Walt Disney World guests trying to get back to their resorts Tuesday night ran into a transportation headache that lasted much longer than anyone would want at the end of a park day.
Problems with the Disney Skyliner created major delays, leaving long lines of guests waiting to continue their trips. Disney eventually brought in buses to help move visitors to their destinations, but some guests reportedly still spent more than two hours trying to get back to their hotels.
By Wednesday morning, the Skyliner had returned to regular operations. But details shared online offer more information about what may have caused the unusually long delays.
Reddit User Reports Problem With Skyliner Loading System
According to Kenny the Pirate, who covered the incident, a Reddit user reported that a mechanism responsible for transferring gondolas to the mobility loading section had stopped working.
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That section serves an important purpose.
Rather than requiring every guest to board through the continuously moving main line, the separate area gives guests using mobility aids additional time to enter and exit gondolas.
The Reddit user cited in the Kenny the Pirate report said Disney had to fall back on loading and unloading through the main line after the transfer mechanism reportedly broke.
As a result, guests faced long lines while Disney worked around the problem.
It is important to note that the explanation for the mechanical issue came from the Reddit account cited by Kenny the Pirate. What guests could clearly see, however, was the impact: lengthy waits and a need for alternative transportation.
Disney Buses Arrived to Help Stranded Guests
As the night continued, Disney brought buses into the situation.
According to Kenny the Pirate, buses were eventually used to transport guests to their final destinations. Even with the additional transportation, some guests said their total trip back to their resorts took more than two hours.
For visitors staying along the Skyliner route, that is a major difference from a normal evening.
The Skyliner has become an important part of Disney World's transportation network. It connects guests with EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and several resorts.
Some vacationers even consider transportation access when deciding where to stay, with Skyliner and monorail resorts offering a major convenience for guests who want easier access to certain parks.
When the Skyliner experiences a significant problem, however, that convenience can temporarily disappear.
Thankfully, this particular disruption did not last into the next day.
All Skyliner Routes Were Running Wednesday
Kenny the Pirate checked the Skyliner on the morning of August 19 and reported much better conditions.
The system was operating, lines were moving, and all Skyliner routes were operational Wednesday morning.
That meant guests heading out for another park day did not have to deal with a continuation of Tuesday night's lengthy delays.
However, another major Skyliner delay was reported just last month.
Kenny the Pirate said one of its own team members encountered that earlier disruption. Disney also brought buses in during that situation to transport guests.
Despite the two recent situations, major problems don't appear to be the norm.
The original report notes that these incidents seem to be rare and that most guests travel on the Skyliner without delays. Guests should also remember that inclement weather can cause the Skyliner to suspend operations.
Tuesday night's situation still shows how quickly transportation plans can change at Walt Disney World.
A trip that would normally involve hopping aboard a gondola and heading back to a resort instead became a lengthy wait for some visitors. Fortunately, Disney had the Skyliner back up and running normally by the following morning.
