Today we’re going to take a look at the Pop Century/Art of Animation/Hourglass Lake gondola construction. While the project is yet to be officially confirmed, internal emails at Disney reference the project, and multiple permits across property point to the construction of a gondola transportation system. First, let’s take a look at the permit.

As outlined below, there will be a station (referenced in the permit as an “overlook”) on the bridge connecting Pop Century and Art of Animation. This will serve at the southernmost point of the gondola system which also services Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Caribbean Beach Resort.

There is also a location on the northernmost part of the lake where a boat launch will be built. That’s where we focus our attention today.

Construction crews have set up a staging area in the parking lot nearest the Little Mermaid complex.

Work has already begun on the modification of the sidewalk to accommodate a proper boat launch.

Presumably this boat launch will be used for transportation of equipment and materials for the gondola station to be built on the hourglass lake bridge. Here’s a look at the area designated for the boat launch on the right, looking south across hourglass lake.

Work is yet to begin on the bridge. The gondola station will sit on the right (north) side of the photo below.

Permits call for the construction of a platform that extends out over the lake.

Probably the worst kept construction secret on property at this point, the gondola project will likely be announced soon. Eyes are currently on the D23 Expo, which begins this Friday and runs through July 16th. We’ll be covering all of the Walt Disney World news coming out of the D23 Expo here, on BlogMickey.com.