Skyliner such a flawed system

[frozman]

I just have to say I think Disney screwed up with this one. I know it’s new and there’s probably still some kinks to be worked out, but where to begin...
First off, the line to get on it an hour before Hollywood Studios stretched back all the way to the last 50s building at Pop. I must have waited in line half an hour for it. So then you get on, go to Caribbean beach, and get to wait in line all over again. Nice. You’d think they could route the transfers to a different line as those people have already waited. It became obvious to me that I would not make the 10 o clock opening to get the Star Wars pass, so I changed plans and went to Animal Kingdom. Now I know social distancing has reduced capacity, I get that, but mind you Art of Animation is not open, not to mention no doubt reduced capacity at Pop. Also the parks were not at capacity today. Additionally they have to put it to a stop every time someone needs assistance is loading or unloading. I was on the Epcot line and I must say we probably stopped 10-15 times on the way to Caribbean beach. There are a lot of people who need more time to board, I get that, but I think they should have designed it like Space Mountain and Radiator Springs Racers in California where those people load on a transfer track so they can take all the time they need.
I can safely say that the Skyliner is a deterrent from me staying at Pop, AoA, and Riviera. Caribbean Beach might be fine but I strongly prefer the busses.

[azcavalier]

That sounds terrible. You have to wait in line at every transfer/stop?

[frozman]

That sounds terrible. You have to wait in line at every transfer/stop?

There are 3 lines, all start (or end depending on your point of view) at Caribbean Beach. 1 goes to Art of Animation and Pop Century, 1 goes to Hollywood Studios, and the 3rd goes to Epcot with a stop at Riviera. Whatever line you are on, regardless of where you are headed, you must disembark at Caribbean beach and then get back in line again for your final destination, but you do not need to get off at Riviera. I mean, Hollywood Studios And Pop/AoA are not that far from Caribbean Beach, they should have made that the transfer station, so then a lot of people wouldn’t have to transfer.
Again, I think for the most part it’s fine if you are at Caribbean Beach, but for AoA/Pop, and probably Riviera it’s terrible.

[iheartdisney]

This sounds awful. I was really looking forward to a stay at one of the skyliner resorts. Now it sounds like we may ride it for the novelty one time and bus the rest of the time. Disney is typically good with crowd control, etc. You'd think their latest form of transportation would reflect that.

Thanks for your review!

[Zippy 1]

Last November when we were there we had no problems with the Skyliner. It was a very very busy weekend too. I think we waited in line less than 5 minutes and had no line when we transferred. I have heard from friends and cast members that it is taking longer right now. They can not put more than one party in a car which slows down the line. Before they would put a couple groups together if there were only 2 people. Hopefully when things head back to "normal" things with it will be better again

[frozman]

Last November when we were there we had no problems with the Skyliner. It was a very very busy weekend too. I think we waited in line less than 5 minutes and had no line when we transferred. I have heard from friends and cast members that it is taking longer right now. They can not put more than one party in a car which slows down the line. Before they would put a couple groups together if there were only 2 people. Hopefully when things head back to "normal" things with it will be better again

I think another reason for the issue has to do with park opening procedures. I believe the transportation services typically start 2 hours before park opens. What they are doing right now is everything starts 1 hour before opening... including opening of the toll plazas. This is to avoid the rope drop crowds, so everyone can get in and just head to their first attraction... this is a good idea, but with the limited capacity of the Skyliner and everyone itching to go to Hollywood Studios (Star Wars, Runaway Railway) they should run busses too. I’m told they normally run hourly busses to Epcot and HS, but are not right now. A CM says the queue starts building up at 7:30am (for a 9am Skyliner opening)

That said I’ve swapped my AK and HS reservations around, and on Friday I’ll drive to HS like I did on Monday (I wanted breakfast at McDonalds LOL) Right now I think the only Disney Transportation worth using is to the Magic Kingdom, as that let’s you bypass the TTC, if you have a car you should drive everywhere else.

But the Skyliner was part of what had me excited about Pop Century, such a disappointment.

[VacationDisney]

Last November we were staying at POP. We totally loved the Skyliner. No waits at all. We walked right on to our tram. It was so easy! Didn't really mind the transfer point, however, Disney could have planned that better!

Now that things have changed so very much, things might be different now.