Disney Springs has implemented restrictions on who can utilize the bus service to the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. The restriction was put in place recently, and we made it out to Disney Springs to learn more about the restrictions and what you can expect if you’re visiting soon.
Disney Springs Bus Restrictions Now In Place
This weekend, Disney Springs implemented a restriction on which guests can utilize the bus transportation from Disney Springs to Walt Disney World Resort hotels. As we understand it, the restriction is temporary and will likely be lifted next week.
Even with its temporary nature, the restriction has kicked off a social media frenzy. We decided to head out to Disney Springs to learn more about the restriction, including which guests are still allowed to use the bus service, and which guests will need to seek alternative transportation.
First off, the restriction isn’t currently planned to be a permanent change. The restriction is only in place due to elevated crowd levels during the Easter season. With higher-than-normal crowds, Disney is likely aiming to ensure that transportation remains available to guests who are either staying at a Disney Resort hotel or guests who have a dining reservation at the hotel.
From what we’ve heard, hundreds of guests are being turned away daily.
Guests who have an active reservation at a resort hotel are eligible to utilize the bus transportation. An active reservation could be a hotel stay, a dining reservation, or a bookable activity.
Guests who do not qualify are being informed that bus transportation to resort hotels is currently reserved for resort guests. Knowledgeable Guest Relations Cast Members are working as gatekeepers to the bus service, and are doing a good job of helping guests figure out the best way to get where they’re going.
While the restriction can be frustrating, it’s worth noting that this is not the first time that this has happened, and it’s likely not going to be the last time. Walt Disney World has implemented similar restrictions at Disney Springs during other periods of higher-than-average crowd levels, such as the holiday season late last year.
While Walt Disney World did not return a request for more information about the closure, we understand that the restriction will be lifted once the busy Easter period passes.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
We called ahead of time and verified that we did not need a reservation at Art of Animation Studios to be able to come onto property and take pictures with the life-size Cars replicas. I have an autistic son who is 5 years old and Cars is his life. We wanted to do this for him to make him smile. We arrived at the Art of Animation studios and were turned away at the gate and told to go to Disney Springs and park and take a bus to the Resort from there. Ok we were planning on going to Disney Springs after that so we thought that would just be a minor inconvenience but understandable. We arrived at Disney Studios at 10am on Sunday morning and were met with the rudest gate person who told us that she did not know what else to tell us but that we were not able to do what we were told. She then called her supervisor who was rude as well. On the way back to the car with my 5-year-old crying I called Disney customer service. I was instructed that the only way that I can get to the Art of Animation resort was to go to Hollywood Studios and pay $35 for parking. Once I arrived there, we could take the Skyline to the Art of Animation studios. My wife was highly skeptical due to being told the wrong information twice already, but we did this. This way worked and we were able to go take pictures for his 5th birthday. All the employees at Art of Animation were super friendly and they all told him happy birthday. He was smiling from ear to ear, but the rest of this Disney experience left a bad taste in our mouth.