Can you ride the Skyliner in the rain?

There are vent flaps that open and close so you're fully protected from the elements inside your gondola if you happen to be riding in the rain.



Yes, you can generally ride the Disney Skyliner in the rain, but operations are highly weather-dependent. While standard rainfall doesn't stop the gondolas, the system will temporarily close if there is lightning within a certain radius (usually 6 miles) or if high wind speeds are detected. In 2026, Disney continues to prioritize guest safety by monitoring these conditions in real-time. If you are already on the Skyliner when a storm hits, the system will continue moving until you reach the next station, where Cast Members will help you exit. During these outages, Disney provides complementary bus service between the impacted resorts and parks to ensure you aren't stranded. If you're visiting during the 2026 summer storm season, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app for live status updates and to have a backup transport plan ready.

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The journey time for a one-way journey along the full route from Caribbean Beach to Epcot is 11 minutes. A journey between Caribbean Beach and Riviera takes three minutes, and the journey between Riviera and Epcot takes six minutes.

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Have a spa day, go to the movies at Disney Springs or explore some of Disney's unique hotels by resort hopping. Contrary to what one may think, it can be a good time to visit one of the water parks. As long as there isn't lightning nearby, the water parks remain open during light rain.

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Do the rides shut down when it rains? Yes. They absolutely can. Attractions that are outdoors – like Slinky Dog Dash, Expedition Everest, Test Track, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, to name a few – will shut down, especially if there is nearby lightning.

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No, Disney does not offer rain checks or any kind of compensation for a rainy day. This does not mean that your day will be ruined. There are still things to do at Disney when it does rain.

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This probably seems obvious, but the weather can and does affect the Skyliner and how it operates. When it's raining hard or storming, it can close down completely. This is especially true if there is lightning!

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Often Skyliner will start running 30-60 minutes prior to park opening. Ask at your hotel what time it will start running. Don't forget to allow time to board Skyliner during rush hour, wait times can be 15-20 minutes during this period. Yes, another reason to get an early start on your day at Walt Disney World!

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The estimated capacity of the whole system is 4,500 guests per hour. The Disney Skyliner fleet has 300 cabins, more than half of which will be on the Epcot/Riviera Resort line.

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Often Skyliner will start running 30-60 minutes prior to park opening. Ask at your hotel what time it will start running. Don't forget to allow time to board Skyliner during rush hour, wait times can be 15-20 minutes during this period. Yes, another reason to get an early start on your day at Walt Disney World!

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Everywhere You Can Dine on the Skyliner. Just like with the buses, boats, and monorail, anyone visiting Walt Disney World can use the Disney Skyliner. And, you don't have to be staying at one of the Skyliner resorts to ride it, either.

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Anyone can ride the Skyliner; you don't have to be staying at a Disney Resort. Probably the easiest way to catch a ride on the Skyliner (if you aren't staying at a resort with a station or if you are staying offsite) is to board at either Hollywood Studios or Epcot.

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Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World will be closing for a brief annual refurbishment in early 2024. The gondola transportation system will be closed January 16 through January 21 2024.

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Even when there are posted open hours for Skyliner, operations may temporarily cease for weather issues, notably high winds or severe lightning. If the Skyliner is not operating, you can use alternate transportation such as WDW's free bus system.

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In the event that the Disney Skyliner is closed at any point during your trip, the Walt Disney World Bus Service will be running to ensure you get to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. These buses can also accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. Disney is all about accessibility!

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How early does the Skyliner open? The operating hours for the gondolas tends to vary depending on what time the parks are opening and closing, but you can typically find them starting from around 7:30 am to 8:30 a.m. and going until 10 or 11 p.m.

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Some parks are better to visit on rainy days than others. At EPCOT, the only attraction that would close due to weather is Test Track. Most of the other rides — along with plenty of restaurants and shops — are located in Future World and are relatively close together so you wouldn't have to walk far in the rain.

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Rain means smaller crowds On rainy days most guests decide to forgo visiting the theme parks entirely. This means that the attractions have much shorter wait. In fact, sometimes you practically feel you have the park to yourself.

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