Getting around Walt Disney World has always been one of the resort's greatest perks, but guests heading to the Most Magical Place on Earth this summer — and into early 2027 — will want to review their transportation options before arriving. Several simultaneous changes have reshaped the system in meaningful ways.
The biggest permanent shift involves Disney Springs. As of June 28, 2026, Walt Disney World began requiring guests to show proof of eligibility before boarding resort buses or water transportation departing Disney Springs toward Disney Resort hotels. A valid resort hotel reservation, dining booking, or experience reservation at a resort qualifies. Visitors who used Disney Springs as a casual launching pad for resort-hopping without any reservation will no longer be able to board that transportation.
On the water, Disney's boat network has had a busy summer. The FriendShip dock at Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts went through maintenance and has since reopened. However, the Sassagoula River Cruise — which connects Disney's Port Orleans and Old Key West Resorts to Disney Springs — remains under refurbishment through late August, with buses filling in during the downtime.
The Disney Skyliner has also had a turbulent stretch. A loading issue in August caused significant delays, prompting Disney to deploy buses for resort guests. A construction permit has since been filed for the Hollywood Studios Skyliner station, though its connection to the earlier incident isn't clear. What is confirmed: the entire Skyliner system will shut down from January 24 through January 30, 2027, for a weeklong maintenance closure. Disney will provide complimentary bus service during that period, though guests at Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Art of Animation Resort should plan for a noticeably different commute to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Planning Your Trip
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With so many moving parts, transportation planning is worth adding to your Walt Disney World prep checklist — especially if your itinerary relies on the Skyliner or includes resort visits from Disney Springs. Disney Fanatic first reported these details.
