Pop Century Transportation: Skyliner, Buses & Getting to the Parks

Pop Century is one of Disney's most popular value resorts, and the Skyliner is a big reason why. Before the gondola system opened in 2019, Pop Century guests relied entirely on buses. Now you have aerial transportation to two parks — a significant upgrade that changed the resort's value proposition.

But the Skyliner doesn't go everywhere, and it's not always the fastest option. This guide covers every transportation option from Pop Century so you can make smart decisions.

Skyliner from Pop Century

Pop Century shares a Skyliner station with Art of Animation, connected by the Generation Gap Bridge. This station is one of the busiest in the system because it serves two of Disney's largest resorts.

To EPCOT (International Gateway)

The Skyliner runs directly from Pop Century through Caribbean Beach and Riviera to EPCOT's International Gateway — no transfer needed.

Typical time: 15-20 minutes

Drops you at: International Gateway (World Showcase, between France and the UK). This is EPCOT's "back entrance." If you need the main entrance (Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy), take the bus instead.

To Hollywood Studios

The Skyliner to Hollywood Studios requires a transfer at Caribbean Beach station. You ride to the hub, exit, walk to the Hollywood Studios platform, and board again.

Typical time: 25-35 minutes (including transfer)

The transfer adds: 5-10 minutes depending on timing. For more on how transfers affect total travel time, see The Hidden Cost of Transfers.

Morning Rope Drop

The Pop Century/Art of Animation station gets crowded before park opening. Hundreds of guests queue for Hollywood Studios simultaneously, and waits can hit 20-30 minutes.

Tip: If the Skyliner line is wrapped outside the covered area, check the bus stop. A bus arriving in 5 minutes beats a 25-minute Skyliner queue. The best choice is whichever one gets you moving sooner.

Buses from Pop Century

Buses run from Pop Century to every Disney destination. They're your only option for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and sometimes the better choice for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

To Magic Kingdom

Typical time: 30-45 minutes

Buses drop you at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), where you transfer to the monorail or ferry. This second leg adds 10-20 minutes. For strategies on navigating this, see Getting to Magic Kingdom.

To EPCOT (Main Entrance)

Typical time: 20-30 minutes

The bus drops you at EPCOT's main entrance — Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy, Test Track. If you're heading to World Showcase, the Skyliner to International Gateway is usually better.

To Hollywood Studios

Typical time: 15-25 minutes

Direct service, no transfer. On busy mornings, this can be faster than the Skyliner with its Caribbean Beach transfer. See Bus vs. Skyliner for a detailed comparison.

To Animal Kingdom

Typical time: 20-30 minutes

Bus only — no Skyliner, monorail, or boat option.

To Disney Springs

Typical time: 15-25 minutes

Direct bus service.

Which Should You Take?

Don't default to the Skyliner just because it's there. Match your transportation to your destination. For EPCOT's World Showcase, the Skyliner wins. For everything else, the bus is either your only option or genuinely competitive.

The Station Experience

The Pop Century / Art of Animation Skyliner station sits between the two resorts on Generation Gap Bridge. From most Pop Century buildings, it's a 5-10 minute walk to the station.

What to know:

• The queue area is covered but can overflow on busy mornings
• Evening returns are usually smoother than morning departures
• You can see the line length before committing — if it's long, the bus stop is a short walk away

Weather Considerations

The Skyliner closes during lightning, high winds, and heavy rain. When it closes, Disney provides backup bus service, but these buses aren't pre-positioned and wait times can spike.

If weather is questionable: Take the bus from the start, especially for time-sensitive commitments like dining reservations. Florida afternoon thunderstorms are common June through September.

For more on weather and the Skyliner, see the Skyliner Complete Guide.

Departure Strategy

After Park Close

Pop Century buses can have long waits after fireworks, especially from Magic Kingdom (where you also have the TTC transfer).

Best strategies:

• Leave before the show ends to beat the rush
• Stay 20-30 minutes after to let crowds clear
• From EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner handles evening departure well — lines look long but move continuously

For more, see Transportation at Park Close.

The Bottom Line

Pop Century's Skyliner access transforms it from a basic value resort into one of the best-connected properties at Disney World. You get aerial transportation to two parks — something most moderate and even some deluxe resorts can't offer.

But be strategic about when you use the Skyliner versus the bus. The Skyliner is best for EPCOT's World Showcase and midday travel. The bus wins for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT's main entrance, and crowded rope-drop mornings.

For real-time help choosing between Skyliner and bus at Pop Century, see how the app handles this decision.

Related Guides

• Disney Skyliner: Complete Guide
• Disney Buses Explained
• Bus vs. Skyliner: Which Should You Take?
• The Hidden Cost of Transfers
• Getting to EPCOT
• Getting to Hollywood Studios
• Transportation at Park Close