The Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World isn’t only good for traveling from point A to point B via aerial gondolas.
It’s a prime form of transportation that can take guests to several locations with a variety of dining locations, including Table Service, Quick Service, and lounges.
If you’re looking for a new place to eat at Disney World or simply want to learn more about the gondola system, let’s dive into what it means to dine on the Disney Skyliner.
Everywhere You Can Dine on the Skyliner
Just like with the buses, boats, and monorail, anyone visiting Walt Disney World can use the Disney Skyliner. And, you don’t have to be staying at one of the Skyliner resorts to ride it, either.
But, if you are staying at one of the Skyliner resorts (Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, & Riviera), having the Skyliner means you’ll have easy access to additional dining options (including character meals) at nearby resorts and parks.
And, if you’re visiting Hollywood Studios or Epcot and are just looking for something different to do, taking a ride on the Skyliner to one of the connected resorts for a meal or snack is a fun way to get out of the parks for a bit.
Here’s what you can find along the way:
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Riviera is located in the Epcot Resort Area. The Deluxe Villa/Disney Vacation Club Resort not only offers stunning views, but has several places to dine, including:
Bar Riva
- An open-air pool bar that serves cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and lounge-style food.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Topolino’s Terrace —Flavors of the Riviera
- A Table-Service restaurant offering breakfast and dinner with unbelievable rooftop views. This is a character breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald. We have a review that you can read, if you’d like. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Le Petit Café
- Think of this is a Quick-Service spot serving a patisserie-style menu, where you can grab specialty coffees in the morning and a cocktail in the evening. Small bites are offered after 4 p.m.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Primo Piatto
- This Quick-Service spot serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can grab breakfast items, snacks, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Caribbean Beach is located in the Epcot Resort Area and is a Moderate Resort with a range of dining choices.
Centertown Market
- A Quick-Service location, where you can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find Latin- and Caribbean-inspired dishes here, as well.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
Centertown Market Grab & Go
- A casual counter-service spot to quickly grab meals on the go, like salads, sandwiches, snacks, bakery items, and bottled beverages.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Banana Cabana
- This is the pool-side bar and lounge located next to feature pool Fuentes del Morro. You can order a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including the signature Banana Cabana. There are also quick bites available, like zesty jerk chicken wings, loaded potato fries, plant-based options, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Sebastian’s Bistro
- A Table-Service restaurant serving only dinner and a menu featuring Latin and Caribbean-inspired dishes. The Caribbean Pull-apart rolls are a fan-favorite. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Spyglass Grill (temporarily unavailable)
- You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this Quick-Service location in the Trinidad pool area and even has a patio overlooking Barefoot Bay. The menu includes American items with a Caribbean twist.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation is a Value Resort in the Wide World of Sports Resort Area and only has two dining choices — a food court and a pool bar.
Landscape of Flavors
- A Quick-Service food-court style spot that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner inspired by American favorites, like burgers and pizzas.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
The Drop Off Pool Bar
- A pool-side bar by The Big Blue Pool and near the main lobby. You can purchase frozen beverages, cocktails, draft beer, sangria, wine, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Like Art of Animation, Pop Century is also a Value Resort in the Wide World of Sports Resort Area with only a food court and a pool bar.
Everything POP Shopping & Dining
- A Quick-Service food-court style spot that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is the main dining location at Pop Century and usually features specialty, limited-time cupcakes.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
Petals Pool Bar
- A 60s-themed located by the Hippy Dippy pool and main lobby. You can purchase specialty beverages, cocktails, draft beer, sangria, wine, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Epcot & Hollywood Studios
Of course, Epcot and Hollywood Studios have a lot to offer dining-wise including Quick and Table-service restaurants and food carts.
Let’s also not forget that Epcot has four seasonal festivals (Festival of the Arts, Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, and Festival of the Holidays) with themed-food and beverage booths that are always a must.
If you’re looking to book character dining, both theme parks offer that as well. Epcot’s Garden Grill is a fan-favorite, especially because the restaurant rotates (seriously) and you can meet farmer Mickey, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale.
Hollywood Studios’ character dining includes Minnie’s Seasonal Dine (lunch and dinner) and Disney Junior Play n’ Dine (breakfast) at Hollywood & Vine. You can meet Minnie and friends at the former and Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, and Roadster Goofy at the latter.
Of course, there’s unique dining offerings in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. Oga’s Cantina is great spot to grab a tasty (and somewhat expensive) drink and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo has some of the best Quick Service on property.
