Here’s everything you need to know about using the Disney Skyliner to get around Walt Disney World Resort.
Looking for a form of transportation that’ll entertain the kids and make it easy to get from point A to point B? You’ve got to try the Disney Skyliner. This aerial gondola system lifts guests into the sky, delivering a breezy ride with some stellar views along the way, and it’s a whole lot of fun to get wherever you’re going.
The Skyliner first opened in 2019, and it quickly became a guest favorite. Thanks to its continuously-moving design, the gondolas don’t need to stop to load guests – which means even when there’s a line, it’s typically a fast-moving one. With convenient stops at multiple resorts and EPCOT’s International Gateway, you can use the Skyliner to get around with ease.
While the Disney Skyliner is primarily a mode of transportation, it’s really an attraction in its own right – especially for kids. Little ones will love flying high above Disney World (and trust us, they’re going to ask to ride it again and again!) Luckily, because the Skyliner is free to ride, you and the family can kill plenty of time in its gondolas even if you aren’t planning to head into a theme park.
Whether you’re new to using the Disney Skyliner for resort-wide transportation or you simply want to brush up on the routes and stations, we’re sharing everything you need to know below.
Everything You Need to Know About the Disney Skyliner
Traveling via Skyliner Gondola
Photo by Laurie Sapp
While you might be familiar with using Disney’s buses, boats, and even monorails, the Skyliner is a bit different. Instead of boarding a stationary vehicle, you’ll climb aboard a continuously-moving gondola, which moves at a slow enough speed for guests of all ages and abilities to use (there are options for varying accessibility needs, if you need a bit more time or different accommodations).
Each of Disney’s Skyliner gondolas has enough room for up to 10 passengers, and they’re surprisingly roomy inside. In fact, they’re designed with enough space for you to roll a stroller right onboard – you won’t have to empty it out and collapse it to ride like you do on bus and boat transportation, which is a huge perk for parents of toddlers.
The gondolas don’t feature air conditioning, but they do have special ventilation that’s designed to increase airflow and deliver a cooling breeze as you get moving. In our experience, they’re quite comfortable even on hot days. Best of all, you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Disney World, from the hotels to the theme parks.
Oh, and there’s one more perk kids will love: Each gondola is decked out with different theming. On the outside, you’ll spot designs featuring Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Fab Five, characters from Pixar films like Toy Story and Coco, and even some beloved Disney attractions like Haunted Mansion for a little flair while you fly.
Disney Skyliner Map and Stations
The main hub of the Skyliner at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Photo by Danny Shuster
The Skyliner travels to five different stations (or stops) along its route, which stretches from Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts to EPCOT’s International Gateway. The stations include stops conveniently located at four Disney World Resort hotels and two theme parks.
However, the central hub of the Skyliner is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. All routes go through this resort, so you’ll have to exit and transfer if you want to travel longer distances.
Here’s an overview of all five Skyliner stations and stops:
- Between Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- EPCOT
Wondering how to get around via the Skyliner? Here’s a map to help you plot your trips.
Keep in mind that the Skyliner does have some unique quirks compared to other forms of Disney World transportation. You will need to exit your gondola at each station on the Skyliner system as you travel. The only exception to this is the station at Disney’s Riviera Resort (you can stay on and pass through).
Additionally, while some Skyliner stations will drop you off right where you need to be – at a resort or the gate to Hollywood Studios, for example – others will require a slight walk. If you’re headed to EPCOT, you’ll take the Skyliner to the International Gateway, not the park’s main entrance.
And while every Disney World Resort hotel may not have a Skyliner station, you can easily reach many more resorts from its stations. For example, the Skyliner station at EPCOT is within walking distance of:
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
How Long Does a Trip on the Skyliner Take?
On average, it takes less than 20 minutes to get just about anywhere on the Disney Skyliner. However, the length of your trip will depend on the route you’re taking and where you hop aboard and plan to exit.
Here’s an overview of the approximate amount of time it’ll take you to travel to all of the possible stops from each station.
From Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or Disney’s Pop Century Resort to:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: 5 minutes
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10 minutes
- Disney’s Riviera Resort: 8 minutes
- EPCOT: 18 minutes
From Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to:
- Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts: 5 minutes
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5 minutes
- Disney’s Riviera Resort: 3 minutes
- EPCOT: 10 minutes
From Disney’s Riviera Resort to:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: 3 minutes
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8 minutes
- Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts: 8 minutes
- EPCOT: 10 minutes
From Disney’s Hollywood Studios to EPCOT (and vice versa): 18 minutes
Note: These estimates don’t include the time required to get off and reboard when you reach Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
Disney Skyliner Hours of Operation
Photo by Laurie Sapp
The Disney Skyliner can be used during similar timeframes as other Disney World Resort transportation options. Its schedule is pretty similar – but there are a few quirks.
In general, the Skyliner opens one hour before Early Theme Park Entry begins at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. It closes 90 minutes after either theme park closes for the day.
On nights when EPCOT or Hollywood Studios offers Extended Evening Hours, the Skyliner stays open until 1 hour after the park closes. However, note that only the route from Disney’s Riviera Resort to EPCOT International Gateway will be available – all other routes will be closed for the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ride the Disney Skyliner for free?
The Disney Skyliner, like all forms of Disney World Resort transportation, is free to use!
Can non-hotel guests use the Disney Skyliner?
Anyone can use the Disney Skyliner – you don’t have to be a guest at a Disney World Resort hotel. Just keep in mind you’ll need to park somewhere in order to ride, whether that’s at one of the two theme parks on its route (EPCOT or Hollywood Studios) or one of the hotels with a Skyliner station.
Is the Skyliner faster than Disney World buses?
In general, you can expect the Skyliner to be a faster mode of transportation compared to Disney World’s bus transportation system. Buses make multiple stops as they travel around the resort, and passengers exit and board at each stop – which adds delays to the travel time. The Skyliner, on the other hand, moves continuously without stopping to keep guests in motion (and there’s no wait for a gondola to arrive).
As a result, it can be speedier to take the Skyliner versus a bus. However, it really depends on where you’re headed, as the Skyliner doesn’t travel to as many destinations as the buses do.
