Getting around Walt Disney World is about to become a little different for some guests.
Disney has started placing signs around the Disney Springs transportation area warning visitors about a new verification policy that will officially begin on June 28. While the changes have been rumored for months, the new signage confirms that Disney is moving forward with the plan.
According to WDWMAGIC, guests traveling from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels will soon need qualifying reservations before boarding Disney transportation.
That includes both buses and water taxis serving Disney Resort hotels.
Under the new rules, guests must have an active Disney Resort reservation, a dining reservation at a Disney hotel, or another confirmed resort experience reservation. Without one of those reservations, transportation access may be denied.
The move comes after Disney conducted trial runs of the verification process during some of the busiest travel periods of the year. Those tests appeared to focus on limiting transportation use to guests who had legitimate reasons to visit resort hotels.
Disney Springs has long been a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. However, it has also become a popular starting point for guests looking to reach other areas of Walt Disney World property.
Some visitors would park at Disney Springs and then use buses or boats to access nearby resorts. Disney has never officially promoted that strategy, and many resort guests argued that it contributed to overcrowded transportation lines.
By introducing reservation verification, Disney hopes to reserve transportation resources for guests staying at its hotels or visiting resorts for specific reasons.
The question now is whether the change will noticeably improve the guest experience.
Transportation complaints have existed at Walt Disney World for years. Long waits, packed buses, and inconsistent service remain common frustrations during busy travel periods.
While the new policy could reduce some demand, Disney has not announced plans to add more buses or increase transportation capacity.
As a result, some guests believe the change addresses who can use the system rather than improving the system itself.
Regardless of where guests stand on the issue, the policy is now just days away from becoming reality.
The newly installed signs serve as Disney's clearest warning yet that transportation access from Disney Springs is about to change. Anyone planning to rely on resort transportation after June 28 should make sure they understand the new requirements before heading to Walt Disney World.
