The Disney Skyliner is a gondola lift-based transportation system at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, built in lieu of a costly expansion to the Monorail system. The six-station system connects the Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resorts with Epcot's International Gateway and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Service began on September 29, 2019.[1]
A spiritual successor to Disney's Skyway attractions built by Von Roll, the Skyliner is the first American gondola system to utilize Austrian manufacturer Doppelmayr's D-Line model. Doppelmayr Garaventa itself is a corporate successor to Von Roll, having acquired Von Roll's aerial tramway division in 1996.
On October 5, 2019, less than a week after the Skyliner's opening, a crash at the Riviera Resort station occurred on the Epcot line after a gondola failed to leave the station, causing a jam. No injuries were reported, but passengers were stranded for up to 3 hours. On October 8, 2019, the Skyliner was closed while Disney investigates the cause of the malfunction.[2][3] The system was later reopened on October 14, 2019, with revised operating hours and improved safety measures to reduce the risk of of further incidents.
Character Gondolas[]
Many of the gondolas feature decal artwork of groups of Disney characters riding the gondolas with guests. These include:
- Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Mr. Bluebird, Chip and Dale in the Mickey Mouse style
- Disney Ducks in the Mickey Mouse style featuring Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie
- Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow in the Mickey Mouse style
- The Princess and the Frog with Tiana, Prince Naveen, Ray, and Mama Odie
- Stitch
- Monsters, Inc. with James P. Sullivan, Mike Wazowski, Boo, Randall Boggs, and Needleman and Smitty
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with Snow White, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Grumpy, Bashful, and Sneezy
- Peter Pan, with Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, John, and Mr. Smee
- Winnie the Pooh, featuring Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and Owl
- Ratatouille, featuring Remy, Alfredo Linguini, Colette Tatou, and Ernie
- Beauty and the Beast, featuring Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip Potts.
- Frozen, featuring Anna, Elsa, Sven, Kristoff, Olaf, and the Snowgies
- Moana, featuring Moana, Maui, the Kakamora, Pua, and Heihei
- Finding Dory, featuring Marlin, Nemo, Dory, Tad, Pearl, Sheldon, Squirt, and Hank
- Ralph Breaks the Internet, featuring Wreck-It Ralph, Vanellope von Schweetz, Fix-It Felix Jr., KnowsMore, Shank, Yesss, Taffyta Muttonfudge, and other Sugar Rush Racers
- Toy Story, featuring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Rex, Trixie, Slinky Dog, Bullseye, and the Little Green Men
- The Haunted Mansion, featuring Madame Leota, the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and the Coffin Man and Raven
- Pirates of the Caribbean, based on the jail scene with the dog and a pirate skeleton with treasure
- Star Wars, featuring Chewbacca, a flock of Porgs, C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8
- Guardians of the Galaxy, featuring Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Yondu, and Cosmo
- Coco, featuring Miguel Rivera, Héctor, Imelda, Papá Julio, Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe, Tía Victoria, and Tía Rosita
- Zootopia, featuring Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Flash Slothmore, Benjamin Clawhauser, Chief Bogo, and Mayor Bellwether
- Encanto, featuring Mirabel Madrigal, Bruno Madrigal, Luisa Madrigal, Antonio Madrigal's Animals, Antonio Madrigal, Chispi, and Isabela Madrigal
Gallery[]
