Ranking the Disney Skyliner Resorts from Worst to Best (the cheapest resort isn't the worst)

Interested in staying at one of the Disney Skyliner Resorts? Here’s what you should know before booking your stay.

When it comes to Disney Skyliner Resorts, not all are created equal.

Each has its own vibe, perks, and price point (which vary drastically, from Value Resorts all the way up to a Deluxe Resort), but how do they stack up? Which are the best Disney Skyliner resorts (and the worst)?

Spoiler: the cheapest resort doesn’t automatically mean the least desirable.

Whether you’re hunting for convenience, atmosphere, or just the best bang for your buck, this list ranking these resorts will help you find the best Disney Skyliner Resort for you.

Ready to find your new favorite Disney Skyliner Resort?! Keep reading. 🙂

This post is all about ranking the Disney Skyliner resorts from worst to best, so you can decide which hotel is best for you.

Disney Skyliner Resorts

Disney Skyliner Routes – How to Get from Your Resort to Epcot and Hollywood Studios

The Disney Skyliner offers three separate routes, making it easy to get around the resorts and parks:

One route connects Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Hollywood Studios.
Another runs between Caribbean Beach and Disney’s Art of Animation & Pop Century Resorts.
The third route links Caribbean Beach to Epcot, with a quick stop at Disney’s Riviera Resort along the way.

These Skyliner routes provide convenient transportation and some great views while traveling between destinations.

Which Disney hotels does the Skyliner go to?

Want to know which Disney resorts have Skyliner access? Here they are!

VALUE Resorts on the Skyliner:

Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

MODERATE Resort on the Skyliner:

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

DELUXE Resort on the Skyliner:

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Disney Skyliner Hotels – Ranked Worst to Best

4) Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Unpopular opinion to say this is the worst Skyliner resort? Absolutely.

Whilst Art of Animation is a Value Resort, it is considered by many to be better than the other Value Resorts (a “Value +” if you will).

The theming of this Value Resort is great if you love the 90s and 2000s Disney/Pixar animated movies:

The Little Mermaid
Finding Nemo
Cars
The Lion King

So, why is it at the bottom of this list?

It has mainly Family Suites. Whilst it’s great that they have Family Suites to accommodate larger parties (of up to 6 guests), it comes at a cost. They are expensive. Seriously expensive. If you’re booking a generic Family Suite (instead of booking the theme you want: Cars, Finding Nemo or The Lion King), it costs between $497 – $912 per night (based on 2025 prices, including tax). FOR A VALUE RESORT. To make things worse, Disney rarely offers great discounts/promotions on these suites. In several cases, it is cheaper to rent DVC points to stay in a villa at a Deluxe Resort. Unless you really want to stay in a Family Suite here, it just doesn’t make much sense.
So, you want to stay at Art of Animation, but you don’t want to stay in a Family Suite. That’s where The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms come in. However, these rooms are rarely discounted by much, consistently making them the most expensive value resort standard rooms. In 2025, the Little Mermaid standard rooms cost $217 – $425 per night (including tax, not including a discount). There are occasions where it’s cheaper to stay at a Moderate Resort (e.g. a standard room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort), as rooms are better discounted at some of the moderate resorts.

3) Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Now, let’s talk about Disney’s first ever moderate resort!

This is the most bright and colorful of the Disney Moderate resorts, and often considered to be the best moderate resort for kids and families.

It gets a lot of attention for being the only moderate resort, and home to the main Skyliner hub.

So, why is it only at number 3 on our list?

Caribbean Beach is home to the worst moderate rooms. I’m not talking about the relatively new and nice Little Mermaid rooms (not to be confused with the Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation). The rest of the rooms that are not Little Mermaid themed are dull, with cheap-looking furniture (even after the recent refurb). You might turn a blind eye to this if it’s at a cheaper value resort. But Caribbean Beach is often the MOST expensive moderate resort! Standard rooms here cost between $268 and $505 per night (including tax, without a discount, based on 2025 prices).

2) Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Surprised to see the cheapest Disney Skyliner resort near the top of the list?

Disney’s Pop Century Resort celebrates the decades between 1950s and 1990s (to find out why the 1910s – 1940s aren’t included, see this interesting video, delving into the history).

So, why is Disney’s Pop Century Resort #2 on this list?

It’s the cheapest resort on the Disney Skyliner! Whilst it’s more expensive than the All-Star Resorts, and you do pay a bit of a premium for the convenience of the Skyliner, it is the most budget-friendly option. Based on 2025 prices, standard rooms at Pop Century cost $183 – $392 per night (including tax, not including discounts).
It feels nostalgic! If you remember the 50s to 90s, you can enjoy “reliving” the past trends and icons of that time. Or if you’re a Gen Z like me, you can enjoy learning about the popular things of that time!
You can walk over to Art of Animation for another food court option.

1) Disney’s Riviera Resort

Until December 2024, I would’ve put Riviera toward the bottom of the list.

