What You Need to Know About the Skyliner Closures in Disney World in 2026, 2027

There are multiple ways to make your way around Walt Disney World, which can all make your trip feel a little more magical.

Skyliner

If you stay on property at one of Disney World’s hotels, you’ll get complimentary access to the resort’s bus transportation, which can usually take you to all four theme parks, as well as Disney Springs and the water parks, Blizzard Beach and/or Typhoon Lagoon (depending on if only one, or both, are open). However, some hotels have additional transportation offerings that coincide, or replace, certain bus transportation, such the Friendship Boats, or access to the Monorail. At four different Disney World resorts, you can use the Disney Skyliner to get to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but there are TWO upcoming closures you need to know about!

Normally, the Skyliner operates one hour before Early Theme Park Entry begins at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios (whichever is earlier), and then closes 90 minutes after EPCOT or Hollywood Studios closes for the day. When Extended Evening Hours take place in either park, the Skyliner will close one hour after they close. Extended Evening Hours are only for Disney World hotel guests staying at a Deluxe Resort (or the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts), but the Skyliner won’t close early for the other hotel destinations, so you can continue to use the Skyliner to get to other locations even if you don’t have Extended Evening Hour access.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner

If you’re traveling to the resort from January 25th, 2026, through January 31st, 2026, OR January 24th, 2027, through January 30th, 2027, the Skyliner will be closed for regular maintenance and refurbishment. Complimentary bus transportation will be available instead, but if you’re staying at a Disney Skyliner resort specifically to have access to this feature, you’ll want to be aware that it won’t be available during this time. The hotels with Skyliner access are:

We’re not saying you SHOULDN’T book the Skyliner hotels during these time frames, because some people want to stay at these hotels for other reasons (theming, other amenities, etc.), but if the Skyliner is a big deal for you, we do recommend looking into other hotels to avoid disappointment.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

This refurbishment isn’t unusual — in fact, the Skyliner typically closes once at the beginning of each year to ensure everything is still working properly and safely, but it’s not often we get the next two years of closures at one time! This helps many families plan well in advance for their upcoming trips.

Disney Skyliner at Hollywood Studios

We personally love to use the Skyliner for transportation, but anyone who’s afraid of heights may find the experience pretty scary since you’re quite high up in the air. If you’re heading into EPCOT or Hollywood Studios for Early Entry (which is available to ALL Disney World hotel guests each day of their trip at all four parks), don’t be alarmed when you see the Skyliner line pretty backed up! The same goes for at the end of the park day, as many guests prefer this mode of transportation over the buses. Fortunately, we’ve learned that the lines move relatively quickly, so even if it looks like it’ll take a lifetime, you won’t be standing there forever. However, it’s another reason why we say to allow for an hour of travel time inside the Disney bubble no matter where you’re trying to get to — it’ll make sure you have plenty of time and feel less rushed.

Skyliner Loading Area

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