Guests stuck on Disney Skyliner after gondolas crash at loading station

in Disney, Walt Disney World

Posted on by Bailee Abell 3 Comments
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Credit: Disney

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This is a developing story and we continue to update this article with the most recent information as it becomes available.

Walt Disney World Resort guests got stuck on Disney’s newest transportation system, the Disney Skyliner, after an accident occurred at one of the loading stations this evening.

After the Disney Skyliner came to a halt while transporting guests to and from the Walt Disney World Resort hotels and theme parks, guests took to Twitter to voice their concerns. An accident reportedly occurred at the Disney Skyliner station at Disney’s Riviera Resort, where numerous gondolas collided with one another. At this time, is is still unclear what caused the accident as Walt Disney World has not yet issued a public statement regarding the issue. However local news stations have reported that it is the result of a power failure.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Walt Disney World officials stated in a press release early Sunday morning that the Disney Skyliner experienced “unexpected downtime on Saturday night. “As a result, the Skyliner will be closed while we look into the details surrounding the downtime.”

Disney also stated that they are working with guests individually regarding how the Disney Skyliner malfunction impacted their visits to Walt Disney World resort. Below is a statement that Walt Disney World representatives sent to Inside the Magic:

We have a team diligently looking into the cause of the malfunction on the Epcot line of the Disney Skyliner. We have been in contact with the guests, many of whom were on the Skyliner for more than three hours until we were able to restart the system. We express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and continue to work with each guest individually.

The Disney Skyliner Transportion system officially opened to the public less than one week ago. It serves to transport Walt Disney World guests to several locations throughout the resort, including four hotels (Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts) and two theme parks (Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Each of the approximately 300 gondolas is suspended around 50-60 feet above the air and normally travels around 11 miles per hour.

Numerous guests were inquiring on Twitter regarding the status of the Disney Skyliner. Some responded with photos of the incident, which circulated Twitter and Facebook.

Guests were allegedly stuck inside their Disney Skyliner gondolas for upwards of an hour and a half before Walt Disney World Resort officials came to the rescue. The Reedy Creek Fire Department began evacuating guests between 9:30 and 10 p.m. on Saturday using a truck and ladder. In the meantime, some guests were told to open the emergency kits located inside the gondola cabins, which reportedly include items like water bottles and wet wipes.

Disney guests stuck on the Disney Skyliner continued to share photos and videos to social media, documenting the evacuation process.

As of almost 11 p.m. on Saturday night, evacuations were still reportedly underway.

After nearly three hours of the Disney Skyliner at a halt, it had reportedly begun moving again. Walt Disney World Cast Members were prepared to help as guests were eventually able to exit their gondolas.

This is a developing story and we will update this article as more information becomes available.

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