As we reported yesterday, starting permanently next week, non-resort guests will no longer be allowed to board resort buses at Disney Springs. Today, we have confirmed this will also include the Disney Springs resort boat transportation.
Disney Springs Non-Resort Guest Bus and Watercraft Ban
Disney World is reportedly cracking down on free parking loopholes and resort access by making Disney Springs resort bus and watercraft verification permanent after July 4th!
Following preliminary tests around the New Year and a more robust trial run during the busy Easter season, the verification process will return on June 28th, just ahead of the July 4th holiday week and then will remain in place permanently.
We were told by Cast Members today that, in addition to the bus transportation, watercraft will also be subject to resort verification to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (including the Treehouse Villas).
Moving forward, guests will need to scan and prove eligibility before boarding a resort-bound bus or boat. To clear the verification checkpoint at Disney Springs, you will need to hold one of the following:
- An active Walt Disney World resort hotel reservation
- A confirmed dining reservation at a Disney resort hotel
- A confirmed resort recreation activity booking (such as a boat cruise)
During the recent trial windows, Cast Members were stationed at the Disney Springs bus loop scanning MagicBands and tickets. The process was deemed highly successful at freeing up bus capacity for actual resort guests. More importantly, it directly targets a long-standing practice where day-guests park for free at Disney Springs and use resort transportation to bypass the theme park parking fees.
Currently, these verification checks will be restricted entirely to Disney Springs. However, Disney is reportedly evaluating whether it is feasible to expand this scanning process to other transportation hubs and alternative transit methods across the property in the future.
What do you think about Disney making verification permanent at Disney Springs? Do you think this will help cut down on wait times, or just add more hassle to your shopping day? Let us know your thoughts on social media!
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