Disney Skyliner Maintenance Closure: How to Get Around Jan 25–31, 2026

Walt Disney World’s fun and convenient Skyliner gondola system will be temporarily offline from January 25 through January 31, 2026. This one-week closure is for scheduled maintenance, not a permanent shutdown. Disney parks news sites confirm that all Skyliner routes (connecting EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and four resort hotels) will be unavailable during that period. Here’s what that means for your visit – and how to get around without the gondolas.

Resorts Affected and Bus Service

The Skyliner connects four Disney resorts: Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera. Guests at these hotels should note:

• Complimentary Buses: Disney will run extra buses during the closure. From each Skyliner resort, catch a bus to EPCOT or to Hollywood Studios. (These buses will use the same stops as the normal Magic Kingdom/Animal Kingdom buses, but they head to the Skyliner-accessed parks instead.) So if you’re at Art of Animation, for example, you’ll simply board the bus bound for EPCOT or DHS at the usual bus loop – ask the Cast Member which line goes where.

• Timing: The buses run roughly every 30 minutes, but they can be busy or delayed. Disney advises: “We recommend leaving for a Disney bus about an hour before you want to be at the park — they run every 30 minutes, but can sometimes be delayed for traffic or hit capacity”. In practice, try to catch a bus 60–90 minutes before your desired arrival time at the park, especially for rope drop. Plan to possibly transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center if needed (e.g., to switch from a Caribbean Beach–EPCOT bus to the EPCOT skyliner bus, etc.), though Disney is providing direct bus lines.

• Minnie Vans & Ride Share: If available, alternate options include the Minnie Van service (using Lyft) or standard ride-share/Taxi, though those have extra cost and longer waits. Disney’s complimentary bus is usually easiest and free.

Park Hopping Options (EPCOT ⇄ Hollywood Studios)

If you want to travel between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which normally have a Skyliner link via the parks), here are your main alternatives:

• Disney Buses: The simplest is the standard theme-park bus. There are buses from EPCOT (near the front of the park/West Side) to DHS, and vice versa. Just go to the bus stop for the other park and wait for the next shuttle. (You can also bus from resort to resort: for example, Pop Century has buses to DHS which is effectively a bus hop from EPCOT if you board at the south EPCOT exit.)

• Friendship Boats: A scenic way to hop is via the Friendship boats on Crescent Lake. You can take the boat from EPCOT’s International Gateway (near World Showcase, between UK & France) to the Swan & Dolphin dock. From there it goes to Yacht/Beach Club and Disney’s BoardWalk dock, and then on to Hollywood Studios. Boats run about every 20 minutes. This can be a relaxing 30–45 minute trip if you want to enjoy the view around Crescent Lake. No extra ticket is needed, just hop on at the docks marked for DHS-bound boats.

• Walking Path: For the very adventurous (or runners), a pedestrian path connects the EPCOT and DHS areas through the BoardWalk. It’s about a 30–45 minute walk around the lake. Start near the BoardWalk ferry dock at EPCOT (just outside International Gateway) and follow the path alongside the lake all the way to DHS. Note there is a significant hill near the BoardWalk, so it may be tough with strollers or wheelchairs. Disney only recommends this if you’re able-bodied and enjoy a long walk.

• Monorail/Train (Not Recommended): There is no direct monorail or Skyliner-free bus connection between EPCOT and DHS, so those options aren’t viable. You’d have to bus or boat.

Additional Tips for Guests

• Arrive Early: Without the Skyliner, buses can take longer. If you have an early reservation or want to rope-drop, build in extra travel time from your hotel.

• Check Signs: At each resort and park, Disney will have signage reminding guests about the Skyliner closure and pointing to the alternate bus routes. If in doubt, ask a Cast Member.

• Plan for One Week: Remember this is only Jan 25–31, 2026. The Skyliner will resume service on February 1. If you’re visiting before or after that week, the gondolas will be running as usual.

• Other Resorts: Guests at non-Skyliner resorts (e.g., Pop Century is Skyliner, but a resort like Coronado Springs is not on Skyliner, etc.) are unaffected.

• Stay Informed: For future trips, know that Disney schedules routine maintenance closures for the Skyliner. (For example, they’ve announced a similar closure in January 2027.) Always check Walt Disney World’s website or app for transportation updates as your trip approaches.

In summary, the mid-winter Skyliner shutdown means relying on buses and boats between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (and from the Skyliner hotels). With a little extra time built in and these alternate options in mind, you can still navigate the parks smoothly.

Until next time, keep believing in magic. — Behind the Wish