Welcome back to planDisney, Patti, and thanks for your question about one of my favorite ways to get around Walt Disney World Resort,
Disney Skyliner! My family has grown to love this gondola in the sky, and we’ve even turned it into a bit of a game by guessing which character-themed gondola we’ll ride next. It’s such a fun and scenic way to travel between the parks and resorts.
Disney Skyliner connects Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation Resort, and Pop Century Resort to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a
complimentary transportation option that makes park hopping or resort dining a breeze.
To answer your question, Disney Skyliner typically begins operating about one hour before Early Theme Park Entry at either EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Based on your plans, you should have no problem using the Skyliner to reach
EPCOT or
Disney’s Beach Club Resort in time for a character breakfast that morning. That said, I'd plan to hop on about 30 minutes before your reservation, and I always recommend checking with a Cast Member at your resort the night before, as operational hours can vary slightly and service may be temporarily paused due to weather.
While the Skyliner is incredibly convenient, I’ll share a little personal tip: if you’re starting from Hollywood Studios, consider walking to EPCOT or the Beach Club. It’s actually a surprisingly pleasant walk along the water, typically taking about 20 minutes at a leisurely pace. I like grabbing a coffee at the park entrance and enjoying the quiet path along Crescent Lake. It’s one of the most peaceful walks on the property and takes you right past Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club, and Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
I hope this helps you plan your morning, and I’m confident you’ll have an incredible breakfast to kick off your day. If you’d like, I can share a few of my favorite character dining experiences at EPCOT and nearby resorts to help you decide where to go.
Just let me know!
See you real soon,
Brent