What time does the Skyliner start running?

Usually, the Skyliner begins running about 90 minutes prior to the scheduled theme park opening time, and continues to transport Guests up to 90 minutes after theme park closing.



The Disney Skyliner typically begins its daily operations one hour prior to the scheduled Early Theme Park Entry for either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In 2026, this usually means the gondolas start gliding across the sky around 7:30 AM or 8:00 AM, depending on the specific park's opening time for that day. This innovative aerial transit system serves as a primary mode of transportation for guests staying at Disney's Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. It is important to note that the Skyliner is subject to closure for inclement weather, specifically high winds or lightning, and has an annual refurbishment period typically scheduled for late January. On evenings when EPCOT offers Extended Evening Hours, the Skyliner usually remains operational for about one hour after those hours conclude, though only for the line connecting EPCOT to Disney's Riviera and Caribbean Beach resorts.

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Bus service from your Disney Resort hotel should begin operation about 45 minutes prior to the early entry period. If you'll be staying at a Resort hotel on the Disney Skyliner, you'll be able to hop on a gondola to head to your destination one hour before the early entry window opens!

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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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Although in the past, hours for the Disney Skyliner would fluctuate from day to day based on theme park hours, for the past several months, all lines have been operating consistently (weather permitting) from 7:00 am to 10:30 pm.

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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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In general, you can expect the Skyliner to begin running about an hour before EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios open, and to stop running about an hour after those parks close, but there is significant variability in this.

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Sure can! While these aerial gondolas can be an easy way to get to and from Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Disney Skyliner resorts, you don't need to be a hotel guest or even be going to the theme parks to give this transportation offering a try.

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Early Entry at Magic Kingdom is a good way for on-site guests of Walt Disney World hotels to get a head-start, accomplishing a few attractions with low waits.

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The short answer is yes, you can absolutely ride the Disney Skyliner from Disney's Hollywood Studios to EPCOT in the morning provided you plan to board no earlier than one hour before guests are allowed into EPCOT.

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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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Are there long lines to board Skyliner? During the morning and evening rush lines can be as long as 15 to 20 minutes at the Caribbean Beach station. Transportation at Walt Disney World whether you're waiting for a bus, monorail, boat or gondola, will usually be about 20 minutes when the parks are opening and closing.

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Note that the Skyliner is entirely FREE to ride for all guests. You won't be able to access it unless you get to one of its stations, so that could cause some barriers. But you don't need to be staying at one of the hotels on the Skyliner lines to use the service.

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The Skyliner is usually open at least an hour after the park closes. If you are there during an official after hours event, I'm pretty sure they'll keep it running for you and other guests.

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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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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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The Disney After Hours at EPCOT event takes place from 10.00pm to 1.00am. You can get a head start on the fun by entering EPCOT at 7.00pm. You do not need a Disney park reservation or additional ticket to enter EPCOT after 7.00pm.

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This grand, state-of-the-art gondola system conveniently connects Disney's Hollywood Studios and International Gateway at EPCOT to the following Disney Resort hotels:
  • Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort.
  • Disney's Riviera Resort.


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