Updated 2026
There are plenty of things to consider when choosing your Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Price, room size, pools, dining, theming, and location all come into play. But if having easy transportation to the parks is high on your list, a Disney Skyliner resort is definitely worth considering.
The Disney Skyliner is one of my favorite ways to get around Walt Disney World. These colorful gondolas glide high above the resort, connecting four Disney Resort hotels with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
And here’s the fun part: the four Skyliner resorts couldn’t be more different from one another.
You can choose a value resort filled with larger-than-life Disney characters, a tropical moderate resort, or an elegant Deluxe Resort inspired by the French Riviera. The Skyliner may connect them, but each offers a very different vacation experience.
So which one is right for you?
Let’s take a look at the Disney Skyliner resorts, what makes each one unique, and what you should know before choosing one for your next Disney World vacation.
Disney’s Riviera Resort has its own Skyliner station for easy access to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and other Skyliner resorts. photo: @bizzy.runninganddizn
New to Disney World? Start with my Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for help choosing your resort, understanding tickets and Lightning Lane options, planning your park days, and more.
1. Meet the Four Disney Skyliner Resorts
Let’s start with the basics. There are four Disney Resort hotels with their own Skyliner stations:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
These resorts represent three different Disney resort categories, so there’s an option for a variety of budgets and vacation styles.
Pop Century and Art of Animation are Value Resorts. They’re especially popular with families who want fun Disney theming without moving into the Moderate or Deluxe price ranges.
Caribbean Beach is a Moderate Resort with tropical theming, multiple pools, and a laid-back island atmosphere.
Riviera Resort is a Deluxe Resort with a more sophisticated European feel, beautiful grounds, excellent dining, and its own Skyliner station.
So while the Skyliner connects these resorts, your resort choice really comes down to the kind of Disney vacation you want.
Related Articles
- Ranking Disney World Value Resorts
- Find Your Perfect Balance: A Guide to Disney’s Moderate Resorts
- How to Have a Deluxe Disney Vacations
2. Which Skyliner Resort Fits Your Vacation Style?
This is where I think the Skyliner resorts get really interesting. There isn’t one “best” Skyliner resort for everyone.
Want big Disney fun without the Deluxe price?
Take a look at Art of Animation or Pop Century.
Art of Animation is hard to beat if you’re traveling with kids who love Disney movies. The resort’s larger-than-life Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King theming makes walking around the resort an experience in itself.
Pop Century takes a nostalgic trip through the decades, with oversized icons and colorful theming throughout the resort.
Both are Value Resorts, but they offer something that makes them especially appealing: Skyliner access to two theme parks.
Related article: Disney’s Pop Century vs Art of Animation Resort
Want a Moderate Resort with a great location?
Caribbean Beach Resort may be the sweet spot.
Caribbean Beach is a large resort, but its location makes it particularly appealing for Skyliner fans. The resort has its own Skyliner station, and the station at Caribbean Beach also serves as a transfer point between the different Skyliner routes.
The resort combines tropical theming with the convenience of being at the center of the Skyliner network.
Want a Deluxe Resort with Skyliner access?
Riviera Resort offers a completely different experience.
Inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, this resort has a more upscale atmosphere while still giving you easy access to the Skyliner. Its station is located right at the resort, so you can easily travel to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the other Skyliner resorts.
Riviera is also a great choice if dining is an important part of your vacation. From quick-service options to signature dining, there’s plenty to enjoy without leaving the resort.
3. The Skyliner Is More Than Just Transportation
Let’s be honest: transportation probably isn’t the most exciting thing you’re thinking about when you book a Disney vacation.
But at Walt Disney World, how you get around can have a surprisingly big impact on your vacation.
The Skyliner gives guests staying at these resorts another option for reaching EPCOT and Hollywood Studios without getting on a bus or driving.
And I actually think the ride itself is part of the fun.
You get to sit back, enjoy the breeze, and see Walt Disney World from a completely different perspective. There’s no traffic to sit in and no need to navigate the roads yourself.
Plus, you’re not limited to using the Skyliner only when you’re headed to a theme park.
You can use it to explore other resorts along the route, too.
Want to grab breakfast at Riviera? Looking for a different dinner option? Want to spend part of your resort day exploring Pop Century or Art of Animation?
The Skyliner makes resort hopping easy and turns the transportation system into another way to explore Disney World.
4. Easy Access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
The biggest practical advantage of staying at a Skyliner resort is simple: two theme parks are connected by the Skyliner.
The system connects the four Skyliner resorts with EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
That can be especially convenient if you’re planning multiple days at either park.
