I love going to Disney World!
There are so many rides, hotels, and snacks to eat meaning I could find something new to do forever! One thing about me though is I’m a bit of a scaredy cat which means some of the attractions are daunting but one of my biggest fears isn’t even an attraction, it’s a mode of transportation!
When it comes to theme parks, thrills aren’t for everyone! For me, one of the scariest rides isn’t even a ride at all, it’s a mode of transportation called the Disney Skyliner! The Skyliner is a gondala-style system that you can use to get to the parks and some resorts but it is pretty high up in the sky.
I have a pretty intense fear of heights but somehow, the Skyliner has become one of my favorite ways to get around! How is that possible? I’m going to break it down for you. First, I try to live my life by a “do everything once” principle. Now this is easier said than done when it comes to having fears but the idea of trying something at least once gives you legs to stand on when people ask you why you don’t like something.
I like being able to explain if I don’t like something and why I don’t like it and you can really only do that if you’ve experienced something. I was terrified (no pun intended) of Tower of Terror for years and my family always respected my choice to skip it because they knew I had tested it out and wasn’t going to change my mind anytime soon.
The second reason I can ride the Skyliner despite my fear is I know when I should avoid it. This transportation option is pretty susceptible to bad weather and it will even close during really bad storms. It doesn’t close, however, on windy days or just days full of general bad weather.
The days that the Skyliner ignites my anxiety are the days that the wind and rain are shaking the cabin you sit in which is just a bit too much for me. Knowing this about myself and the Skyliner means I know when to avoid it. Basically, you’ll only find me in the sky on perfectly sunny days!
The third reason I still chose to hop on the Skyliner is that some of the time, that is your only free option! The Skyliner runs between Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort, Art of Animation Resort, and Pop Century Resort. That means if you’re staying at one of these resorts and Skyliner is open, there are no bus alternatives to get you to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. If the Skyliner closes for any reason, they will start running busses between the resorts and those two parks but if it’s open, the Skyliner is the way you have to go.
So my choice to ride the Skyliner can also be a financial one! I don’t want to pay for an Uber or Lyft between my resort and the parks if I can help it so overcoming my fears also saves me a bit of cash. You can still drive to the parks with your car (Disney World resort guests don’t have to pay for theme park parking) but now that I don’t live in Orlando I almost exclusively fly to Florida.
The fourth reason I choose to take the Skyliner is I constantly remind myself that Disney is known for its safety measures. It’s almost like a mantra for me when I hop into the Skyliner cabin if my anxiety hits. It’s just a comfort to me and gives me a bit of peace while I’m on the mode of transportation.
Finally, I remind myself that I am very capable of facing my fears and doing anything for 10 minutes (and that if it’s really bad, I can just Uber back.) The Skyliner offers such beautiful views and the parks and resorts and I hate to miss them! I also love the convenience of this mode of transportation when it comes to the resorts I stay at when I’m on property.
For me, I didn’t ride the Skyliner immediately when it opened in 2019 but once I finally put it to the test, I was surprised how much I loved it! Forcing myself to try things I’m scared of has opened up a whole new world of opportunities and experiences for me even if it’s just as simple as getting around the Disney resorts.
Now I know that the Skyliner still isn’t for everyone though so if you’re really against riding it (which I get) you should consider not staying at Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, or Art of Animation. If you know you don’t want to be high in the sky, these resorts will cost you more for an amenity you don’t even want.
You can also look for other modes of transportation like busses, boats, walking paths, and even ride shares if you can’t do the height of the Skyliner. I might be scared of heights, but luckily it doesn’t take away from my favorite way to get around Disney World! If the Skyliner isn’t for you, that’s okay too! It’s your vacation and you should enjoy every second of it. As always, don’t forget to keep following AllEars for all of your Disney tips and tricks!
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How do you feel about the Skyliner? Tell me in the comments!
Wait. There are no buses between the ‘Skyline Resorts’ and the parks if the Skyliner is open? Wow. That is incredible. I imagine there are lots of people and families with small children who cannot tolerate the Skyliner. And they either have to tolerate it or take an Uber? The same is certainly not true for the resorts serviced by the monorail, correct? I certainly hope they are told that when they book the room.