When the Disney Skyliner Gondola System becomes operational for the public on September 29, 2019 (see the announcement here!), it begins a new phase of transportation (and views!) in Walt Disney World. We’ve learned a lot about the Skyliner since the system’s announcement in 2017 (like how it’s designed to keep riders cool!); but now that all the pieces are essentially in place, guests have a TON of questions before they take their first flights on the new transportation system.
We’ve got the pro tips you need to make the most of your rides on the Disney World Skyliner!
Disney Skyliner Stations
There are five Skyliner stations. These are located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot’s International Gateway, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation/Pop Century Resorts, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
These stations are themed for their locations, with styling that matches that of each location. The Skyliner Station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, for example, uses shades of turquoise that match the Park’s entrance.
At least two of the stations have restrooms nearby for convenience. This station restroom is located on the Art of Animation end of the Generation Gap Bridge for the Pop Century/Art of Animation station.
And Disney’s Hollywood Studios built a new restroom at the Park’s entrance that is convenient to the Skyliner station as well.
In addition to the five stations where guests will board the gondolas, there’s a turn station located near BoardWalk Inn & Villas. Riders will not leave the Skyliner cabins here; this is just a station for the line to change direction between Epcot and Riviera Resort.
Disney Skyliner Map
A simple map of the Skyliner System shows the general locations of the stations and lines with relation to one another.
And recently the Skyliner stations and lines were added to the My Disney Experience app maps and DisneyWorld.com maps. So if you’re zooming in on those, you’ll get to start making out details and getting a sense of where things are.
Disney Skyliner Station Transfers
But one of the most persistent remaining questions readers have is where they’ll need to make transfers on the Skyliner. Having to transfer from one line to another could impact travel time for those using Skyliner, and often at Disney World, time is money. So we’re going to talk about each station individually to clarify where it’s going directly and when you might need to transfer.
Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts Skyliner Station
This station is the end of the line and, as such, is simply for boarding or disembarking. Note that Disney has said the stations at the end of the lines will not function like the Monorail insomuch as riders can not opt to remain in their cabins. They will be asked to disembark, and they’ll need to get in line to re-board if they want to continue their rides in the opposite direction. The skyliner isn’t a round-trip situation. We’ll watch to see how and if this policy is enforced when the Skyliner opens.
It’s expected that riders boarding at this station can stay on through the Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station if they are en route to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (we’ll confirm when Skyliner becomes operational). Riders who wish to continue on Skyliner to Epcot will need to disembark at Caribbean Beach Resort station, board the Epcot line, and stay on through the turn at Riviera Resort to continue on to Epcot.
Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner Station
This station is sort of a hub of the Skyliner system. Here, lines to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot (via Riviera Resort) are available, as well as a line to Art of Animation and Pop Century.
Riders boarding at Caribbean Beach Resort station will choose their line and be taken directly to their destination without requiring transfers. The Hollywood Studios line will go directly to Hollywood Studios. The Epcot Line will travel to Riviera Resort, where riders can remain in their cabins and continue on to Epcot. (If riders need to disembark at Riviera, they can do that, too.)
Hollywood Studios Skyliner Station
The Hollywood Studios station is the end of a line, so riders who arrive at this station will be required to disembark. Riders who board here will be taken to Caribbean Beach Resort Station, where they can remain in their cabins to go to Art of Animation/Pop Century or transfer to the Riviera/Epcot line.
Riviera Resort Skyliner Station
The Riviera Resort station is on the Epcot line, so riders who board the Epcot line here will be taken directly to the Park, where they will be required to disembark.
Riders at Riviera Resort Skyliner station who are heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios will glide to the Caribbean Beach Resort station, where they will need to transfer to the Hollywood Studios line. Technically this also means that guests who board at Riviera Resort could also transfer to the line toward Art of Animation and Pop Century, too (you know, for Tie-Dye Cheesecake cravings).
Epcot Skyliner Station
Epcot’s International Gateway station is the end of the line, so riders will be asked to disembark here. Riders who board here at Epcot’s line can head to Riviera Resort and beyond to the Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner station.
To get to Hollywood Studios, riders who board at Epcot will need to remain on the Skyliner through Riviera Resort and transfer to the Hollywood Studios line at Caribbean Beach Resort. At Caribbean Beach Resort Station, riders could also transfer to the Art of Animation/Pop line.
