Pop Century to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios & Every Disney Park

Last updated September 29, 2026

Quick answer: Disney's Pop Century Resort is on the Skyliner network (rare for a value-tier resort), with 30-40 minute travel to EPCOT's International Gateway and 25-40 minutes to Hollywood Studios — both with a single transfer at Caribbean Beach. Direct Disney buses serve Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs in 15-35 minutes. Disney runs buses from Pop Century to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios only when the Skyliner is closed (weather, maintenance, or its annual refurbishment). Walking is not viable to any park.

The Skyliner is the headline perk and the reason Pop Century commands a premium over the All-Stars and similar value resorts. But it doesn't reach Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom at all — those are bus trips. The breakdown below covers every destination.

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 from Pop Century to Caribbean Beach, where you transfer to the EPCOT line through Riviera to International Gateway. There's no direct Skyliner — you ride to the Caribbean Beach hub (about 5-7 minutes), make a quick 1-2 minute walk between platforms, then take the EPCOT line on through Riviera (stay on) to International Gateway (about 7-10 minutes).

Typical time: 30-40 minutes including the transfer (add a few minutes from the farther buildings or during morning rush).

Drops you at: International Gateway (World Showcase, between France and the UK) — EPCOT's "back entrance." It's ideal for World Showcase, Remy's, or Frozen. If you need Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy, or Test Track first, budget about 15 minutes to walk through World Showcase to the front of the park. Disney runs buses from Pop Century to EPCOT only when the Skyliner is closed (weather, maintenance, or its annual refurbishment).

To Hollywood Studios

The Skyliner to Hollywood Studios requires a transfer at the Caribbean Beach hub station. You ride to the hub, exit, walk across the station to the Hollywood Studios line, and board again. See the station guide for transfer mechanics and typical added time.

Typical time: 25-40 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.

For step-by-step directions including the transfer, see Pop Century to Hollywood Studios.

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: There's no regular bus to Hollywood Studios or EPCOT to fall back on while the Skyliner is running, so get in line early and budget for the queue plus the Caribbean Beach transfer.

Buses from Pop Century

Buses run from Pop Century to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs — your only Disney option for those three. Disney runs buses to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios only when the Skyliner is closed (weather, maintenance, or its annual refurbishment).

To Magic Kingdom

Typical time: 20-35 minutes

Buses go directly to the Magic Kingdom bus loop, located just outside the park gates. No transfer needed. See Getting to Magic Kingdom.

For a deeper look at why Magic Kingdom takes the longest to reach, see Why Disney Transportation Takes So Long.

EPCOT and Hollywood Studios — Skyliner is the regular mode

There is no regular Pop Century bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios — the Skyliner handles both, with a transfer at Caribbean Beach. When the Skyliner is closed, Disney runs backup buses to those two parks — see Weather Considerations below. See also Bus vs. Skyliner.

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?

Match your transportation to your destination. The Skyliner is your way to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios; for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs, the bus is your only option.

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 roughly a 5-12 minute walk — the '60s and '70s buildings are closest, and the buildings at the far end of the resort take longest. For the full breakdown of how the shared two-resort station works — walk times by section, station hours, and the EE Hours catch — see the Pop Century & Art of Animation Skyliner Station guide.

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, budget extra time (there's no regular bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios to switch to)

Weather Considerations

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

If weather is questionable: Build in extra time for time-sensitive commitments like dining reservations, in case you end up waiting for a backup bus. 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.

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.

The split is simple: the Skyliner is your way to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and buses cover Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. The Skyliner also runs on a schedule tied to park hours, so for help checking what's running on your travel dates or comparing your options in real time, see how the app handles this decision.

Related Comparisons

• Bus vs. Skyliner: Which Should You Take?
• Skyliner vs. Monorail

Related Guides

• Pop Century & Art of Animation Skyliner Station — the shared station you start from
• Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station — the hub you transfer through for every Skyliner trip
• Disney Skyliner: Complete Guide
• Disney Buses Explained
• The Hidden Cost of Transfers
• Getting to EPCOT
• Getting to Hollywood Studios
• Transportation at Park Close
• All-Star Movies Transportation — bus-only value resort nearby