Walt Disney World has seen its share of changes, edits, and additions in the recent past, hasn’t it? From Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Disney’s Riviera Resort, there are many new adventures to have on WDW property. Today, I’d like to take a moment to stop and savor one of my favorite of the most recent additions: the Disney Skyliner.
Just like you, I’ve been sifting through my pictures of Walt Disney World during this time at home. I’ve been rewatching videos I’ve recorded, and remembering the fun times had. In the middle of sorting through pics, I recently came across a bunch of pictures that I’ve taken over the months since the debut of the Skyliner. So many of the views that you get while riding the Skyliner simply cannot be seen from any other spot or form of Disney transportation. Let’s take a peek at a few of them!
Some of the most picturesque views are seen on the route from Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to the Riviera. This route features the highest points that you’ll reach while riding on the Skyliner. The white sand beaches are below, and the pastel colored buildings of the resort are laid out before you. This spot also provides sweeping views of the Riviera Resort.
One of the facets of riding on the Skyliner that I’ve personally enjoyed the most is getting a backstage look at the construction progress of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the additions to Epcot‘s France pavilion. It’s been fun watching the progress that’s occurred over the months since the debut of the Skyliner.
I can’t stress enough how beautiful the International Gateway Skyliner station is. If you have time on your next trip, please take a few minutes to look around and soak in the Art Nouveau details woven throughout the station and its surrounding area.
On the route that takes you back toward the Riviera Resort, you will pass over Buena Vista Drive.
The architecture of Riviera’s station echoes those found at the resort. Cobblestone pavers are used, the ceiling is clad in wood planking, and the metal finishes feature a verdigris patina, as if they had been there for years.
The route that takes you from Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort and back again offers incredibly unique views. As the gondolas approach and depart the Art of Animation/Pop Century station, they sweep low over Hourglass Lake. As we’re told by the narration that plays at certain points along the route, this station is actually floating on the lake. How cool is that?
Sometimes, en route from Caribbean Beach to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, if the number of guests waiting to get on the Skyliner is very low, you might stumble into having a gondola all to yourself.
And, if your Skyliner ride is at sunset, even better. Seeing Galaxy’s Edge off in the distance and the massive amount of cars below you as you peacefully float above them is fantastic. It’s four minutes of bliss.
Have you ridden the Skyliner? If so, what did you think of your experience? What’s your favorite view from the gondolas?