Baseline Tap House at Hollywood Studios is also another top-notch choice if you want a refreshing California brew. If you like wheat beers, try the Golden Road Hefeweizen — or get a beer flight!
As for Epcot, you can eat and drink around the World Showcase. Rose & Crown Pub is perfect for beer lovers, whereas Mexico is the spot if you love margaritas.
Park Hopping
If you are staying at a resort with easy access to a park (like those on the Skyliner), having a Park Hopper ticket will give you a lot more options for dining.
While not as convenient as being able to just walk to a park – like you can if you’re staying at a resort at the Boardwalk area – the Skyliner does make it relatively painless to pop over to Hollywood Studios or Epcot for dinner or dessert.
Important note: At this time, Park Hopping is only allowed after 2 pm.
BoardWalk Area
Although the following resorts don’t have direct access to the Disney Skyliner, the Skyliner station at Epcot’s International Gateway is just a short walk away which makes it much easier for those staying on the Skyliner to access these specific hotels and their dining options.
Typically, walking takes about 15 minutes or so, depending on your pace and whether or not you stop to take photos, etc.
You’ll also want to keep the weather in mind. Nobody wants to go on a long walk when it’s super cold and windy (yes, this sometimes happens in Disney World), way too hot, or rainy and stormy.
Depending, you might be better off taking a rideshare service or you can, of course, use a Disney World bus.
Whatever you decide, here’s what to expect dining-wise at these Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts.
BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Bar/Lounge
Belle Vue Lounge
- A 1930s-style lounge that serves coffee and pastries in the morning and cocktails in the evening. You can also play board games.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Leaping Horse Libations
- A carousel-themed bar by Luna Park Pool serving frozen cocktails, wine, sangria, and beer. You can also find snacks, salads, and sandwiches.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
AbracadaBar
- A fun, themed-bar that takes guests back in time to the golden age of magic. The cocktail lounge serves all kinds of unique drinks. You can also purchase select bar snacks.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Quick Service
BoardWalk Bakery
- A Quick Service spot for guests to grab baked goods, house-specialty salads, sandwiches, and hot and cold beverages for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
- If you want a margarita and a quick snack, this is the place to try at the BoardWalk. Frozen drinks are a specialty here and you can choose from the likes of margaritas, piña coladas, and the Captain’s Seaside Sensation — a pineapple smoothie with a shot of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum!
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Funnel Cake Cart (temporarily unavailable)
- This cart is exactly what it sounds like — a cart that sells funnel cakes. You can also find other goodies here, like fried ice cream and cotton candy.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Pizza Window
- This Quick Service spot offers guests the opportunity to purchase a slice of pizza — or a whole pie! There are several types to choose from, along with beer, wine and sangria options.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
The To-Go Cart
- You can order small snacks here, including hot dogs, corn dogs, mac and cheese bites, mozzarella sticks, fried potato chips, french fries, along with burgers, sandwiches, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Table Service
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
- A casual dining spot that serves lunch and dinner. This is also a “family-friendly microbrewery and restaurant” that features award-winning beers and fresh twists on American pub favorites. You can make reservations by calling the restaurant directly at (407) 751-1544.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
ESPN Club (temporarily unavailable)
- The ESPN Club is a table-service restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. There is also bar service. If you’re a big sports fan, you’ll love this spot. You can enjoy American sports pub cuisine, sports entertainment (so many TVs!), and even shop. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Flying Fish
- Flying Fish is a Table-Service restaurant that serves dinner only. It’s in the higher-price range and features sustainable seafood and prime steaks on its menu. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Trattoria al Forno (no characters currently)
- For breakfast and dinner, you may want to try Trattoria al Forno. Typically, you can meet Ariel, Prince Eric, Flynn Rider, and Rapunzel her for breakfast. The menu celebrates the diversity of Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Milan to Rome. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Yacht & Beach Club
Bar/Lounge
Martha’s Vineyard
- You can get lunch, bar service, and late-night dining here. Try New England-themed food (yes, clam chowder included), signature cocktails (including no-alcoholic mocktails), draft beers, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill
- Located next to feature pool Stormalong Bay, Hurricane Hanna’s offers all kinds of beverages and some dishes, like a seafood roll, a Greek salad, and an Italian focaccia sandwich, to name a few.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Ale & Compass Lounge
- You can order both beverages (beers, wines, high-end liquors) and small bites (from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.), like roasted garlic shrimp, parker house rolls and spreads, roasted “buffalo-style” cauliflower, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Crew’s Cup Lounge
