News Disney Springs Bus Service to Resorts Now Requires Reservation Verification

[Animaniac93-98]

Regarding this change, though, isn't Disney Springs a unique part of the system where the WDW resort internal transportation system comes into contact with the external world/transportation?

Of course, Disney Springs is still on WDW property, but DS is specifically designed to be accessible to the exterior world in a way that the rest of the resort is not. This includes the free parking and public bus routes. So, having an extra check at this one point to transfer into the WDW transportation system doesn't seem that outlandish or complicated to me.

Except where the Lynx bus drops you off and where the Disney busses are are no where near each other and very much separated. It's not one shared terminal like in a normal transit system where you transfer from one regional bus to another.

Someone transfering from a local bus to a Disney bus has to take a bit of effort to do so and I doubt there's that much overlap happening.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Except where the Lynx bus drops you off and where the Disney busses are are no where near each other and very much separated. It's not one shared terminal like in a normal transit system where you transfer from one regional bus to another.

Someone transfering from a local bus to a Disney bus has to take a bit of effort to do so and I doubt there's that much overlap happening.

Maybe in terms of the public bus system the link is not too important (as has been pointed out regarding buses also running to TTC). However, there is significant infrastructure there in terms of free parking designed to entice people to that one venue on the edge of the property who aren't necessarily staying at the resort which isn't true of anywhere else on the system. I think the point still stands, therefore, that this is a unique stop within the Disney transportation network where it comes into contact with significant numbers of people who aren't actually staying at the resort.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

So is your argument against the free parking at Disney Springs?

If that’s what’s causing the problem, yes.

How do you know?

You don’t think any non-revenue line item isn’t being closely examined, especially during crowded times and ballooning energy costs?

Because Disney said it’s because of the parking issue at Disney Springs - and those bus lines are not operating at capacity during the day. Even during crowded times (it’s not even that crowded - all 4 parks are available all week)

 

[Disstevefan1]

who do the Josh defenders blame this one on?

You know, like how all of the other unpopular, anti-guest initiatives that happened between 2020-2026 were always someone else’s doing.

In my opinion -

I am not sure TWDC had a leader with guts to put the guest first in a long time. Maybe that ended with Walt.

Josh will not be one, he will make no waves, he will defer to the "experts" around him, and his experts only care about the business of the company and what needs to be done to keep the stock price stable as possible.

Josh will ride this money train till the wheels come off.

 

[Tha Realest]

I have often wondered about when they will begin charging for parking. The moment I saw the garages go up I always thought it was not a matter of if, it was a matter of when they will begin to charge for parking.

I suspect the tenants of Disney Springs DO NOT want potential customers to pay for parking.

Disney holds all the cards here. They will do what they will do with little consideration for their tenants and guests.

Only time will tell..

Guests? Sure. Tenants likely have a lot more recourse if DS suddenly charges for parking.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Guests? Sure. Tenants likely have a lot more recourse if DS suddenly charges for parking.

Only if it’s included in the lease terms. Downtown Disney and City Walk charge for parking.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Guests? Sure. Tenants likely have a lot more recourse if DS suddenly charges for parking.

I have wondered if there is anything in their lease agreement about free parking? Maybe?

In any event, as I said, Disney is the landlord, Disney holds all the cards.

Guest or tenant, we just have to deal with changes.

Just like we have been doing, some for decades....

 

[castlecake2.0]

My wife and I visit the resorts every year to see the gingerbread decorations at Christmas and the Easter eggs at Easter. A few years ago security stopped letting us park at each resort because the holidays are always a very busy time at the resorts and told us that we needed to go to Disney Springs and catch the bus to the resorts. We just did that last week. Now we can't even do that? Now, in order to see these yearly decorations we....as locals....need to book a stay at each resort???? How much more can Disney show that they DO NOT GIVE A CRAP about locals??? Soon we'll have to pay to park at the Springs

The parking at DS is owned/operated by The District, with part of the agreement being that it remains free. And no, just don’t go the week of thanksgiving/xmas/NYE, or book a dining reservation at one of the resorts you want to visit.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nope I didn't miss it at all. Living there necessarily doesn't mean either working there for low wages or even working at all If you have the necessary skills or retire with sufficient resources, your wage argument doesn't apply. Some dont have to grift as Vloggers to afford to attend whatever park they want whenever they want.

Blah blah blah…
It’s a service town

The averages are low.

