Walt Disney World will pause Sassagoula River Cruise service to Disney’s Old Key West Resort for refurbishment work starting July 20th. The closure runs through early August. Disney says the work will take place along that stretch of the boat route, and guests headed to or from Old Key West will need bus service for the duration of the closure instead. Here’s the latest.
Sassagoula River Cruise Skipping Old Key West During Refurb
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Which dates boat service to Old Key West will be suspended
- What transportation changes are being implemented during the closure
Closure Notice Posted by Disney World
Disney has begun notifying guests of the closure:
“From July 20 through early August, refurbishment work will take place along the Sassagoula River Cruise boat route. During this time, boat service to Disney Springs will be temporarily unavailable. Please utilize Walt Disney World bus service.”
The notice applies to boat service to Disney’s Old Key West Resort, not the full Sassagoula River Cruise route. The Sassagoula River Cruise also connects Disney Springs to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Disney has not said those routes are affected.
The Bigger Picture
This refurbishment comes as the Sassagoula River Cruise is already adjusting to a separate change. Guests boarding the cruise at Disney Springs toward a resort now need a valid room key, dining reservation, or experience reservation. That requirement is part of the same permanent policy Disney applied to Disney Springs bus service.
With Old Key West boat service down, guests with a qualifying reason to travel there will need Disney’s bus network instead.
The Story So Far
- Disney first tested Disney Springs bus restrictions during the Easter season, requiring a reservation or resort stay to board.
- Disney later confirmed the restrictions would return permanently and expand to watercraft.
- Disney installed on-site signage at Disney Springs ahead of the restrictions taking effect.
- We took a final open ride on the Sassagoula River Cruise before the reservation requirement began.
- The restrictions took effect June 28th.
- Disney shared more details on resort hopping and how the two-hour reservation boarding window works.
- Disney added the new restrictions to its official website, giving guests a permanent reference point for the bus and watercraft rules.
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!
Guarantee these will return running half the boats they used to. Instead of people operating boats, we get people guarding the dock.
I wonder if the shareholders know how much money Disney is spending to turn away business and alienate locals and passholders.