Remember, too, that the Epcot-area Resorts are all within walking distance of International Gateway and Hollywood Studios, making these stations possible go-tos for travel from Yacht Club, Beach Club, BoardWalk, Swan, and Dolphin. (It would be easier to walk or boat to Hollywood Studios and Epcot from these Resorts, but if you’re Resort hopping (say, for rooftop dining at Riviera), Skyliner might be helpful!)
Travel Times on Disney’s Skyliner
Disney has reported that the Skyliner system can operate as fast as 11MPH and that travel times vary from 5 to 15 minutes depending on where you’re going. No word if this travel time includes transfers or other factors that might slow or stop the cabins, so we’ll have to give the Skyliner some carefully observant rides when it begins operation to see how these times hold up in real life.
Disney Skyliner Weather Concerns
One variable sure to impact Skyliner operations is the weather in central Florida
. In addition to the warm climate, daily (hourly, by-the-minute, etc.) weather will likely result in the Skyliner stopping operations when conditions like heavy winds and lightning exist.
During the testing phase, we have seen gondolas stopped during periods of heavy rain, lightning, and wind, and although we can’t be certain the stoppages were solely due to weather, it seems likely that specific conditions will result in the gondolas ceasing operations at times.
Disney has long had systems in place to track and predict weather patterns that may affect their outdoor attractions, so it’s unlikely guests will be in a gondola when weather strikes. Instead, the hassles will be more along the line of the system being closed down due to potential weather, meaning guests will have to scramble to find other transportation plans.
To be sure, the system has been tested for its reliability under typical weather conditions, but for those already nervous about the Skyliner, weather may be a factor in saying “no, thanks” to the airborne transport system.
Disney Skyliner Safety Concerns
Any transportation system has inherent risks (yup, even those adorable Disney buses!), and gondola systems are safer by the numbers than vehicular travel on the roads. Still, there’s something about dangling from a steel cable 60 feet up that gets the heart pumping (and the imagination spinning).
Of particular interest for readers and followers is the Art of Animation and Pop Century station which sends Skyliner gondolas sailing over Hourglass Lake. For that, Disney has a rescue barge parked and ready to motor riders to safety should these cabins ever need to be evacuated.
There are some potential safety concerns that, while statistically very unlikely, are part and parcel of a system like this. Gondolas around the world have, at times, jumped the cable, suffered cracks in their towers, and had cables come off of their wheels. Presumably, Disney has taken the strictest measures possible to ensure safety, and for most guests, the relative safety of the Skyliner gondola system will put their minds at ease. But for others, the idea of flying over land and lake on a steel cable will never feel right.
Disney Skyliner Capacity
Skyliner gondola cabins are designed to accommodate ten passengers seated on the fixed wooden benches inside the cabin.
However, Skyliner can also accommodate wheelchairs, ECVs, and strollers. When these are in place in the gondola, it appears the capacity lowers to six passengers. (Click here to see more about this!)
Disney Skyliner Comfort Concerns
One of the biggest concerns we hear from DFB readers and followers is how the non-air conditioned gondolas will prevent guests from overheating in the tropical climate of central Florida. According to Disney, the gondolas are fitted with cross-ventilation and feature reflective windows in an attempt to keep the heat at bay.
But one big question remains: what happens when the gondola isn’t moving, as may be the case when the line slows or stops to allow passengers to board who need more time? Will riders be dangling from the Skyliner with no way for air flow to pass through the cabin, thus diminishing that singular cooling system?
At this point we do not know the answer to this question, but we’re looking forward to finding out how effective the cross-ventilation system is in all conditions, including absolute stillness.
Overall Skyliner Thoughts
Skyliner is a controversial transportation system. Some guests say “hard pass” while others say “I believe I can fly!” Still others reside in the continuum between with questions about how long the waits will realistically be, what type of climate the gondolas will actually maintain, and whether they are completely safe. Here at DFB, we’ve got team members on all points on the spectrum, which can mean only one thing: we’ll be bringing you all the details as they unfold so you can make the best decisions for yourself.
