The Walt Disney World Resort is updating its transportation policy for buses and boats leaving Disney Springs to go to different Disney Resort Hotels. Starting on June 28, 2026, those who want to board a bus or boat will need to be a paying guest at a Disney Resort Hotel. Signs in Disney Springs now tell about the following updates for guests who are visiting:
Beginning June 28, 2026, Walt Disney World Transportation service from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels is available for Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel or visiting one with a valid dining or experience reservation.
Disney Springs
The Details
Guests may board a Walt Disney World Bus Service or the Sassagoula River Cruise from Disney Springs to go to Disney Resort Hotels will need:
- Disney Resort Hotel room key or MagicBand
- Dining reservation (may board up to two hours before the reservation)
- Enchanting Extras reservation at a Disney Resort Hotel (may board up to two hours before the reservation)
The Why
Ultimately, this is about guest experience for guests who have paid to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel or have an experience at one of them. This is a policy that will stop people from utilizing the free parking at Disney Springs to avoid paying for parking in the parks or elsewhere. At the end of the day, The Walt Disney Company is a business and has a responsibility to give the best experience it can to its paying customers. This policy change is an effort to do that.
Now Disney Experiences Chairman, Thomas Mazloum, has stated that hospitality and delivering a good guest experience are a priority for him and the Company. This hospitality at Disney Resort Hotels will be reserved for paying guests at those Disney Resort Hotels.
The Bottom Line
Moving forward, Disney is currently saying that the transportation that departs from Disney Springs to its Disney Resort Hotels is for paying customers. It is not for those who aren’t paying guests. It is not for guests at local hotels who have walked into Disney Springs.
The new policy will not impact guests staying at any Disney Resort Hotel at Walt Disney World Resort. It will continue to allow them to hop on buses and visit the different resort hotels. In some ways, it will increase the strength of the Disney bubble.
This will be the new policy for the foreseeable future. As is always the case with Disney, things can change as they evaluate things. However, this is a simple change that is meant to make the experience for Disney guests better. This could make things simpler and easier for guests wanting to return to their hotel or head to a hotel for a dining reservation or Enchanted Experience.
