There’s a lot to love about the Disney Skyliner, but this popular transportation option isn’t all sunshine and rainbows (literally…)!
There are tons of ways to get around Disney World property, including buses, boats, and, of course, the iconic Monorail. In 2019, the Disney Skyliner officially joined the ranks as the newest transportation system in Disney World, connecting Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT with several surrounding hotels. And even though the Skyliner can be a big asset to your vacation plans, there are a few harsh realities you should know before you put all your eggs in one gondola.
The Lines Get LONG
The Skyliner connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT’s International Gateway, with stations at Art of Animation/Pop Century Resort, Riviera Resort, and Caribbean Beach Resort. And, while there’s no doubt that it’s a huge perk for guests at those resorts to have a more direct transportation option to both parks, beware that the lines for the Skyliner can get LONG, especially around park open and park close.
This is especially important to consider if you plan to rope drop Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. Since lots of resort guests tend to head to the Skyliner stations around 30-60 minutes before the park opens, you’ll probably be waiting in a long line if you get there around that time, too. The lines tend to move relatively quickly since the gondolas are in near-constant motion, but running into an unexpected line can still push back your arrival time enough to throw a wrench in your rope drop plans.
The Skyliner typically begins operating about 60 minutes before Early Theme Park Entry starts (so, 90 minutes before the regular opening time), so your best bet is either to head to the station right when it starts operating if you plan to rope drop, or sleep in a bit and head there after the park is already open to avoid the crowds altogether.
Just like the morning rush to the Skyliner, the crowds also descend quickly right after the parks close and nighttime spectaculars let out. Hitting a big queue at the end of a long day can be an unhappy shock, so keep the end-of-day Skyliner crowds in mind and plan accordingly.
Weather Interruptions
The Skyliner can continue to operate in light rain, but it will shut down for safety in more serious inclement weather, like heavy storms or lightning. And, since the Florida weather can be notoriously unpredictable, that means your transportation plans might have to change at the last minute.
When the Skyliner does close due to weather, Disney provides alternate transportation, so the good news is you won’t be stranded just because it goes down. But it can be a bummer when you were expecting a quick flight to your final destination, only to be rerouted to a less direct (and less unique) form of transportation.
Weather closures are temporary, and Disney will reopen the Skyliner when conditions are safe, so you could try to wait out a closure if you’re set on experiencing a gondola ride. Just remember that it can be hard to predict when (or if) it will reopen that day, so if you’ve got set plans or reservations, you’ll need to pivot to a different form of transportation.
It Might Trigger Your Fear Of Heights
The Skyliner travels above the roads, parking lots, and other infrastructure around Disney World, and in its peak areas, you’re suspended pretty high — up to 60 feet in the air, to be specific.
If you’ve got an intense fear of heights, you might have a hard time on the Skyliner, especially in the areas where it’s at or near peak height. Plus, while long delays are relatively rare, it’s not uncommon for your Skyliner trip to temporarily pause for a short period, which could feel like forever if you’re already struggling.
Gliding through the air on a gondola ride might be one of the quietest and most relaxing moments you have in Disney World. But if you’re super heights-adverse, a ride on the Skyliner could have the exact opposite effect and be an “avoid at all costs” type of experience!
You May Have to Share
A standard Skyliner gondola can fit up to 10 passengers, and if you’re traveling in a smaller group, there’s a good chance you’ll be sharing your gondola with at least one other party.
Cast Members don’t necessarily try to fill EVERY seat in each gondola, as they do at rides and attractions, but if you’re traveling with a small to medium party, you’ll be paired up. For example, the last time one member of our team rode the Skyliner, they were traveling in a group of 4 and had another party of 4 placed in the same gondola.
There’s always a chance you might get lucky and have a private Skyliner ride with just your party if there’s little to no line at the moment. But if you’re traveling during a peak time of the day with a smaller group, expect to be paired up with another party!
You Could Get Stuck
Sometimes the Skyliner will briefly pause due to a minor delay at one of the stations. Most times, these delays last a few minutes at most, and then things are back up and running as usual. And while those tiny stops don’t unsettle us, the idea of getting truly stuck does. While it’s only happened a few times since the Skyliner opened in 2019, there have been several instances where issues have led to a prolonged stoppage of the Skyliner with passengers on board.
Each gondola is equipped with an emergency kit containing instant ice, emergency drinking water, glow sticks, a notepad, a pencil, and waste bags that can be used in the rare case of an extended stoppage. Disney can also use an emergency contact number to speak with guests in the gondolas if needed.
In most cases, Disney resolves whatever issue is causing the stoppage, and things resume as normal. But, in the rare instance that the gondolas are unable to resume movement and guests need to be evacuated, the Reedy Creek Fire Department can be called to assist.
Again, extended stoppages like this are super rare, but we can’t say that they’re impossible since we’ve seen it happen before!
Maintenance Closures
Let’s say you’re completely unfazed by this list and you book your Disney World trip planning to take full advantage of the Skyliner…only to find out it’s closed the entire time you’re there. What the heck??
The Skyliner typically goes down for about a week in January for routine maintenance. It looks like that will be the case next year as well, as it has a closure listed for January 24th through January 30th, 2027. Luckily, the maintenance closure is only scheduled to last a week, so it shouldn’t affect trips during the majority of the year. But if you happen to book during that time frame without knowing, you could be in for a shock!
This is a good reminder to check for scheduled closures on ALL your Disney World must-dos (rides, restaurants, transportation, etc) before booking your trip to avoid missing out on any of your top priority experiences!
We’ll keep you updated with all of the important things you need to consider (both the good and the bad!) for your next Disney trip, so stick with us at AllEars and do Disney like a pro!
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What’s your favorite Disney transportation option? Share with us in the comments!
You get stuck for extended period of time you roast like a pig in summer.