Guests can board Disney’s Skyliner — a complementary mode of transportation — and glide past one-of-a-kind views of waterways, woodlands, and two Walt Disney World theme parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. The new Skyliner transposition is in constant motion, which means Guests arrive at their destination within minutes! Relax along the way, take in the views, and you will be there before you know it.
But there is much more to this new mode of transportation than some may realize. From different stations to different routes, navigating the Skyliner can be tricky for first-timers. That is why we put together a complete guide to the Disney Skyliner for you to read prior to your next Disney World vacation.
The Disney Skyliner allows Guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, or Disney’s Riviera Resort to travel from their resort to two Disney theme parks — EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios — all while taking in beautiful views of Disney landscape.
Take to the skies—travel by aerial gondola for a bird’s-eye view of various locations around Walt Disney World Resort!
Discover Disney Skyliner, an incredible way to travel around Walt Disney World Resort!
Glide across the sky and add an extra dash of pixie dust to your day. This grand, state-of-the-art gondola system conveniently connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and International Gateway at Epcot to the following Resort hotels: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Guests will be able to enjoy easy access to Disney’s BoardWalk entertainment district and a fun way to travel between International Gateway at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plus, the Disney Skyliner provides a relaxing trip to dining locations across Disney Resort hotels—including Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Some of the gondolas are adorned with iconic Disney Characters, figures from Disney attractions and film favorites, which makes getting around even more magical as Guests enjoy breathtaking vistas over and between each of these enchanting locations!
Please Note: Guests travelling on the Disney Skyliner will not be able to access the Epcot parking lot after Epcot has closed for the day. If you are attempting to return to your parked car, please use alternate transportation such as a Disney bus.
Similar to ski lift systems, Disney Skyliner may slow or come to some stops during the ride, particularly when we need to accommodate guests who require additional time to load their cabin. We want to assure you that the comfort of every guest is important to us.
When did Disney start building the Disney Skyliner?
By early 2018, the Disney Skyliner was under construction and the Skyliner towers and gondola stations around Disney World property were more than halfway completed by Summer 2018. Testing with the gondola cabins began in late January 2019 on the Hollywood Studios line and the transportation system officially opened up to Disney Guests on September 29, 2019.
Prior to the opening of the Disney Skyliner, Disney’s Senior Vice President of Resorts and Transportation Thomas Masloum said “With the Disney Skyliner, we’re really creating magic in the air. The views you’re going to get from there are unparalleled. You’ll never forget the experience.” And he is right! The views from the Disney Skyliner are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Guests riding the Disney Skyliner will see one-of-a-kind views of waterways, woodlands, and two of Walt Disney World’s theme parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Additionally, Disney Imagineering principal architect Dean Huspen shared “I think the most exciting part is the story, the gondola cabin themselves will feature classic Disney stories, both old and new. It should just be a wonderful experience as the Disney characters ride along with them.”
What resorts and theme parks are close to the Skyliner?
The Disney Skyliner is used to allow Guests to travel to and from two Disney theme parks — EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — from four surrounding resorts — Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
Other resorts that are nearby the Skyliner, but do not have stations, are the EPCOT area hotels — Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s BoardWalk, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Guests can easily walk to any of these Resorts from the EPCOT Skyliner station, located near the entrance to World Showcase.
Cruise around Walt Disney World Resort in style—riding incredible aerial gondolas!
Glide across the sky and add an extra dash of pixie dust to your day. This grand, state-of-the-art gondola system conveniently connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot to the following Disney Resort hotels:
Stations and available routes for the Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner is used for connecting EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with four surrounding resorts — Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
The EPCOT International Gateway station is inspired by the European pavilions within the park. The station is covered with metal and glass canopies, beautiful hand-painted murals that are themed to flight, and incredible ornate metal detailing — all in the Art Nouveau style.
Disney’s Riviera Resort station is influenced by the Mediterranean coast and will produce an elegant portal for Disney guests.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station connects all three routes and is themed with bright island colors associated with the Caribbean.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios station reflects the Art Deco style of the theme park’s main entrance. Disney guests arriving on the new Disney Skyliner will be welcomed in with a panoramic view of the park.
Since Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are sister resorts, they share a Disney Skyliner station at Hourglass Lake. Bright and colorful structural forms will create a space that gives off whimsical and contextual feels. Departing the station, guests will hover over Hourglass Lake and lift off to beautiful views of both resort hotels.
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.
If you are staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, you will want to take the Skyliner to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Riveria Resort, which is where all of the routes are centered. If you are staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you will want to walk to the station at the resort or walk to Disney’s Riviera Resort and follow the signs for either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
EPCOT Line
The longest of the three lines is the EPCOT line. This route departs from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort hub, rises up to cross over the Jamaica and Aruba Villages of the resort, and then descends to the first of two mid-stations at Disney’s Riviera Resort. If you are staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, this station is also accessible from and adjacent to the Aruba village of Caribbean Beach.
