No it isn't a complete replacement but it wouldn't make sense to keep running buses as frequently as they do when they could be using those buses to help elsewhere.I never thought of these as a replacement for the buses but as a supplement form of transportation that will reduce the unsafe overloading of the buses and to encourage guests to not drive their cars. When these are working the buses will be less crowded and those who would drive instead of getting crammed in a bus..especially at close will consider riding the buses again or try the gondola's.
If they are going to have buses as an option it will have to be as they are now, otherwise guests might be missing FP's and ADR's. It's just unrealistic to expect all guests at the Skyliner resorts to give up what has always been advertised and expected..especially if your a DVC owner at Rivera.
The Rivera is expensive and telling potential buyers you can only ride in a non ac gondola is not an easy selling point to overcome.
I think you assume people know what to expect. I have helped plenty of people plan vacations that have no idea what type of transportation is available.
One of the selling point of buying at Riviera is the Skyliner much like the monorail at BLT, the Poly, or GF.