Monorail Resorts vs Skyliner Resorts: Which Location Wins?
Where should you stay on your trip to Walt Disney World Resort? The answer depends on your preference of location, dining, theme and more. When comparing monorail resorts vs skyliner resorts, know there are excellent choices in either grouping. Let’s go over the highlights of each location including what parks they are close to and overall transportation options. Many of the options listed below are Deluxe properties with Disney Vacation Club components. That opens up the option to rent DVC points and save on your hotel stay. Most DVC rooms are similar to standard hotel rooms but there are also larger accommodation styles with multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen and more.
Disney Vacation Club properties, where you can rent DVC points, are marked with *.
Disney World Hotel Comparison: Monorail Resorts vs Skyliner Resorts
All of Disney’s resorts include complimentary transportation to and from the parks.
They also include theme park parking for hotel guests if you plan to drive your own car or rental around property.
What There is to Love about Monorail Resorts
The following resorts are on the monorail loop which means they have their own stations that take you to Magic Kingdom on the resort line.
You can also transfer at the Transportation and Ticket Center and get on a monorail to Epcot.
At these resorts, other parks are accessible by Disney busses.
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort* which includes the Bay Lake Tower DVC building
This property is right next to, and a short walk from, Magic Kingdom.
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort* which includes the Island Tower DVC building, other DVC resort studios which have a similar layout to a regular hotel room and bungalows which are standalone, over water, multi-room accommodations
This property also has boat transportation to Magic Kingdom and Grand Floridian and has a walking path that takes you through Grand Floridian first.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa* which includes two DVC buildings and many resort studio style rooms in addition to bigger room styles
There is a walking path from this resort to Magic Kingdom.
It also has a boat that takes you to Magic Kingdom or the Polynesian.
Note: Though Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is listed as a hotel in the Magic Kingdom resort area, it is located across Bay Lake and only accessible by boat or bus. It’s not on the monorail loop.
What There is to Love About Skyliner Resorts
The following resorts are on the Disney Skyliner line which means they have their own station at the resort and can access Epcot and Hollywood Studios by this method of transportation.
Other resorts are accessible by bus from these properties.
Magic Kingdom and Epcot are connected by monorail but the monorail is at the front of the park and the Skyliner is at the back. This is good to know for planning your day and how to get around.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
This resort has the main Disney Skyliner hub with lines to Hollywood Studios, Epcot and a shared Pop Century and Art of Animation station.
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
These two value properties share a Disney Skyliner station and offer bus transport to other parks.
- Disney’s Riviera Resort*
This is the closest resort by Skyliner to Epcot. If you leave the park on this method of transportation you’ll either pass through Riviera’s station to get to the others or get off here as it’s the first stop.
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn*, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts*
These last three resorts don’t technically have their own Skyliner station. They are located, however, next to the Epcot International Gateway entrance which gives you access to the Skyliner. It’s a quick walk from any of these resorts and both BoardWalk and Beach Club have DVC components. That means you’re within walking distance of Epcot and can take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios when you stay at these.
Which area is better for you?
If you’re still undecided based on those details, here’s what we recommend.
For first timers or those who haven’t stayed in a monorail loop resort, this might be your best pick. Disney World opened in 1971 with just one theme park, Magic Kingdom, and two resort hotels nearby, Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Grand Floridian opened years later but is just as nostalgic.
For those who have stayed at Disney World many times and are looking for a unique experience, Skyliner resorts can switch things up. In the Deluxe category, Disney’s Riviera Resort is one of the newer properties and brings subtle European charm.
Save big on your next Disney vacation! Browse the confirmed reservations, or request a free quote to rent DVC points and save up to 65% compared to booking directly through Disney.