EPCOT’s International Gateway entrance is located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions in World Showcase. This means you enter directly into the World Showcase side of EPCOT rather than the front entrance.
That’s a huge bonus if you’re planning to enjoy EPCOT’s restaurants, festivals, or evening entertainment.
Hollywood Studios is also directly connected to the Skyliner, making it easy to get to attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land without relying on a bus.
And because you can travel between the Skyliner resorts, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, you have plenty of flexibility throughout your vacation.
Related Articles
- Can you Enjoy Epcot Without Purchasing Lightning Lane Resoervations
- Tackling Hollywood Studios Without Lightning Lanes
5. There Are a Few Things You Should Know
As much as I love the Skyliner, it’s important to know that it isn’t the perfect transportation option for every situation.
First, the Skyliner doesn’t take you directly to every Disney theme park.
If you’re going to Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll generally need to use Disney bus transportation or another transportation option.
And then there’s the weather.
The Skyliner may temporarily stop operating during certain weather conditions, particularly when there are lightning or other unsafe conditions in the area. When that happens, Disney provides alternate transportation, such as buses.
So don’t choose a Skyliner resort assuming you’ll never need a Disney bus.
Instead, think of the Skyliner as one very convenient transportation option that can make getting to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios much easier.
It’s also worth remembering that wait times can vary. During busy periods, you may encounter a line for the Skyliner, particularly around park opening and closing.
6. Don’t Forget the Resorts Along the Route
One of my favorite things about the Skyliner is that it makes exploring beyond your own resort so easy.
The Skyliner connects you not only with EPCOT and Hollywood Studios but also with other resorts along the route.
And that opens up a whole world of dining and resort experiences.
You can visit Disney’s Riviera Resort for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace, explore the larger-than-life theming at Art of Animation, or stop at Caribbean Beach for a meal or a walk around the resort.
You can even combine a Skyliner ride with a resort day.
Instead of spending the entire day in a theme park, take a slower morning, explore another resort, enjoy lunch, and then head to EPCOT for dinner.
That’s one of the things I love about staying somewhere along the Skyliner route. The transportation itself can become part of the experience rather than just a way to get from Point A to Point B.
Final Thoughts: Is a Skyliner Resort Right for You?
For some Disney World travelers, the Skyliner is a deciding factor when choosing a resort. For others, it will simply be one more perk.
I think it’s worth considering if you:
- Plan to spend a lot of time at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios
- Like the idea of having an alternative to bus transportation
- Enjoy resort hopping and exploring different Disney hotels
- Want a choice of Value, Moderate, or Deluxe accommodations
- Like the idea of transportation that’s actually fun to ride
But the Skyliner shouldn’t be the only reason you choose your resort.
Think about the overall vacation experience you want. Do you want over-the-top Disney theming? More room to spread out? A relaxing tropical atmosphere? Upscale accommodations and dining?
Once you know what matters most to you, choosing between the four Skyliner resorts becomes much easier.
And that’s really the best part: you don’t have to choose between a great resort and convenient transportation. With the Disney Skyliner resorts, you can have both.
Continue Planning Your Walt Disney World Vacation
Planning your Disney vacation goes well beyond deciding where to eat breakfast! Continue exploring these helpful guides before your trip:
- Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
- Disney Dining Guide
- Guide to Disney Resort Hotels
- Beginner’s Guide to Lightning Lanes
- Disney Transportation Guide
- Best Disney World Snacks
Ready to Plan Your Vacation?
Every family vacations differently. That’s why I never recommend the same itinerary twice.
The best vacation plan isn’t the most expensive one—it’s the one that fits your family’s priorities.
That’s where I can help.
As a travel advisor with DizN Vacations, I help families, couples, multi-generational groups, and first-time visitors plan unforgettable Disney vacations tailored to their travel style and budget. From the moment you book until you return home, I’ll be here to answer questions, offer personalized recommendations, monitor for eligible promotions, and help you navigate every step of the planning process—at no additional cost to you.
Stay Connected
📧 Subscribe to the Vacation Planning Insider Practical vacation planning advice, destination updates, and Jessica’s latest travel insights—delivered once a month.
🎥 Subscribe to KC’s Corner Views on YouTube for Disney vacation planning advice, resort tours, dining reviews, park strategies, and the latest Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando news. New videos are released regularly to help you plan your next adventure with confidence.
No matter where you are in your planning journey, I’m here to help you make the most of your Disney vacation. I look forward to helping you create magical memories that will last a lifetime!
Pingback: What You Need to Know About Disney World Transportation - Destination DizN and Beyond
Pingback: The Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Disney's Art of Animation Resort - Destination DizN and Beyond