Though it has only been open for a just over a month, Disney announced earlier this week that over one million guests have already been transported on the Disney Skyliner since its first day of operation on September 27. This milestone is even more impressive given that the Skyliner was closed for nearly a week after an unfortunate incident during that period. However, now that the Skyliner has been up and running smoothly for several weeks, you may be wanting to take advantage of this transportation option, but still have questions! And fortunately, we’ve got answers!
How fast does the Disney Skyliner travel?
Image: Disney
From the ground it can look like the Dsiney Skyliner cabs zip along quite quickly, but guests may be surprised to learn that this transporation option actually only travels at a very moderate 11 MPH. And though times may vary depending on transfer efficiancy, most journeys between parks and resorts on this line take between 5-11 minutes, making this a faster option than most Disney buses.
Travel time between Caribbean Beach Resort station and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is about five minutes, and travel between Disney’s Riviera Resort and Epcot is about ten minutes. Travel between Caribbean Beach Resort and Art of Animation/Pop Century is about five minutes. Guests looking to hop between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios can expect a fifteen minute journey.
Will I have to sit with strangers?
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The Disney Skyliner cabs are very spacious, and Disney says that they comfortably fit between 8-10 people. However, it has been our experience that the number of people that can actually fit confortably is closer to 6 or 7. And though Disney might put you with another party if you are riding alone, groups of two or more often have Skyliner gondolas to themselves, unless the Skyliner station is very busy, when Cast Members are more likely to group parties together.
What happens during a thunderstorm?
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Thunderstorms in Florida are an almost daily occurrence in the spring and summer months, and while the Disney Skyliner does feature lightning protection, Disney has confirmed that they will be keeping guests out of the sky if lightning is reported within a few miles or if thunderstorms are in the forecast (though the Disney Skyliner will still run if it is just rain).
Can you bring food and drink on the Disney Skyliner?
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As long as what you have is in an enclosed container (think a water bottle or coffee cup with a lid) you can bring food and drink on the Disney Skyliner. Though some Cast Members may use discresion when it comes to other food items (we’ve seen some guests able to carry on unpackaged food items like Mickey Pretzels, popcorn, etc.), the rules don’t seem to be uniform when it comes to this type of item, so just to be on the safe side, we’d recomend sticking to packaged snacks and drinks when it comes to bringing a treat during your ride.
Con you control the airflow inside your gondola?
Image: Disney
Though we already knew that the Disney Skyliner did not have any air conditioning, with cooler weather approaching central Florida, riders will be happy to know that they can close the vents on the sides of their gondola to prevent cold air from coming in. And though you’ll want to keep your sweaters on during the ride (there’s no heat!), the ride shouldn’t be too unconfortable with the air vents closed during the winter months.
