When Disney’s Skyliner first launched in September 2019, some guests thought it was just another transit system — a way to move people from point A to point B. But over time, this colorful fleet of floating gondolas has become something more.
Now more than five years into operation, the Skyliner has evolved into one of Disney World’s most beloved features — part transportation, part attraction, and part breezy mid-day escape from the crowds.
So let’s take a look at where it started, how it’s going, and why some guests treat it as a ride of its own.
🗓️ A Quick History
The Disney Skyliner officially opened on September 29, 2019, and instantly changed the transportation game at Walt Disney World. It was the first new major transit system at the resort since the introduction of the monorail in the 1970s, and it brought a fresh, elevated perspective — literally.
The system connects:
- EPCOT’s International Gateway
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- And four resort hotels:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (main hub)
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Each cabin is decked out in colorful wrap designs, many featuring your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, or Star Wars characters — adding a little magic before you even leave the station.
📈 How It’s Going
Now in its sixth year, the Skyliner has become an efficient, reliable, and (usually) fast way to hop between parks and resorts. And despite some early hiccups — including a brief 2019 incident that temporarily paused operations — the system has proven to be one of the smoothest modes of transportation on property.
Disney even celebrated its 5-year anniversary in 2024, reporting over 1 million miles traveled since opening. For many guests, it now ranks above buses and boats as the most relaxing way to get around — especially between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, where bus service no longer runs between those two parks.
🎢 Attraction in Disguise?
Ask anyone who’s stayed at Pop Century or Art of Animation recently: for many guests, riding the Skyliner is part of the vacation fun.
There’s something about gliding quietly through the sky, catching glimpses of Crescent Lake, EPCOT’s France Pavilion, and even Tower of Terror from the air. The doors close, the cabin lifts off, and suddenly — you’ve got panoramic views and a private retreat for 5 to 10 magical minutes.
In fact, some guests now go out of their way to:
- Take Skyliner loops just for the view
- Ride at night during fireworks
- Grab a coffee or snack and just relax mid-air
For little ones, the novelty of “riding the flying box” can feel just as exciting as a Fantasyland spinner. And let’s be honest — we adults love it too.
🧭 Final Thoughts
The Disney Skyliner might’ve started as a solution to a transportation challenge, but it’s become something more: a fan-favorite way to unwind, a scenic ride in the sky, and for many families, a must-do experience every trip.
So the next time you’re at Disney World and want to rest your feet while still seeing the parks in a new light? Hop aboard the Skyliner. No Genie+ required.