Orlando Sentinel reported today — with video!! — that the Skyliner system will consist of 300 gondolas in 8 bright colors with 22 character cars and will travel nearly 60 feet in the air over Walt Disney World at the system’s highest point! This will afford riders with one-of-a-kind views overlooking lakes, trees, parks, and more!

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Disney’s Skyliner Views

And that’s just the system by the numbers! The Sentinel spoke to Thomas Mazloum, the Disney senior vice president who oversees resorts and transportation, who explained that the gondolas will feature thoughtfully designed cross-ventilation crafted with the Florida climate in mind.

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Cross-ventilation in Disney’s Skyliner

Additionally, the windows of the gondolas are designed to reflect sunlight away from the vehicles, maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the cabin.

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Disney’s Skyliner with vented, reflecting windows

Seating will consist of wooden benches capable of holding ten passengers, with accessibility for wheelchairs. (ECVs were not specifically mentioned, but we expect they, too, will be accommodated in the cabins.

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-70

Disney’s Skyliner Seating

As we’ve reported, the gondolas have been in testing for weeks, with guests of the parks looking skyward to take in the new transportation vehicles as they whizz by — as fast as 11mph!! — in their white plastic coverings. Trips from Skyliner resorts and theme parks will take between 5-15 minutes, depending on the distance you’re traveling, and loading is described as continuous in the Skyliner stations, with the capability to pause the system to allow wheelchairs to board.

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Disney’s Skyliner

No opening date has been announced for the Skyliner system (just “fall 2019”), but the Sentinel reports that cast members are expected to begin riding the vehicles in August, and the timeline for testing is described to be “months” long.

Skyliner-Orlando-Sentinel-Screenshots-00

Disney’s Skyliner

So will the Skyliner be open in time to shuttle Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge guests to and fro? That remains to be seen — and you can bet we’ll be watching! 😉

Click here to read the Orlando Sentinel’s article and to see a newly-released video of the Skyliner in motion over Hourglass Lake!

And be sure to subscribe to the DFB Newsletter TODAY so we can keep you informed on all the Skyliner updates!

What do you think of the Skyliner? Fun new transportation system or flying box of danger?
Let us hear from you in the comments! 

 

 

View the full article

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...