The company behind the “Most Magical Place on Earth” near Orlando, Florida, has moved to stop a resort-hopping practice that previously enabled visitors to park free of charge at Disney Springs before using the complimentary transportation system to access Disney resorts without booking an overnight stay.
The new restrictions took effect on June 28, with guests travelling from Disney Springs to resort hotels by bus or boat now being required to present proof of a hotel reservation, a scheduled activity, or a dining booking before boarding. Visitors with restaurant reservations must also depart no earlier than two hours before their reservation time.
Disney Springs, an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment destination with free admission, has long served as a convenient access point for visitors heading to Disney resorts or looking to avoid theme park parking charges, which begin at $35.
The updated policy applies only to transportation departing from Disney Springs, including its bus routes and the Sassagoula River Cruise, and does not affect bus or boat services operating from Disney’s theme parks.
Although the full extent of Disney’s updated policy remains uncertain, the measures appear set to remain in place.
According to local broadcaster Fox, Disney initially introduced the checks on a trial basis during peak periods. During the spring break season, for instance, visitors were required to scan their MagicBands before boarding resort buses to verify that they were registered Disney resort guests.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also limited access to its beach and swimming pool to visitors wearing resort-issued wristbands, preventing non-guests from using the area to watch the Magic Kingdom Fourth of July fireworks at no cost.
Reports shared by Disney visitors on X further suggest that staff have started checking reservations for guests travelling between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
The updated rules at Walt Disney World mainly affect complimentary transport departing from Disney Springs to resort hotels and theme parks.
While Walt Disney World guests, Annual Passholders, and visitors staying off-site can still access Disney’s transportation network, they will no longer be able to use Disney Springs as their starting point. Instead, Disney advises guests to park at its theme parks before using the resort’s free transportation services.
Under this arrangement, visitors can still use Disney’s complimentary transportation network to reach its four main theme parks, two water parks, and 30 resort hotels across Walt Disney World.
