At Walt Disney World, the monorail has always been seen as the best way to get around the property. But in 2019, Disney opened the Skyliner, offering an even more striking way of traveling from hotels to the parks. So which is better for guests? See the pros and cons of each here!
The Monorail
While the Disneyland Monorail only goes from Tomorrowland to Downtown Disney, the Disney World version covers a huge area. The Walt Disney World Monorail System has two tracks connected to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC). The Resort Monorail line connects the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts to the Magic Kingdom, while a second line goes from the TTC to EPCOT.
The famous sleek trains offer a great ride that's become as much a part of the Disney World experience as any of the rides.
Monorail Pros
Great access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot
From the day Walt Disney World opened, the monorail boasted some terrific access. Guests at the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts can get right on and easily reach the front gates of the Magic Kingdom. Or they can switch lines at the TTC and easily head to EPCOT. The easy access has always been a selling point and for guests who prefer those two parks, the monorail is the best way to go.
History
In many ways, the monorail is as much an icon of WDW as Cinderella's Castle or Spaceship Earth. The sight of it seemingly vanishing into the A-frame of the Contemporary Resort is fantastic for first-time Disney World guests and Disney promotes a ride on the monorail as a must-do. That Disney adds to it with specially designed trains for special events and other bits is good, as riding the monorail is like a trip through Disney history.
Comfort
For many, the comfort of the monorail is a great selling point. The cars are always air-conditioned with cushioned seats and all large enough to fit not just guests but strollers, wheelchairs and other large items. Even just standing can be good, thanks to how well the cabins are designed. The monorail is a comfortable experience for many guests.
Monorail Cons:
Longer waits
The popularity of the monorail can also be a blow against it. The lines can be quite long, especially at the Magic Kingdom when it's closing time. Some guests may not like the multiple stops the trains make for each resort hotel or the need to swap to a different train at the TTC for Epcot. Like so much else at WDW, guests need to put up with long waits for the monorail, which some may not enjoy.
Showing its age in breakdowns
Sadly, given the monorail has been around for over 50 years, it's showing its age. Breakdowns can be all too common, no matter how well Disney fixes the tracks as they have been exposed to the elements for decades. The trains themselves, likewise, show wear and tear as a few can be too dirty for guests and lack the gleaming spark they once had. While Disney is trying to improve them, the sad fact is that bad shutdowns can hit the monorail to mar the experience.
Limited areas to get to
For years, the monorail was great by letting guests get to the two parks on WDW property. But since Disney World has expanded, the monorail is now seen as more limited — especially for those wanting to get to the Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs areas and not staying at the monorail resorts. While it's a great ride for some areas of WDW, the monorail isn't as dominant as it once was.
The Skyliner
Reminding older guests of the old Skyway at the Magic Kingdom, the Skyliners are gondolas that can fit up to ten people. They're guided on cables on a series of trips from a variety of resorts to the Epcot and Hollywood Studios landing spots. While new to WDW, the Skyliners are already rather popular and guests driving into the property marvel at the cars flowing right above them.
Skyliner Pros:
Fantastic views
One of the best parts of the Skyliner is the gorgeous views it offers of the areas by Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Guests love to see everything from lakes to some "backstage" areas and even going over the roads can be fun, especially on sunny days. You can't get those from the monorail as the Skyliner lives up to its name showcasing some wonderful skylines of WDW that can only be viewed from it.
Short waiting times
Unlike the monorail, the Skyliner's wait times are shorter. That's because guests don't have to wait ten minutes or more for a train to arrive but just walk right onto one of the gondolas that are constantly moving on their cables. There can be an occasional slowdown for someone in a wheelchair, but otherwise, a Skyliner wait time is far less than the monorail and that offers a great convenience for guests.
Smooth rides
The gondolas are terrific in providing a smooth ride for guests, from a fast start to flowing over the roadways. Even on windy days, they won't rock too badly and thus aid some guests who might be worried on the trip. The smooth ride is a good reason the Skyliner is a winner for so many WDW guests.
More resorts linked to it
The Skyiner has expanded its reach since opening to cover a wider range of Disney resorts. That includes the spots that had long been used to only bus service to Epcot and the Studios. Now, guests at the Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century and Art of Animation resorts can use the Skyliner to reach the Epcot and Studios areas. With word Disney is hoping to expand them in the future, this allows guests at the further-off resorts to get closer to the action faster.
Skyliner Cons:
No AC
This, to many, is the key flaw of the Skyliner. Yes, the "passive filters" can offer some breeze at that height, but to be inside an enclosed space on a hot Florida afternoon is not fun. Thankfully, the rides can be short, but it's still amazing Disney never popped for a better cooling system, as a Skyliner ride can sometimes be uncomfortably warm for guests.
Breakdowns
As a new ride system, the Skyliner is prone to some problems. There was a case of a couple crashing, but Disney has apparently fixed that issue. Yet the Skyliner can still be affected by bad weather and sometimes needing to slow or stop at one of the stations for some problems. Thus, guests may be in for an unexpected halt which can be troublesome with the lack of AC.
Some blocked views
For the most part, the Skyliner gondolas offer some great views. However, guests who board those with characters placed on the windows may not get to see them. While the decorations look great from the outside, they mean those inside can't see the same views as the unobstructed windows. Because guests can't really pick which gondola comes next for them, it's a luck of the draw if the Skyliner offers a good view or not.
Fear of Heights
True, the monorail is a bit high up but still "grounded" to the track. But the Skyliner is maintained at least 20 feet over the ground and can go up as high as nearly a hundred feet at some spots. On very windy days, that can feel even higher and could cause some anxiety for riders. The Skyliner can be a wonderful ride but a nightmare for those with acrophobia who may not be able to take so high up for so long.
Which is better?
So which is better in the end? It might come down to personal preference as some guests will enjoy the Skyliner for faster loading, some great views and a smooth ride. However, the lack of AC is a blow against it and the fact is that some guests will enjoy the history of the monorail more as well as its great showcase for Disney parks. Thus, the monorail has the edge, but the Skyliner can still be a worthy ride for WDW guests.