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Leslie Pirl-Roth says
Darn it. I’m not staying at POP for my next trip (to save some bucks) and I was hoping I could just ride from HS to EP, but looks like i would have to transfer… hmmmm, maybe on a slow day when I’m bored, which means, not happening LOL
Tim says
Here’s a thought: will the skyliner operate as other forms of Disney Transportation would with regard to After Hours or early morning magic? Ex., if I can get into Hollywood Studios at 6am, will the skyliner start running at 4:30am?
Kelly says
Thanks for confirming about the transfers! I was hoping staying at Pop Century after the Skyliner would be helpful for Food & Wine, but not sure how I feel about having to disembark and get back on.
DFB Sarah says
Tim, we’ll have to wait and see if info about operation times becomes available — or wait until it opens to find out.
Sebastian says
I’m confused – I had read that from POP you would disembark and board a different line to get to the Studios at CBR Hub station. Your description says you can stay on through CBR to the Studios? Is that correct?
Jenna says
How will the transfers work exactly? How will they know who needs to get off and who is staying on? Will they be stopping each gondola to ask?
DFB Sarah says
Jenna, no word on the specifics of this yet! We’ll be updating when we find out anything new!
DFB Sarah says
Sebastian, what we’ve been told is that guests will be able to stay on through Caribbean Beach, but we’ll pay close attention to this when Skyliner becomes operational to confirm.
Carol says
I can’t wait to try the Skyliner! We will stay at Pop again on our next visit, but it won’t be for a couple of years, so all our questions will be answered by then. I too want to know if they’ll be running for Extra Magic hours . Thanks for the updates!
Brent says
Will they try to pack them in like sardines on busy days, e.g. like they do the buses in the a.m.? I have 4 adults in my group and would love the option to fly with just us in the gondola.
David C Moorhouse says
Any words on a soft open before opening date? The last time we were at the parks there was a soft opening of dumbo.
Jean says
We can’t wait!! We arrive Sept 24- Oct 4. So excited to be there at opening. Staying at Pop!!
Kareena Strait says
I am with Team Skyliner.
Mickey says
I could go either way. Not one that likes heights but the monorail doesn’t bother me. In fact, I love riding on the monorail. My questions should be answered as well. I can’t wait to see if the skyliner will operate during events like MVMCP.
Mickey says
I could go either way because I don’t like heights. However, I do love riding on the monorail. My questions should be answered as well since it will be a couple of years for me to stay at AOA again. I can’t wait to see if it will be running during MVMCP.
Rob says
I am shocked that Disney didn’t put solar panels on the top of the gondola so that they could run an exhaust fan in the cabin. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Leslie says
I’m gonna pass. There’s enough other options for transportation and busses are fine. 8’ not interested in the wheelchair/scooter holdups and the long lines only because 10 passengers (or 6 with. Handicapped guests). As what about stroller families? The strollers take up space and many families alone are packages of 6! No thanks, especially with no A/C and high chance of stoppage
Jeff says
I’m a DVC member at Boardwalk and have always treasured the international gateway entrance and it’s far smaller lines to get in. While I like the idea of gondolas connecting the resorts as improvements to transportation, I also hope they beef up the entrance to handle the new capacity it brings. If not, this will quickly become something to hate.
Lea says
We arrive right after they open and I’m excited to ride them for sure!!!
Kay says
I’ll definitely try it at least once on a good weather day but sounds like it won’t become a regular transportation method for me.
Chris says
The way I understand is that the cable will normally NOT slow for riders that need more time to board. They will be able to pull a car from the line, let the riders take their time boarding, and then put that car back on the wire.
Scott says
Team Skyliner
Benjamin Pfistern Pfister says
I’m Team Skyliner, but I won’t be staying @ Walt Disney World again until Winter (Jan./Feb.) 2021.
cynthia says
was excited for this until learning you cant park hop direct from epcot to the studios and vice versa without having to transfer. too confusing and probably will be nothing but lines, no thanks.
Hank says
How do the scooters board without holding up the flow of gondolas? Do they have to be secured like on the monorail? Would I be better on the bus since I will be in a scooter?
Chris Aldous says
If anyone is skeptical about the skyliner they have other options to get around Disney properties. I am glad that Disney is trying to give the guest more options. I will be there at the end of Sept. and if the lines are not too long I will gladly try it.
