UPDATE (11/17 – 11am): Disney has shown off a fully wrapped Disney Skyliner gondola cabin at their Destination D event this morning. Here’s a look at the cabin. Our original reporting with a look inside continues below.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo is in town and we made it out to Orange County Convention Center to see what’s new and upcoming in the world of attractions. Traditionally, Disney doesn’t have a huge presence at the show, but this year Bob Chapek took the stage yesterday morning to make a few announcements and break some news. Notably, he showed off concept art for the Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster ride vehicles and announced an opening time frame for the Disney Skyliner route gondola system. It’s the latter that we return to the IAAPA Expo show floor for today.
At last year’s IAAPA Expo, we shared a few details from the Doppelmayr booth and this year we’re excited to share a few more!
The model of gondola cabin on display here seems to be the same one we saw on a flatbed back in June.
The first thing we noticed in person was the space inside the cabin. We can easily see six guests fitting in the cabin comfortably, eight likely is the max. The seats fold up for more space for wheelchairs and ECVs.
Other points of interest include the passive ventilation system and zero rise entry. Air flow will be accomplished thanks to the speed of the cabin and vents at the top and bottom of the cabin.
Here’s a look at the zero rise entry platform that will sit flush with the station platform.
Of course, Doppelmayr representatives aren’t able to talk about specific clients such as Disney.
Disney has announced a Fall 2019 opening timeframe for the Disney Skyliner gondola system.