Skyliner wait times

[threedisprincesses]

Headed down to the parks for a nine night stay at Pop. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of average wait times for leaving via the Skyliner. For example-what's the wait like around 7:00? 8:00? Midday... Evening...
What time has it been starting to run during this busy time?
Any and all information is welcome!

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[OKW Lover]

I'm a little confused about what park you are asking and what time am/pm. I will say that at mid-day your wait will be minimal, probably just until the next car arrives. At the start of the day you might spend 10-15 minutes waiting for the skyliner. Same or longer at park (Epcot or DHS) close.

 

[Mr_Woodchuck]

I stayed at Pop earlier this month and was very disappointed in the skyliner lines early AM. We wanted to rope drop Hollywood -- but the lines were too long so you'd never make it. Actually had to get an uber to do so. The skyliner didn't start service until 7:30 AM -- at 6:45 AM the line was all backed up on both sides (AoA and Pop) -- so not sure what time you have to get there to make it -- but at that point, why wait an hour just to get going? Once the morning rush cleared out, then there was hardly any wait until Epcot closing time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I stayed at Pop earlier this month and was very disappointed in the skyliner lines early AM. We wanted to rope drop Hollywood -- but the lines were too long so you'd never make it.

Your guess was wrong. A 6:45am arrival would have gotten you to DHS in time for rope drop, not the front of the pack but in time. The lines always look egregious first thing in the morning but when the Skyliner gets moving they Move. Lots of us stay Pop & AoA, it is not some impossible feat to make rope drop using the Skyliner.

 

[Mr_Woodchuck]

Your guess was wrong. A 6:45am arrival would have gotten you to DHS in time for rope drop. The lines always look egregious first thing in the morning but when the Skyliner gets moving they Move. Lots of us stay Pop & AoA, it is not some impossible feat to make rope drop using the Skyliner.

I disagree. The previous day we got in line at the bell bottom jeans part of the hotel, and made Epcot with 15 minutes gone of the early hours. Next day, 6:45 the line was twice as long.

 

[ccahpp25]

We always stay at skyliner resorts for now, due not having to fold and haul the bulky medical stroller on and off buses for EPCOT and HS. The morning lines can look incredibly daunting (especially for POP and AoA due to the shared station) however, in our past five years of doing this, we've never missed rope drop. And getting back to the resort after park close is the same way. The line looks insane, but the wait time is absolutely nothing compared to the buses and monorail since it moves continuously. We usually get in the line before it opens in the morning, send one person to fill all of our resort mugs while the rest of us wait in the line, and by the time whoever is on mug duty makes it back, the line is moving and we make it to the park in time to be near the front of the line for rope drop. Wait times throughout the day vary, but the lines are never as long as the park open and park close lines, so those waits are even less of a hassle. We personally won't consider a non-skyliner resort until our son is out of the medical stroller.

 

[Mr_Woodchuck]

The line looks insane, but the wait time is absolutely nothing compared to the buses and monorail since it moves continuously.

Stayed at CBR several times -- so we were used to the lines. But this Pop line was a completely different level. After missing 15 minutes the first day, we were like, okay let's get there 45 minutes early -so quite daunting to see the line even bigger. Luckily $14 and an Uber got us to HS without any stress. But those three days at Pop are why we bought more Beach Club --

 

[scrappinginontario]

Rule of thumb for transportation to Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE) is to arrive at your resort transportation 90 mins before ETPE begins, sometimes a little more thank 90 mins for the Skyliner. Transportation will not be transporting guests at that time but you will be towards the front of the line once it starts moving.

 

[BrianL]

Your guess was wrong. A 6:45am arrival would have gotten you to DHS in time for rope drop, not the front of the pack but in time. The lines always look egregious first thing in the morning but when the Skyliner gets moving they Move. Lots of us stay Pop & AoA, it is not some impossible feat to make rope drop using the Skyliner.

While I agree that hte Skyliner line does move FAST, it can still take a while if there are a lot of people waiting. Those lines at Pop/AoA can get crazy! I have always been there super-early, when it's just like a dozen people haning out for the sunrise, but I've seen the stretch behind me. If you are trying to make Early Entry, it could definitely be difficult. That is to say, it's not impossible, you just need to be in line early.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I disagree. The previous day we got in line at the bell bottom jeans part of the hotel, and made Epcot with 15 minutes gone of the early hours. Next day, 6:45 the line was twice as long.

Stayed at CBR several times -- so we were used to the lines. But this Pop line was a completely different level. After missing 15 minutes the first day, we were like, okay let's get there 45 minutes early -so quite daunting to see the line even bigger. Luckily $14 and an Uber got us to HS without any stress.

You're comparing 2 lines that cannot be compared. The line on DHS day was twice as long because the skyliner itself was empty. The prior day the Skyliner was already running when you arrived (it can start a bit before 7:30am depending on factors) and the line while shorter is not comparable because you were entering a full transportation system vs an empty one. Think of it as rope dropping a ride. The line is held outside the ride line at first and looks very long. The line then fills the empty vehicles and ride line and now from the outside the line looks short- but the wait will be longer than if you had been in the initial batch of people that filled the empty ride vehicles and ride line.

The 90 min rule works at the Skyliner resorts. 90 mins before EE to make EE. You won't be at the front of the skyliner arrivals as CBR, RIV will but you can enjoy the whole EE. (Now- if it was an insane time like Easter or Xmas I would do 2 hours, the 90 min rule is for all the other normal times.)

But those three days at Pop are why we bought more Beach Club --

You cannot beat BCV!! It truly is the ideal solution to this dilemma