Disney World Skyliner Resorts Compared: Pop Century vs. Art of Animation vs. Caribbean Beach vs. Riviera
October 13, 2026 · 6 min read
The Disney Skyliner is a gondola system that links four resorts to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Staying on the Skyliner means no waiting for buses to those two parks — and the ride itself is a highlight for a lot of families. Here’s how the four Skyliner resorts compare.
How the Skyliner works
Every line meets at a central hub at Caribbean Beach. From there, one line runs to EPCOT’s International Gateway (stopping at Riviera on the way) and another runs to Hollywood Studios. A third line connects the hub to the station shared by Pop Century and Art of Animation. For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, all four resorts use Disney buses.
One caveat: the Skyliner pauses for lightning and high winds, which happens most often on summer afternoons. When it’s down, Disney runs buses instead.
Pop Century (Value)
The lowest-priced way onto the Skyliner. Pop Century celebrates the 1950s through the 1990s with giant pop-culture icons, and its standard rooms are a solid choice for couples and small families. It shares a station with Art of Animation across Hourglass Lake.
Art of Animation (Value)
Most of the resort is Family Suites themed to Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King, which sleep up to six with two bathrooms. It also has the Big Blue Pool, one of the largest at Walt Disney World. If you’re a family of five or six, this is often the best value on the Skyliner.
Caribbean Beach (Moderate)
The Skyliner hub is here, so you’re one ride from either line. Caribbean Beach adds Moderate-level touches — beaches around Barefoot Bay, a pool with water slides at Old Port Royale, and table-service dining at Sebastian’s Bistro. The resort is big, so some rooms are a long walk from the station.
Riviera (Deluxe Villa)
Disney’s Riviera Resort is a Disney Vacation Club resort styled after the European Riviera, with its own station on the EPCOT line — just one stop from the International Gateway. Topolino’s Terrace on the rooftop is one of the best character breakfasts on property, and room options run from compact Tower Studios to three-bedroom villas.
Which Skyliner resort should you book?
- Lowest price: Pop Century.
- Families of five or six: Art of Animation Family Suites.
- Best transportation flexibility: Caribbean Beach (the hub).
- Fastest trip to EPCOT and a more upscale stay: Riviera.
All four are popular, so they can sell out on busy dates. If your first choice is full, compare the others for the same nights — or set an alert and we’ll tell you when a room opens up.