New Walt Disney World Transportation System?: Updated 4/18/17 with Confirmed Plans

[Speedy1998]

I have read a rumor in a couple of different places that Disney is looking at building a new Sky Way for transportation purposes linking CB, AoA, and POP with EPCOT and DHS. Based on the diagrams online, there would be a station shared by POP and AoA, that went to a station at CB. From there guest would be able to board a gondola that either went to Epcot, or DHS.

[baldburke]

That sounds awesome but I'd be curious to hear the odds of it coming to fruition. It would certainly be cheaper than monorails! When I first saw the string I was thinking it was a return of the Sky Way to MK. That's what I'd love to see! It was so much fun but probably such an insurance liability.

[magicofdisney]

How were those particular resorts chosen?

How is this less of a liability outside the parks than within?

They'd have to be enclosed, otherwise Florida weather would prevent usage many times a year. Speaking of which, how safe is it to ride in a gondola if a lightening storm is in progress (enclosed or not)?

Would this be faster than simply taking a bus to Epcot or HS, from POP or AoA?

I have so many questions...

[Speedy1998]

How is this less of a liability outside the parks than within?

They'd have to be enclosed, otherwise Florida weather would prevent usage many times a year.

I think your answer is in your next statement, they would have to be enclosed.

[PopPhan]

Sounds like someone's pipe dream. Looking at the properties, this just doesn't seem feasible. A Pop, AoA, CB loop and a CB, EPCOT, DHS loop? With transfers and travel time, the buses would be quicker from Pop and AoA.

Just sounds like a "fake news" story to me.

[Speedy1998]

Sounds like someone's pipe dream. Looking at the properties, this just doesn't seem feasible. A Pop, AoA, CB loop and a CB, EPCOT, DHS loop? With transfers and travel time, the buses would be quicker from Pop and AoA.

.

I am not so sure the about the buses being quicker. I have found most my travel time is just waiting for the buses. If you have something that is loading continuously, I think it would beat the bus 90% of the time even with the slower speeds.

[Basket Mommy]

One of the blogs I read today said that papers have already been filed, so it may not just be a pipe dream.

[joonyer]

So my question is: Will it be a "free" perk like other Disney Transportation, or will it come with it's own admission fee? Sounds more like an "attraction" than realistic transportation, like Characters in Flight (balloon ride) at Disney Springs, (even if it does take you from point A to point B).

[PopPhan]

Here is a "report" from another site:

XXXXXXXX,(name withheld due to TOS) an unofficial Disney fan site and forum may have discovered permits for what might be a gondola that could transport guests from Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation.

The expansion of the monorail has for years been seen as too expensive, but speculation is that a gondola system might be a costly way to create another alternative transportation system. The Skyway, an attraction in the Magic Kingdom, was a similar gondola like system that closed on November 9th, 1994. It seems that the new speculated gondola system would be much larger, transport more guests, and include air conditioning.

It has been rumored for some time that Disney is adding a Disney Vacation Club property at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The addition of a gondola system will certainly help attract more guests to the effected hotels including Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Gondolas transportation systems are becoming increasing popular in urban planning. New York City, Hong Kong, Singapore, among other large cities have their own gondola systems. Disney could now be following suit.

Nothing official from Disney has been announced on this speculated gondola transportation system.

Note the "may have" in the first line....

[Mackflava99]

Here is a "report" from another site:

Gondolas are popular in Singapore

Note the "may have" in the first line....

I have taken the ones in Singapore, definitely a little scary, they are very high up... But the view is spectacular.

[VWL Mom]

And this from the Orlando Sentinel:

....Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Disney-controlled government agency, submitted plans to the South Florida Water Management District this week for work associated with various improvements. The plans are vague, but they do show buildings – including one with a V shape – that are elevated 100 feet. The details are leading some to conclude the project could be paving the way for a gondola lift linking some of the theme parks and other areas.


Such systems have been built in other parts of the world. Experts say cable cars would shuttle tourists around in a cost-effective, fun way.

....

[Goofy4TheWorld]

While I doubt it would ever happen, it's a logical theory. These three resorts are very close together, and are very close to Epcot and DHS. There is significant road and parking construction around DHS, and it's safe to say that Star War's growing presence there will make getting into DHS very challenging.

A cable car accomplishes the Monorail's objective of off-road transportation but is far more flexible in con$truction restraint$.

[Figment!]

