Hey Kristen,
We're so glad you soared over with your question today. The
Disney Skyliner is one of my favorite “attractions” at Walt Disney World Resort, so I totally understand why you want to experience it during your upcoming visit.
This gondola system offers
convenient transportation along three separate routes, connecting Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT International Gateway via a central hub at
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The Skyliner also links a few other resorts, with Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort sharing a station at one end, Disney’s Riviera Resort near the midpoint on the EPCOT line, and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Disney's BoardWalk Inn at the opposite end of the system, just a short walk from International Gateway. If you're willing to walk a bit further, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Swan Reserve are located a short walk beyond Yacht Club and also offer some fantastic dining options.
You are welcome to make an
advanced dining reservation for a table service meal at any of these resorts without being a hotel guest (I recommend doing this as soon as possible since your visit is so close). Some of my favorite spots include
Flying Fish and Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s BoardWalk, and
Topolino's Terrace, which offers a fabulous Character Breakfast and plenty of delicious dinner options at Riviera.
If you're keeping things "on the fly," there are plenty of quick-service locations at these resorts, too. Earlier this month, my son and I traveled from EPCOT to
Le Petit Café at Riviera for a quick caffeine break (the Lavender Iced Tea Lemonade and Banana Bread are not to be missed). Our "side quest" was made even more fun by trying to guess which characters would decorate our gondolas. We ended up traveling in style with friends from Peter Pan and Ratatouille along our magical round-trip journey.
I’m guessing you might be asking about this based on recent chatter regarding complementary bus transportation to and from Disney Springs. It's my understanding that Cast Members are currently requiring guests to show proof of a hotel or dining reservation to board these buses; however, I believe this is only a temporary situation during the very busy Spring Break/Easter season.
I haven't heard any news about Cast Members confirming reservations to board the Skyliner, so even if you aren’t able to secure a meal reservation, you should still be welcome to take flight and explore the resorts. Of course, policies can and do change from time to time, so I recommend confirming with Cast Members about any updates once you arrive for your vacation.
Kristen, I hope this helped. Please fly right back over to planDisney with any additional questions. We're always happy to help!
Magic and memories,
Amy