- You can order lunch, dinner, and late night here. Popular menu items are the charcuterie board, the jumbo shrimp cocktail, and the 10-ounce roasted prime rib. You can also try a range of bourbon, beer, cider, wine, non-alcoholic mocktails, etc.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 under per adult
- Browse menu
Quick Service
Beach Club Marketplace
- A Quick Service spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find typical Quick Service food here, like Mickey waffles, baked pastas, sandwiches, salads, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
The Market at Ale & Compass
- This Quick Service spot also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From Mickey waffles, to a range of breakfast sandwiches, to hot sandwiches and cold sandwiches for lunch and dinner, you have lots of choices.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Mobile Order available
- Browse menu
Table Service
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Lunch, Dinner)
- This is definitely a popular spot for lunch and dinner, especially for dessert. Yes, there are burgers, loaded tots, sandwiches, and plant-based choices, but the boardwalk-style ice cream shop has quite the dessert menu. From shakes, to sundaes (try the No Way José), to alcoholic shakes and floats, you can’t go wrong. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Ale & Compass Restaurant
- Ale & Compass Restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner. You’ll find New England-style comfort food here and classic seafood options, like flatbreads, pastas, steaks, and seafood pot pie. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Cape May Café (no characters currently)
- In addition to the character breakfast (where guests can say hello to Minnie and her friends), Cape May Café is all about New England and usually a seafood dinner buffet. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Yachtsman Steakhouse
- Yachtsman Steakhouse is only available for dinner. You can, obviously, order premium steaks, fresh seafood, salads, and more. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Swan & Dolphin
IMPORTANT: The following locations don’t accept Disney dining plans, MagicBands, Disney Quick Service Dine Cards, or Disney Gift Cards as form of payments. Guests may also have to pay a parking fee.
Bar/Lounge
Cabana Bar and Beach Club
- This bar not only serves signature cocktails, but guests can also order gourmet appetizers and main bites by the Dolphin Lap Pool, including fish tacos, flatbreads, grilled Angus hanger steak, and more.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Phins
- You can choose from specialty cocktails, premium spirits, beer, and wine. There are also small bites on the menu, like street tacos, wings, lettuce wraps, deviled eggs, and more. If you’re a Bloody Mary fan, Phins has a special “brunch-in-a-glass” Bloody Mary on Sundays.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Shula’s Lounge
- While watching sports, you can enjoy the full menu that’s also available at Shula’s Steak House. You can also have a beer, a glass of fine, and even a cigar. Seating is first-come, first-served.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Todd English’s bluezoo Lounge
- Located inside Todd English’s bluezoo, choose from cocktails, gourmet-styled burgers, nachos, or even the full restaurant menu.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Il Mulino Lounge
- In addition to an indoor bar, there’s also a private outside terrace at Il Mulino Lounge, which is part of Il Mulino New York Trattoria. The lounge serves Italian cocktails and more, plus offers a light menu nightly.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Kimonos Lounge
- Part of Kimonos restaurant, the lounge features traditional sake, specialty cocktails, and snacks for guests. Better yet, there’s karaoke nightly!
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Splash Service
- Located next to the Lap Pool, Splash Service offers poolside table service. There is both bar service and offerings, like salads, grilled-to-order burgers, and gourmet sandwiches. This is only open seasonally.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Quick Service
Picabu
- This is a 24-hour cafeteria-style buffet restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. There’s also a convenience store that sells sundries, snacks, and toiletries is also located inside.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Java Bar
- Find breakfast, bar service, and a lounge menu here. You can order a hot cup of coffee, cappuccinos, and espressos, in addition to cold beverages. You can also purchase fresh pastries, like muffins and bagels.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Table Service
Shula’s Steak House
- For dinner, try some sizzling steaks and seafood at Shula’s Steak House, which is an award-winning restaurant. The restaurant also honors the Miami Dolphins with photos and memorabilia from their 1972 “Perfect Season” under Coach Don Shula. A kid’s menu is available. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Todd English’s bluezoo
- Todd English’s bluezoo serves dinner only. This is an underwater-themed restaurant that serves raw or cooked seafood, chicken, and beef dishes. The menu does change frequently to reflect fresh and seasonal market selections. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Fresh Mediterranean Market
- The Fresh Mediterranean Market offers breakfast, lunch, and an all-you-care-to-enjoy dessert buffet. From eggs, to carved meats, to danishes, to overnight oats, there’s a range of options. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
The Fountain
- An American diner theme featuring salads, burgers, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. You can also order homemade or soft-serve ice cream at the dessert counter.
