Staying at a Disney World hotel has always come with some major perks like Early Theme Park Entry, immersive theming, close proximity to the parks, and (for many guests) the convenience of Disney transportation.
Disney’s Pop Century
Boats, buses, Monorails, and the Skyliner are often a huge reason guests choose one resort over another. But lately, transportation changes are creating a new headache for Disney World hotel guests who may not realize what they’re losing until they arrive. If you’re planning an upcoming Disney World trip, here are two significant transportation disruptions you’ll want to know about before you book.
Temporary Boat Closure at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
If you’re hoping to stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on or after January 12th, 2026, you may need to rethink how you’ll get around, especially if you rely on boats. From January 12th, 2026, through April 2026, the boat dock at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will close for routine refurbishment. During this time, guests will need to rely on bus transportation to get to the parks. The biggest impact? Transportation to Magic Kingdom.
Boat at Wilderness Lodge
The good news is that the boat route to Magic Kingdom won’t be unavailable for the entire refurbishment period. That specific boat service will be closed from January 12th through January 30th, 2026. If your stay falls within those dates, you’ll need to take a bus instead of the popular and scenic boat ride many guests book at Wilderness Lodge specifically to enjoy.
Disney bus
Skyliner Closure
Another major transportation perk that many guests plan their trips around is the Disney Skyliner, but it will also be temporarily unavailable during select dates. If you’re traveling between January 25th, 2026, and January 31st, 2026, the Disney Skyliner will be closed for regular maintenance and refurbishment. During these closures, complimentary bus transportation will be provided. However, if you chose your resort specifically for Skyliner access, this closure could significantly change your experience.
The resorts impacted include:
Disney Skyliner Station between Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts
We’re not saying you shouldn’t book a Skyliner resort during these dates because many guests love these hotels for their theming, dining, room layouts, and amenities. That said, if quick and direct Skyliner access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a major priority for you, you may want to consider alternative resorts during these time frames to avoid disappointment. It’s also worth noting that this refurbishment isn’t unusual. The Skyliner typically closes once at the beginning of each year to ensure the system continues operating properly and safely, but it can still catch unprepared guests off guard. The Skyliner will also close in 2027 from January 24th through January 30th.
Skyliner
What This Means for Disney Hotel Guests
Transportation is one of the biggest reasons Disney hotel guests pay a premium to stay on property. When boats or the Skyliner are unexpectedly unavailable, it can impact travel times, park plans, and even overall satisfaction with a resort stay. Knowing about these closures in advance can help you choose the right hotel or at least adjust expectations before you arrive.
Copper Creek Villas at Wilderness Lodge
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Another problem that is getting worse with each visit is the Skyliner for those using a mobility scooter. The lines are very long in the morning and around closing time. The regular line moves fairly quickly but the mobility line moves extremely slow. They need to figure out a faster way to move the scooters thru as well.