Disney gets permit to add gondola rides at theme park

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Disney World appears ready to begin construction on a gondola system that will connect several Disney hotels with Epcot and Hollywood Studios, according to documents obtained by Channel 9's Jamie Holmes

Channel 9 first reported about plans for the gondola system in February and since then has found how tourists will get to the parks and hotels without using a bus.

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"It's not a four-seater. It's got a whole 20, 30, 40 people in order to make this efficient,” said Jason Diffendal of WDW News Today.

Although the design company is not known, there are only a handful of companies in the world that can build gondola systems.

A notice of commencement has been filed to connect Disney's Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

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"You'll be able to roll right on there with a wheelchair or stroller. There's going to be significant sitting or standing, so you'll be able to park there with a stroller, which you can’t really do on the bus,” said Diffendal.

The gondolas could move several thousand people every hour. Because of that, Channel 9 learned that there are expected to be fewer Disney buses and rental cars on the roads.

With the permits filed, Disney can start work on the footers for the project immediately and could have the gondolas up and running by the time Star Wars Land opens in 2019.

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"For transportation at Walt Disney World, it is completely going to change the game,” Diffendal said.

Channel 9 contacted Disney for comment. Officials said they have numerous projects in various stages of development across their resorts and if a project moves forward, they'll let us know.

Cox Media Group