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Skyliner; Art of Animation
  • On Feb 10, 2024
    Kristin from MA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm looking at staying at the Pop Century resort. During busy seasons what is the average wait time to board the skyliner in the morning/evening & does it stop at each hotel on the way? What is the ride time to the Hollywood Studios and Epcot?

    Hey there Kristin and welcome to planDisney!

    A chunk of the research I do here at planDisney involves taking all of the various forms of complimentary Resort Transportation as I travel between the Disney Resort Hotels, observing the Cast Members as well as guest behaviors that affect how each is operated. I love a good transportation strategy, and I recently did a test comparing the overall travel time of the FriendShip boats between Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT compared to the Disney Skyliner, so I'm happy to help provide you with my insights and observations to help you out:

    • During the busiest times of the year, I've observed that guests eager for Early Theme Park Entry tend to form a long line for the Disney Skyliner that seemingly stretches for quite a while. However the Cast Members loading every gondola in the mornings do their best to maximize the capacity of up to 10 guests in each one and I've seen these long lines magically shrink in a matter of minutes. In fact the longest lines that I've experienced in the morning were never more than 15 minutes long, as long as there was nothing affecting the operation.
    • It is usually around the middle of the day when guests are Park Hopping that you might experience some longer waits, and this can also be slowed down by temporary delays or stops - especially if there are guests requiring assistance embarking or alighting from their gondola at any of the stations. At the very end of the night, long lines tend to form once again following nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic! or Luminous The Symphony of Us, and the boarding process can sometimes take much longer with folks exhausted from a long theme park day or laden with their purchases and snacks who may be less likely to comfortably share a gondola at its maximum capacity. (It isn't uncommon for the line at the Disney Skyliner station adjacent to EPCOT to reach Disney's Beach Club Resort at the end of the night!)
    • As far as stopping at each Disney Resort Hotel, the Disney Skyliner requires guests to disembark at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort as it is a transfer station for onward journeys, and you will always need to do so when you're traveling to and from Disney's Pop Century Resort. With this transfer time in regular operation, I've consistently been able to make my way from the station between Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's Hollywood Studios in about 10 minutes; this can end up being longer if it is particularly busy at the transfer station. Heading to EPCOT however, means that each gondola will pass by Disney's Riviera Resort to fit in additional guests and this journey has typically taken 15 - 20 minutes for me on average. 
    While wait and travel times can never be guaranteed, you can use this to plan as a general idea of what you can currently expect for your upcoming Disney adventures in the sky! You're always welcome back at planDisney for any other strategies to help you get around here at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Here's to reaching new heights on your next visit!
    Prince
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Meet the Panelist: Prince, Ontario

Hello, Bonjour, Aloha and Ahoy there! As a performer and world explorer who's been to all of the Disney theme parks around the globe, I'm always happy to provide my best adventuring advice and knowledge to navigate your way to all of the greatest snacks, attractions and entertainment on land and at sea. Find me featured on the planDisney Podcast and on the Disney Parks Blog, discussing Disney Eats at festivals and beyond, holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort and planning my Disney Fairy Tale Wedding! Learn More About Prince

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