There’s no such thing as a PERFECT mode of Disney World transportation, though some of Disney’s newer solutions come pretty close! For example, ever since the Skyliner opened, it’s been a POPULAR alternative to taking the bus to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (And it’s way faster, too!)

That said, it’s still not a perfect system, so we’ve rounded up some of the downsides to taking the Skyliner. 

Admittedly, we’re BIG fans of the Skyliner. When everything is in proper working order, it can be a fast, efficient mode of transportation that saves time compared to driving. Unfortunately, things don’t always run smoothly because, well, it’s impossible to control the weather or build unlimited Skyliner gondolas. Now, let’s dive into some of the biggest problems with the Skyliner.

Loooong Lines

If you find yourself at the Skyliner station bright and early before EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens, you may end up waiting in a LONG line. Turns out, everyone tends to wake up with the same idea: “Let’s rope-drop Disney’s Hollywood Studios, kids!” Yeah, let’s just say you won’t be the only one waiting to go to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios in the morning.

The same logic applies at night. Right after the EPCOT fireworks and the end of Disney’s Fantasmic! show, HUGE crowds of people pack it in for the night and head straight to the Skyliner Station.

Again, be prepared to wait in line — you won’t be the only ones headed out when the parks close. That said, the line tends to move pretty quickly since the Skyliner doesn’t ever actually stop moving, so don’t panic when you encounter a long line.

Bad Weather

Remember how we mentioned needing perfect conditions to successfully ride the Skyliner? This is what we’re talking about. When there’s lightning nearby or severe weather in the area, the Skyliner will close out of an abundance of caution. After all, no one wants to get stuck way up in the air in the middle of a monsoon!

When this happens, Disney encourages guests to use the bus instead, though depending on the time and your location, this may add a significant amount of time to your journey. If you happen to be in line to use the Skyliner when it closes, Cast Members typically arrange for a bus to come and pick you up, though this can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the bus schedule.

On the other hand, if you find yourself in EPCOT when the Skyliner is down, you may find a sign suggesting you use the bus stop outside the main entrance of EPCOT, which is VERY far away.

In the summer, storms happen pretty much EVERY day, meaning there’s at least one hour that the Skyliner is unavailable every time there’s a storm.

Yuck — Sharing!

Many people strongly dislike sharing a Skyliner gondola with another party. When it’s especially busy, you’re likely going to be seated with another family, depending on the size of your party. Think of it like sharing a table at a restaurant — it’s pretty close quarters!

Note that you can ask to ride alone, though Cast Members may not be able to 100% guarantee you a private cabin. That said, Disney tries to be as accommodating as they can whenever possible.

Fear of Heights

If the idea of being suspended way up in the air freaks you out, don’t ride the Skyliner. Just don’t do it.

While Disney has a reputation for being VERY cautious and safe, some people may choose not to ride out of fear of heights. When you really think about it, it’s pretty crazy that those big, heavy gondolas can move so quickly through the air on just that thin cable.

Also, keep in mind that the Skyliner may temporarily stop without warning at any time, so if you don’t like the idea of being stuck (for ANY period of time — even just a few minutes), you might not want to use the Skyliner.

As you can see, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but overall, the Skyliner is a fun, handy way to get from place to place. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

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Do you like using the Skyliner? Let us know in the comments!

The post Here’s the Bad News About The Disney World Skyliner first appeared on the disney food blog.