The next Disney Skyliner refurbishment has dates: the gondola system will shut down from January 24 through February 2, 2028, Walt Disney World announced September 1, nearly 17 months in advance and the earliest the company has ever calendared the system’s winter downtime. The 2028 closure runs ten days, three longer than the already scheduled January 24 to 30, 2027 closure, and pushes the maintenance window into February for the first time.
The dates come straight from the Walt Disney World website, which now lists both windows together: routine refurbishment January 24 to 30, 2027 and January 24 to February 2, 2028, with complimentary bus transportation provided while the system is down. The last ride day in 2028 is January 23, and service resumes February 3.
Which Resorts Lose The Skyliner
Four resort hotels are built around the system: Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort. During both closures, buses will run from those hotels to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the two parks the Skyliner serves. The EPCOT station at International Gateway and the Hollywood Studios station also go dark, so the back door into World Showcase from the Skyliner resorts closes with them.
The practical effect is on resort hopping as much as park days. Guests staying elsewhere who ride over to Riviera for dinner, or who hop between the Skyliner resorts, will need to route through a park bus stop or drive during the closure.
Why The Early Notice Matters
Disney has been criticized in the past for announcing Skyliner closures after guests had already booked and paid for Skyliner-adjacent rooms. The 2024 dates were announced in late October 2023, less than three months out, after discounts had been released and rates had risen, which made rebooking difficult for guests who chose those hotels specifically for the gondola. The 2026 closure was announced in April 2025 and the 2027 dates in mid-September 2025. Announcing 2028 on September 1, 2026 continues that trend and lands before 2028 vacation packages are even bookable.
The closure itself is routine preventative maintenance. The Skyliner has taken a similar winter break most years since it opened in September 2019, usually in January when crowds are lowest, and Disney has not described what work the 2028 window covers beyond calling it a routine refurbishment.
Other Transportation Changes Around The Resort
The announcement lands as Disney reshuffles several transportation pieces. Caribbean Beach became the first moderate resort to receive airport luggage transfer this summer, new roundabouts opened along Floridian Way in August, and a new Grand Floridian entrance is signed to open September 10 as the World Drive North roadway project continues into 2027.
Guests with January 2027 or late January 2028 trips at a Skyliner resort should plan on bus travel for those dates, and anyone choosing a hotel for the gondola specifically can now avoid the window entirely. Hours and closure dates remain subject to change, and Disney’s transportation page is the place to confirm before travel.
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