And this from the Orlando Sentinel:

....Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Disney-controlled government agency, submitted plans to the South Florida Water Management District this week for work associated with various improvements. The plans are vague, but they do show buildings – including one with a V shape – that are elevated 100 feet. The details are leading some to conclude the project could be paving the way for a gondola lift linking some of the theme parks and other areas.


Such systems have been built in other parts of the world. Experts say cable cars would shuttle tourists around in a cost-effective, fun way.

....

As noted above, right now there is primarily conjecture based on several otherwise odd placed buildings with permits filed in seemingly related time spans.

The placement of the buildings in what could be a "network" is leading to the speculation of an elevated transportation system.

The buildings in question are placed:

• Near Epcot's International Gateway
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Boardwalk
• Near the Current Parking Lot of Disney's Hollywood Studios
• In An Existing Parking Lot Between Disney's Art of Animation and Disney's Pop Century Resorts
• In a New Development Near Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Aruba Section

The planned buildings are noted below with the Dark Blue Dots, the Dark Blue Dashed Line represents a theoretical "loop" style transportation line between Buildings, and the Light Blue Solid Line represents a conjectured "spur" style transportation line between Buildings:



Some of these buildings were noted in the other thread regarding the Caribbean Beach construction.

[baldburke]

As noted above, right now there is primarily conjecture based on several otherwise odd placed buildings with permits filed in seemingly related time spans.

The placement of the buildings in what could be a "network" is leading to the speculation of an elevated transportation system.

The buildings in question are placed:

• Near Epcot's International Gateway
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Boardwalk
• Near the Current Parking Lot of Disney's Hollywood Studios
• In An Existing Parking Lot Between Disney's Art of Animation and Disney's Pop Century Resorts
• In a New Development Near Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Aruba Section

The planned buildings are noted below with the Dark Blue Dots, the Dark Blue Dashed Line represents a theoretical "loop" style transportation line between Buildings, and the Light Blue Solid Line represents a conjectured "spur" style transportation line between Buildings:



Some of these buildings were noted in the other thread regarding the Caribbean Beach construction.

Seeing it on your map really piqued my interest. We really like staying on the MK loop. Say what you will about the monorails but avoiding buses is great. Being able to stay at an Epcot DVC resort and shuttle between two parks (although three if you really wanted) would be awesome! If this thing took off then perhaps it could be a lower cost replacement to the existing monorail at MK and Epcot. Now if only AKL had it's own dedicated transportation line to AK...

[baldburke]

As noted above, right now there is primarily conjecture based on several otherwise odd placed buildings with permits filed in seemingly related time spans.

The placement of the buildings in what could be a "network" is leading to the speculation of an elevated transportation system.

The buildings in question are placed:

• Near Epcot's International Gateway
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Boardwalk
• Near the Current Parking Lot of Disney's Hollywood Studios
• In An Existing Parking Lot Between Disney's Art of Animation and Disney's Pop Century Resorts
• In a New Development Near Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Near the Current Parking Lot for Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Aruba Section

The planned buildings are noted below with the Dark Blue Dots, the Dark Blue Dashed Line represents a theoretical "loop" style transportation line between Buildings, and the Light Blue Solid Line represents a conjectured "spur" style transportation line between Buildings:



Some of these buildings were noted in the other thread regarding the Caribbean Beach construction.

In looking at your map again does anyone think they might make the Epcot stop at the front of the park? It would be great if you could hop off the sky way and catch a monorail to MK or vice versa. Plus the back entrance at Epcot isn't really suited for mass entry.

[DizneyFreak2002]

More than a pipe dream... a gondola system is being planned...

[Dulcee]

More than a pipe dream... a gondola system is being planned...

I've heard this from someone inside the WDW company as well. Project in the works however not yet fully approved.

[barnaby]

Wonder if you will no pay more to stay at a "gondola" resort like you do for monorail resorts?
Pop is my favorite value. Hate to see a price increase if the gondola system went in.

[waymickey]

I've heard this from someone inside the WDW company as well. Project in the works however not yet fully approved.

One question and this is not meant to offend anyone. How will it work for guests in wheelchairs or scooters? Or would it be not an option for them?

[Speedy1998]

One question and this is not meant to offend anyone. How will it work for guests in wheelchairs or scooters? Or would it be not an option for them?

I think it would have to be. Maybe they will have something like in Toy Story mania, where guest in wheel chairs load in a separate line that stops to allow for the loading and unloading of the wheelchair/ scooter, while the main line keeps moving.