Walt Disney World has announced another scheduled refurbishment for the Disney Skyliner, with the full gondola system set to close from Jan. 24 through Feb. 2, 2028. Complimentary bus transportation will be available during the shutdown for guests staying at resorts connected to the Skyliner network.
The 10-day closure continues a familiar winter maintenance pattern for the transportation system. Disney has routinely scheduled Skyliner refurbishment work in late January, giving crews time to inspect and service the gondolas, stations and related infrastructure before the busier spring travel period.
The 2028 closure will affect the entire Skyliner network rather than a single route. Guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort will need to use alternate transportation while the gondolas are unavailable.
The interruption will also affect guests at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas who would normally access the Skyliner through the International Gateway station at EPCOT.
Bus transportation will be provided during the closure, although travel times may differ from the normal Skyliner experience. Guests planning park days at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the refurbishment may want to allow additional time for transportation, particularly during morning and evening peak periods.
The Disney Skyliner opened in September 2019 and quickly became a major transportation option for guests staying along its route. The system connects EPCOT’s International Gateway and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with several resort hotels through transfer points including the central hub at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
More than 300 gondola cabins operate across the system, with many featuring artwork inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters and attractions. The network stretches for nearly three miles and includes five primary guest-loading stations connected by dozens of support towers.
The 2028 refurbishment follows similar annual shutdowns already announced for previous years. Disney scheduled the Skyliner to close Jan. 25 through Jan. 31, 2026, and has another refurbishment planned from Jan. 24 through Jan. 30, 2027. The 2028 closure is slightly longer, extending into the first two days of February.
Disney has not detailed the specific maintenance planned for the 2028 refurbishment. The company currently describes the shutdown as routine, with no indication that the work will bring major changes to the guest experience or the system’s routes.
Annual maintenance closures are important for a transportation system that operates for long hours in Florida weather while carrying thousands of guests between resorts and theme parks each day. The advance notice also gives travelers plenty of time to consider transportation needs when choosing a resort or planning park itineraries.
For most guests, the biggest change during the 2028 refurbishment will simply be the temporary switch from gondolas to buses. The resorts themselves will remain open, and Disney has not announced any closures to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios related to the maintenance.
The Disney Skyliner is currently expected to return to service after Feb. 2, 2028. As with any refurbishment schedule, dates remain subject to change, so guests traveling during that period should check Walt Disney World’s transportation information closer to their visit.