- Price range: $14.99 and under per adult
- Browse menu
Garden Grove
- If you’re looking for a breakfast and/or lunch location, you might want to try Garden Grove, which represents Central Park in New York City. Breakfast features an à la carte menu and lunch features a Chopped Salad, Main Lobster Club, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and kid-friendly dishes like Spaghetti & Meatballs. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Il Mulino New York Trattoria
- For dinner, you can try Il Mulino New York Trattoria, which serve authentic cuisine from the Abruzzi region. There’s traditional antipasti, like lightly fried rice balls with spicy marinara sauce, and main courses that include handmade pizzas, grilled steak, breaded chicken, mushroom or seafood risotto, and pastas. Reservations are recommended.
- Price range: $35 to $59.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Kimonos
- Known for its sushi, you can also find specialties like tempura shrimp, kobe beef, hot and chilled sake, plum wine, beer, and fruity cocktails. The restaurant only serves. There is also the Kimonos Lounge available that also has nightly karaoke.
- Price range: $15 to $34.99 per adult
- Browse menu
Fun Dining Ideas, Including a Skyliner Crawl
If you want to spice things up, here are a few dining ideas that you can try when traveling on the Disney Skyliner.
Seeing as you need a park reservation and valid theme park admission for park entry currently (and park hopping doesn’t begin until 2 p.m.), the following ideas are based around the resorts accessible via the Skyliner.
This is just to keep things easier, but, don’t worry, they’re still fun!
Cocktail Crawl
What’s better than a cocktail crawl on foot? One on the Skyliner, of course. With so many dining options at each of these four hotels, there are plenty of tasty cocktails to try.
Why not hop on the Skyliner and make a stop at each hotel and try a beverage? Each hotel has a bar and/or lounge, so you should definitely take advantage of these. Better yet, there are plenty of non-alcoholic choices too.
A Dessert Crawl
If you want to eat all of the desserts, why not hop on the Skyliner and try a delicious treat at each resort? There are so many desserts to choose from — and a lot of unique choices.
Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors and Pop Century’s Everything Pop Shopping & Dining usually have specialty cupcakes. As for Riviera and Caribbean, well, they both offer different kinds of baked goods and desserts that look and sound delicious.
Split Your Meal
Eating an entire meal at one restaurant is just boring, so why not split your meal into an appetizer, entree, dessert, and beverage/coffee? Then, you can try each at a different resort.
For example, have an appetizer at Riviera, eat your entree at Art of Animation, get some dessert at Pop Century, and grab a coffee or nightcap at Caribbean, all while enjoying the stunning views the latter resort has to offer.
Here are just a few suggestions for each.
- Appetizer at Riviera: After 4 p.m., Le Petit Café has a few lounge offerings perfect for sharing, like an Artisanal Cheese Plate. Or, Primo Piatto has soups, salads, and some Romano & Herb Fries that sound amazing.
- Entree at Art of Animation: From burgers, to pizzas, to pasta dishes, to roasted salmon and chicken dinners, AoA has plenty of entree choices.
- Dessert at Pop Century: The specialty cupcake is always a good choice (and makes for great photos).
- Coffee/Nightcap at Caribbean: Banana Cabana has a lengthy beverage menu, but the Pink Guava Colada sounds amazing. It features Cruzan Guava Rum and Disney Select Single Barrel Rum blended with Guava, Cream of Coconut and Pineapple Juice.
How to Get to the Skyliner & Other Info
If you don’t have experience riding the Skyliner, don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Where it travels:
- Pop Century/Art of Animation (share a Skyliner station)
- Caribbean Beach (main hub with access to all locations/transfer point)
- Riviera Resort
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
You can find Hollywood Studios’ station at the front of the park and Epcot’s at the International Gateway, which gives you easy access to the World Showcase.
When it comes to boarding, the gondolas continuously move. That said, they move slowly, so just be careful.
Gondolas can seat up to 10 passengers and also accommodate wheelchairs, ECVs, and strollers. There is a separate loading area for guests using a wheelchair or strollers and need extra assistance.
As for the operating hours, these depend on when the parks open and close. But, typically, they begin running anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour before park opening and until around 10 or 11 p.m. in the evenings.
There are operating hour signs posted outside each Skyliner station, so be sure to take note of the day’s operating times.
It’s also important to note that bus service between Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera, and Caribbean and Hollywood Studios and Epcot is reduced to once per hour while the gondolas are running.
The Skyliner is a great, easy, and quick transportation option, so you should definitely take advantage, especially when it comes to dining!
For more information and tips, we have a guide explaining the ins and outs of the Disney Skyliner.
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