In March I was able to ride the Disney Skyliner. It was so so so AWESOME!! I loved the Disney Skyliner so much and now I want to share with you some of the things that I learned to make the experience even better for you. On to some Disney World Skyliner tips and tricks!
Click here for a map of the Skyliner
A Quick Overview
Disney’s Skyliner is a gondola “ride” that connects quite a few resorts with Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Let me give you a quick list of the connections:
- Epcot to Disney’s Riveria Resort (12 minutes–you do not have to get off) to Disney’s Caribbean Beach (4 minutes)
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach to a station between Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (5 minutes)
- Hollywood Studios to Disney’s Caribbean Beach (5 minutes)
If you look at the map you can see the theme parks are the end of the line and Disney’s Caribbean Beach is a hub. The travel times are approximate.
Now for my Disney World Skyliner tips and tricks to help you navigate this awesome new form of transportation throughout the Disney World Resort!
Stay at a Resort on the Skyliner Route!
If you are going to spend much time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios I highly recommend staying at a resort that has a Skyliner station nearby.
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Jamaica is the closest village to Caribbean Beach Station and Aruba is very close to Riviera Station)
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation
The Skyliner makes transportation to these parks so slick and easy! Lines move very quickly and so most of the time you are able to board without much waiting. Travel time to the parks is so much quicker than taking the bus. A couple of my later tips also support why I think it’s a good idea to stay at a resort serviced by the Skyliner.
Things to remember: 1) Buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios run much less frequently to/from Skyliner resorts. 2) The Skyliner begins running at 7:30 AM. The ride is quick and if you are in line earlier than opening you should be able to make it into Hollywood Studios by 8 AM. But, if you have an early time commitment an alternate transportation method might be better. I did take the Skyliner from Caribbean Beach and was just able to make it for the Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue booking.
Try Different Restaurants!
The Skyliner makes it so easy to try different restaurants. Now, you probably don’t want to hop from quick service to quick service but for table service restaurants the Skyliner is amazing. No longer do you have to worry about bus transportation to get you to your reservation on time. Plus, the Ample Hills Creamery (Disney’s BoardWalk Inn) and the take-out counter at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club) are a great place for some yummy ice cream.
Restaurants on the Skyliner route at which you do not need a park ticket:
- Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Rivera Resort–Character dining for breakfast and Signature dining for dinner
- Sebastians’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach
- Yachtsman Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, Ale and Compass Restaurant and Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club
- Flying Fish, ESPN Club, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, and Trattoria al Forno (character breakfast) at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
- The Swan and Dolphin (only a few minutes walk from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn) have quite a few fantastic dining options but they are not included in the Disney Dining Plan
Ride the Skyliner Just to Ride the Skyliner!
It is such a peaceful ride and the scenery is fantastic! I loved seeing the Epcot ball in the distance and overlooking the construction for the France expansion. Check out these views!
Ask for a Gondola Without a Wrap
This is probably my #1 Disney World Skyliner tip! The graphics on the outside of the gondolas are super cute, on the outside. But, from the inside, the wrap obscures the view. Just ask the cast member directing guests if you can wait for a clear gondola. You might have to wait for a moment (at busy times they may not be able to honor your request) but they will usually try and accommodate. And, trust me, the view will be worth the wait!
Take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios to Catch Buses
If you want to go from one resort to another you must first take a bus to a theme park or Disney Spring. A quicker way to get to a resort is to take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and then head over to the bus stop that will take you to the desired resort. Since a lot of my time in March was spent looking at different resorts I used this trick a few times and it worked out pretty slick. I think this feature makes traveling around the Walt Disney World Resort just a bit easier.
This tip does not always work from the Epcot station! Epcot’s Skyliner Station is located outside the International Gateway (near the World Showcase). The buses are all the way on the other side of Epcot so, you must have been to Epcot that day or have a Park Hopper to walk through the park.
Enjoy Your Traveling Companions
Each gondola will hold up to 10 passengers. Strollers and wheelchairs can roll directly on. If your party is small you will most likely have company with you. I know it is easy to just remain quiet and just watch the scenery go by. But you might be pleasantly surprised if you try and begin a conversation. I learned some good tips from fellow travelers and was able to give some of my own to others.
Don’t Panic When the Gondola Stops
I know that everyone has heard the nightmare story of how the Skyliner broke down for hours just after it first opened. But, you need not worry or avoid taking the Skyliner. Most of the time the gondola stops is because cast members have to help someone on that needs an extra moment. Stops happen quite a bit en route but 95% of the time you start back up in just a moment or two.
Too Hot? Open the Windows!
Inside each gondola is a handle above your heads and below your feet that open up the windows. Open windows greatly increase airflow as you move along. As you turn the corner to/from Epcot it is really interesting to feel how the breeze changes inside the gondola. Conversely, if you happen to be cold feel free to close the vents.
Do you have a Disney World Skyliner tip or trick you would like to share? I would love to hear them and learn something new. Just comment below!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Some other blog posts you might be interested in reading:
- Disney World vs. Disney Cruise Line? Which is best for my family?
- A Guide to Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival
- Celebrate the Holidays at Disney World (It’s time to think about Christmas travel)
Comments are closed.