Disney Skyliner Reportedly Sets January 2027 and 2028 Closures
Published September 2, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026
The Disney Skyliner transportation system at Walt Disney World will reportedly close for routine maintenance in late January of both 2027 and 2028. As of Wednesday, September 2, 2026, reports indicate the aerial gondola network connecting EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and several resort hotels will pause operations to undergo its standard annual upkeep.
The system typically undergoes a brief refurbishment early each year to ensure continued reliability. During the reported downtimes, alternate bus service will run to the affected Disney resort hotels to accommodate the disruption. The Friendship Boats, which provide secondary water transport between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will remain in regular operation.
What we know
- 2027 Closure Dates — Reportedly scheduled from January 24 through January 30, 2027, with regular operations resuming on January 31.
- 2028 Closure Dates — Reportedly scheduled from January 24 through February 2, 2028, with regular operations resuming on February 3.
- Affected Resorts — Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will temporarily lose their gondola access.
- Alternate Transportation — Replacement bus routes will be deployed for the impacted hotel hubs to transport guests to the two connected parks.
Disney has not officially confirmed these specific 2027 and 2028 dates via its own refurbishment calendar or official channels.
What it means for your trip
If you are booking a stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century, or Art of Animation resorts during late January in 2027 or 2028, you will be relying entirely on buses to reach EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This significantly changes the value proposition of these hotels, which normally command a pricing premium specifically because of their Skyliner access.
Plan for longer morning commutes and adjust your rope-drop timing accordingly, as replacement bus lines for these large resorts often experience heavy early-morning backups. If you intend to use Early Theme Park Entry for a headliner like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you must be at the bus stop well before your usual Skyliner departure time. Guests focused on park-hopping between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios should budget extra transit time to use the Friendship Boats or the walking path around Crescent Lake instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the EPCOT International Gateway entrance still be open?
Yes, the International Gateway entrance remains open during Skyliner closures for guests walking or taking boats from the BoardWalk, Yacht Club, and Beach Club resorts.
Are the boats affected by the Skyliner refurbishment?
No, the Friendship Boats running between EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Crescent Lake resorts continue normal operations during this downtime.
Go deeper — the full guides: Le Cellier at EPCOT: How to Actually Land a Table · The Ultimate Guide to Jaleo’s Weekend Brunch at Disney Springs · How to Score a Yachtsman Steakhouse Reservation During Busy EPCOT Weeks
SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.