Welcome to planDisney, Joseph! I'm so glad that I get to answer your question today about my favorite mode of transportation at Walt Disney World Resort: the
Disney Skyliner! I also stay at
Disney's Pop Century Resort pretty frequently and one of the reasons I love it so much is because it's linked directly to the gondola system and I know that
EPCOT and
Disney's Hollywood Studios are just a short ride away in the morning and, more importantly, after the Theme Parks close at the end of the day when my feet are tired!
In the morning, the Disney Skyliner tends to open around 30 minutes before the Theme Parks open for the day, but that is subject to change so make sure to check the signs posted at the station when you arrive at your Resort Hotel. If you board the Disney Skyliner just as it opens, you should be able to transfer at
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort in time to arrive at either EPCOT or Disney's Hollywood Studios within minutes of opening. At the end of the day, you should be able to board a gondola up to 30 minutes after closing time.
You mentioned that you were especially interested in getting to Disney's Hollywood Studios early in the morning, so can I assume that you want to be there in time to join a boarding group for
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? If that's the case, I want to let you know about some brand new updates to the virtual queue system that were just announced that's going to make it even more convenient for you to attempt to join a boarding group. The virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
now opens at 7 a.m. and you do not need to be inside the Theme Park to join. All you need is valid admission and a
Disney Park Pass reservation for that day and you are eligible for the 7 a.m. drop. There will also be a second chance to join a boarding group each day at 2 p.m., but you must be inside the Theme Park to be eligible for that one so I recommend setting an alarm on your phone for just before 2 p.m. if you want to try to join a boarding group at that time.
Have a magical day, Joseph!
Jessica