Transportation in the sky is Disney’s newest way to visit two of their parks. Disney’s Skyliner opened in September of 2019 and has become a quite loved transportation method. The Skyliner transports guests from select resorts to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
There are a variety of resorts and resort categories located on the Disney Skyliner route. You are able to choose a stay within a value resort, moderate resort, or even a deluxe villa resort! These resorts all have their own perks and themes like Pop Century’s decade themed resort, Art of Animation’s Pixar themed areas, Caribbean Beach’s island themed villages, or Rivera’s European oasis. Each resort has a Disney Skyliner stop with Caribbean Beach hosting the Skyliner hub.
The most obvious reason to stay at a Skyliner report is for the quick and easy access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The Skyliner has a continuous loading system that typically has little to no waits! Unlike the bus system, you do not have to wait upwards of 15 minutes to get a spot on the next transportation option. Even when there are longer lines at any of the Skyliner stations, the wait is only a few minutes to board a gondola. The best part is that each journey is typically under ten minutes, with the longest being from Riviera to Epcot around nine to ten minutes. If the Skyliner does go down, whether it is for maintenance or weather, you can always rely on Disney’s bus transportation system.
Another amazing reason to stay at a Skyliner resort is the variety of dining options you have access to. The value resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation, have two great food courts with fast and convenient options for a quick dining experience. Caribbean Beach, a moderate resort, features two quick service restaurants, a relaxing bar and lounge, and even an amazing table service restaurant! Sebastian’s Bistro features Caribbean and Latin style cuisine on the waterfront. Disney’s Rivera Resort is a Disney Vacation Club resort that is a part of the deluxe villa resort category. Rivera is one of my favorite resorts for dining options, especially for food allergies! It features a quick service restaurant, a delicious cafe, and even a character dining restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. You also have access to the resorts that are located within walking distance from the Epcot skyliner station, which is a bonus perk! There are three deluxe/deluxe villa resorts within walking distance to Epcot, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk. Each of these resorts have amazing dining options as well, including character dining, bars with great atmospheres, specialty sweets shops, or even quick service options!
The skyliner is most definitely an attraction in itself. The views and the relaxing ride is a great option for a fun experience on your arrival day, departure day, or any time in between! Each time that I’ve stayed at a skyliner resort, whether it’s with family or with a group of my girl friends, we make a point to experience the skyliner as the attraction it is. It is most definitely a great option for mid day naps for the kiddos. Grab your stroller, strap them in, and hop on the skyliner for a soothing ride to rock the kids to sleep… trust me, it works! You can also grab a coffee from the Joffery’s Coffee kiosk located at the main hub at Caribbean Beach while choosing what loop of the skyliner to ride.
As everything comes with pros and cons, so does the Disney Skyliner. Weather is the main reason you could consider it to be a con. If there is a lightning strike within a select number of miles from any of the skyliner lines or stations, operations will stop until lightning clears the entire system. During the summertime, it happens often with the normal Florida daily rain and thunderstorms. The skyliner will operate within the rain and wind, but at a certain wind speed they will shut down. This con is something that is out of Disney’s control and up to the weather completely, so I wouldn’t necessarily use this as a reason to not stay at a Skyliner resort.
Whether you are in the market for a budget based Disney vacation or one where you splurge for the best deluxe resorts, the skyliner is one thing to keep in mind. The pros most definitely outweigh the cons for the Skyliner. The real question is, not if you’ll stay at a Skyliner resort, but which one?
