If you are the kind of person who comes home from a Walt Disney World trip and immediately wonders how to bring a little of that atmosphere into your living room, you are in the right place. In this studio project, we took our existing fleet of 3D printed Disney Skyliner cabins and turned them into the centerpiece of a full Disney Skyliner Christmas tree.
The video walks through the entire decorating process in real time, from talking about family traditions to wrestling with lights and carefully hanging fragile ornaments. This article breaks the same project down into clear, achievable steps so you can build your own Skyliner inspired tree at home, even if you are new to 3D printing or just dipping your toes into DIY holiday decor.
If you want a deeper look at how the gondola ornaments were made, you can watch our 3D Printed Disney Skyliner Cabins video and read our companion guide on the site.
Key Takeaways
- You can build a Skyliner themed Christmas tree with any artificial tree you already own.
- 3D printed gondola ornaments create the signature look, but non printed alternatives also work well.
- Thoughtful lighting and balanced ornament placement help the cabins glow without overwhelming the tree.
Choose Your Tree And Theme
A Disney Skyliner Christmas tree works with almost any tree size, as long as the ornaments have room to breathe. You do not need a specialty tree or anything officially branded. The goal is to create the impression of small, colorful cabins drifting through soft evening light.
What We Used
- A slim artificial tree that fits comfortably in our studio
- Warm white LED lights so the gondolas remain the focus
- Enough height that the top ornaments still feel like they are “in the sky”
Considerations For Your Space
Tree Size. For most homes, a 6 to 7.5 foot tree works well. A slim profile helps if you only have a handful of gondola ornaments.
Light Color. Warm white lights offer a classic holiday look, while cool white creates a more modern feel similar to Disney’s Riviera Resort. Colored lights can work, but they compete with the bright cabin art.
Overall Theme. Decide early whether your tree will be:
- A fully dedicated Disney Skyliner tree
- A transportation inspired tree with monorails, buses, or boats
- A broader Disney tree where the Skyliner ornaments are the highlight
We treated the gondolas as the star and added a few ride and snack ornaments to support the theme without overwhelming it.
Print Or Gather Your Skyliner Ornaments
Our ornaments began as mini 3D printed gondola cabins. We adapted a fan made model from MakerWorld, printed test versions on our Bambu Lab printer, and designed custom paper inserts inspired by rides, snacks, and transportation icons around Walt Disney World.
Option 1: 3D Print Your Own Gondolas
- Look for a gondola style model on a reputable file site such as MakerWorld.
- Print in PLA colors that coordinate with your holiday palette.
- A size between a golf ball and a small apple works best for visibility.
- Gently test the strength of the posts and roof so you know how to handle each ornament while decorating.
Option 2: No Printer Needed
You can still capture the Skyliner look with simple craft materials:
- Use small rectangular box ornaments and decorate them with gondola inspired decals.
- Print 2D gondola silhouettes on cardstock, laminate them, and hang them as flat ornaments.
- Repurpose cube shaped ornaments and draw windows or snack icons with paint pens.
The goal is not a perfect replica. Think more about the feeling of colorful cabins gliding overhead.
Prepare Fragile Ornaments For Hanging
PLA prints look great but can be fragile around the attachment points. Spend a few minutes preparing each ornament before decorating.
- Check for small cracks or weak points from previous handling.
- Use lightweight metal hooks to avoid stressing the printed loops.
- Add a ribbon loop if the plastic feels thin. Ribbon distributes weight and becomes part of the look.
- Keep a small repair kit nearby with plastic safe superglue for quick fixes.
String The Lights With Gondolas In Mind
Lighting is one of the most important parts of a Skyliner style tree. Each gondola should glow gently, similar to how real cabins look during evening rides on the Disney Skyliner.
- Turn the lights on as you decorate so you can see bright spots and dark patches.
- Wrap the tree with your main strands first, then step back before adding ornaments.
- Create small highlight zones behind where each gondola will hang.
- Avoid pressing bulbs directly against PLA prints to keep everything looking clean and comfortable.
Think of the lights as the “atmosphere” the cabins travel through. You are aiming for a soft evening glow.
Hang Your Skyliner Ornaments
This is the moment the tree starts to feel like the Skyliner. Instead of placing ornaments randomly, stagger them at different heights and angles so they feel like they are drifting around the tree.
- Place a few near the top where they feel elevated.
- Add ornaments at varying heights for visual rhythm.
- Angle a few to show both the front and side panels.
- Step back often to make sure the tree reads clearly from across the room.
If you plan to film your tree, rotate your favorite inserts toward your primary camera position.
Fill In With Supporting Ornaments
Once the gondolas are secure, you can add supporting ornaments that enhance the theme without overshadowing it.
What Works Well With A Skyliner Theme
- Hotel references such as Pop Century Resort or Art of Animation Resort
- Snack ornaments inspired by treats you enjoy on Skyliner days
- Transportation icons like monorails or buses used sparingly so the gondolas stay central
The story should remain simple. In our case, it was a tree inspired by days spent riding the Skyliner and exploring nearby resorts.
Choose A Meaningful Topper
A topper finishes the visual line of the tree. You do not need a specialized piece. A simple star or a small geometric shape that subtly echoes a support tower works well. Keep the topper lightweight and stable, especially if you plan to film from low angles.
Turn It Into A Tradition
This project lends itself naturally to an annual tradition. You might add one new gondola each year, theme ornaments to different resorts, or revisit Skyliner memories while decorating. Marking the bottom of each ornament with the year or a short memory can make the collection meaningful over time.
Tips For Filming Your Tree
If you enjoy documenting your builds the way we do, these small filming habits help:
- Turn off overhead lights so the tree sets the mood.
- Tap to lock focus on the gondola you want featured.
- Film a slow orbit shot for a gentle Skyliner style movement.
- Capture close ups of your favorite cabins for B roll.
What To Do Next
If you want to create your own gondola ornaments, start with our 3D Printed Disney Skyliner Cabins video and the written guide. For more at home Disney projects, explore our other DIY builds and recipe inspired posts.
Everything in this project is personal fan art for home display. It is inspired by the feeling of the Disney Skyliner rather than exact replicas of official artwork or merchandise. If you share your tree online, keep it clearly in the spirit of independent creativity.
We would love to see your version of a Disney Skyliner Christmas tree. Tag us at Replicate the Magic and tell us what you decided to hang in your own little line in the sky, and of course, like and subscribe to Replicate the Magic so you do not miss our next build.
