Disney Skyliner Construction Update, November 2018
Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing a few minor refurbishments. By minor, I’m referring to the complete overhaul of the current highway system, 3 new hotels going up, the Disney Skyliner construction, and the many, many new theme park attractions that have broken ground. I’m aware that ‘minor’ is definitely an understatement when it comes to construction, and the update I’m most excited for is about to take off…literally!
The Disney Skyliner is going to change an awful lot about the way guests think about transportation at Walt Disney World Resort. Connecting 3 hotels to 2 Parks when completed, the Skyliner is going to be responsible for moving the masses. What will (hopefully) be a much more seamless and less frustrating transportation system, the Skyliner has more than broken ground, and last week I wormed my way into many of the construction sites to check on the progress!
The Skyliner
The Skyliner is going to change the literal skyline of Walt Disney World. The beams that will serve as the upright stabilization for the Skyliner have been installed, and for those who haven’t visited since then, you will absolutely be able to see it from the roadways, the Resorts, the parking lots, and most importantly, the Parks themselves!
Connecting Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation/Pop Century, Riviera Resort, and Caribbean Beach, the Skyliner’s scope is practically Resort-wide! So, will the Skyliner change the Disney skyline? Absolutely.
Epcot
Speaking of changing sightlines, the Skyliner construction happening at Epcot is a prime example! In the quaint Parisian neighborhood, guests of Epcot will soon be able to leisurely enjoy a pastry or crepe while the Skyliner glides overhead.
This tiny detail that will soon be in place in the France Pavilion is the Disney touch I’ve been waiting for! The simple addition of a gondola passing through the buildings of the France Pavilion is going to give it an even more realistic, quintessentially European feeling than ever before!
Hollywood Studios
With each Skyliner connection means a Skyliner drop-off/pick up point. At Hollywood Studios, I had the incredible opportunity to peek behind the 8ft construction walls. The construction is well underway, and contrary to early rumors, will not impose upon the already-tiny parking lot at Hollywood Studios.
Located just across from the Epcot/Resorts boat launch, fears of the Skyliner drop-off being too small to accommodate the inevitable Galaxy’s Edge attendance jump were an irrational fear. Since the cables and cars are yet to be installed, it’s impossible to know if the cars will detach from the cable for easy boarding like the real gondolas in Europe.
Judging solely on the size of the platform, my guess is a wholehearted ‘yes’! Disney is well aware that their guests consist largely of families with strollers and folks utilizing wheelchairs, and I would be shocked if this gondola system is anything less than extremely easy for these parties to board and disembark.
The Path to Completion
It’s far from being finished, but the Disney Skyliner is starting to take shape, and I’m getting excited! It’s just about a year from opening, and there is plenty of work to be done, but we can finally see the finished product in-the-making.
I’m intrigued to see how/if Disney handles who can ride (will you have to be a guest of a connecting Resort? Or can anyone ride?) and how long the journey between the Resorts will be. But I want to know your thoughts! Leave a comment, and feel free to contact me below if your family is hoping to be one of the first to ride the Skyliner in 2019- I can help with all of the planning!
Are you thinking of booking a Disney vacation for you and your family? I’d love to help! You can find me over on Facebook, or contact me directly at msalerno@mickeytravels.com, or 800-308-6257