However, I recently stayed here for the first time. And now I get it.

Despite the lack of strong and accurate theming and the ridiculous prices (if you book directly through Disney, a Deluxe Studio for 5 guests costs $752 to $1,232 per night, based on 2025 prices, including tax, without discounts), it has redeeming factors. Including ways to save serious money:

You can rent points to save money here. Based on 2025 figures on David’s Vacation Rentals, you can find Deluxe Studios for around $368 to $800 per night (with the latter price being around the Christmas period).

Riviera is smaller than the other Skyliner resorts and is far more peaceful.
This is one of Disney’s more luxurious resorts (without the perceived “snootiness” of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa).
For a small resort, Riviera has a few different dining locations, from quick service to signature dining.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Disney Skyliner Resorts

Is the Skyliner safe to ride?

Yes, Disney has safety measures in place, including emergency call boxes in each gondola. Delays or stops are rare but occur occasionally.

Do the Skyliner hours line up with park opening and closing times?

Yes, the Skyliner typically starts running about an hour before park opening and stops an hour and a half after park closing.

During Extended Evening Hours for Deluxe Resort guests at Epcot, the Skyliner will close one hour after park closing.

Timings may vary, so check the daily schedule.

Is there a planned Disney Skyliner closure 2025 for maintenance?

At the time of publishing this post, there is no planned Disney Skyliner closure for this year. See this post for updates.

Is the Disney Skyliner free to ride?

Yes, it is free to use the Disney Skyliner!

Can I ride the Skyliner if I’m not staying at a Skyliner resort?

Decided that staying at a Disney Skyliner resort isn’t for you? No worries! Anyone can use the Skyliner, regardless of the resort you’re staying at. You don’t need a ticket or special access to board.

What’s the travel time between Skyliner stations?

Travel time depends on your route. Trips typically range from 3 to 12 minutes.

Are the lines for the Skyliner usually long?

It largely depends on the time of day. Lines can be long during peak times, like park opening and closing.

Luckily, the pretty constant flow of gondolas helps keep wait times manageable.

Is riding the Skyliner faster than taking a bus?

In most cases, yes.

The Skyliner’s direct routes make it a quicker option for getting between parks and resorts, especially when buses are crowded.

It is often more enjoyable – and you are guaranteed a seat when using the Skyliner!

Are there any size limits for strollers or wheelchairs on the Skyliner?

Yes, strollers must be 30″ x 48″ or smaller to board without folding.

Are the Skyliner gondolas wheelchair accessible?

Wheelchairs and ECVs are also welcome on the Disney Skyliner, but they must fit within the same size guidelines as strollers (30″ x 48″ or less).

How many people can fit in one gondola on the Disney Skyliner?

Each gondola holds up to 10 people. If there’s a wheelchair, ECV, or stroller, it’s reduced to six.

Can I use the Skyliner to park-hop?

Absolutely! The Skyliner is a great way to hop between Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, or to grab a meal at one of the connected resorts.

Does the Skyliner have air conditioning?

No, the gondolas don’t have air conditioning. However, they have cross-ventilation and reflective windows to keep the air circulating and reduce the often crazy Orlando heat.

Can I bring snacks or drinks onto the Skyliner?

Yes, you can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks onboard. Just be sure to keep everything secured during the ride.

What happens if the Skyliner stops while I’m riding?

The gondolas may stop briefly to allow for boarding, especially for guests with mobility needs.

Longer delays can occur due to weather or maintenance, though these are less common.

Does the Skyliner run during rain or storms?

It operates in light rain, but severe weather (lightning, high winds) can shut it down temporarily.

Can I request a specific gondola design?

You can ask for a themed gondola (many feature Disney characters), but availability isn’t guaranteed. Station attendants will try to accommodate if possible.

How long is the Skyliner ride from Caribbean Beach to Epcot?

This would take approximately 12-15 minutes, each journey probably varying slightly.

Will there be a Disney Skyliner expansion?

There are rumors that the Disney Skyliner could be expanded to other parks and resorts. At this time, there has been no confirmation of a Disney Skyliner expansion. So, let’s just keep our fingers crossed that this will happen in the not too distant future!

Is there WiFi inside the Skyliner?

No, there’s no WiFi on the gondolas. Mobile data is your best bet whilst using the Disney Skyliner.

Are there any downsides to using the Skyliner?

The gondolas can get warm during stops, and closures for weather or maintenance can disrupt plans.

Plus, limited visibility on some character-themed gondolas may bother some guests.

What hotels does the Disney monorail go through?

Would you prefer to stay at a hotel on the Disney Monorail instead?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Ta Ta For Now

Have you stayed at any of these Disney Skyliner Resorts? Which are your favorite – and least favorite – resorts on the Skyliner? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

This post was all about ranking the Disney Skyliner resorts from worst to best, so you can decide which hotel is best for you.

Ranking the Disney Skyliner Resorts from Worst to Best (the cheapest resort isn’t the worst)