Sorry travelers, Disney has said enough with the freebies.
The operator of the “Most Magical Place on Earth” just southwest of Orlando, Florida, is cracking down on a resort-hopping practice that previously allowed visitors to park at Disney Springs for free and take free public transportation to resorts without needing to stay overnight.
The crackdown began on June 28, when guests leaving Disney Springs for a resort hotel by bus or boat began getting stopped and asked to show proof of a hotel stay, excursion, or dining reservation. For dinner reservations, you must board within two hours of your booking time.
Disney Springs is a free-admission outdoor shopping, entertainment, and dining district that has long been used as a starting point for guests to visit resorts or avoid theme park parking fees that start at $35.
The change does not affect bus and boat transportation at Disney theme parks, only Disney Spring bus loops and the Sassagoula River Cruise, according to Fox 35.
Walt Disney did not respond to Moneywise’s request for comment in time for publication.
How far will Disney’s policy changes go?
It’s not clear how far Disney will take its new policy, but what is clear is that it’s likely here to stay.
According to the local Fox outlet, Disney began testing the new policy during busy times at the resort. During spring break, for example, guests had their Magic Bands scanned prior to boarding buses to confirm that they were guests.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort also restricted its beach and pool to guests wearing wristbands, so that non-guests couldn’t watch Magic Kingdom’s Fourth of July fireworks show for free.
And, according to Disney guests on X, Disney World staff has also begun to check reservations between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, as reported by Inside The Magic.
The changes at Walt Disney World limit free transportation from Disney Springs to resort hotels and theme parks. But Walt Disney World guests, Annual Passholders, and off-site guests can still make their way around.
They just cannot use Disney Springs as a jumping off point anymore. Disney encourages guests to park at theme parks and then use free public transportation.
This allows guests access to the four major theme parks, two water parks, and 30 hotels at Walt Disney World.
Danni Santana is a journalist based out of New York City with a decade of experience reporting and editing business stories about retail, restaurants, sports, and personal finance.
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