Disney World has quietly rolled out four policy changes in 2026, and guests who haven't kept up could find their usual game plan doesn't work the way it once did. The updates touch transportation eligibility, early-morning parking, stroller access, and — in one welcome surprise — a height requirement that's actually getting easier to meet.
Starting June 28, guests boarding buses or boats from Disney Springs to Disney Resort hotels must have a qualifying reason: either a resort hotel stay or a confirmed dining or experience reservation at the destination. Cast Members can verify eligibility before guests enter resort transportation areas, effectively closing off the popular strategy of parking free at Disney Springs and using Disney's bus network to tour the resort hotels.
On days when Disney Springs hosts special merchandise releases — particularly limited pin drops — the parking garages and rideshare loops now stay closed until 7 a.m. Anyone who shows up earlier can be turned away and told to return at opening time. The policy targets overnight campers and ultra-early unofficial lines, but it could catch regular visitors off guard too, so it's worth checking what's scheduled before planning a very early Disney Springs morning.
Families headed to Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station need to know that the Wildlife Express Train, which is the only way to get there, accepts only foldable strollers. Non-foldable models must be parked in Africa before boarding; parents will need to retrieve them on the return trip. Meanwhile, the good news: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened in early May after a lengthy refurbishment, and Disney quietly lowered its minimum height requirement from 40 inches to 38 inches, opening the classic coaster to a broader range of younger riders.
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These changes are a good reminder that Disney World's rules shift more often than most guests realize — what worked on the last trip isn't guaranteed to work on the next one. This story was first reported by Disney Fanatic.
