Disney announced the 2028 refurbishment on Sept. 1, roughly 17 months ahead. It is the earliest notice the gondola system has ever received, and it follows years of complaints about late warnings.
The Disney Skyliner is closing twice, and both dates are now on the calendar.
Walt Disney World lists the gondola system as closed for routine refurbishment from Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2027, and again from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, 2028.
The 2028 dates went up on Sept. 1, which is unusually early.
Exactly when the Disney Skyliner closes
For 2027, the last day to ride is Jan. 23. Service resumes Jan. 31. That is a seven-day closure.
For 2028, the last day to ride is again Jan. 23, with service resuming Feb. 3. That closure runs ten days.
Complimentary bus transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available from the affected resorts during both.
Which resorts the Skyliner closure affects
Four hotels sit on the Skyliner line.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort all rely on the gondolas for direct park access.
Guests park hopping between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios can also use boat transportation, which runs regardless of whether the Skyliner is operating.
Should you book a Skyliner resort during the refurbishment
Probably not.
Skyliner resorts carry a pricing premium specifically because of the gondola service. Booking one during the closure means paying that premium for transportation you cannot use.
Bus service is provided, but the outlet has been critical of bus frequency between Skyliner resorts and parks based on past testing.
Why the 2028 announcement is unusual
Disney gave more notice than it ever has for this system.
The 2027 closure was scheduled in mid-September 2025. The 2028 closure was calendared on Sept. 1, 2026, roughly 17 months ahead.
That announcement landed before 2028 Walt Disney World vacation packages are even available to book.
Disney Tourist Blog, which has criticized the company repeatedly for late refurbishment notice, credited the change directly and called it how it should be done.
Will the Skyliner reopen on time
Skyliner refurbishments have historically finished on schedule or one to two days early, according to guidance from Disney Tourist Blog’s comment discussions, with the early finishes tied to longer staggered closures rather than the short winter ones.
The 2027 window is among the shortest Disney and Doppelmayr, the Austrian manufacturer that built the system, have scheduled since the gondolas opened.
Something else is happening at the Hollywood Studios station
One detail suggests the refurbishment may not be purely routine.
Disney recently filed a construction permit for the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Skyliner station. WDW News Today noted the permit could relate to this refurbishment period.
Disney has not described any work beyond routine maintenance, and no station changes have been announced.
What else is closing at Walt Disney World
Several dates are already set across the resort.
The Walt Disney World Railroad closes Sept. 28 through Oct. 29. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closes Nov. 2 for its first refurbishment since opening, with a December return expected.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach closes at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5, Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.
The Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort closes for refurbishment beginning Sept. 18.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort begins a phased room refurbishment running from mid-June 2027 through October 2028, which overlaps both Skyliner closures.
Typhoon Lagoon closes for its seasonal window on Sept. 9. Guests are directed to visit Blizzard Beach instead.
How long the Skyliner has been running
The system opened Sept. 29, 2019, connecting four resorts to two parks across roughly six miles of cable.
It closes for about a week each winter for general maintenance, and Disney has kept that pattern consistent since the gondolas entered service.
Refurbishment dates remain subject to change, and Disney can close attractions without notice for weather or operational reasons.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDW News Today (September 2026), the 2028 refurbishment announcement and the Hollywood Studios station construction permit
Disney Tourist Blog, the 17-month notice analysis, the booking recommendation and the on-time completion history
Mickey Visit, the last-day-to-ride and reopening dates for both closures and the boat transportation note
ResortsGal, the official Walt Disney World website language listing both closure windows
DVC Shop, the affected resort details
WDWInfo, the broader Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar