Interested in staying at a resort that’s on the Disney Skyliner route? Not staying at one of these resorts, but interested in doing some resort hopping? This post covers everything you need to know about this transportation option. It’s so much more than just a bus alternative – it’s an attraction in and of itself!
Disney Skyliner: Your Magic Carpet in the Sky
The Disney Skyliner is a unique, aerial gondola transportation system that connects a number of Disney resorts to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Folks staying at any of the connected resorts have the option to take the Skyliner to and from the parks rather than hopping on a bus. In doing so, you have the opportunity to catch a bird’s-eye view of Disney World as your soar through the sky. While we don’t have any real complaints about the Disney bus system (nothing that doesn’t apply to your average bus, anyway), the vibes on the skyliner can add that extra little splash of Disney magic to your vacation.
The Basics: Where Does it Go?
The Disney Skyliner connects four Walt Disney World resorts to two parks: EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The connected resorts include:
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century & Art of Animation (these two resorts share the same Skyliner station)
If you’re staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation, it’s a straight shot to EPCOT. Visiting Hollywood Studios means hopping off the Skyliner to transfer at the Caribbean Beach Resort Station.
Staying at the Caribbean Beach Resorts means hopping on whichever gondola line you’d like; either straight to Hollywood Studios or straight to EPCOT.
Staying at the Riviera Resort means heading directly to EPCOT or taking the line to Caribbean Beach Resort and transferring to Hollywood Studios.
Disney Skyliner 2026 Operating Hours & Route Quirks
Generally, the Disney Skyliner opens 1 hour before Early Park Entry and closes 90 minutes after park close. There are some exceptions. The Skyliner does shut down during thunderstorms, during which times the resorts will provide bus service. There is is also annual maintenance one the Disney Skyliner that’s generally does during the last week of January. This year’s maintenance was completed from Jan. 25th to Jan. 31st. Again, during this time, the resorts provide bus service.
A unique catch specific to 2026: On nights with Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT, the Skyliner only runs between EPCOT and the Riviera Resort. This means if you’re staying at Pop Century or Art of Animation, and attending these Extended Evening Hours, you will not be able to take the Skyliner back to the resort. You will need to use Disney’s bus transportation service.
The “Flight” Experience: What to Expect
From a distance, the gondolas don’t look very big. Up close, however, you’ll find that they’re huge. Each gondola can carry up to 10 guests, or 6 if a wheelchair is ECV is present. Like many of the rides in Walt Disney World, the Skyliner is in constant motion, so you’ll hop on while it’s moving. This is a stationary loading line, however, for wheelchairs, ECVs, and larger strollers.
As a pro-tip: most single strollers can roll right onto the gondolas without breaking them down. This was one of the biggest selling points for our most recent stay at Pop Century. It’s so nice to NOT have to break down the stroller.
The Ultimate Disney Skyliner “Crawl” (Food & Drinks)
If you’re looking for a outside-the-box off day from the parks, a Skyliner crawl can be a super fun option. You also don’t need to be staying at any of the resorts to use the skyliner; it’s free to access for anyone visiting the parks or Disney resorts. We haven’t had the opportunity to do it yet, but if we were to do a Skyliner crawl, here’s what it would look like:
First, we’d start off with breakfast at the Riviera Resort. The character dining at Topolino’s Terrace looks absolutely precious. I would order the sour cream waffle, Nicole would get the wood-fire steak and eggs, and, of course, Mickey waffles for Skippy.
Then, we’d hop the Skyliner to the Caribbean Beach Resort for some tropical vibes. We’d take a stroll around Old Port Royale to walk off breakfast, and then maybe try some jerk chicken wings and Cuban sandwiches at Banana Cabana.
To end our day, we’d hop back on the Skyliner to EPCOT. Instead of going into the park, however, we’d stroll Disney’s Boardwalk and all it has to offer. Nicole would love to try one of the insane corn dogs at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs and then top off the day with extravagant sundaes at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. Does any human being need that much food? No. But when in Disney…
Pro Tips for the Savvy Traveler
Our two biggest tips for using the Skyliner involve your rope drop strategy and supporting folks with a fear of heights. If you want to make it for rope drop for either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, we strongly recommend you get in the line for the Skyliner a solid half hour (or more!) before it starts operating for the day. That line gets LONG in the morning. Once things get moving, it does move pretty fast. But folks (and a lot of them) will have the same mission as you (i.e. rope drop), so you need to get in that line early.
If you’re riding the Skyliner with anyone who is afraid of heights, you can offer them a couple of suggestions. Some of the gondolas, for instance, are not wrapped with Disney decal. Since they’re not wrapped, they offer much better visibility, which can help reduce rider anxiety. You can also suggest folks keep their eyes on the horizon (i.e. don’t look down!). From personal experience, my father-in-law does not care for heights, but he didn’t have any issues with the Skyliner.