Disney World is HUGE, but don’t worry — there are lots of ways to get where you need to go. You can use the extensive bus system, hop on the Monorail, take a boat, or even use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. One of the most unique forms of transportation, though, is the Disney Skyliner.
Walt Disney World Skyliner
The Skyliner is Disney’s gondola transportation service that connects two of the theme parks (EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) to certain hotels. It debuted in 2019 and has run into a few hitches since its opening, but generally it’s a quick, safe, and efficient way to get where you need to go. Even though it’s a safe way to travel, there are a few things you should NEVER do on the Skyliner.
Skyliner stations in Disney World are found at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (the Skyliner hub), EPCOT’s International Gateway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts, and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Each Skyliner gondola can carry six to ten passengers (depending on whether or not strollers, wheelchairs, or ECVs are part of the group) and are fitted with wooden benches facing each other from either side.
Inside a gondola
The gondolas feature reflective windows and cross-ventilation to maintain a comfortable temperature in the tropical climate of central Florida. However, they are NOT air conditioned.
Skyliner platform
Using the Skyliner might be the fastest way to get where you need to go, especially if you’re staing at a hotel that has a Skyliner station. But keep in mind these WARNINGS before you ride! Here are the two things you should never do on the Skyliner:
Ride When You’re Feeling Sick
The Skyliner gondolas are suspended in the air on a sturdy cable, and they can sometimes wobble and move if there’s strong wind. If you’re already feeling sick or especially if you’re feeling nauseated, all of that movement could be very bad. You definitely don’t want to throw up in that confined space!
Riviera Resort Skyliner
You likely won’t feel that side-to-side movement much when you’re going forward, but if the Skyliner stops for some reason (as it often does), the wobbling becomes much more obvious. We’ve frequently been stopped on the Skyliner — it’s a pretty routine occurance and not something to panic about. However, being stopped makes the extra motion from the wind more noticable.
Skyliner
In addition, those pauses could last a few minutes or even longer, and you don’t want to be stuck in the sky for a long time while you’re not feeling well. So if you’re feeling sick, we’d recommend using a different transportation option, such as a rideshare service.
Check out 10 rides to AVOID in Disney World if you struggle with motion sickness.
Force Someone To Ride If They’re Afraid of Heights
As we mentioned before, the Skyliner gondolas are suspended high in the air. If you have a fear of heights, this could definitely be a problem, as the gondolas are covered in large windows.
They’re pretty high up there.
If someone in your group is unsure about riding the Skyliner because of a fear of heights, don’t pressure them to try it anyways. Even some of our reporters who don’t fear heights most of the time mentioned that it’s a little scary, especially the first few times you ride.
Riding the Skyliner with the Riviera in view
Once you board the gondola and the doors close, you can’t get out again until you reach the next station, so you don’t want to be stuck in a situation where someone in your group is very uncomfortable. There are always other options to get where you need to go, including the buses, rideshare services, boats, and Monorail.
Disney bus
One more bonus tip for you: you should NOT depend on the Skyliner when the weather looks questionable. The Skyliner will almost always close in bad weather and especially during a storm or high winds. Make sure you have a back-up option for getting to your destination, and leave plenty of time for travel if it’s important that you arrive at a certain time (such as for a dining or Lightning Lane reservations).
Bad weather in Disney World
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Skyliner is my favorite mode of Disney transportation. What was scary the first time we rode it was the landing. We were floating along enjoying the views and then woosh! we come in so fast it felt like we were about to crash into the gondola in front of us. But we got used to it and anticipate that quick landing now.
The first time it looks like you’re going to crash into the gondola in front of you is definitely a little jarring! Haha