We Wish We Had Known These 5 Things Before Using the Disney World Skyliner

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Walt Disney World’s Skyliner has been one of the resort’s most popular transportation methods since it opened back in 2019.

Skyliner at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

However, there are some important things first-time guests need to know – – or returning guests need to remember – – before hopping into one of the gondolas.

Weather Issues Can Happen

Rainy weather is pretty common in Central Florida, and when the seemingly daily summer rainstorm happens, the Skyliner may be delayed. In fact, if there’s lightning, too much wind, or any other weather condition that can affect the safety of guests, the Skyliner will be shut down.

Rain on the Skyliner

When the Skyliner unexpectedly goes down — either due to weather or technical issues — things can be a bit of a nightmare as other Disney transportation systems at the Skyliner parks or hotels, like boats or buses, become swamped. After all, according to Disney, the system’s 304 gondolas currently carry over 10x the ridership of New York City’s well-known Roosevelt Island Ariel Tramway annually, which means when it’s down, there’s a lot of people to move.

Look for a sign to let you know the Skyliner is closed!

Those Afraid of Heights Should NOT Ride

The Skyliner, as the name implies, soars high above Walt Disney World, with its gondola cars suspended by cables.  While that may seem like common sense, people can sometimes be fooled at the ground level by just how high the Skyliner actually is. Suffice to say, we wouldn’t recommend riding to those who don’t like being high up, especially on windier days when the gondolas have a tendency to sway a bit.

Skyliner

The Cabins are NOT Air-Conditioned

Be aware that the Skyliner gondolas are NOT air-conditioned. Now, they do have vents to keep the air flow while the vehicle is moving. However, if they stop even briefly, the Skyliner cars can get a wee bit toasty, especially at the height of summer.

Inside the Disney Skyliner

Taking the Skyliner to EPCOT May Change Your Rope Drop Plans

While the Skyliner does travel to EPCOT, it doesn’t drop guests off at the front of the park, but rather at the International Gateway in the World Showcase between France and the United Kingdom Pavilions. So, if a guest wants to rope drop EPCOT and head immediately to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or even Frozen Ever After, they’re good.

EPCOT Skyliner

However, trying to rope drop, say, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, probably won’t work given how far the International Gateway is from that coaster.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Be Wary of January

Each January, the Skyliner closes for annual maintenance. For example, 2027 will see the gonodola system closed from January 24th through January 30th. During these closures, Disney does provide complimentary bus service between the four Skyliner resorts (Art of Animation, Pop Century, the Riviera Resort, and the Caribbean Beach Resort) and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Disney World Skyliner

Whether your next trip on the Skyliner is your first, 50th, or 500th, be sure to keep these things in mind before going airborne. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s transportation infrastructure.

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