What time does the Skyliner start running in the morning?

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. During busier times of the year, bus service from Disney's Art of Animation Resort to Disney's Hollywood Studios will also be available.



At Walt Disney World in 2026, the Disney Skyliner typically begins operation one hour before Early Theme Park Entry begins at either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. For example, if Early Entry for on-site guests starts at 8:30 AM, the Skyliner lines will generally begin moving at 7:30 AM. It is important to note that the three lines (the Art of Animation/Pop Century line, the Hollywood Studios line, and the EPCOT line) all converge at the Caribbean Beach Resort hub, so wait times can fluctuate during the initial morning rush. In March 2026, guests should check the "Transportation" section of the My Disney Experience app for daily confirmation, as hours may be extended for peak spring break crowds or special events. The system usually closes 90 minutes after the parks shut down for the night, providing a reliable and scenic transit loop for guests staying at the four primary Skyliner-accessible resorts.

In February 2026, the Disney Skyliner typically begins operations one hour before Early Theme Park Entry begins at either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This usually places the start time between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM, depending on the park hours for that specific day. It is a "pro-tip" to check the My Disney Experience app or the signage at your resort station, as hours can shift slightly based on peak crowds. Keep in mind that for the final week of January 2026, the system underwent a scheduled refurbishment; now that it is back in service, it remains the most popular "rope drop" method for guests at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resort. The gondolas continue running until 90 minutes after the parks close, ensuring late-night travelers can return to their resorts after the fireworks.

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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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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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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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Does the Skyliner close if it rains? During storms or high winds, or if lightning has been detected nearby, the Disney Skyliner does close. When that happens, bus transportation will be provided.

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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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While you won't be able to walk from Disney's Riviera Resort to any of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, you will have access to convenient complimentary transportation options during your stay.

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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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Thanks for asking your question to planDisney! Because the EPCOT station of the Disney Skyliner is located outside of the park's turnstiles, you absolutely can ride the Skyliner to Disney's Hollywood Studios without having to enter EPCOT, or having a theme park reservation there.

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Yes, you can hop on board the Skyliner at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (the central Skyliner hub with Skyliner routes going to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios from this hub) and fly to Disney's Riviera Resort.

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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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The nearly 300 gondolas feature onboard audio, which is unique to every Disney Skyliner route, depending on the destination you're headed to. The gondolas are not air-conditioned, but they feature reflective panels to avoid direct sunlight and cross-ventilation windows that allow for airflow.

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Unfortunately, there's no way to walk between these two stations without walking through EPCOT.

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