The Skyliner is my absolute favorite way to travel at Disney. Where else can you sail above traffic in a gondola decorated with your favorite Disney characters? Walt would be proud of the creativity and efficiency of the Disney staff for giving guests “The Most Magical Flight on Earth.”
But, if you aren’t prepared, it can get a bit confusing. Which parks does it go to? How do you ride? Is it free? Do you have to show your ticket? All of these questions and more are answered below with the 7 most important Do’s and Don’ts of the Skyliner:
- DO stay at a Disney resort located on the Skyliner route. The following resorts are located on the Skyliner route OR have easy walking access to the Skyliner:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
- Swan and Dolphin Hotels- Not technically Disney resorts, but because of their proximity they aren’t a far walk from the Skyliner!
No ticket, fee, or resort stay is required to ride, but it will be most convenient if you stay at one of the resorts listed above. Unlike the Monorail that only stops at Deluxe resorts, there are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts all located along the Skyliner route. This gives you the option to enjoy the convenience of the Skyliner while staying within your budget. And if you’re looking for more ways to get Deluxe resort perks without Deluxe resort prices head here to learn how to save money on a deluxe Disney vacation.
- DO spend time familiarizing yourself with the Skyliner routes & maps. Caribbean Beach Resort is the Skyliner Hub. Regardless of where you’re boarding the Skyliner, you will make a stop at Caribbean Beach to disembark and get in line for the Hollywood Studios route or the Epcot route (the two parks accessible by Skyliner). The only exception is if you’re staying at The Riviera and heading to Epcot. That is a nonstop route.
If you plan to rope drop, get in line early to be at the front of the line as soon as the Skyliner starts running. However, depending on your resort, you may have to go to Caribbean Beach and get in the back of the line for the park you’re visiting once you arrive at the Hub. If rope dropping Hollywood Studios or Epcot is high on your priority list, you may want to Uber to the parks in the morning and ride the Skyliner home.
- DO take advantage of the amazing restaurants located along the Skyliner route! Some of the best restaurants on property are located along the Skyliner resorts. Make sure to schedule a meal at one of these delicious restaurants: Topolino’s Terrace (rooftop restaurant at the Riviera Resort), Yachtman Steakhouse (Yacht Club), Beaches & Cream (Beach Club), and Trattoria al Forno (Boardwalk Resort area).
- DON’T fold up your stroller too soon! One of the biggest perks of the Skyliner is that it is very stroller friendly! The entrance to the gondolas is 30 inches wide so a tandem double stroller or a single stroller should be able to board without folding. Side-by-side double strollers do typically have to be folded.
- DON’T forget about a backup plan for inclement weather. The Skyliner can and will shut down in the event of a lightning storm or other inclement weather, so you may feel lost if you aren’t prepared! During my recent stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, I found myself stranded at Hurricane Hannah’s Waterside Bar and Grill, located at the Beach Club. Disney transportation will take you to any Disney resort from any park, but it does not provide transportation between resorts. Being at Beach Club with the Skyliner down, my only option for free Disney transportation was to take a bus from Beach Club to Epcot, disembark, and wait for a Caribbean Beach bus to come to Epcot. When it comes to my Disney dollars, I try to make them stretch as far as possible. I personally would’ve taken the long way back using the bus, but the girls I was vacationing with wanted to Uber. So, we lived like queens and were back in our room within 30 minutes from the time we ordered our Uber. Now that Disney has brought back the Minnie Van service (think Lyft with guaranteed car seats driven by Disney Cast Members), there are plenty of options to help you get where you need to go if the Skyliner goes down.
- DON’T try to take alcoholic beverages on board the Skyliner. There are several pool bars and places to order alcoholic beverages along the Skyliner route. Take your time and enjoy your drink poolside or on a walk around the resort because you’ll have to ditch the booze before boarding. We watched a guy throw away a full beer right before he boarded because he was unaware of this policy. Goodbye $10. Non-alcoholic drinks with lids, park snacks, and food are all allowed on the Skyliner. Bottom line, go for the Joffery’s latte right before boarding and save the Frose for Stormalong Bay.
- DON’T worry if you see a long line. The Skyliner line moves quickly, so you won’t wait as long as you think. The gondolas never come to a complete stop (unless there is a problem or a guest needs additional assistance boarding), which makes loading and unloading very efficient. Typically the gondolas begin running 60-90 minutes before park opening and after park closing. Be sure to check with the front desk to find out exactly what time they’re going to start and stop during your trip.
Disney transportation can send you soaring with happy thoughts or give you a massive headache. Be sure to reach out to your Smart Moms Travel agent for all the different transportation options from your resort while visiting. Our agents have done hours of training to help you have the best vacation possible. If you aren’t currently working with an agent from our sister company, Smart Moms Travel, I would love to help you plan your trip. Click here so we can get started. Magical memories await!
