While you might not think there could be bad days at Disney World, we have to admit we’ve had them and this one specifically left us feeling so frustrated.
Skyliner at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
We’re here to tell you about our experience so that you do not make the same mistakes we made that led to this series of unfortunate events. You see, while Disney transportation is free to use and can be convenient, it can also be very inconsistent and it could cause you to completely pivot from your original plan. And that is where our story begins…
We were at EPCOT looking to hop over to Hollywood Studios. Easy peasy, we’ll hop on the Skyliner at the International Gateway. The Skyliner doesn’t have a direct route from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios, but it’s just one switch at the Skyliner Station making it a relatively easy trip or at least it should be.
International Gateway Skyliner
Sadly for us, the Skyliner was down when we arrived to board in EPCOT. A sign instructed us to go all the way back to the main entrance of EPCOT to take a Disney bus. We, of course, listen to the sign, feeling a little annoyed, we head to the front of the park… SPOILER: this is where we messed up.
Look for a sign to let you know the Skyliner is closed!
Once we walked to the bus station outside of the park, we waited for about 15 minutes and boarded the bus to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Others had the same plan as us so the bus was pretty crowded. As we were standing on this crowded bus, we realized that we could have done something that would’ve saved us time.
Crowded bus
While we were already at the International Gateway, we could have just walked the quick 5-minute walk to Disney’s Beach Club and hopped on a bus there going to Hollywood Studios. It would’ve saved us time and a lot of steps, which could be a game changer at Disney World.
Walking path from Beach Club to EPCOT
So if you find yourself stuck in this situation, think about walking over to the Beach Club and you could save yourself the headache. For more Disney tips, be sure to follow us at DFB.
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Was this your first visit? If you”re at the International Gateway station for the Skyliner, you are standing right next to the Friendship boat dock that takes you to Hollywood Studios, or you can walk there via the Boardwalk.
You can also catch the boardwalk boat to hollywood
You could have just walked from the back exit at Epcot to Hollywood studios. It’s a nice , short walk along the waterway. Much preferred to riding the bus
There is not a bus to Hollywood at beach Club. You have to ride the boat. It’s a quick ride. We have even walked from Beach Club to Hollywood.
Why didn’t you take the boat from Epcot to Hollywood studios, or walk if you had the energy?
We have also been in the situation. We usually will walk the path to Hollywood Studios, I guess about 10 minutes or if the boats are still running ride down that way.
I agree that it’s super frustrating to see that sign, because there are no buses available there. It really does flex your transportation plans.
I don’t think there is a bus link from the Beach Club. But you can take a boat.
Or the boat which is right across from the skyliner. It takes about the same amount of time from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios.
Also walking from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios can be a good choice.
You can also take one of the “Friendship Boats” that dock right across from the Skyliner entrance. They make a few stops beforehand but do eventually bring you to Hollywood Studios. While its unfortunante when they close the skyliner, its usually for a good reason (high wind gusts or Thunderstorms in the area). I have been on the skyliner when its really windy and its quite frightening.
Why didn’t you walk to Beach Club or Boardwalk and take the boat to HS? That’s what we do. Easy peasy!
Why not take the boat to Hollywood Studios at the international gateway.
Actually both of these are wrong why wouldn’t you just take the boat from right outside international gateway or from yacht/beach club. Also just straight up walking along the path out pat the swan as well.
Or you could have taken the Friendship boat, right next to the Skyliner, it goes from Epcot to Hollywood Studios with just a couple of stops.
Instead of taking the bus you should just take the boat to holleywood studios or walkway can’t be any farther than walking to the bus
The boats are a fun option as well.
you could also have taken the boat from the International Gateway to Hollywood Studios.
You could have also taken a FriendShip boat from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios. There would be a few stops along the way, but it’s another option.
Or take the boat to Hollywood Studios from the boarding dock right there by the Skyliner entrance.
Why didn’t you just get on a boat and ride to Hollywood?
Am I missing something? Why didn’t they just take the boat from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios?
You also could have taken the Friendship Boat from Epcot to HS, assuming it was running. If the Skyliner is down for inclement weather, the boats are often still running. They will shut down if it gets really bad, though.
Also, just a note to make sure everyone is aware – unless the boats are down for weather there is not a bus from Beach Club to HS. The options are walking or taking the boat.
