Walt Disney World Resort guests heading to and from EPCOT on Thursday afternoon found themselves in a frustrating situation when the Disney Skyliner suddenly shut down. The closure left many scrambling for alternative transportation, and some were forced into an inconvenient walk that stretched more than a mile.
The Disney Skyliner usually offers smooth gondola service between EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort acts as the central hub for transfers, offering access to all three lines.
skyliner to hollywood for some shopping!!
On September 4, Disney Food Blog reported that they waited about 15 minutes for the EPCOT Skyliner line at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort before cast members turned them away. Guests were directed to the bus station at the front of the Disney Resort hotel, where shuttles were running in place of the gondolas. The same issue applied to guests at Disney’s Riviera Resort, who also lost direct Disney Skyliner service to EPCOT.
The bigger challenge came for those already inside EPCOT. The Disney Skyliner station is located near the International Gateway in the World Showcase, but when the line shuts down, replacement buses are stationed at the Disney park’s main entrance in World Celebration. This meant that guests exiting through the International Gateway had to walk more than a mile just to reach the buses.
Walt Disney World Resort has not offered an explanation for Thursday’s transportation meltdown. Weather is a common reason for temporary suspensions, but in this case, two of the three gondola lines continued operating. For now, bus transportation remains the only option for guests traveling between EPCOT and the affected Disney Resort hotels.
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It’s a normal walk from the gateway to the buses. No big deal. You walk the park anyway from front to back and visa versa, when you are there. It’s just a nuance when your tired and want to get back to your resort.