Don’t Miss This at Walt Disney World’s Skyliner Resort Hotels

Are you a Guest who experiences Disney Resort envy? The Resort Hotel you’re calling home base is great, of course, but you can’t shake the feeling that you’re missing out on something – after all, there ARE more than 30 Resorts at Walt Disney World, each a treasure trove worth exploring.  

If this describes you, Resort-hopping could be the answer! Set aside some time during your vacation to travel around some of Disney’s many Resorts to sample their dining options, activities, shopping, and even just their ambiance. It just might provide you with inspiration for your next WDW trip! Today, we’re exploring Disney’s Skyliner Resort Hotels.

Skyliner Resort Hotels

We have nothing against Disney’s complimentary bus system, but sometimes we like to use other modes of transportation at Walt Disney World. Hopping on a gondola, water taxi or monorail is a fun way to explore Resort Hotels and maybe open up a whole new world for you and your family. Traveling by monorail, for instance, Guests can access Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

But while all three of Disney’s Monorail Resort Hotels are Deluxe Resorts, Disney’s Skyliner Resorts represent all WDW Resort tiers: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Travel by gondola, and you can explore the following Resort Hotels that boast Skyliner stations on site: Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Here’s what not to miss.

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

I’m all about restaurants with a view. In fact, I’ll forgive quite a few culinary sins if the atmosphere is perfect. Luckily, at Disney’s Deluxe-level Riviera Resort, Guests don’t have to choose between great food and great views.

Signature rooftop dining is yours to enjoy at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. This Riviera Resort restaurant is ideally situated to take advantage of panoramic views across Walt Disney World, and if you time your meal just right, you can even dine while watching Harmonious, the new fireworks show at Disney’s EPCOT Theme Park.

The cuisine is French- and Italian-inspired, and available for breakfast and dinner. Modified Character Dining is offered for breakfast when you can watch Mickey and his pals as they walk through the restaurant (in outfits unique to this location, no less!).

Pop Century’s Whimsical Grounds

If you’re in the mood for a blast from the past, head to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, where you’ll smile at larger-than-life representations of fads from the 1950s to the 1990s. Gigantic rollerblades, colossal foosball set, a massive container of Play-Doh, towering Rubik’s Cube, and what must be the world’s biggest yo-yo are just a few whimsical gems you’ll discover.

You can take advantage of the jogging trail that takes you along Hourglass Lake and through different themed sections of this Value Resort – it’s an ideal way to check out the scenery and pose for some unforgettable photos!

Go Fish

What better way to enjoy your visit to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort than with a bass fishing expedition? Many Guests aren’t aware that you can fish at Walt Disney World, but this is a Disney Moderate Resort Hotel that does offer this activity. 2-hour and 4-hour guided fishing excursions are offered, and all the tackle and gear you’ll need (plus a beverage or two, because fishing is thirsty work) is provided.

The best part? Whether you’ve never picked up a fishing rod in your life or are an experienced angler, you’ll have a great time! And even if you don’t catch anything, don’t worry – that’s what fish tales are for.

Art of Animation’s Lobby

It might seem strange to visit a Disney Resort Hotel for its lobby (although not to any Guest who has set foot in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa’s extravagant lobby!), but serious Disney fans will adore the artwork at Disney’s Art of Animation.  

The lobby boasts a long wall adorned with dozens of sketches from Disney animated films, in various stages of completion. It’s fascinating to get a glimpse inside the world of Disney animation and to see the transformation process that occurs between character conceptualization and final on-screen results.

Take a stroll around Landscape of Flavors, the resident quick service restaurant, to immerse yourself in the colorful backdrops of the four films featured in this Disney Value Resort: Finding Nemo (2003), The Little Mermaid (1989), Cars (2006), and The Lion King (1994).

Le Petit Café

If it’s not quite time for a meal but all this exploring has made you peckish, just head on over to Paris – that is Le Petit Café at Disney’s Riviera Resort. If you know your classic Disney movies, you might recognize the name of this gem of an eatery: it takes its name from the café in The Aristocats (1970).

Le Petit Café is adorably chic and offers beautiful pastries, small plates, and a variety of coffee and tea beverages in the morning and afternoon. At night, however, it becomes a wine bar – how perfectly Parisian! 

If there aren’t any seats in the café (or even if there are), you can take your drink and snacks next door to Voyageurs’ Lounge. This cozy, eclectic space is decked out with books and items from Walt’s travels. Check out Walt’s fabulous hat, the vintage Mickey, and the hallway lined with black and white travel photos of Walt and his wife Lillian.  

Bottom Line

We can’t think of a cooler way to travel around Walt Disney World property than by soaring above the trees in a gondola with magnificent views spread out before you. The cherry on top, of course, is that Disney’s Skyliner can connect you with Disney Resort Hotels that you may never have experienced before. Happy Resort hopping!