The Best Guide To The Disney Skyliner Transportation & FAQ

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and want a fun, scenic, and efficient way to get around the parks and resorts, this guide to Disney Skyliner transportation is for you. I will cover everything from what is the Disney Skyliner to FAQ like does the Skyliner go to Disney Springs, and where the main Skyliner stations are located. 

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The Disney Skyliner is a state-of-the-art gondola system that connects select Disney resorts to popular destinations like EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As my favorite way to get around the Walt Disney World property, I have a few tips and tricks that make the experience even more fun! 

Now, let’s walk you through the transportation options in Disney World, how to use the Disney Skyliner, answer frequently asked questions, and provide tips to make your experience magical.

Transportation Options in Disney World

Walt Disney World offers several complimentary transportation options for resort guests and park visitors, including:

• Disney buses: Travel between all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and resort hotels.
• Disney monorail: Services Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and select resorts like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
• Ferryboats and water taxis: Available to and from Magic Kingdom and several resorts.
• Disney Skyliner: The newest and perhaps most scenic option, giving guests a bird’s-eye view of the parks and resorts.
• Minnie Vans (paid service): App-based ride service operated by Disney through Lyft. Minnie Van service is an additional cost. 

Among these, the Disney Skyliner stands out as one of the most efficient and exciting ways to travel around Disney property.

To see a complete guide to Disney World transportation, take a look at this post which provides an in-depth overview of all transportation options and where they go. 

Guide to the Disney Skyliner: How It Works

The Disney Skyliner operates like a ski lift, in fact, you may have used a similar style gondola at many ski resorts around the world. With enclosed gondolas continuously moving along cables suspended high above Walt Disney World, it can get you around parks and resorts in a matter of time, faster than buses! 

Here’s how to use it:

1. Find a Skyliner station – There are five total stations:
   • Caribbean Beach Resort (main hub and transfer station)
   • Art of Animation Resort / Disney’s Pop Century Resort
   • Disney’s Riviera Resort
   • EPCOT (International Gateway entrance)
   • Disney’s Hollywood Studios
   • Honorable Mention: Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn & Villas, and the Swan and Dolphin. More on this below! 
2. Boarding – No reservations or tickets are required. Just show up, wait your turn, and board.
3. Traveling between destinations – The Skyliner connects in a hub-and-spoke system, with Caribbean Beach Resort serving as the main transfer point. Most rides are under 10 minutes!
4. Accessibility – The Skyliner is fully accessible, with special gondolas for wheelchairs, and single strollers can fit on a standard gondola. A double side-by-side stroller will need to be folded. 

Using the Disney Skyliner is a breeze, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and a fast commute between parks and Disney resorts.

Where Does the Disney Skyliner Go?

This guide to Disney Skyliner wouldn’t be complete without a breakdown of where it goes, including two parks and a few Walt Disney World resort properties:

• EPCOT Station (International Gateway)
  • Connects to: Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century
  • Perfect for guests staying at EPCOT-area resorts or looking to enjoy World Showcase.
  • While many will say the Epcot area resorts aren’t specifically Skyliner resorts, due to the short walk to International Gateway station, this is the best transportation option should you want to get between Beach Club, Yacht Club, The Boardwalk, and even Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve. 
• Hollywood Studios Station
  • Connects to: Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century
  • Quick access for guests heading to the attractions within Hollywood Studios, like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Station (hub)
  • Connects to: EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Riviera, Art of Animation, Pop Century
  • A central transfer point if you’re changing lines.
  • Pro Tip: Grab a Joffrey’s coffee for your Skyliner ride at the stand just down the ramp from the transfer hub. 
• Disney’s Riviera Resort Station
  • Connects to: Caribbean Beach (for transfers), EPCOT
  • Great for guests staying or Resort Hopping at this Deluxe Disney resort. 
• Art of Animation / Pop Century Station (Hourglass Lake)
  • Shared station connecting to: Caribbean Beach (and beyond to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios)
  • A game-changer for guests at these value resorts!
  • There are often long lines at rope drop time due to this single station servicing both Art of Animation and Pop Century

