Disney Skyliner transportation system review from Dealing With Disney

Disney Skyliner (AKA new Gondola system):

We have been seeing these all-over social media, the great anticipation.

From the announcement of the new system, to erecting the posts, the cables, the cars added, the cars running and the cars not running! Every DAY we were getting updates. It got old for me but then I would get excited & back to annoyed at all the posts yet excited again!! I could NOT take it!

Alas, on my many visits, I still could not help but look & wonder how it would all turn out.

I finally was able to ride them on my last visit. Now, I can do just about any ride without qualm, but I have never been a cable car kind of girl. I was not sure how I would stomach it but knew I had to try. I told myself it was just like a sideways elevator when mentally preparing myself.

Few tips:

*It can get chilly since air comes in through vents. If it is chilly outside, expect some of that to come in. I have not the summer travel YET but heard it can be warm, but I have not heard anything where it was ‘bad’.

 *The cars move continuously. They do stop for certain situation/guest needs but we didn’t experience any during our travels with them.

*The cars can sway a little when windy. They will NOT run in certain wind conditions.

*Cable cars travel from/to: Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, POP Century and Art of Animation (shared) resort, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT (Beach club, Yacht & Boardwalk accessible).

*They are a much quicker transportation option than Bus/boats.  

They are pretty comfy and roomy inside.

*queues move quick

*The take-off is a bit quick and the ‘station return entries’ are also quick. I will be honest, it is surprising how quick it feels they come into the station and it really feels like you are about to collide with the car in front of you but luckily, we never did!

My experiences:

When I rode it, I found my new ‘people mover’ ride. I sat back, propped my feet up promptly and just gazed at my surroundings. I was that calm and happy with them. It could be the name ‘Disney’ attached to it that removed all my anxieties from it, I could not tell you really? NOW, for my son with functioning anxiety, him-not so much. He did his best to calm himself and not have a full-blown attack. He kept his head down and did his breathing techniques. I was proud of him for doing it. I did sort of force him but felt bad I did. It probably was not helpful that it was at night and you could not see much from different points of the travel. He is one that needs to see. He won’t ride dark coasters or attractions that travel backward at all. He just now advanced to Big Thunder and 7 Dwarf coasters.

So, my takeaway from this experience; if you are prone to this anxiety or have concerns riding cable cars seriously consider options in taking this venture. Once you are on, you can’t get off until you reach your destination. Some spots, you can get off but only option is to get on another car. Try the cars in the daylight for first rides or when there is no wind. Don’t travel in high heat in case there is a brief stop or delay. The heat can make the anxiety higher. 

My daughter won’t ride hardly any attraction (seriously-not even Buzz—or getting on escalators) LOVED the skyliner. She could not wait to ride it again. She is just like my son in his anxiety issues. That is the thing with anxiety, it can affect people in such different ways.

 I have spoken with several friends and clients and all have really enjoyed them! Here is a quick video clip of us getting on the skyliner.