The Disney Skyliner at The Walt Disney World Resort
Just look up in the air anywhere near EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or along Buena Vista Drive or Victory Way and you will see the any Disney Skyliner Gondolas. These Gondolas transport guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort to a number of different hotels and theme parks in the Epcot Resorts Area and beyond.
The Disney Skyliner originally opened in September 2019 as one of the most unique transportation systems in all the Orlando area theme parks. The Skyliner uses a Gondola system which holds up to 10 guests per car and runs at speeds of approximately 11 miles per hour up to 60 feet above ground level.
There are three separate routes for the Skyliner where all converge at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort which is the central “hub”. At the Caribbean Beach Resort, guests can disembark and transfer to another Skyliner route which will lead to:
- Epcot via Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Art of Animation / Pop Century resorts
On a nice day, the Disney Skyliner is one of the best ways to travel to and from Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The views are spectacular and you can see a number of great things including Epcot’s Spaceship Earth, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Bonnet Creek Resort, several of the local area hotels and in the distance, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Endless Summer Tip: Ask a cast member for a Gondola that has not been “wrapped” so your view is not obstructed. And make sure you have your camera ready to go as there is always plenty of photo opportunities from up above.
Disney Skyliner – Frequently Asked Questions
Following are the answers for some of the most frequently asked questions about the Disney Skyliner at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Do I need a theme park ticket to ride the Disney Skyliner?
You do not need to have a theme park ticket to ride the Disney Skyliner. A ride on the Skyliner is a fun and free way to experience some of the Disney Magic. However, you might have to pay to park somewhere.
Do I need to be a Disney hotel guest to ride the Disney Skyliner?
Similar to not needing a theme park ticket, you do not need to be a Disney hotel guest to ride the Disney Skyliner. It is completely free to ride but you will need to board at one of the Disney hotels, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or at Epcot’s International Gateway so there will likely be a parking fee at many of these locations.
Which Disney theme parks are served by the Disney Skyliner?
As of early 2021, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are the two theme parks that are served by the Disney Skyliner. There are rumors of a possible future connection to Disney’s Animal Kingdom but a formal announcement has not taking place at this time.
Which hotels are served by the Disney Skyliner?
The Disney Skyliner has direct stops at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort as well as a combined stop for Disney’s Art of Animation & Pop Century resorts. Since there is also a stop outside of Epcot’s International Gateway, the Disney Skyliner also serves Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club, the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Swan Reserve.
Does the Disney Skyliner have air-conditioning?
Surprisingly so, the Disney Skyliner does NOT have air-conditioning. There are window vents that when moving at 11 miles per hour, help keep the Gondola fairly cool. However, although we have not traveled on the Skyliner in the middle of the hot Florida summer, we would expect it to be warm (at a minimum). It would probably not make sense for those not used to the heat to travel on the Skyliner during mid-day hours.
How many guests can go on a Disney Skyliner Gondola at one time?
The Disney Skyliner can accommodate up to 10 guests or up 6 with strollers and/or wheelchairs. With the current COVID restrictions, it is limited to just one traveling party.
How long is the ride for the Disney Skyliner?
Depending on where you start as well as your final destination, it could take from less than 5 minutes to about 10 minutes for your ride on the Disney Skyliner.
Following is a summary of the Disney Skyliner travel times for each particular route:
- Disney’s Art of Animation / Pop Century to Caribbean Beach: Approximately 5 minutes
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Hollywood Studios: Approximately 5 minutes
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Riviera Resort: Approximately 3 minutes
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Epcot: Approximately 15 minutes
Please note that there could be lines to board one of the Disney Skyliner Gondolas at the Caribbean Beach “hub” (or any of the Skyliner locations) which will add additional transit time.
Can you bring food and beverages on the Disney Skyliner?
We have not observed any posted notices about food & beverages not being allowed on the Disney Skyliner and have seen a number of guests boarding with coffee and soft drinks. On our last visit, we brought on a box of popcorn without an issue.
What hotels are along the Disney Skyliner route?
The Disney Skyliner has individual stops at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort and a joint stop at Disney’s Pop Century Resort / Art of Animation Resort. The three hotels along Disney’s Boardwalk (Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club & Beach Club) as well as the Walt Disney World Dolphin & Swan (plus the Swan Reserve which is coming soon), are all within walking distance to the Skyliner stop at Epcot’s International Gateway.
Learn More about the Walt Disney World Resort with our Theme Park Guides
- The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
- EPCOT at Walt Disney World
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney Springs
Where Should We Stay When Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort?
The Walt Disney World Resort has a number of great on-site hotels and each and every one of them have their own benefits, characteristics and price points.
There are multiple “categories” of hotels which are as follows:
- Deluxe Resort Hotels
- Deluxe Resort Villas
- Moderate Resort Hotels
- Disney’s Campgrounds
- Value Resort Hotels
Deluxe resort hotels include the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. These resort hotels are all located adjacent to a Walt Disney World theme park (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and offer easy access to that park as well as superior amenities and accommodations.
In addition Disney’s hotels and resorts, there are a number of other hotel options including the hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area and those within the Bonnet Creek Resort.
