Disney Skyliner Gondolas in Testing Phase!

Walt Disney World Resort has begun the initial testing phase for its new Disney Skyliner system, a gondola transportation system that will ferry guests between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Concept Art of Epcot Skyliner Station

Slated to open this coming fall, the Skyliner will also make stops at four Disney resort hotels: Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Riviera Resort, due to open in December 2019. (The official Resort opening date will be announced at a later time.)

We have been watching the Skyliner’s progress for about a year. The stations, like the one at Epcot’s International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, have really been taking shape. You can see in the photo below that they are already being decorated.

Disney Skyliner station artwork

Several gondolas will be decorated with images from Disney films, attractions and characters. Disney animated films like “Beauty & the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Moana,” “Peter Pan,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “Zootopia” will be represented.

Here’s a sneak peek at what a few of these special gondolas will look like:

Themed gondolas from the Disney Skyliner system © Disney

Other themed gondolas include:

  • “Coco”
  • Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow
  • “Finding Dory”
  • The Haunted Mansion
  • “Monsters, Inc.”
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • “Ratatouille”

Learn more about the project from Imagineer Jordan Matthews:

Will you ride in these new gondolas once they’re up and running? Or does the idea of the Skyliner leave you cold? Let us know below!

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Debra Martin Koma wrote about food, travel and lifestyle issues for a number of local and national publications before she fell in love with Walt Disney World on her first visit — when she was 34! She's returned to her Laughing Place more times than she can count in the ensuing years, and enthusiastically shares her passion with readers of AllEars.Net and AllEars®. Deb also co-authored (along with Deb Wills) PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, a travel guide designed for all travelers to Walt Disney World who may require special attention, from special diets to mobility issues.

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9 Replies to “Disney Skyliner Gondolas in Testing Phase!”

  1. My, how times have changed. When the skyway was removed from the magic kingdom years ago, I don’t recall a single person that was happy about that.

    Although, they were open air and they never stuck you with anyone you didn’t want to ride with.

    1. There are 150 gondolas – most of which continue on at 17 mph while others are being loaded (ie stopped) . There are separate loading areas at each station for ECVs and wheel chairs. Surprised at all the negative statements. I can’t wait to ride them!

  2. The only appeal the gondolas hold for me is that they may lighten the load on the buses and boats. I have no desire to be stuffed like a sardine into a small container that does not look like it can hold the twelve people they claim it can. I also have no desire to get stuck in a gondola in Florida temperatures with eleven other riders and no air conditioning. Call me crazy, but they do not interest me. Plus the stanchions take away from the beauty of the Caribbean Beach resort area.

  3. How hot do you think it will be inside of them? No air conditioning and it’s all closed up. I think my claustrophobia would kick in!!

  4. I wonder if you’re a party of two, you get a gondola to yourself. I’d hate to be crammed in with other people, they look small