WDW Busses Getting Locked Down for Non-WDW Guests...

While nothing has been officially confirmed by Disney yet, there have been some consistent reports suggesting that WDW may begin permanently restricting bus transportation from Disney Springs to resort guests only.

I’ll admit, as someone who has definitely “gamed” the bus system over the years as a non-resort guest, this would be a bit of a bummer. If you’re willing to put in a little effort, parking at Disney Springs and using the bus system can open up opportunities for a “free” day resort-hopping—and even getting creative access to the parks if you really plan it out.

That said, I can also understand why Disney might want to tighten things up, especially with increased crowds and demand.

I can't believe they've held off as long as they have. I always thought they didn't crack down on it because the impact on service and money was negligible.

Yea. Kinda shocked it hasn’t happened before now?

They've been doing the same thing for vehicle access---whether your own or a rideshare---to the resorts for several years now. This is another step along that path. I miss being able to e.g. drop in to Riverside for Yee Haw Bob, but I definitely get it. I do enough resort dining that I'll still have plenty of opportunities to visit them. We are here now---yesterday we had breakfast at Kona, today is dinner at Steakhouse 71. Toledo at Coronado Springs in a couple of days.

Yeah, I remember the days when you could park at any resort (with the exception of Boardwalk/Yacht & Beach and the monorail resorts) without needing a dining reservation. I get why you can't anymore, but I used to really enjoy going to the resorts to walk in the evening and grab a snack.

It still depends. I've never had an issue at Coronado, where Three Bridges and Dahlia Lounge are not reservation venues. Hopefully they don't start checking from the parks though. Dropping my kid off while we do the Coronado Crawl is a very favorite activity for us, and he busses back to Coronado. Total family spending adds up to a few hundred bucks. Given the insane 40% summer weekday discount at Toledo and a few other spots, that would be some mixed messaging.

Last year, my wife and I had a late afternoon flight out of MCO, so we had a few hours to kill. We decided to drive over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to walk around, grab lunch, and check out the animals from the public viewing areas. This was a midweek day in September, so "offseason".

When we got to the entrance gate, though, we were turned away. I even tried talking my way in, but the guard wouldn’t budge.

So, it’ll definitely be interesting to see how far these lockdowns go and how strictly they’re enforced moving forward.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve hung around Disney Springs/Downtown/etc. just waiting to go to the airport later in the day. Even on non-Disney trips I wind up at Springs to hang out on the last 1/2 day. I’ve always figured the resorts would be off limits, just knowing what we know from being guests or having to go to a restaurant.

I too remember the days of parking at the resorts for free. I guess I don't particularly have a problem with cracking down on people parking at Springs to go elsewhere. Heck, I used to drive into Disney from the back to avoid the parking fee (until they removed that lesser-known U-turn).

I have heard they might invoke the same policy on the boats that travel between Springs and Port Orleans/Riverside. That would bum me out only because I've done that on more than one occasion just to take a break while family was shopping or to go get a beignet. I don't believe I've ever been on a full boat, and, in fact, I'd be surprised if I was ever on one that was half full.

Assuming this only applies to poor people? Should I bring a bank statement?

We are at Saratoga right now; there was a sign at the Disney Springs boat dock that this will be starting for all Disney Springs -> Resort transport starting on 6/28. (And yes, the boat was full, but it was also at 9PM as the dinner crowd was heading home.)

I suspect this is less about making things better for resort guests and more to make sure that Disney gets their $35/car for any day guests visiting the theme parks.

Do you think that's really a problem, going from Springs to hotel to park? That's like taking an hour out of your day, each way.

The MK and EP do kinda have workarounds. You can bus from DS to the Contemporary and walk over to the MK or bus from DS to Boardwalk/Yacht/Beach and walk to EP.

Still a pain in the rear but I'm sure some do it to avoid paying the $35.

Can you though? That seems to be the thing that they're limiting.

I'm at the Poly right now. I booked a Kona reservation because I had a rough day of interviewing and wanted some resort treatment before picking up my kid from MK. Inside it's so busy, but despite the construction, they have an awful lot of parking available. The family at the next table were also local. This spot has the added thing where they have Pineapple Lanai, Trader Sam's (outside is closed) and boat rentals. Lots of opportunity to spend without being a guest. I used to do boat rentals annually. I wonder what their take is now.