Disney Skyliner at Disney World

Updated Skyliner Schedule 02/2022:

The Disney Skyliner at Disney World is the resort’s newest transportation system. This aerial gondola system is absolutely FREE for Disney World guests. You don’t have to have a theme park ticket or have to be staying at the resorts on the line. We checked it out recently and we loved it!

Here are some reasons for taking the Disney Skyliner at Disney World:

• Park-hopping between Epcot and Hollywood Studios
• You are staying at either Riviera, POP Century, Art of Animation, or the Caribbean Beach Resort and you need transportation to Epcot and/or Hollywood Studios. You can also ride the skyliner over to EPCOT then walk to the Boardwalk, Beaches and Cream, an/or Beaches Club Resort.
• Resort Hopping/Resort Tours of the Riviera, POP Century, Art of Animation, or the Caribbean Beach Resorts
• Just for funsies! It’s a great experience! It’s a perfect adventure for a “day off” from Disney or something to do on arrival or departure day.

Stations & Lines

There are five Skyliner stations and three Skyliner lines (Art of Animation and Pop Century share a station). We noticed that as we got to a new station, we had to exit the gondola and get back in line for another gondola. For example, if you get on at Art of Animation, you’ll need to get off at Disney’s Caribbean Beach and then get in the queue for either the Disney’s Hollywood Studios line or the Epcot line. The only exception was at the Rivera Resort. If we weren’t getting off at the resort, we could stay in our gondola and keep going.

There are well-marked signs to make that you are in the right queue, but if you feel lost, you can simply ask a Cast Member to point you in the right direction.

Skyliner Route Map

Here is a map I made (don’t laugh) of the routes that the Disney Skyliner takes (sorry I didn’t get a pic of Riviera Resort but enjoy the black dot):

P.S. If you are staying off-property (and/or have a “day off” from the parks) and want to check out the Skyliner, you can park at Disney Springs (for free) and take a Disney bus to Art of Animation, POP Century, Caribbean Beach Resort, or Riviera Resort to hop on the Skyliner. Then just take a bus back to Disney Springs.

The Ride

When riding the Disney Skyliner at Disney World, you need to know that the gondola doesn’t actually stop when it gets to the station. They slow down a lot, but they keep moving. You really have to be ready to exit the gondola and also ready to hop on when it’s time. Don’t worry, it’s not scary at all – I just had to remind my kiddos to pay attention.

The time each ride lasts? I didn’t time it, but I would say about 5 minutes each stretch. The ride from the Caribbean Beach Resort and Epcot is a little longer if you don’t get off at the Riviera Resort.

Each gondola can hold up to 10 people. We noticed that the Skyliner was less crowded mid-day (this could change during the busy season). We got a few gondolas for only the 3 of us and even rode with each of us in individual gondolas.

The traffic for the Skyliner seems to pick up in the evenings. I guess many people are heading back to their resort or back to the parks after an afternoon break. Some were park-hopping and heading to Epcot for dinner or to Hollywood Studios to see Galaxy’s Edge all lit up at night.

It was fun to talk to people and hear about where they are from. We also got some great restaurant recommendations from one couple.

This ride is not scary at all unless you have a serious fear of heights. I saw one woman get in line, get scared and leave, and then get back in line (her family was cheering her on). She ended up getting on the Skyliner and she loved it!

The gondolas are all different colors and most have Disney characters on them! We enjoyed watching others pass by as we rode. We saw so many different characters.

P.S. If you are wanting to take photos of the view or video of the ride, I recommend hopping on a gondola that isn’t character themed. The plain gondolas (without the character wraps/shaded windows) have clearer windows which are better for pics and videos. If you are in a character gondola, the doors are the only clear windows you will have.

Strollers, Wheelchairs, and ECV’s

You can bring a stroller onto the gondola. The family in front of us actually had two strollers. The cast member just asked them to fold the strollers up first and then they could get on. They had space for them to do this so the line could keep moving and then they could jump on when they were ready.

