Update: Disney Skyliner remains closed as cause for ‘downtime’ is investigated

The newly opened Disney Skyliner will remain closed indefinitely as Disney World investigates what caused the new transportation system to shut down for three hours Saturday night stranding guests in the air for up to three hours.

“One of the three Disney Skyliner routes experience and unexpected downtime Saturday evening. As a result, the Skyliner will be closed while we look into the details surrounding this downtime. We apologize for this situation and we are working with each guest individually regarding impacts to their visit with us,” according to a statement released by Disney.

The system when down after 8 p.m., according to reports on social media. The Reedy Creek Fire Department was called to assist in removing people from the gondolas, some as high as 60 feet above the ground.

No injuries were reported, but some guests were in need of medical attention upon being rescued. Many of the guests went to social media to express their fears and concerns about being stuck on the ride.

The system started running again a little after 11 p.m. and those remaining on gondolas were able to exit. Disney cast members were on hand to drive people back to their resorts and speak with them.

It appears from social media reports that many of the guests were stranded on the system for at least an hour before announcements came of the speaker inside each gondola. People were instructed to open the emergency kit which contained some water, cups, glow sticks and notebook.

A photo of a pile up of gondolas at the Riviera station made its way around social media. It is unknown if gondola 108 apparently hit the others in line after the system stopped or if it was the cause of the system going down.

According to those in the parks this morning Disney Security is at all Skyliner entrances and signs have been placed at the entrances instructing guests that the system is closed and of the alternate means of transportation available to the various parks.

The system opened on Sept. 29 uses the Caribbean Beach Resort as the central hub and has three lines. One line connects Epcot with the soon to open Riviera and Caribbean Beach resorts. A second line connects Hollywood Studios and Caribbean Beach and the third line connects Art of Animation and Pop Century with Caribbean Beach.

The vendor for the system is European manufacturer Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group. The company describes itself as an international manufacturer of ropeways and people movers for ski areas, urban transport, amusement parks, and material handling systems.

The gondola system has no air-conditioning. Each cabin can accommodate up to 10 people.