Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most popular amusement parks in the United States, bringing in about 50 million visitors each year, according to Road Genius. However, the cost of a visit may still be out of reach for some families.
For example, last year, a visitor on social media shared the grim reality of the daily cost of a Disney World visit for his family of five, leaving viewers shocked when the total exceeded $1,000. Additionally, following Disney’s announcement of dynamic pricing last year, concerns about high admission prices have prompted travelers to look for ways to save wherever possible.
One workaround was a free “hack” made popular by social media influencers that involved parking for free at Disney Springs and using complimentary buses or boats to reach Disney resorts. But now, the amusement park has introduced a new verification rule that prevents some visitors from using those services.
The decision to close this loophole has left fans divided, with many disappointed to lose a free option that helped give them access to more of the Disney magic.
Some Walt Disney World Visitors Can No Longer Use Disney Springs Buses And Boats
Disney Springs Taxi Boat on Lake Buena VistaCredit: Viavaltours | Dreamstime.com
Starting on June 28, 2026, according to Fox 35 Orlando, Walt Disney World visitors must verify that they are eligible before boarding resort-bound buses or boats from Disney Springs. The amusement park’s website says guests wanting to use this free transportation option will need to show a Cast Member one of three things:
A valid resort hotel room key
A dining reservation
An experience reservation
However, it is worth noting that those with a valid reservation who are staying off-property can only board transportation to the appropriate resort within two hours of their reservation time.
Disney Springs in Orlando, FloridaCredit: via Shutterstock
This caveat corresponds with one visitor’s experience with the new verification process on its first day of operation. Although the guest wasn’t staying at a resort hotel, they were allowed to board after showing a reservation for ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in the app.
“I am not staying on Disney property, but I had a reservation at ‘Ohana. I just showed the Cast Member my reservation on the app, and she let me right through. … The bus and boat transportation from Disney Springs is only for people staying on Disney property or people who have a dining reservation within 2 hours,” the visitor wrote on Reddit.
It’s also important to note that the new policy doesn’t prevent off-site visitors from entering Disney Springs. On its website, the company hasn’t made any other announcements and continues to advertise complimentary parking in surface lots and parking garages near Disney Springs. However, the rule does eliminate a popular free parking hack that has been circulating among park fans on social media.
The New Rule Eliminates A Popular Free Parking Hack
Before the new verification policy took effect, some off-site visitors used the buses at Disney Springs as a money-saving transportation workaround. Since self-parking in this district is complimentary, guests would leave their vehicles there and board a free bus or boat to a resort.
Disney Springs doesn’t provide direct bus service to the theme parks, so visitors would instead transfer at one of the resorts to another form of complimentary Disney transportation that could take them closer to their final destination.
“Parking at [Disney Springs] is free as far as I am aware, so they’d park there and then bus to a resort… and then bus to a park. It apparently saved [about] $30 if you don’t mind losing time,” wrote one Redditor.
Avoiding parking fees wasn’t the only way visitors used the loophole. Some commenters said groups were also parking at Disney Springs and traveling to resort hotels to use amenities that were intended for paying guests, including pools, games, and other activities.
“I also read in some threads about people who park for free at Disney Springs and take a bus to a resort hotel to use the pools. There [are] apparently whole groups of people who do this. They bring their kids to play in the pools [and] splash pads, play the games, marshmallow roasts, etc., that are meant for paying hotel guests,” another Redditor wrote.
Although the new rule may help protect resort amenities, not everyone agrees with the change.
Disney Fans Have Mixed Reactions To The Change
Stunning Disney Springs Portal At Orlando In Florida United States. Sunny Day Orlando United States. Magic Kingdom Entrance. Walt Disney Scene.Credit: via Shutterstock
The new transportation policy has sparked mixed reactions among fans online. Some visitors are frustrated that off-site guests will no longer be able to use buses and boats from Disney Springs freely. Critics also argue that the change is part of a broader pattern of rising costs at Disney parks.
Others, however, were glad to see Disney implementing stricter rules, especially after learning about the hack that allowed some visitors to use Disney Springs as a free parking and transfer point.
“Wow. Just wow. Downvote me all you want, but this is really upsetting. Including the water taxis too, those 15-dollar beignets just became $45. Ridiculous.”
“Over the last 10+ years, Disney has abandoned their commitment to service and exceptionalism. Their current business model is to nickel and dime everyone who sets foot on their property.”
“I’m grateful they’re doing this.”
“There are obviously many people with varying thoughts on who’s to blame or the appropriateness of the policy, but I, for one, am not surprised when it was discovered that it was a way of circumventing the parking fee for a park.”
As more parkgoers encounter the new bus and boat restrictions at Disney Springs, reactions will likely remain mixed. Whether budget-conscious visitors find another loophole to reach the Most Magical Place on Earth remains to be seen.