Skyway in Walt Disney World

beancmt · 01-10-2008, 10:51 AM

Does anyone know why they removed the Skyway in Walt Disney World ? I went on it several times & I loved the Views

nicks10 · 01-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Skyway (Disney) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There were multiple accounts of people falling from the skyway, and also the loading system was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

**disneydame2004** · 01-10-2008, 04:48 PM

From the Trivia section here on DWT:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

So, why did it close? Well, despite rumors that it had closed for safety reasons after a guest fell from a ride car, the Skyway closed for more practical reasons. First, it was a very slow-loading and unprofitable attraction. Second, it was also extremely difficult to accommodate guests with disabilities, unless wheelchair-bound guests left their chair on the loading area and took a round-trip ride. However, reports that there was a death on the Skyway were in fact true, although it was not a guest who lost their life. In February of 1999, a part-time Cast Member, while not wearing any protective equipment or safety harness, was working in the loading area when he accidentally fell to his death

tarynkelly · 01-10-2008, 04:53 PM

Oh how awful! Does anyone know why he wasn't wearing any safety equipment?

Cinderella2 · 01-10-2008, 04:53 PM

Yikes! That almost makes me glad I never rode it. Who am I kidding, I would have been way too chicken.

mattj4226 · 01-11-2008, 01:06 AM

I remember riding this a couple of years before it closed. I don't remember much about loading and unloading (I was about 7 or 8 at the time). But I do remember that it had a fairly short line but was very slow-loading. However, It had some of the most beautiful views of the park.

cskiff7895 · 01-13-2008, 11:02 AM

my sister is in a wheel chair and they would have to stop the ride to get her on, just like lou said, not very good, however it was my favorite ride and was very disappointed when it was closed down. I always feel nostalgic (sp?) when i see the old stations in fantasyland and tomorrowland

pink_minnie · 01-18-2008, 06:59 PM

I do too cskiff7895 so don't feel bad.

That is absolutely horrible about the Cast Member though. Wow!

Tikikrissy · 01-18-2008, 09:51 PM

I had heard when I worked there that each ride has a certain insurance premium, based on the kind of ride it is. So, like carousels in general (at any amusement park) have a certain premium, etc. Someone said that historically (at all kinds of amusement parks) those sky way rides had a very high accident rate, and therefore the insurance rate was extremely high. So, therefore, like Lou said, it was too expensive to keep up.

Not sure if it's true, but it makes sense to me..

cskiff7895 · 01-20-2008, 12:05 PM

tikikrissy, that makes a lot of sense to me too. sadly, for our sake, money and cost effectiviness dictate what rides stay and go, not public opinion. a good example is mr toad's wild ride, dispite all the protests they still closed it down and replaced it with a ride they could merchandise.

Caribbean Lady · 01-20-2008, 12:48 PM

I would have been a little frightened, but I would have loved to experience it for myself!

SlpngBeauty · 01-21-2008, 01:02 AM

I remember there being VERY LONG lines for the Skyway. They have one up here in Elysburg, PA at Knoebels Park(more like a ski lift.) My daughter has gone on it with my husband, but I'm not that brave!

HauntedGabe · 01-21-2008, 02:07 AM

Our whole family loved this ride and poof it was gone! Go to Urban Legends Reference Pages for a run down on why it closed.

princessariel · 01-21-2008, 12:46 PM

I loved this ride!

Sorria · 01-21-2008, 12:57 PM

I used to ride that all the time. There's a nice video on YouTube of it for those that didn't get the chance to ride it.

I've heard a few rumors about why it closed, one being safety, another being poor guest capacity, not suitable for guests in wheelchairs, ect., as well as that the ride gave away many of the parks "secrets" and behind the scenes areas. When you were riding it you could tell that many of buildings were just facades, you could see the submarine track of 2,000 Leagues and you could see the cast member parking lot while riding it.

01-10-2008, 10:51 AM	#1
beancmt A-Ticket holder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2	Skyway in Walt Disney World Does anyone know why they removed the Skyway in Walt Disney World ? I went on it several times & I loved the Views

01-10-2008, 12:35 PM	#2
nicks10 @nick_straka Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,332	Skyway (Disney) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia There were multiple accounts of people falling from the skyway, and also the loading system was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. __________________ -Nick "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy"

01-10-2008, 04:53 PM	#4
tarynkelly Waiting for Paris Mousemeet in Dec 2009!!!!! Woo Hoo Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scurrying back to my closet before Debs catches me!! Posts: 2,223	Oh how awful! Does anyone know why he wasn't wearing any safety equipment? __________________ Sign up for DLP Mousemeet at www.disneybrit.com/mousemeets.asp

01-10-2008, 04:53 PM	#5
Cinderella2 Thrilled to know there are others who sparkle! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 17,511	Yikes! That almost makes me glad I never rode it. Who am I kidding, I would have been way too chicken. __________________ Dreams Really Do Come True

01-11-2008, 01:06 AM	#6
mattj4226 Fastpass Holder Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brookhaven, MS Posts: 877	I remember riding this a couple of years before it closed. I don't remember much about loading and unloading (I was about 7 or 8 at the time). But I do remember that it had a fairly short line but was very slow-loading. However, It had some of the most beautiful views of the park. __________________ - Matt Allaboutthemouseketeer #155 http://anotherdisney.blogspot.com/ http://mattspoliticalrants.blogspot.com/ 2009 & 2010 WDW Half Marathons, 2009 Disneyland Half Marathon, Next Visit to the World: March '09 for Princess Half Marathon Weekend?

01-13-2008, 11:02 AM	#7
cskiff7895 Fastpass Holder Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: One Hour from the world Posts: 492	my sister is in a wheel chair and they would have to stop the ride to get her on, just like lou said, not very good, however it was my favorite ride and was very disappointed when it was closed down. I always feel nostalgic (sp?) when i see the old stations in fantasyland and tomorrowland

01-18-2008, 06:59 PM	#8
pink_minnie Fastpass Holder Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Second star on the left & straight on 'til morning. Posts: 574	I do too cskiff7895 so don't feel bad. That is absolutely horrible about the Cast Member though. Wow! __________________ *"A dream is a wish your heart makes..."* HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

01-18-2008, 09:51 PM	#9
Tikikrissy C-Ticket Holder Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 164	I had heard when I worked there that each ride has a certain insurance premium, based on the kind of ride it is. So, like carousels in general (at any amusement park) have a certain premium, etc. Someone said that historically (at all kinds of amusement parks) those sky way rides had a very high accident rate, and therefore the insurance rate was extremely high. So, therefore, like Lou said, it was too expensive to keep up. Not sure if it's true, but it makes sense to me.. __________________ It was all started by a mouse!

01-20-2008, 12:05 PM	#10
cskiff7895 Fastpass Holder Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: One Hour from the world Posts: 492	tikikrissy, that makes a lot of sense to me too. sadly, for our sake, money and cost effectiviness dictate what rides stay and go, not public opinion. a good example is mr toad's wild ride, dispite all the protests they still closed it down and replaced it with a ride they could merchandise.

01-20-2008, 12:48 PM	#11
Caribbean Lady Por favor mantangense alejado de las puertas Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: wishing I was in Walt Disney World... Posts: 624	I would have been a little frightened, but I would have loved to experience it for myself! __________________ I wish they sold these at grocery stores... I miss riding BTMRR It's official... I'm too far away from the Magic When you wish upon a star...

01-21-2008, 01:02 AM	#12
SlpngBeauty D-Ticket Holder Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somewhere between Point A and Point B... Posts: 271	I remember there being VERY LONG lines for the Skyway. They have one up here in Elysburg, PA at Knoebels Park(more like a ski lift.) My daughter has gone on it with my husband, but I'm not that brave! __________________ ...I SHOULD be in bed right now... ...but I like deh cookie SUPER BIG DISNEY FAN

01-21-2008, 02:07 AM	#13
HauntedGabe Where'd she go??? Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hamlet, IL Posts: 17,935	Our whole family loved this ride and poof it was gone! Go to Urban Legends Reference Pages for a run down on why it closed.

01-21-2008, 12:46 PM	#14
princessariel Fastpass Holder Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Suburbia Houston Posts: 1,094	I loved this ride! __________________ Summer '83-Off Site Dec '95- Shades Of Green March '03-All Star Movies March '06-All Star Movies October '07-POFQ March '10-POFQ Oct/Nov '11 ??? F&W ???

01-21-2008, 12:57 PM	#15
Sorria Fastpass Holder Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida...just an hour away from WDW Posts: 457	I used to ride that all the time. There's a nice video on YouTube of it for those that didn't get the chance to ride it. I've heard a few rumors about why it closed, one being safety, another being poor guest capacity, not suitable for guests in wheelchairs, ect., as well as that the ride gave away many of the parks "secrets" and behind the scenes areas. When you were riding it you could tell that many of buildings were just facades, you could see the submarine track of 2,000 Leagues and you could see the cast member parking lot while riding it. Last edited by Sorria; 01-21-2008 at 12:59 PM..

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