There’s also an option to walk from International Gateway through the Boardwalk Resort and over to Hollywood Studios! It’s about a 20 min walk in total, depending on one’s speed, but a lovely way to get away from the crowds (and the scenery isn’t terrible either).
We love the Skyliner! I wonder why the sign didn’t also suggest getting on the Friendship Boat that’s right there. That would be the easiest way to get there.
How about the boats that go to Hollywood Studios (swinging by a few hotels in between)? Aren’t those still in operation and pick up right by the EPCOT Skyliner station?
Are the boats to/from Epcot/HS not running right now?
Why didn’t you just take the boat? Yes, it stops at all the Epcot resorts but it’s still faster than going to the Beach Club or Boardwalk then getting on a bus and they’re certainly a lot faster than going all the way to the front of Epcot.
Why didn’t you use the boat to go to Hollywood Studios??
Were the boats down, too?
You could’ve also go on the boat literally opposite the skyliner for zero steps and zero extra time ?
Did you think about taking the boat?
Wow, that is a very helpful suggestion. I can easily see myself caught in that situation. Good reminder to “not always obey the sign, but consider alternatives instead.”
Next WDW visit (by airline from Michigan) probably in 2026, when all the new stuff is up-and-running.
Love my daily dose of DFB.
There is actually 2 other ways to get to the studios – one fairly quick and relaxing and the other takes a bit of exercise, which I always find I need after a huge Disney meal. At the International Gateway, you can take the ferry that goes to the hotels and stops at Studios. It might take a bit of time travelling, but it is relaxing and fun! The other is to go to Boardwalk and then take the walking trail to Studios. We actually raced the ferry there from the Boardwalk and got into the park before it fully let people off, so it is a bit faster!
Were the friendship boats also down? Seems like that would be the most direct option from International Gateway rather than a bus. But if the Skyliner was down for weather, then the boats probably were as well.
The line to the Skyliner was massive on NYE night, so we took the boat to HS and then took the Skyliner to Pop. On nights like that, they should have the buses going. The cast members were telling us the wait for the Skyliner was 1.5 to 2 hrs!
We had the same situation with the Skyliner being down at the International Gateway, but we just walked to Hollywood Studios on the pathway from the Boardwalk Inn. Another option in that situation would be to ride the boats.
You could also walk from Epcot to Hollywood Studios. It’s a really nice walk along the water and it only takes about 20 minutes. I am sure going all the way to the front of Epcot and getting on a bus and driving over there took longer than 20 minutes.
You could have also just got on the boat from EPCOT to HS. Yes, it’s a 25-30min trip, but always a relaxing option.
In the amount of time and steps it took to get to the front of Epcot, you also can walk to Boardwalk, and take a quick 8-10 min walking path directly to Hollywood Studios.
In fact, just before you pass under the bridge, the Skyliner turning station is off to your left.
It’s a flat, easy, quick walk that is never crowded.
Couldn’t you have taken the boat over to Hollywood Studios?
You could also take the Friendship Boat from Epcot to HS. Yes, it will stop at Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach, and Swan/Dolphin, but honestly I think that’s the best way to get from EPCOT to HS.
Or Just taken a Friendship Boat to Hollywood Studios.
Also could have taken the boat
Why not just hop on the boat and enjoy the beautiful ride from Epcot to Hollywood and skip the bus at the Beach Club?
To be fair you also could have walked to Hollywood or taken the boat across from the skyliner to Hollywood. I probably would have used one of those options over the skyliner and definitely over walking to the front of Epcot. Sorry if you didn’t know about those options.
There are also a couple other options as well. You can take the Friendship Boats from Eocot to Hollywood Stuiods OR if it is a nice day, there is a walking path that goes to Hollywood Studios that starts behind the Dueling Piano bar not far from the Dolphin and Swan hotels. The walk isn’t far snd goes along the waters edge and is a nice add…maybe 15 minutes
Are the boats not running from EP to HS?
In your article about your trip from Epcot to Hollywood Studios, you mentioned you were directed to a bus as the Skyliner was down. Does this mean the Friendship Boats were also down? Would it have been just as close to walk over if the boats were also down?
You could have just walked to HS. It’s not that bad of a walk from International Gateway.
When I read this I was wondering why you headed to the front, when BC was closer. But it’s great to let everyone else know this.
You could have taken the boat to Hollywood Studios, across from the SkyLiner……