Disney Skyliner FAQ

Disney Skyliner Opening Date Announced

Walt Disney World has finally announced the opening date for the much anticipated Skyliner. Beginning September 29, 2019, Disney World guests will be able to soar in the sky. 

The Skyliner will fly to Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera Resort, and Caribbean Beach. It will also connect guests to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

Where does the Disney Skyliner Travel?

Disney Skyliner will connect four resorts and two theme parks through their new gondola system. Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation will share a station on Hourglass Lake off the Generation Gap Bridge. Caribbean Beach and Riviera Resort will each have their own stations. 

The Skyliner will go to Hollywood Studios outside the front entrance, not far from where the buses drop off. Epcot’s Skyliner station will drop off outside the International Gateway. This is also great news for anyone who wants to be able to get to the Boardwalk area. 

What will the Skyliner Gondolas look like?

Disney has previously announced that there will be 55 differently themed gondolas, and more than 300 gondolas total. Guests will get to see some of their favorite Disney characters ranging from classic movies, to superhero blockbusters, and favorite Disney attractions. 

There will be two wooden benches on either side of the gondola. There will be no air conditioning inside the gondolas. However, they will have reflective panels to avoid direct sunlight, as well as cross-ventilation windows for air flow. 

How fast will the Disney Skyliner go?

The gondolas themselves are set to “fly” at around 11mph and as high as 60 feet.

Can the Disney Skyliner hold ECVs or strollers?

Yes! The Disney Skyliner gondolas are set up to fit ECVs or strollers. The gondolas will not stop, however, but continue to move as they enter and exit the station. There will be a different queue for those in wheelchairs or other assistive devices, who will need extra time entering or exiting the gondolas. 

How many people will the Disney Skyliner hold?

Each gondola will hold up to 10 people or 6 people if there is a stroller or ECV. 

Disney Skyliner Travel Times

It was also previously announced that each ride will range from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your destination. The following are the estimated travel times for the Skyliner:

• • Caribbean Beach to Hollywood Studios: 5-6 minutes
  • Caribbean Beach to Pop Century/Art of Animation: 5-6 minutes
  • Riviera Resort to International Gateway at Epcot: 9 minutes
  • Caribbean Beach to Riviera Resort: 5 minutes
  • Caribbean Beach to International Gateway at Epcot: 15 minutes

The times are given from Caribbean Beach because that will be the main “hub” for the Skyliner. 

Disney Skyliner Map

It is hard to say without riding them first, how efficient the gondolas will be for Pop Century and Art of Animation. Guests at Caribbean Beach will have the easiest time getting to and from either theme park. I would anticipate the Skyliner is still more efficient since it is constantly loading, whereas buses you might have to wait up to 20 minutes during the day.

Caribbean Beach is also close to Rivera Resort that guests can walk there. Of course, the efficiency of this method will depend on which area of the resort you are staying. 

Overall, I am very excited for the addition of the Disney Skyliner. While I had hoped it would open in time for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, I’m still extremely excited. 

The addition of a new mode of transporation is something to look forward too. Especially one that allows guests to easily get to two theme parks, and a much needed way to visit the Boardwalk area without first heading to a theme park.