Doesn’t mean there aren’t doctors, lawyers, real estate agents and thieving bankers

..enjoy the palace in Four Corners

 

[Tha Realest]

In my opinion -

I am not sure TWDC had a leader with guts to put the guest first in a long time. Maybe that ended with Walt.

Josh will not be one, he will make no waves, he will defer to the "experts" around him, and his experts only care about the business of the company and what needs to be done to keep the stock price stable as possible.

Josh will ride this money train till the wheels come off.

His hands were tied.

Other theme park operators do it.

It was already in the works by Iger.

Guest surveys show they are willing to pay a slight premium for a better transportation experience.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

His hands were tied.

This wasn’t a CEO or Head of Parks decision.

I’m guessing it was a Disney Springs specific decision? I’m sure Disney Springs has a VP or equivalent don’t they?

 

[OceanBlue]

As a resort guest at the Grand Floridian during Xmas-New Years week this year, I encountered the entire ramp and Bus area at the hotel was at capacity with 100+ people all waiting to take the bus back to Disney Springs. We would have needed to wait for multiple buses if we wanted to go to DS from our hotel. When our bus to AK pulled up it was confusing and stressful to make it through the waiting crowd to board before that bus left (and also figure out no one else was waiting for it) Unfortunately all the "hacks" and worse have been spammed on social media and it's become problematic across a couple different aspects of the resort experience.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

As a resort guest at the Grand Floridian during Xmas-New Years week this year, I encountered the entire ramp and Bus area at the hotel was at capacity with 100+ people all waiting to take the bus back to Disney Springs.

I’m guessing you didn’t ask how many of them were staying at MK resort, or how many of them were going to Hollywood Studios?

The smaller bus stops with only one pickup do get a bit crowded and confusing at times.

I’m guessing that’s one of the reasons they are working on the poly bus stop? Because with the new DVC tower that has to increase the numbers using that stop now. Maybe Grand will be next?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This wasn’t a CEO or Head of Parks decision.

I’m guessing it was a Disney Springs specific decision? I’m sure Disney Springs has a VP or equivalent don’t they?

Possible…because it’s so Minor

No financial decisions are made by any underlings…Those come from the number crunchers

So maybe

But it’s for show. It’s likely to make those paying for $850 rooms fell better about themselves…nothing more

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

But it’s for show. It’s likely to make those paying for $850 rooms fell better about themselves…nothing more

Nah, I believe the official story. It makes the most sense. If parking is filling up at Disney Springs - that is a solution. But the problem is I have no way of “proving” I don’t have a car in Florida period, let alone Disney Springs garage so I can’t use the bus either.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nah, I believe the official story. It makes the most sense. If parking is filling up at Disney Springs - that is a solution. But the problem is I have no way of “proving” I don’t have a car in Florida period, let alone Disney Springs garage so I can’t use the bus either.

If the parking lots are full…springs is still mobbed and that’s the whole point of the place…

I know morons go on Reddit to get tips…but the juice still isn’t worth the squeeze for most scams…

 

[OceanBlue]

I’m guessing you didn’t ask how many of them were staying at MK resort, or how many of them were going to Hollywood Studios?

The smaller bus stops with only one pickup do get a bit crowded and confusing at times.

I’m guessing that’s one of the reasons they are working on the poly bus stop? Because with the new DVC tower that has to increase the numbers using that stop now. Maybe Grand will be next?

I didn't have to. Multiple people said "we're all waiting for Disney Springs" in a semi frustrated way when I shouted out if anyone was going to AK before we missed the bus that was blocked by people not moving.

 

[Ayla]

Go back and get your car and drive to Springs... pretty easy.

Nope. Because they are doing what Disney told them to do and now they are stranded at DS.

 

[Ayla]

The parking at DS is owned/operated by The District, with part of the agreement being that it remains free. And no, just don’t go the week of thanksgiving/xmas/NYE, or book a dining reservation at one of the resorts you want to visit.

So spend more money is your answer?

 

[Ayla]

I didn't have to. Multiple people said "we're all waiting for Disney Springs" in a semi frustrated way when I shouted out if anyone was going to AK before we missed the bus that was blocked by people not moving.

I don't know what the weather was like when you visited, but is DS still the transfer point for the water parks?

When there is only one bus stop at a resort, it is crowded and confusing, no matter where people are trying to get to.