The beginning of a new era in Disney vacation transport is approaching! On September 29, the Disney Skyliner gondola has officially begun, flying transporting guests through the Walt Disney World Resort. Each skyliner gondola will be decorated with Disney characters & the station will have a theme based on its location. This is a new way to get around the Disney resort while on Orlando vacation, and it is more interesting for many people then driving on another bus. You can expect the system to become popular with visitors from 2019.
What is Disney Skyliner?
The Disney World Skyliner Gondola is Walt Disney World’s newest transport system and is based roughly on the old Disney World Skyway Disney Bucket. However, this is much larger and was built to transport Disney Park ticket holders from the hotel to the park. They are alternatives to the Disney World bus system or other public transportation. This new transportation option connects 3 resorts and 2 parks, transporting them high above the treetops for a spectacular view of the entire Disney Resort area.
Where does it travel to?
The Disney World Skyliner Gondola system transports guests to & from many Disney World locations, including Disney packages such as theme parks & Orlando hotels. During the first start, there will be six Skyliner stations, which include:
Epcot Park The Epcot travel station is right in front of the international gateway & takes visitors to the back door of Epcot between France & England. Perfect for visitors staying at Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn or Swan & Dolphin.
Disney Hollywood Studios
It is probably the busiest station & has the longest queue once the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens. It’ll be great to see the Batuu from sky when you land at the travel station.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station
The resort’s Coast Skyliner Station, in other words, is the “main center” of Disney Skyliner, from where the three lines begin. Guests traveling in almost all directions land here & then leave their gondola & choose the address they wish to follow.
Disney Riviera Resort
One of the major advantages of living at the new Disney DVC complex, Disney’s Riviera Resort, is that you are on the road to Disney Skyliner, which is perfectly located between Epcot & Hollywood Studios.
Disney Animation Resort / Disney Century Pop Resort
The Art of Animation & Pop Century Resorts shares this Skyliner travel station, which is located right in the center of the road that connects the 2 resorts on the lake. A unique step to have the two largest hotels on the property that Skyliner can access.
Turn the station (you can’t get down here)
Operating hours
Disney has just announced the opening hours of Disney Skyliner for the first two days of operation, September 29 and September 30. The operation is divided into three lines, all of which begin at the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort:
Hollywood Studios Line: 5:45 a.m. at 11:00 p.m. (from the Caribbean Beach Resort to the entrance of Hollywood Studios)
Epcot Line – 8: 00-23: 00 (from Caribbean Beach Resort to Epcot)
Pop Century Line / Art of Animation – no time (from Caribbean Beach Resort to Pop Century / Art of Animation Station)
How many people can go in?
Another great issue is how big the Skyliner is and how many guests can it carry. The estimated capacity of the entire system is 4,500 guests per hour. The Disney Skyliner fleet has 300 cabins, more than half of which are located on the Epcot / Riviera Resort track.
Disney Skyliner can accommodate 10 passengers per gondola and there are two wooden benches in each car where guests can sit and each wooden bench can hold 5 passengers.
DO NOT STAY at Disney Skyliner as shown on the road signs. Guests must sit at any time.
Special needs assistance Disney has confirmed that wheelchairs and scooters are allowed in Disney Skyliner and are quite adequate. There are special gondolas for wheelchairs, ECV and other mobility aids.
Can strollers go in?
Strollers and mobility aids must enter a 30 x 48 inch area to enter the Disney Skyliner.
Overall, Skyliner seems to be much more efficient than the current bus situation. Given the fact that the gondola continues to drive and has nothing to do with traffic, the gondola can quickly become the preferred method of transportation and we invite you to come check it out!
