Hi Amanda!
Welcome to planDisney!
The Skyliner is an attraction in itself if you ask my boys! We always make it a point to take a ride during our trips…even if it’s just for fun.
I think hopping on the Skyliner from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, then taking the bus from Hollywood Studios back to
Coronado Springs, is a great idea! Here’s how it will work.
When exiting
Epcot, head to the back of the park (the International Gateway) by the UK pavilion. You can’t miss the Skyliner entrance to the right as you leave the park. As you’re riding the Skyliner, you’ll be able to stay in your gondola when it gets to the
Riviera station, but you will need to exit at Caribbean Beach.
Caribbean Beach is a main Skyliner hub, so after you exit your gondola, you’ll find the queue for the Skyliner line that takes you to
Hollywood Studios. It’s all very well marked, but if you’re having any trouble figuring out which line you’re looking for, there are plenty of Cast Members around to help.
Once you make your way to Hollywood Studios, you can walk right over to the bus stop, which is located near the Skyliner station.
The trip from Epcot to Hollywood Studios usually takes us about 25 minutes, as long as there aren’t long queues at the stations.
Something to think about when deciding if you want to go take a ride on the Skyliner is the timing of it all. If you plan to leave Epcot before the fireworks, you’ll have plenty of time! But if you want to stay for the fireworks, the timing might be too tight.
The Skyliner usually operates for 90 minutes after Epcot and Hollywood Studios close. And the
buses usually operate for 60 minutes after the parks close. At this time, Epcot and Hollywood Studios will be closing at the same time each night.
Luminous (the fireworks show at Epcot) begins when Epcot closes. The show lasts just under 20 minutes, and once it ends, the queue for the Skyliner is usually very long. Waiting in that queue will significantly add to the total time it will take you to get from Epcot to Hollywood Studios.
So, moral of the story: I think it would be so much fun to take a ride on the Skyliner before heading back to the resort by bus…but I probably wouldn’t plan to do that if I wanted to stay for the fireworks at Epcot!
I hope that all makes sense! If you have any other questions as you continue to plan your trip, let us know. We’re always happy to help!
Jenn J.