My First Disney Skyliner Ride

Trains, buses, monorails, boats, Minnie Vans.. Now Walt Disney World has a new mode of transportation! I got to experience the Disney Skyliner for the first time and think it’s a great addition to everyone’s favorite vacation spot. At first I thought it was some kind of attraction. It is in a way. After experiencing it though, what the Disney Skyliner is really about is getting you where you want to go. Imagine you’re exhausted after a long day at Hollywood Studios and whisked away back to Caribbean Beach Resort in about five minutes! That doesn’t include waiting in line to get on but I have high hopes for low waits with this omnimover style transport system.

The Disney Skyliner views are incredible! Especially on the way to Epcot. I’m hoping to catch a night ride soon and experience fireworks from up high. That should be pretty spectacular.

The art on each gondola is a fun little detail. My favorites are the Finding Dory and Haunted Mansion (cutest Madame Leota!) gondolas. Note that there are plenty of gondolas without art wraps on them that have a perfect unobstructed 360 degree view.

My first Disney Skyliner ride had just my party, four people total, in our cabins. I got to experience it during a preview so keep that in mind. I did see three separate couples get put in one car. If you don’t want to ride with someone you don’t know.. I’m not sure how that would work. Maybe try an off time. At very least, let a Cast Member know. I’ve found them to be very accommodating when they can be with requests for placement on rides and such. I asked my friends on Instagram if they had any questions about the Disney Skyliner. Here are the answers:

Is there a bag check every time you get on?

I entered at Hollywood Studios and didn’t have to go through bag check. We walked across the parking lot straight to the Skyliner. I didn’t see bag check at other stations.

Are they air conditioned? Temperature inside vs. outside? Is it hot? Does the air actually move?

The concern for many with these is that they are not air conditioned. The gondolas are designed with this in mind and ventilated at the top with windows and screens. I felt the air moving inside the car when we were moving. My friend’s hair was down and it was blowing around a bit. There’s definitely a better air flow in the top of the cabin above where you’re seated. When we were stopped for a few minutes the temperature went up but there was still a bit of an air flow because we were up so high. I rode in September and am a native Floridian so I’m used to warmer weather. Riding the Disney Skyliner in the summer time may not be comfortable for everyone. Keep in mind these thoughts about the temperature are also based on the cabin having less than half the capacity.

Are the wrapped ones hard to see out of?

It is harder to see out of the wrapped ones. If being able to see out is a concern for you let the Cast Member know and I’m sure they’ll set you up in a clear one. Also you definitely can’t see the characters on the outside from the inside in case anyone is wondering.

Was it scary? How was it coming in to the stations? Was it scary going over the water?

It was scary at first! Living in Orlando I don’t ride anything like this regularly. I don’t like that you feel all alone and stuck inside in between stations. You come into the stations very fast and the car swings to a stop coming very close to the car in front of you. It was a bit startling. The water on the way to Pop Century/Art of Animation was kind of scary but I did see a two story boat on the shore which I’m assuming is a rescue watercraft. I was really nervous at first, especially because I’ve never been on a ski lift or anything like this really. Aside from the old attraction in Magic Kingdom of course. If you’re used to getting around via this kind of transportation it will be no big deal. I think after a few more rides I won’t be scared at all. The reality is that aerial gondolas type transport systems have been used for decades and I don’t think Disney would have utilized it if it wasn’t safe.

How many people can ride in each Disney Skyliner car?

Disney Skyliner vehicles have a ten person capacity. Unlike the monorail, everyone must be seated. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are loaded on a separate platform to provide more time and have a capacity of up to six. If ten feels like a lot to you, it will feel far less crowded than a monorail at park close!

Does it move fast?

It felt fast as times, like take off and coming into the station, but didn’t feel reckless speed wise. However I really appreciate how quickly this can get you from park to park or to your resort!

Do you need a ticket to Disney to ride it? Is this free transportation like the buses from the resorts?

You do not need a park ticket to ride the Disney Skyliner. It is free. However you can only access it from: the International Gateway (back entrance of Epcot near Yacht and Beach Club), just out front of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach Resort, the Riviera and Pop Century/Art of Animation. It costs money to park at each park and you may not be able to park at these resorts without a dining reservation, visiting a guest staying there or staying there yourself.

Note: The Epcot Skyliner station is an easy walk from the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach club resorts too! This adds another way to get from these resorts to Hollywood Studios or the other destinations on the Skyliner route.

How long is the ride from stop to stop?

Guessing here but Hollywood Studios to the main hub at Caribbean Beach was about five minutes. From Caribbean Beach to Pop Century/Art of Animation felt about five minutes. From Caribbean Beach to the Riviera was very quick. From Riviera to Epcot was the longest for sure but still just around ten minutes or so. This map below matches up with my travel time estimates and is a great visual to give you a grasp.

Disney Skyliner Route

It’s important to note the Disney Skyliner is not one continuous ride. To ride the full track there are five stations you’ll stop at. You will get off the gondola at each station and wait in line (if there is one) to board another to your next destination or where you came from. Take a look at this official Disney map to get an idea of the routes.

Will you ride the Disney Skyliner on your next visit?