We’re big fans of the Disney World transportation system!

Disney World’s Skyliner

The free offerings are great for guests trying to get around the resort. Each option has several perks, but there are downsides to each as well. One of our favorite modes of transportation around Disney World is the Skyliner. It’s practically a ride on its own before even getting into the parks! It’s typically efficient and offers direct access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, there are two downsides to it as well.

The Disney Skyliner moves people between several resorts, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century, Disney’s Riviera, and Disney Caribbean Resorts are each located at Skyliner stations, where you can catch a gondola to one of the other three resorts or to the two parks.

Skyliner Station at Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts

We really do love the Skyliner as it provides a direct trip to the two parks. However, there are two huge problems that come with the Skyliner.

Weather

The Syliner is Disney World’s “highway in the sky,” but that also means that its operation relies on good weather. If it’s raining without lightning, you’ll likely still be able to use it. But if lightning is in the area, the Skyliner will be shut down. And unfortunately, rain and storms are pretty common in Florida.

Skyliner closed at Hollywood Studios

If you’re at your hotel and trying to get to Hollywood Studios or EPCOT when it shuts down for weather, Disney will provide buses to the parks, and the other way is also true, buses will be provided from the parks to the hotels. However, this can take longer, especially if you were already in line for the Skyliner.

Skyliner

Unfortunately, if you’re at EPCOT trying to catch the Skyliner at International Gateway and it closes for weather, that means a very long walk to the front of the park to catch the bus. If you happen to be on the Skyliner when it closes for weather, know that your safety is the priority for Cast Members, and if needed, there is an emergency kit on each gondola.

Long Lines

Typically, you can catch the Skyliner from any of the stations without much of a wait. You’ll often find it a walk-on ride, which is one of the many perks of this transportation system. However, that is not always the case, and there are certain times of the day when you may end up in a pretty hefty line.

Skyliner gondolas

Mornings are one of the times you may find a much longer line than usual, especially at the interchange station at the Caribbean and Riviera Resorts. This is where the two Skyliners meet, and all the hotel guests come through this one station, making early mornings a bit busier as everyone heads to rope drop the parks. Also, those with large strollers, ECVs, and wheelchairs may make the Skyliner briefly stop so they can safely board the gondola.

Skyliner station

Another busy time for the Skyliner is at night when the parks close. Particularly, the International Gateway Skyliner station can get packed up for a VERY long way. We’ve seen this line reach Disney’s Beach Club Resort and take a relatively long time to load everyone at the end of the night from EPCOT. For guests staying at Skyliner resorts, this is usually the only way to get back to your hotel as you won’t be able to take a bus back unless there is bad weather (another option would be to take a ride-share vehicle back).

The line at the International Gateway station can get VERY long

We truly do love the Skyliner, but these are two problems to watch out for as you journey through the sky! Otherwise, it’s a great way to try restaurants and attractions at the Skyliner resorts from Hollywood Studios or EPCOT during an afternoon break.

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What is your favorite mode of transportation at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!