Oh, the Disney World Skyliner. This might be the most magical transportation at Disney since you get to fly over the parks, all while getting to your next location.
Skyliner at Caribbean Beach Resort
If you haven’t been on the Skyliner, there are a few things you might want to know before you board your gondola and start on your magical journey.
It Closes Down for Bad Weather
Skyliner
We know, we know. The last thing we want to do is admit that the Sunshine State can turn into the Storming State, but when that bad weather hits and you want to head back to your resort, don’t head towards the Skyliner. It might be running right now, but if there is lightning, too much wind, or any other weather condition that can affect the safety of guests, the Skyliner will be shut down.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Skyliner
Don’t worry — if you’re on it while the weather hits, you won’t be stuck. Cast Members will escort you to the next station, and you may need to use alternative transportation to reach your destination. If you’re in line to board, you’ll need to exit and find an alternative way home.
You Might Be Sitting Close to Another Group
Inside the Disney Skyliner
The Skyliner gondolas are pretty large, significantly larger than they appear on the outside. You could probably fit eight to ten people inside, and when it’s busy, you’ll be among those eight to ten people. Even if you’re a party of four, you might be sitting with another group of four on your ride. If you’re boarding, don’t be surprised if another group follows behind you.
We love it when we get an empty Skyliner!
We’ve found that this happens mainly in the morning, when the parks are opening and closing, and when everyone is trying to get home. In the middle of the day, you might be lucky enough to get your own space (p.s. this is a perfect time to take cute pictures!).
There’s No Air Conditioning
Open those air vents!
Yikes! During those hotter months, you might be asking yourself, “Why did I choose a Skyliner resort?!” These boxes can get toasty, and if you’re already hot from waiting in line, this might not be the relaxing ride you thought it was going to be. There are air vents up top that you can open, and while they help for a bit of air flow, they might not cool you off. We’re not saying every other form of Disney transportation has air conditioning, but you might want to opt for the cool, empty bus over the steamy, hot box in the sky.
They Do Shake, But That’s Normal
Skyliner
If you’re not a fan of heights, this might not be the best transportation option for you. While they are structurally sound, they tend to sway when the wind picks up. They also go pretty high up, more than they may look like in pictures. If you’re questioning whether you can manage this, you might want to choose an alternative option to avoid stressing yourself out on vacation.
Skyliner Turn Station
In general, they move pretty slowly when you’re moving across, but to get up to that height, they have to speed up. Even though we’ve been on them 100 times, it can still throw us off to feel the speed of the gondola moving forward. When you’re at your stop, it will feel like it’s going to hit the car in front, too! We haven’t seen that happen, but it can certainly feel a bit out of control. Know you and your family’s limits before boarding.
There Are Stationary Gondolas For Those Who Need More Time
Skyliner Loading Area
If you’re using a mobility device, Cast Members usually direct you towards a special line, but it’s not just for those who use wheelchairs! When you board a traditional gondola, it slows down but does not come to a complete stop. While most people won’t have a hard time hopping in, it might be better for some to use the stationary stop. These gondolas are pulling off the line, so you can truly take all the time you need without worrying about slowing down the line. We love stress-free boarding!
Come on in!
All in all, we love to take the Skyliner to head to our favorite spots at Disney World, and if you haven’t had a chance to ride it, give it a shot! We find that they’re usually one of the fastest and most reliable transportation methods! Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks you need for your next Disney vacation.
Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
I’VE TRIED EVERY TRANSPORTATION HACK IN DISNEY WORLD AND I’M SHARING 8 OF MY FAVORITES
DON'T DO IT ALONE!
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!)
So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂
Do you enjoy taking the Skyliner at Disney? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
We used the Skyliner one day, mainly to be able to have the experience (although we did use it to get to and from the park). Either it wasn’t that busy at the time, or the rules were different, or there were ‘enough’ of us that we didn’t need to be, but we weren’t in a gondola with another party. I’m not sure I’d be up for that, even if our party size would allow it. Fortunately, I can’t imagine a situation where we’d rely mainly on the Skyliner. We normally drive, including driving ourselves to the parks, so using other transportation options is usually about convenience (and it’s rarely more convenient) or an experience unto itself like the Skyliner, Monorail, or boats.
You say that if you may have a problem with the height, motion, or heat, to take another mode of transportation. But if you’re staying at one of the Skyliner resorts, there is no other Disney transportation option to get to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
Did the bus magical express get reinstated? It’s still free from airport?
You left out that every time you come it a station, it looks like you are going to crash into the car in front of you. They do not crash, but it was jarring to see the car behind us stop so close after it’s speedy descent.
Another good tip — some gondolas have a wrapped image around the windows featuring different popular characters. Although it’s cool to ride in one that has Mickey Mouse outside of it, when you’re inside, it makes it difficult to have a clear view out your window. Opt for a gondola without the wrap for best views and best pictures while riding!
Hi Kathy! Sadly, the Magical Express is no longer around.
Hi Jeremy! It will take a bit longer, but if you’re prone to any of this on the Skyliner you can always take a bus to Magic Kingdom and then take the Monorail over to EPCOT or hop on the bus to Hollywood Studios once you’re there. Buses can also be taken from Animal Kingdom to the other parks if you absolutely want to avoid the Skyliner.