The Disney Skyliner is also wheelchair and ECV accessible. Cast Members can take certain gondolas offline. That way the gondola is completely stopped so that you can load the wheelchair and/or ECV. Similar to the Disney bus protocol, a Cast Member will place blocks at the back of the vehicle wheels so that your wheelchair or ECV will stay put during the ride. At the next station, the cast members will again take the gondola offline to help exit the gondola.

Air Conditioned?

The gondolas are not air-conditioned. I was worried about this since it gets HOT at Disney World. BUT…each gondola has open-air vents with plastic shields that direct the cool breeze right to you! We didn’t feel hot and stuffy at all.

Now, that being said, I have heard that some people have had their gondola stop for a few minutes and they got a little hot and stuffy. This didn’t happen during our trip and we rode each line several times.

The Disney Skyliner Routes & Stations

Leaving Art of Animation or Pop Century Resorts

We started our day with a tour of the Art of Animation Resort (and a free art class) and then hopped on the Skyliner headed toward the Caribbean Beach Resort.

To get to the Art of Animation Skyliner Station – let’s say from the resort lobby – walk past the main pool next to Crush and head toward POP Century Resort. If leaving POP Century Resort to the station, just head toward the Art of Animation Resort. Don’t worry, there are plenty of signs to lead you in the right direction.

Caribbean Beach Resort Station

Disney’s Caribbean Beach is the Skyliner’s center station/hub. From here, you can find a gondola to any or all other stations, parks, and resorts (on the line).

My favorite part of the Caribbean Beach Resort Station? You can take the ramp down to the Joffrey’s for a coffee or other drink! We were park-hopping from Epcot to Hollywood Studios and I NEEDED a pick-me-up. We took the Skyliner between parks and I was so happy to see this Joffrey’s at the Caribbean Beach Resort Station!

Restrooms at Caribbean Beach Station

The Caribbean Beach Station also has a restroom. So, if you need a restroom while getting on/off the Skyliner, you’ll be happy to have this one. Finding restrooms at Disney World is important especially if you have kids (or a small bladder or a kid who forgot to take their Lactaid!)

The restrooms are located to the left of the gondolas leaving to/coming from the Riviera Resort and Epcot. The women’s restroom is generously stocked for the ladies:

Hollywood Studios

The station at Hollywood Studios is right outside the main entrance. You can’t miss it as you enter or exit the park. Plus, there are signs everywhere to guide your way.

I loved how each station stuck with the theme of the park or resort where it was located. Hollywood Studios had that old Hollywood feel that you sense all throughout the park.

Epcot Skyliner Station

The Skyliner station at Epcot is not at the main entrance, but instead at the International Gateway (aka -the back entrance to the park).

If you are in Epcot and are looking for the Skyliner, then just head to the International Gateway (near the France Pavilion at the back of the World Showcase). You will head toward the exit to find the Skyliner station.

As you leave or arrive on the gondola at Epcot, you can look down and see the renovations that are being done in France. You can see the construction for the upcoming Disney•Pixar’s Ratatouille-inspired attraction that will be in the France Pavillion.

If you are leaving Epcot or heading to Epcot from the Caribbean Beach Resort, you will go through a turning station. The gondola doesn’t stop at all. It just slowly turns to take you to Riviera Resort. There is a station at Riviera Resort. Most stations make you get out and get back in line, but we didn’t have to get out at Riviera. A cast member asked if we wanted to stay on or visit Riviera.

See more of our trip to Epcot HERE.

Since the Epcot Station is so close to the Boardwalk, you can take the short walk (or a boat) to visit this area or grab a bite to eat. Guests staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are also in close proximity if they want to ride the Skyliner from Epcot.

Overall…

All in all, we loved riding the Disney Skyliner! I wish there were lines to all the parks and resorts. Don’t get me wrong, the buses and boats are nice, but the Skyliner is my preferred mode of transportation!

I think my favorite part (other than sitting/resting/drinking Joffrey’s coffee) was how much fun I had with my kiddos. We kept trying to find gondola’s with our favorite Disney character’s on them. And, we saw a few characters that we hadn’t thought of.

You can read more about the Disney World Skyliner HERE.

Have you ridden the new Disney Skyliner? What did you think?

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