Walt Disney World’s gondola transportation system has entered its annual maintenance phase, leaving some resort guests wondering about their travel options for the next several days. The closure, which began today, is part of Disney’s regular upkeep schedule and affects one of the resort’s most photographed transportation methods. For anyone with a trip booked during the final week of January, understanding how this impacts your daily commute between your hotel and the theme parks will help you stay on schedule and make the most of your vacation time.
Skyliner System Shuts Down Through Month’s End
The Disney Skyliner gondola system closed today and will not operate again until February 1, 2026. All stations and routes are affected during this maintenance period, which means guests cannot travel between EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or any of the four connected resort hotels using the aerial transportation system.
Disney has conducted similar maintenance closures in January for the past several years. The company schedules this work during the winter months when visitor numbers typically drop after the holiday rush. January presents an ideal window for conducting thorough inspections without disrupting peak travel seasons like spring break, summer vacation, or the December holidays.
Which Resorts Are Affected?
Four Walt Disney World resort hotels connect directly to the Skyliner system. These properties are Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Guests staying at any of these locations during the closure period will need to use alternate transportation methods.
Caribbean Beach serves as the central hub for the Skyliner network, with lines branching out to the other resorts and theme parks. Riviera Resort occupies its own dedicated station along the EPCOT line. Both Pop Century and Art of Animation share a combined station due to their proximity to each other.
Bus Transportation Steps In
Disney World is providing complimentary bus transportation for affected resort guests throughout the maintenance period. These buses follow the same operating schedules as the regular Disney bus system, with service beginning approximately one hour before theme park opening and continuing until roughly one hour after park closing.
Bus routes will take guests directly to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the two theme parks normally accessible via Skyliner. Service to other Disney World locations, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs, continues as usual since these destinations never connected to the Skyliner system anyway.
Travel times on buses generally take longer than the Skyliner, particularly from the more distant resorts. A Skyliner trip from Pop Century to EPCOT typically runs about 15 minutes, while the bus journey might stretch to 25 or 30 minutes depending on traffic and the number of stops. Factor in some extra time when planning your mornings and evenings.
Getting Between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
Park hopping becomes slightly more involved without the Skyliner’s direct connection between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Guests have two main alternatives. The first option is taking a bus from one park to the other, though this route may require returning to a resort hotel first depending on the time of day and bus availability. The second option involves the Friendship boat service, which travels across Crescent Lake connecting both theme parks with stops at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan, Dolphin, and BoardWalk resorts.
The boat ride offers pleasant scenery and works well for guests who aren’t in a rush. However, with multiple stops along the route, the journey takes considerably longer than the Skyliner’s quick aerial shot between the two parks.
Understanding the Maintenance Schedule
Transportation systems carrying thousands of passengers daily need regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently. The Skyliner travels continuously during operating hours, with cabins cycling through stations from early morning until late at night. That constant use, combined with Florida’s heat, humidity, and occasional severe weather, means components require periodic inspection and replacement.
During the closure week, maintenance teams examine the cable system, inspect individual gondola cabins, review mechanical components at each station, and address any wear items that need attention. This proactive maintenance approach helps prevent unexpected shutdowns during busier periods when guests rely heavily on the transportation network.
Reopening Timeline
Normal Skyliner operations will resume on February 1, 2026. Guests arriving on or after that date should find the system fully operational with all routes running on standard schedules. Anyone with reservations during the closure week should have already received communication from Disney about the temporary service interruption and alternative transportation arrangements.
The Skyliner has become enormously popular since opening in 2019, partly because of the convenience and partly because riding in the colorful gondolas offers great views of the resort property. While the week-long closure might disappoint some guests, the maintenance ensures the system continues providing reliable service for years to come.
Tips for Affected Guests
If your vacation coincides with the Skyliner closure, adjust your schedule to accommodate longer travel times. Leave your resort earlier than you might have planned, especially for breakfast reservations or early morning attraction access. Check the My Disney Experience app for real-time bus arrival information at your resort.
Some guests actually prefer bus transportation because the enclosed vehicles offer air conditioning and protection from weather. The Skyliner cabins, while they do have ventilation, can get warm during hot Florida afternoons. Buses also provide more space for strollers, wheelchairs, and luggage compared to the gondola cabins.
If you have specific questions about how the Skyliner closure affects your upcoming trip, reach out and let us know what you’re trying to figure out. We’re happy to help you sort through the logistics so you can focus on having a great vacation.
