The Walt Disney World Skyliner, a popular transportation option for guests moving between different resorts and parks, surprised visitors on Jan. 16 by unexpectedly not traveling to EPCOT. This unexpected closure coincided with the first day of the 2026 International Festival of the Arts at the theme park, as reported by WDW News Today. Guests at Disney’s Riviera Resort discovered a sign announcing the closure, while those at the Caribbean Beach Resort did not find such notice.
The Skyliner route includes stops at EPCOT, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and further on to Disney’s Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts. Guests can also utilize the Skyliner to travel to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. While it remains unclear why the closure happened and how long it will last, guests can still access the Skyliner for trips to Hollywood Studios and other resorts as usual.
The 2026 International Festival of the Arts at EPCOT kicked off on the same day as the Skyliner closure, running until Feb. 23. The festival features artwork from various artists throughout the park, along with exclusive food and drink offerings for attendees. Notable artists participating in this year’s festival include Stacey Aoyama, Mark Page, Yesenia Moises, Fenway Fan, and John Coulter.
In a related development, next week is slated for a temporary closure of the entire Skyliner system for refurbishment, from Jan. 25 to 31. During this period, guests visiting Walt Disney World will need to opt for alternative transportation methods such as complimentary buses or boats to navigate between different parks and resorts. Additionally, Disney World experienced a closure of Typhoon Lagoon water park due to unusually cold temperatures in Orlando, which even prompted a Freeze Warning one morning.
As the Skyliner faces a temporary closure for refurbishment and Disney World adapts to inclement weather conditions with park closures, guests are advised to plan accordingly for their visits to the theme park. The interplay between transportation challenges and weather-related closures adds an element of adaptability to the theme park experience, requiring guests to remain flexible during their time at Walt Disney World.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.