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Disney Foodies Will LOVE a Stay at a Skyliner Resort

Disney Foodies Will LOVE a Stay at a Skyliner Resort


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If you are debating where you should stay on your Walt Disney World vacation and you love food, you need to consider a stay at a Skyliner Resort. We have all the details for you.

The Disney Skyliner

Credit: Katie P

Introduced in the fall of 2019, the Disney Skyliner quickly became a popular way to travel around The Walt Disney World Resort. These individual gondolas take you and your party up into the sky for your journey and allow you to see Disney World like never before. Many consider it an attraction that must be experienced just like any other ride at Disney.

Part of its popularity is the ease of access it provides to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While you often have to wait for other transportation options like the monorail, boats, and bus, the Skyliner operates using a continuous loading process. This means that any lines that form move along very quickly, saving you valuable minutes.

credit: Jamie

And, the flights are relatively quick. For example, you can get from Caribbean Beach to Hollywood Studios in less than 5 minutes! It will take a little longer to get to Epcot from both Pop Century and Art of Animation as it requires a transfer. However, unless there are mechanical or weather-related issues, the ride is typically a breeze.

However, the benefits of being on a Skyliner resort are not limited to the ease of access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It also makes getting to some of Walt Disney World’s best restaurants quick and easy. In fact, staying on the Skyliner can easily be a Disney Foodie’s dream!

Skyliner Resorts

Credit: KtP

Several resorts provide Guest access to the Disney Skyliner. These include Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

The Disney Skyliner also has a loading station at International Gateway. This means it is a quick walk from all of the EPCOT area resorts including Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve.

Credit: Ashley

This is significant because not only do each of these resorts have easy access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but the Skyliner also affords the resorts in its path quick access to one another. This opens up a lot of easily accessible dining options for Guests at any of the resorts with Skyliner access.

Even better, some of Walt Disney World’s VERY best restaurants are among the options at resorts along the Skyliner. From quick-service restaurants to character meals to signature experiences, you will find hotly popular restaurants in every category. In fact, you could probably devote an entire vacation to dining around the Skyliner if you wanted to.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Credit: Monica

Let’s start our Skyliner Foodie Tour with Disney’s Riviera Resort. It is an excellent place to start because every single dining location here is top-notch.

Primo Piatto is easily the best quick-service restaurant at any Walt Disney World resort hotel to date. From its delicious breakfasts of pancakes to its unique lunch and dinner offerings, there is something good to be had all day long.

You can read a review of Primo Piatto right here. You should also know it is home to one of Disney’s best salads, which you can read about here.

Credit: Susan

It also has what is arguably the best character dining experience on property. Topolino’s Terrace offers breakfast with Mickey and friends. Not only are the characters delightful, but the entrees are flavorful and delicious, making it one of Disney’s best places to eat breakfast. With choices ranging from steak and eggs to sour cream waffles it is no wonder that aside from securing a reservation, the most difficult part about eating here is deciding which of the fantastic options to order! You can read a review of Topolino’s breakfast here.

Even better, Topolino’s Terrace also offers one of the best signature dinner experiences in Walt Disney World. You can read a full review here. In fact, it offers the best steak in Walt Disney World.

Credit: KatieP

Finally, it has another “best” option. Rivera is home to the best resort coffee shop in Walt Disney World. Sure, they all serve Joffrey’s brews and blends, but there is something that sets Le Petite Cafe apart from the rest. You can grab a coffee just about everywhere, but I (Katie) sure do love it when the whim for a coffee strikes while I am at Riviera.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Photo Credit: Heather

Perhaps one of Disney’s best-kept dining secrets lies at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Sebastian’s Bistro is a fun prix-fixe menu-style restaurant that has quietly taken the Disney dining world by storm. People especially love the bread pudding at the end of the meal.

You can read a full review of the delicious cuisine at Sebastian’s right here. And, you can check out some menu updates right here.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Credit: Katie

Disney’s Beach Club is home to one of Disney’s most popular restaurants: Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. While the menu here does not feature any particularly impressive works of culinary greatness, it is a fun dining experience. Plus it is a safe bet if you want to please a diverse group of palates that includes picky eaters.

I have never had a bad time at Beaches & Cream and have never regretted selecting it for lunch or dinner. Plus the dessert options are fabulous, especially if you love ice cream. In fact, it has one of the best desserts for people who love peanut butter. You can find a full Beaches & Cream review here or here.

Another fun dining option here is Cape May Cafe. Now that the characters have returned, Cape May is a wonderful option for a character breakfast! While the food is not as good as Topolino’s, it is still pretty good, and the characters are so much fun. You can read a full review here and here.

Disney’s BaordWalk Inn

Credit: Kate

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is also home to some delicious dining options of its own. First up is one of Disney’s most underrated signature experiences. Flying Fish serves up delicious seafood including what is arguably the best lobster bisque on property. You can read a review here.

Next, if you love the idea of Beaches & Cream ice cream but could not score a dining reservation, BoardWalk Ice Cream is a good alternative. Cast Members can dish up similar items for you.

Credit: KatieP

We miss enjoying the Bon Voyage character breakfast at Trattoria al Forno and hope it returns soon! However, did you know that while characters have not returned, you can still enjoy popular breakfast options? Moreover, Guests can order delicious Italian food during dinner. For a full review of both meals, head over here.

Finally, if you like to enjoy Walt Disney World nightlife, you can enjoy some of the best fun you will ever have after dinner. Simply head over to Jellyrolls for a night of drinks, dueling pianos, and non-stop entertainment. Be aware that there is a cover charge to enter, but it is well worth it. For a full review, head over here.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Swan Reserve

Credit: KatieP

Although the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are not Disney owned, it is an official Disney hotel. Walt Disney World Guests can book meals here and combine the skyline and a short walk to get to the restaurants.

At the Dolphin, you will find Shula’s, which is an excellent choice if you want to dine on steak. You can read a review right here. Other restaurants you may consider visiting at this pair of resorts are Todd English’s Bluezoo and Il Mulino.

The Swan Reserve is also home to exciting dining. Here, you will find Amare and Fountain.

EPCOT

Credit: Susan

In addition to having access to lots of fantastic resort dining options, another benefit of staying at a Skyliner hotel is that you can get to EPCOT quickly if you want to enjoy a meal. Even better, Guests of hotels near International Gateway can simply walk or take a boat!

With so many great dining options in World Showcase and seasonal festivals complete with food booths, there is always something delicious to discover at EPCOT. Be sure to see which festivals are happening during your visit and check out all the menus in Character Locator.

Credit: KatieP

Here is a guide to dining around World Showcase. And, here are reviews of some of our KTP team’s favorite restaurants around EPCOT.

Final Thoughts

Credit: KtP writer

If you are staying along the Skyliner, you will have no shortage of good things to eat with minimal effort required in terms of transportation. It will take you soaring to some of Disney’s very best quick service locations, table service restaurants, signature dining experiences, and character meals.

All in all, if you decide to stay at a Skyliner resort, you will likely find that you are not disappointed in the least. So climb aboard and have a nice flight (and a nice bite).

Do you know someone who is planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to pass this along so that they can share in the Foodie information. Have you dined at any of the restaurants accessible by Skyliner? Which are your favorites? Feel free to let us know if we missed any of them in the comments!

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