Guide to Disney Skyliner: FAQs

• Is the Disney Skyliner free to use? Yes! It’s a complimentary transportation service for all Disney resort guests, those staying off-property and even anyone just visiting the property for a day without park admission.
• Do I need a park ticket to ride the Skyliner? No park admission is required to ride between resorts or to EPCOT’s International Gateway area (as long as you don’t enter the park).
• Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?
  Yes. Strollers can roll right in (no folding needed unless it is a side-by-side), and there are accessible cabins for wheelchairs and ECVs.
• Is the Skyliner safe in bad weather? Operations may pause in high winds, lightning or other severe weather. Disney bus service will usually be dispatched as an alternate option if that happens.

• How long does it take to get from one park to another?
  • EPCOT to Hollywood Studios: ~15 minutes (including transfers)
  • Caribbean Beach to EPCOT: ~12 minutes
  • Art of Animation to Hollywood Studios: ~15-20 minutes
• Does the Skyliner go to Disney Springs? No, the Skyliner does not go to Disney Springs. Check the list above to see where the Skyliner will take you. 
• Does the Skyliner connect to the Disney Monorail? No, the Skyliner does not connect to the Monorail. If you want to use both modes of transportation, you will need to go through Epcot via the International Gateway and exit through the front of the park to get onto the Skyliner. Otherwise, you can take a bus from any resort on the Skyliner to Magic Kingdom and get on the Monorail from there. 
• What are the hours for the Skyliner? The Skyliner stations open 1-hour before the earliest entry time (pay attention to the early theme park entry time) of either Hollywood Studios or Epcot, whichever opens first, and closes usually 90 minutes after park closing. If there are late-night special events at either Epcot or Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner will remain on until after the event ends. 
• Does the Skyliner go to all Disney parks? No, the Skyliner only provides transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. There are other transportation options to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and the Disney Water Parks. 
• How to find the Skyliner Stations? You can use the My Disney Experience app to locate the Skyliner stations and even see the Disney Skyliner hours for each day. 

Why Use the Disney Skyliner?

The Disney Skyliner is more than just a way to get from point A to point B – it’s a magical experience in itself. Here’s why guests love it:

• Scenic views of the parks, lakes, and resorts from above. I absolutely love the view of France in Epcot as you approach International Gateway. It was fun to watch the transformation of this area of the park before it opened and has still remained a special view into the excitement around the entrance of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. 
• Quick travel times, often faster than buses and shorter wait time most of the time. 
• A fun break for kids and adults alike. It’s a relaxing experience, especially with a coffee in hand! 
• An excellent transportation perk for those staying at Disney resorts on the Skyliner route

Tips for Riding the Disney Skyliner

To make the most of your Disney Skyliner experience, keep these tips in mind:

• Ride early or late to avoid the longest lines (especially at park opening and closing). Though I have never had a line longer than 15 minutes at “rope drop” time. 
• Plan your transfers if you’re staying at a resort not directly connected. It’s helpful to understand all of Disney World’s transportation options and how they work together (or sometimes don’t)
• Use it as a mid-day break – grab lunch at a different resort or explore the EPCOT area. We do this often! If we are staying at Art of Animation or Caribbean Beach, we will take the Skyliner over to Beach Club or Disney’s Boardwalk Inn for dinner. 
• If you’re scared of heights, note that cabins do sway slightly.

A few bonus ideas for the Disney Skyliner

• Go on a cocktail or mocktail crawl. Watch this reel to see where you can go to experience a great cocktail or mocktail crawl on the skyliner route. This is a fun option for a resort day, or when you want a break from some of the parks. 
• Experience new-to-you resorts. Resort crawls are great, especially in Walt Disney World. If you haven’t experienced any of the Disney resorts, that’s the perfect time and the best free way to utilize the Disney Skyliner. 

Whether you’re staying at a Disney resort or just visiting the parks, this guide to Disney World Skyliner proves that it’s one of the best ways to get around Walt Disney World. With unmatched views, quick travel times, and a dash of Disney magic, it turns everyday transportation into a memorable adventure.

Bookmark this guide to Disney Skyliner to help plan your next trip, and make the most of this unique Disney transportation option!