The Walt Disney World Skyliner offers seamless transportation to 4 resorts and 2 parks. As the newest way to get around Walt Disney World, this introduction of the Skyliner means a decrease in bus wait and ride times. Here’s what you need to know about where it stops and how long a ride to plan for. Plus, which Disney Parks and Resorts you can hop on and hop off at along the way. Here is everything you need to know about the Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World.
One of the first things you’ll notice is that many of the gondolas feature different characters from our favorite movies! From Beauty and the Beast to Coco and even the Haunted Mansion’s Hitchhiking Ghosts make an appearance. Be on the lookout for your favorites. With over 300 gondolas, there are many fun scenes to be seen!
What is the Walt Disney World Skyliner?
The Disney Skyliner gondola is an enjoyable sky-view experience as an alternative to traditional transportation methods. But here’s a couple of things to know upfront.
- The gondolas have slatted window panels and do not have air conditioning
- There are more than 300 in the fleet of gondolas
- Some gondolas are solid colors, many have character designs
- Bench Seating is available on both sides on both sides
- Handicap Accessible for wheelchairs, and ECV scooters
- Each Disney Skyliner gondola holds up to 10 People
- Guests typically ride with other guests
- Built with Reflective Windows to combat Florida Sun
- Cross Ventilation to help airflow
- Each gondola is equipped with an Emergency Kit, in case of emergency
- The ride is between 5-15 minutes depending on your departure and arrival destinations
- Expect 20-30 minutes to cover the entire route from Art of Animation to Hollywood Studios.
- They go about 11 mph and hit 60 ft above ground level at the highest point of the journey
What are the Disney Skyliner Hours?
Generally, the Disney Skyliner runs from 7:30 a.m.- to 11:00 p.m., depending on park hours. The Disney Skyliner hours are based on park hours at both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The Skyliner starts running about 60-90 minutes before the park opens and closes about 60-90 minutes after the park closes. As such you can expect Disney Skyliner to start running around 7:30 am and stop running around 11:00 pm.
Can you Ride the Disney Skyliner Without a Park Ticket?
Yes! As one of our favorite things to do at Walt Disney World Without a Park ticket, you can ride the Skyliner even if you’re not staying at a resort, or visiting the parks. It’s a great way to spend a day exploring the Disney Skyliner Resorts.
Which Resorts Have the Disney Skyliner System?
The Disney Skyliner is only accessible from certain resorts within the Walt Disney World property. Each has an onboarding and off-boarding station. You do not need to be a Disney Resort Guest or have a park ticket to ride the Disney Skyliner. It is free and available to everyone.
Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, and Pop Century Resort, always have longer bus ride times. Thankfully, the addition of this transportation option lets up the pressure on the buses and cuts down on overall wait times.
Does the Disney Skyliner Go to the Magic Kingdom?
No, the Disney Skyliner does not go to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. However, Magic Kingdom offers boat, ferry, monorail, and bus access, and Animal Kingdom is included in Disney Bus transportation options.
What does the inside of the Disney Skyliner Gondola Look Like?
With your basic, easy-to-clean interior you’ll be happy to hear that the inside looks rather nice. Just like one would hope a gondola in the sky would look. Check out our review of the Disney Skyliner for more pictures and details.
Where does the Disney Skyliner Stop?
The Disney Skyliner stops at EPCOT Park and Hollywood Studios. In addition to the Disney Resort stops, guests are able to disembark just outside the park gates of both these Walt Disney World Theme parks.
Art of Animation and Pop Century Skyliner Gondola Station
Art of Animation & Pop Century shares a station situated right in the center of Hourglass Lake. The Skyliner transports guests from both resorts. This is a much smaller station than at Caribbean Beach and only has a single line going out and coming back.
Caribbean Beach Skyliner Gondola Station
The hub of the Skyliner system, Caribbean Beach houses the main building that receives the lines from all the connected properties. Much like the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC ) this location is the busiest. Travelers who may not have visited these resorts before may get off at this stop to stroll around, shop, watch fireworks from the beach, and eat at Sebastian’s Bistro.
Disney’s Riviera Resort Skyliner Gondola Station
Disney’s newest DVC resort is gigantic with over 300 units and hailing the coastal European vibe of old architecture with European grandeur. At this stop, the Skyliner station allows you to disembark and change lines if you want, ( From EPCOT to Hollywood Studios). It is also the station where the gondola makes a turn. This resort shares the same lake as Caribbean Beach and will sit right next to Caribbean Beach’s main Skyliner station. If stopping here be sure to visit Topolino’s Terrace for breakfast.
Epcot International Gateway Station
The International Gateway at EPCOT Park is considered the back gate and can be accessed just off the exit of the Skyliner station. It is also at this station that you can turn right, and head towards the Disney BoardWalk. This area is filled with more resorts and restaurants to explore. If you are inside EPCOT Park, then you can leave through the International Gateway, tucked right between France and the United Kingdom in the Epcot World Showcase.
Hollywood Studios Main Gate Station
Another very small station, this one will accommodate the Skyliner resort guests as well as Hollywood Studio guests that want a quick shortcut to Epcot, instead of walking. This stop is also the end of the line. If you want to continue riding, just stay on and you’ll loop back from where you came.
The Disney Skyliner Map
Here’s a quick look at the Disney Skyliner map layout. Pretty simple. We’ll be sure to update this page as we get more details and there’s already news of expanding the route if this goes well.
Walt Disney World Skyliner Guide
Hope this guide has given you everything you need to feel safe and ready to use the Disney Skyliner. As one of the easiest forms of transportation at Walt Disney World, this is a fun and fast way to get where you need to go, without the lines or crowds. We highly recommend adding a ride on the Skyliner to your next Disney Vacation. Check out our Top 7 Disney Skyliner for Families if you’re traveling with small children or seniors.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
I’m really looking forward to this! We’re doing a split stay, and the second half will be at Pop Century basically because of the skyliner. I can’t do a lot of walking, so being dropped off at the World Showcase is a gift. That’s where we head to at Epcot, so it will save me a LOT of walking! It’s a walk just from the bus drop off to security then into the park. Then you add in from the entrance to the World Showcase and you’ve put some mileage on your feet before doing anything. Most don’t realize that Epcot is the largest of the four parks and from one end of the World Showcase to the other end is a full mile. My bad knees are going to really appreciate the smaller distance they’ll have to deal with!
Sounds like it will be an excellent addition for you then! We haven’t yet experienced the Skyliners, but overall have heard really great things. Hope you love them and the new convenience they bring!