Mike says
Has Disney re-engineered the EPCOT International Gateway entrance to handle the increased crowds?
Opchick05 says
I’ve ridden these types of gondolas all over the world. They are much safer than being on the roads. As for height, Disneys aren’t that high in comparison to others I’ve seen. The only thing that might freak people out is the sway of the gondolas.
Ed says
Thanks for the update. I’ve been looking forward to using the skyliner.
Reading about this topic makes me wonder about the people who need to make a transfer to a different gondola.
Will said people have their own queue area specifically setup for transferring purposes?
Hello K says
I am wondering if guests have to ride with other guests they don’t know in order to fill the gondola or can you ride with just your own group?
DFB Sarah says
Hello K, we don’t know this yet. We will update when we’ve ridden and observed their loading processes!
DFB Sarah says
Ed, we’ll update about the transfer process when we ride for the first time!
DFB Sarah says
Mike, from what we’ve seen, they reworked the security at International Gateway, but we don’t know for sure how much ‘expansion’ has been included to handle larger-than-average crowds. We’ll check on this once Skyliner is up and running and share our anecdotal observations.
DFB Sarah says
Hank, I’ll make sure we learn more about this when Skyliner begins operation.
DFB Sarah says
David, no word on this yet, but we’ll keep watching for info!
DFB Sarah says
Brent, we don’t know this yet, but I’ve put it on a list of things to watch for when they’re operational!
Roxane Erickson says
Well, isn’t this confusing. I was excited about the new gondola’s since we will be staying at Pop in Dec. Thought it would be another good transportation option. However, now reading we would need to disembark & get back into another line ~ no thanks. We’ll have enough of line standing once we get into the parks – don’t need 2 lines just to get there.
Basically looks like only if you’re staying at Caribbean Beach will you not have to disembark. Doesn’t seem right to me. Guess I will stick with the buses for the majority of the time, but will have to try the gondola at least once.
I too am very concerned about the air flow (so maybe do at night when not so hot). Also seems like 10 people plus strollers could get pretty crowded in one.
mark says
We will be staying at the CBR this winter – can we take the skyliner to epcot then take the monorail to MK? ( without entering epcot )
DFB Sarah says
Mark, I think because the Skyliner drops riders at the International Gateway, and the Monorail is at the front gate of the Park, you would not be able to walk from one to the other without entering the Park.
Chris F says
Taking Skyliner to Epcot and then monorail to MK (via TTC) would be difficult without entering Epcot. The Skyliner will drop you off at the back of Epcot, but the monorail is at the front. I would say this is not possible.
Essie says
I’m so excited to try the skyliner some day. I’d consider it to be like a ride in itself.☺
Trisch says
Are there any safety concerns after the gondolas that crashed in Canada over the weekend? They were built by the same company. How could someone “cut the cable”? Could that happen at Disney?
Cheri says
Team Skyliner …but I don’t like the idea of crowds at the back entrance to Epcot. It’s a hidden gem. Just came from a stay at Caribbean Beach and will make that location even better.
Chuck says
We go to WDW in the summer. With the frequency of lightening and thunderstorms, this system looks like a planning nightmare. I can envision a scenario where you’ve allocated time to get somewhere on the gondola, and a T-storm or lightening forces a temp closure. Now you have to walk to the bus stop and wait for the bus. We have made around seven or eight trips to WDW in July so I know that this scenario is incredibly likely. I guess we’ll have to wait and hear from the first batch of WDW summer gondola travelers.
Kareena Strait says
I’m so excited to try the skyliner some day. It would be fun by itself.
Karen says
Do we know yet if strollers can be boarded open with children in them, or will they require you to take your child out and break down your stroller like the buses? Being able to leave them in if they’re sleeping would be a huge advantage to the skyliner IMO!
DFB Sarah says
Karen, no word yet! But it’s on our list to check.
Michelle says
The sky liner does stop @ pop I was there 2 days ago and the sky liner has stop for art / pop
Jay says
I read a while ago that the gondola system is heavily grounded in multiple locations, allowing it to operate during lightning storms. Also the wind rating was supposedly in the 50 mph range.
CATHLEEN says
Now I understand how it’s going to work for ECV’s. I wasn’t even going to try riding, but now I will!