Art of Animation Transportation: Skyliner, Buses & Getting to the Parks
Transportation from Art of Animation
Skyliner
Direct to EPCOT; transfer at Caribbean Beach for Hollywood Studios
Bus
Direct service to all 4 parks and Disney Springs
Monorail
Not available from this resort
Boat
Not available from this resort
Walk
Not walkable to any park
Art of Animation is Disney's family suite resort — and one of only two value resorts with Skyliner access. It shares a gondola station with Pop Century across Hourglass Lake, connected by the Generation Gap Bridge. That shared station means identical Skyliner access, but Art of Animation has its own bus service with slightly different dynamics.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting around from Art of Animation.
Skyliner from Art of Animation
Art of Animation shares the Skyliner station with Pop Century, located on the Generation Gap Bridge between the two resorts. From most Art of Animation buildings, it's a 5-12 minute walk to the station — the Finding Nemo and Cars sections are furthest.
To EPCOT (International Gateway)
The Skyliner runs directly from the shared station through Caribbean Beach and Riviera to EPCOT's International Gateway.
Typical time: 15-20 minutes
Drops you at: International Gateway (World Showcase, between France and the UK). For the main entrance (Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy), take the bus.
To Hollywood Studios
Requires a transfer at Caribbean Beach station. Ride to the hub, exit, cross to the Hollywood Studios platform, board again.
Typical time: 25-35 minutes (including transfer)
The transfer adds 5-10 minutes. See The Hidden Cost of Transfers for more on how this affects your trip.
Walk Time to the Station
Art of Animation is a large resort. Your building location affects how long it takes to reach the Skyliner:
| Section | Walk to Station |
|---|---|
| Little Mermaid | 5-7 minutes |
| Lion King | 6-8 minutes |
| Finding Nemo | 8-10 minutes |
| Cars | 10-12 minutes |
If you're in the Cars or Finding Nemo section, add this walk time to your Skyliner estimates. It can turn a "20-minute trip" into 30+ minutes door-to-park-gate.
Buses from Art of Animation
Buses run from Art of Animation to every Disney destination. The bus stop is near the main lobby — centrally located for all sections.
To Magic Kingdom
Typical time: 30-45 minutes
Drops you at TTC, where you transfer to monorail or ferry. The second leg adds 10-20 minutes. See Getting to Magic Kingdom.
To EPCOT (Main Entrance)
Typical time: 20-30 minutes
Direct to the main entrance. Better than the Skyliner if you're heading to the front of the park.
To Hollywood Studios
Typical time: 15-25 minutes
Direct service, no transfer. Often competitive with the Skyliner during rope drop. See Bus vs. Skyliner.
To Animal Kingdom
Typical time: 20-30 minutes
Bus only.
To Disney Springs
Typical time: 15-25 minutes
Direct bus service.
Which Should You Take?
| Destination | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| EPCOT (World Showcase) | Skyliner | Direct to International Gateway |
| EPCOT (Main Entrance) | Bus | Drops you at the front |
| Hollywood Studios | Check both | Factor in your walk to the station + transfer time |
| Magic Kingdom | Bus | Only option |
| Animal Kingdom | Bus | Only option |
| Disney Springs | Bus | Only option |
The Walk Factor
Art of Animation guests need to factor in the walk to the Skyliner station more than Pop Century guests. If you're in the Cars section, it's a 10-12 minute walk just to reach the station — before any wait or ride time. The bus stop near the lobby might actually be closer to your room.
Compare total door-to-park time, not just ride time.
Family Suite Considerations
Art of Animation is popular for its family suites (Finding Nemo, Cars, Lion King sections). If you're traveling with young kids:
- Morning energy: Kids are fresh and the Skyliner is exciting. Good time for the gondola.
- Evening exhaustion: After a long park day, the bus stop near the lobby might be closer than the Skyliner station — especially from the far sections.
- Strollers: Gondolas accommodate strollers but it's tighter with large double strollers. The bus is more spacious.
Weather Considerations
The Skyliner closes during lightning, high winds, and heavy rain. When it closes, backup buses run but can have longer waits since they aren't pre-positioned.
Florida weather tip: Afternoon thunderstorms are common June through September. If your plans are time-sensitive, the bus is more reliable in questionable weather.
For more on Skyliner weather closures, see the Skyliner Complete Guide.
Departure Strategy
After Park Close
Art of Animation buses can have longer waits after fireworks since it's one of Disney's largest resorts by guest count.
Best strategies:
- Leave before the show ends
- Stay 20-30 minutes after to let crowds clear
- From EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner handles evening departures well — the continuous loading means lines move steadily
For more strategies, see Transportation at Park Close.
The Bottom Line
Art of Animation's transportation is identical to Pop Century's in terms of Skyliner access — they share the same station. The key difference is the walk from your room to the station. Guests in the Little Mermaid or Lion King sections are close to the station. Guests in Cars or Finding Nemo should factor in an extra 5-10 minutes.
The Skyliner is still a major perk for a value resort. Just be realistic about total travel time and don't default to the gondola when the bus is genuinely faster for your situation.
For real-time help choosing between Skyliner and bus at Art of Animation, see how the app handles this decision.