Once here, the route turns to the West and Guests travel alongside Buena Vista Drive. The Skyliner will reach the BoardWalk Tennis Courts parking lot and that is where the line hits its second mid-station. This mid-station, however, is unthemed and is used only to turn the line to resume traveling North towards EPCOT.
After crossing over the EPCOT Resorts Boulevard, Guests will then pass behind the France pavilion at World Showcase, where the gondola descends into its final station at the International Gateway entrance to World Showcase.
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Line
Disney’s Hollywood Studios line heads out of Disney’s Caribbean Beach hub. The first part of this route cuts through some unused forest space and then before you know it, you are descending and crossing over the tollbooth entrance and parking lot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Skyliner line then descends into Disney’s Hollywood Studios station, which is located in between the theme park entrance and the bus stops.
Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Line
The shortest of the three routes is Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation line. This route heads from Disney’s Caribbean Beach hub to Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s Pop Century Resorts. The first half of the Skyliner line takes Guests over reclaimed swampland and then after passing by Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s North building, the Skyliner line then descends and travels across Hourglass Lake. It ends at a station which is located on the middle of the lake.
If you are in need of an energy boost before hitting the parks, you’re in luck! Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co., which is the official specialty coffee of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Vacation Club, are there to welcome Disney guests with a location next to the station at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!
The Joffrey’s offerings at the Caribbean Beach Skyliner station include:
Assorted Pastries — Muffins, Donuts, Cookies
Beverages
Cafe Femenino Coffee
Double Espresso
Cafe Latte — Hot or Iced
Chai Latte — Hot or Iced
Mocha Latte — Hot or Iced
Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut or Irish Cream Latte — Hot or Iced
Loose Leaf Hot Tea
Peach Iced Tea
Hot Chocolate
Cold Brew
Creme Brule Cold Brew with Flavor Shot; Caramel or Pumpkin Pie
Frozen Drinks
Frozen Cappucino
Pumpkin Late — Seasonal Beverage Available Hot or Iced; Pumpkin Pie Syrup, Milk & Espresso
Harvest Chai Latte — Seasonal Beverage Available Hot or Iced; Pumpkin Pie Syrup, Milk & Chai Tea
Toffee Flight Latte — Blended with Sea Salt Caramel Toffee and Dark Chocolate, topped with Toffee Crumbles and a Cloud of Whipped Cream; Available Hot or Iced
There are currently 300 Skyliner cabins, all of which feature different character facades. The Skyliner cabins can each transport up to 10 guests, including wheelchairs, to and from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT from four different resorts — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
To go along with five artful loading stations along the line, each cabin will be stylish in one of eight vibrant colors and feature sleek curved lines. Many of the nearly 300 cabins will feature graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters – giving the sensation that Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Goofy, Chip ’n Dale, the Pirates of the Caribbean and many others have joined the fun.
Each Disney Skyliner cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests, including those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices. With the system in constant motion, guests will arrive at their destination in minutes; and they’ll arrive relaxed – in the comfort of cabins mindfully tailored for the Florida climate.
You can see what the inside of the Disney Skyliner gondolas look like in this video from Disney Parks Blog.
Each gondola has two long wooden benches with plenty of foot space. Disney Imagineers built the gondolas with the climate of Florida in mind and made sure to include cross-ventilation for airflow as well as special reflective windows to prevent direct sunlight into the cabin.
How much time should you allow when traveling the Skyliner?
Trying to time a trip on the Disney Skyliner can be tricky. Not only do Guests have to account for the actual travel time on the Skyliner itself, but they have to consider the lines that could be waiting at the center hub — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
If you are taking the Skyliner in the morning for park opening, we really recommend allowing extra time to board the Skyliner. To be safe, plan ahead and try to get to Disney’s Caribbean Beach or Disney’s Riveria Resort as early as possible, this way when the Skyliner opens, you should be towards the front of the line.
EPCOT line
The journey time for a one-way journey along the full route from Disney’s Caribbean Beach to EPCOT is 11 minutes. A journey between Disney’s Caribbean Beach and Disney’s Riviera Resort takes 3 minutes, and the journey between Disney’s Riveria Resort and EPCOT takes 6 minutes.
Hollywood Studios line
The ride time for a one-way journey on the Disney’s Hollywood Studios route from Disney’s Caribbean Beach is 5 minutes.
Art of Animation and Pop Century line
A one-way journey on Disney’s Art of Animation route takes 4 minutes.
If you are looking for a bite to eat before heading to the Disney theme parks, there are a few great restaurants that Guests can get to by utilizing the Disney Skyliner.
Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riveria
Credit: Disney
Located inside Disney’s Riveria Resort, this restaurant offers delicious cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere. Disney World describes this restaurant as:
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera offers French and Italian cuisine, along with sweeping rooftop views.
Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends
Start your morning with breakfast at this beautiful rooftop restaurant offering an exclusive storybook dining experience. The prix fixe menu offers delicious choices to please everyone in the family.
While enjoying breakfast and the bird’s eye views, Mickey and his friends are excited to celebrate with you! As part of our new Character Dining experience, all Guests will be able to see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck as they parade through the restaurant in their stylish outfits unique to Topolino’s Terrace! Breakfast begins with fresh pastries and bread. Your choice of entrées include: Quiche Gruyère with house-made pancetta, Sour Cream Waffle, Smoked Salmon, Two Eggs Any Style, and more. Whichever you select, breakfast in this charming café is an enchanting way to start your day.
Reservations and Important Details
Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made. Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability. Character appearances and entertainment are subject to change.
Credit: Disney
Dinner with a View
For dinner, get ready to indulge in fresh, delicious seafood and meat dishes, handmade pasta and decadent desserts infused with French and Italian flavors at this signature rooftop dining experience straight from the Riviera. Inspired by the cliffside restaurants of France and Italy, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera takes its name from the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
Dining is a true experience, prepared at the exclusive expo kitchen or wood-burning grill. Pair your meal with a glass of wine from the impressive collection sourced from the Mediterranean coast. Feast your eyes on the stunning visual aesthetic, a modern interpretation of the textures, colors, carved details and stonework found in ancient villages along the Riviera.
Reservations and Important Details
Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made. Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability.
Located inside Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club, this restaurant offers delicious one-of-a-kind cuisine and a beautiful atmosphere. Disney World describes this restaurant as:
Dine on New England comfort food and classic seafood dishes in a coastal-inspired restaurant that’s reminiscent of a cozy lighthouse.
Drop anchor for Eastern Seaboard eats that the whole crew will love. Located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, this seaworthy spot is a comfortable place to relax and refuel before and after a day of adventure.
Breakfast
Start the day with hearty breakfast dishes—including an omelet, dark chocolate waffle, salted caramel-apple French toast or a protein bowl. Or, enjoy lighter fare, like a fruit smoothie.
Dinner
Choose from a variety of dinner entrees to delight nearly every taste! Indulge in sumptuous seafood, like sustainable catch of the day or New England seafood pot pie. Heartier selections include the ‘brick” lemon-herb half chicken, 10-oz New York angus strip, pappardelle pasta and more.
Credit: Disney
Dessert
At dinner, satisfy your sweet tooth with decadent desserts, like mango torte spiced lemon pound cake, apple cobbler and 12-layer chocolate cake.
Wine, Beer and Spirits
For sailors 21 and over, stay on course with a glass of wine or a refreshing specialty cocktail. As the name suggests, Ale & Compass also offers an array of beer options.
Reservations
Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made. Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability.
Yachtsman Steakhouse is also located in Disney’s Yacht Club, which is located inside the EPCOT area, near Disney’s Boardwalk and Disney’s Beach Club. From great steaks to fresh seafood to savory side dishes, Yachtman’s Steakhouse is the perfect dining option for those looking for fine and signature dining.
Delight in the formal grace of a grand New England-style yacht club at this lakeside hotel. Relax in the inviting elegance of a plush lobby replete with nautical touches, explore the whimsical Stormalong Bay and rent a variety of watercraft from Bayside Marina. Sharing many amenities with its pastel-toned sister, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is walking distance to Epcot and a convenient boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Savor premium steaks, fresh seafood and more at this New England-style steakhouse. Within the airy dining room’s knotty-pine beams and nautical touches, mouthwatering cuisine awaits!
High-quality, grain-fed beef is aged in-house and prepared on an oak-fired grill in the open kitchen. Feel your appetite begin to build while you watch butchers hand cut steaks to perfection in the dry-aging room.
Then, give into anticipation as you delight in beef entrées like the 12-oz Prime New York Strip Steak with peppercorn-brandy sauce. Favorite sides include the Truffle Macaroni & Cheese, while the innovative kids menu pleases even the pickiest of eaters.
Be sure to save room for a decadent dessert like our S’mores Sundae or Banana Bread Pudding.
Walt Disney World’s official website describes the table service restaurant as:
Coast on down to this New England-style venue where you can join some Disney pals for a lively Character breakfast—or set sail later in the day for a seafood dinner buffet. Please note: Disney Characters join Guests for breakfast only.
Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast
Minnie and some of her friends have gathered at the Cape May Café to start the day with a Beach Bash Breakfast! They are all dressed up in their beachy best—and you are invited to join the fun!Create unforgettable memories, get autographs and photos—and enjoy menu offerings including Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, sausage, oatmeal and more.
Please note: Disney Characters join Guests for breakfast only. Character appearances are subject to change.Seafood-and-More
This seafood-and-more buffet offers a mouthwatering array of clams, mussels, crab legs, shrimp, ribs, chicken and more. Round out your meal with such hearty sides as mashed potatoes, chard and bacon, and corn on the cob. Be sure to save room for the delicious assortment of seaside sweets!
Please note: Disney Characters join Guests for breakfast only.
Located inside Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, this restaurant offers flavorful cuisine and a stunning atmosphere. Disney World describes this restaurant as:
Transport your taste buds to “island time” with delightful surf and turf meals infused with rich Latin and Caribbean flavors.
Tropical Vibes and Waterfront Views
A bright ambience and market-fresh ingredients await you at this under-the-sea-inspired eatery. Located along the Old Port Royale promenade, this family-friendly spot offers signature dishes to please any palate. Your dinner options include a variety of fresh and savory delights such as salad, grilled jerk chicken wings and seafood entrées.
Sebastian’s also offers a satisfying selection of desserts and refreshing beverages—including a variety of fruity and frozen cocktails, as well as mocktails.
There is much more to this new mode of transportation than some may realize. From different stations to different routes, navigating the Skyliner can be tricky for first-timers. So here are some of our tips and tricks to the Disney Skyliner for you to read prior to your next Disney World vacation.
Learn the Skyliner Stations and Routes
As someone who has ridden the Disney Skyliner gondola on past vacations, I really recommend trying to learn the Disney Skyliner stations prior to getting there. My mistake was we did not know that if you are riding the Disney Skyliner from Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, that Guests had to get off the Disney Skyliner gondola and get back in line to board the route to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as we did not realize it was two different lines.
If you are looking to visit one of the other Walt Disney World theme parks — Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom — or Disney Springs then you will want to take advantage of Disney’s bus transportation, which is also complimentary. Bus stops can be found on your Disney World Resort map or on the My Disney Experience app.
Credit: Disney
Allow for Travel Time
Also, make sure you allow for enough time, especially if you are traveling to the theme parks at park opening. Just like anything else on Walt Disney World property, the demand for Disney Skyliner is greatest at park opening and park closing. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort tends to build up a line early in the morning as everyone is trying to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at park opening.
And, despite the Disney Skyliner being in constant motion, meaning Guests will arrive at their destination within minutes, it is important to note that sometimes the Disney Skyliner gondolas may slow down or even come to a stop during the ride. This tends to happen when Disney needs to accommodate Guests who require additional time to load their cabins, such as those parties with wheelchairs or ECVs.
Similar to ski lift systems, Disney Skyliner may slow or come to some stops during the ride, particularly when we need to accommodate guests who require additional time to load their cabin. We want to assure you that the comfort of every guest is important to us.
Credit: Disney
Inclement Weather
If there is inclement weather, make sure to check with a nearby Cast Member to see if the Disney Skyliner is running. It will not run in high winds or unsafe weather but a nearby Cast Member will be able to help you get to your destination if the Disney Skyliner is not running.
Be sure to check with a nearby Cast Member to find out the exact operating times for the Disney Skyliner while you are visiting.
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.
Start Planning Your Trip to Walt Disney World Today!
If you want to experience the Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World Resort for yourself, but aren’t sure where to begin planning — Don’t hesitate to reach out to our friends over at Academy Travel.
Founded in 1996, Academy Travel is celebrating over 20 years in business and as the original “Disney Exclusive” travel agency. Academy Travel has earned the highest designation that Disney can bestow upon a travel agency, EarMarked Diamond! Academy Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and has been designated as a Diamond EarMarked Travel Agency specializing in Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
One reason the agency attained the “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” status is that all the frontline leisure travel agents are College of Disney Knowledge graduates. The College of Disney Knowledge is an in-depth comprehensive course that allows agents to develop their expertise regarding the Disney Destinations – knowledge that consumers can take advantage of when planning a Disney vacation.
Credit: Academy Travel/Disney
As long as you book your trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can rest assured that you will be working with an agency that Disney has vetted and is willing to associate their brand with that agency due to the knowledge and service level you will find at that particular agency. As you can probably imagine, this is a big deal as Disney emphasizes stellar service above all else. Disney has high standards as to with whom they will partner and as a baseline we believe you should only consider booking your Disney vacation with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
And, no other travel agency in the world books as many Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, a Disney Resort & Spa vacations as does Academy Travel. Yes, you read that right, Academy Travel has more experience booking these trips than anyone else, plus they are also the #1 travel agent booking Universal Studios vacations and so much more!
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