Disney Skyliner Refurbishment 2027 & 2028: Closure Dates, Affected Resorts and Transportation Options

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation in January 2027 or early 2028, there’s an important transportation closure you’ll want to know about.

The Disney Skyliner will temporarily close for its annual refurbishment from January 24 through January 30, 2027. Disney has also already announced another closure for the following year, with the Skyliner scheduled to be unavailable January 24 through February 2, 2028.

Fortunately, guests staying at resorts normally served by the Disney Skyliner won’t be left without transportation. Complimentary bus service will be available throughout both closures.

Here’s what you need to know if your Walt Disney World vacation overlaps with either refurbishment.

When Is the Disney Skyliner Closing in 2027?

The Disney Skyliner will be closed from January 24 through January 30, 2027, while the transportation system undergoes routine maintenance.

This type of refurbishment typically takes place once a year, usually for several days during January.

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during these dates, you won’t be able to use the Skyliner to travel between its connected resorts, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Skyliner Will Close Again in 2028

Disney has already announced the refurbishment dates for the following year as well.

The Disney Skyliner will be closed from January 24 through February 2, 2028.

The 2028 refurbishment is currently scheduled to last longer than the 2027 closure, so guests planning late-January or early-February vacations should keep the closure in mind when choosing their resort and planning transportation.

Disney Skyliner Refurbishment Dates

• 2027: January 24-30
• 2028: January 24-February 2

Which Disney World Resorts Will Be Impacted?

The temporary closure will have the biggest impact on guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels connected to the Skyliner system.

Impacted resorts include:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Guests staying at these resorts normally have convenient Skyliner transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

During the refurbishment, you’ll need to plan on using alternative transportation instead.

Which Disney World Theme Parks Will Be Impacted?

Two Walt Disney World theme parks are directly connected to the Disney Skyliner:

• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Skyliner normally provides transportation between the connected resorts and both parks, including access to EPCOT’s International Gateway.

Guests planning park days during the refurbishment should allow additional transportation time, particularly in the morning when heading to the parks and after park closing.

Complimentary Bus Transportation Will Be Available

The good news is that Walt Disney World will provide complimentary bus transportation throughout the Disney Skyliner closures.

Guests staying at impacted resorts will still have transportation available to reach EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios while the gondola system is unavailable.

If you’re staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera or Caribbean Beach during either refurbishment, it’s worth factoring the temporary transportation change into your plans.

Why Does the Disney Skyliner Close Each Year?

The temporary closure allows Disney to perform maintenance on the Skyliner transportation system to help keep it operating optimally.

These maintenance periods have typically occurred once per year during January, temporarily taking the Skyliner out of service for several days.

While the closure can be inconvenient for guests who specifically choose a Skyliner Resort for its transportation benefits, scheduling the maintenance in advance gives travelers plenty of time to prepare.

Connect With Us

Follow A Disney World After All for all the latest Disney news and tips.

But now, I want to know your thoughts. Does this Disney Skyliner refurbishment change where you’ll want to stay? You can share with me in the comments or on social! Find me on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads,  BlueSky, and TikTok.

Book Your Next Trip!

Want to book a Walt Disney World vacation? Jocelyn Martins at The Magic For Less Travel specializes in the art of personalized vacation planning. She provides a guest-driven, concierge level planning service. Best of all, Jocelyn’s service is provided free of charge. Click here to get your free, no-obligation quote today! (Yes, that’s an affiliate link. I would greatly appreciate that if you would like to book a vacation you consider clicking and helping me!)