5 Reasons the Disney Skyliner WON’T Be A Good Fit For Your Vacation

The Disney World Skyliner has been transporting visitors in the skies of Disney World since 2019. 

This new form of transportation connects multiple hotels and two theme parks together, adding a new way for people to get around Disney World. While staying at a hotel with a Skyliner station can be a great perk, it is not always the best fit for everyone for a handful of reasons.  

If you are thinking about staying at one of the many Skyliner hotels like the Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, Art of Animation, or even the EPCOT Area Resort Hotels, you may want to consider a few things before booking your stay and relying on Skyliner transportation. 

The Skyliner Soars High in the Sky

If you are scared of heights, the Skyliner may not be for you, as your gondola is suspended above the ground. The Skyliner can “bounce” when it is winder or when it stops due to other gondolas moving around. There have been rare occasions where people have had to be rescued from their Skyliner due to maintenance issues or weather. If this is a fear of yours (although unlikely), you may want to consider other transportation options around the resort.

I’m Afraid of Heights, But Here’s Why I Ride the Disney World Skyliner Anyway

Expect Long Lines During Rope Drop and at Park Close

If you are planning to rope drop EPCOT or Hollywood Studios or even stay until the parks close, you can expect a lengthy wait to board the Skyliner. We have seen people line up well before Early Entry to ensure that they are some of the first to board the Skyliner. 

If you don’t mind waiting or getting up early, then the Skyliner may be a good option for you. Just remember that depending on which resort you stay at or which park you are headed to, you may need to transfer at the Skyliner Hub at Caribbean Beach, which could add even more time to your travel day.

My Skyliner Car Has Never Done THIS in Disney World Before

Expect to Travel with Other Parties

Each Skyliner can hold up to ten people, which means during busier times, Cast Members may board you with other parties. Now, this is not always the case, as you may get your own Skyliner during less busy times. If you are traveling early in the morning or late at night, you can expect to share your Skyliner with others. 

The Skyliner Does Not Travel to Every Park

It is a common misconception that all forms of Disney World transportation can take you to where you want to go. In all honesty, the only form of transportation that covers it all is Disney buses. Boats, monorails, and the Skyliner only have certain stops. 

The Skyliner has a station that serves Pop Century and Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and the Riviera; those staying near an EPCOT Area Resort can board the Skyliner at EPCOT’s International Gateway.

The Skyliner does not travel to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or the water parks. 

The Skyliner Temporarily Pauses Due to Bad Weather

While the weather can be unpredictable, the summer months are typically the rainy months in Central Florida. If you are visiting during the summertime, be aware that the Skyliner may temporarily halt operations due to bad weather. While this can be a real bummer, the good news is that Disney typically is good at getting backup transportation, like buses, up and running to get you to your destination safely. 

I Got Caught in a Storm on the Skyliner and I’ll NEVER Do It Again

 

While the Skyliner is a great transportation option and an additional perk to guests at Skyliner Resorts, it may not be the best fit for you and your party, so make sure to consider these five things before choosing to ride the Skliner or book a stay at a Skyliner Resort.

For more Disney World tips and tricks, continue to follow along with us here at AllEars!

Our Guide To a Skyliner Pub Crawl in Disney World

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

 

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