It was something mike "For guests with resort reservations or dining reservations...." Disney invites you to enjoy the Disney Resorts Collection.....or something to that effect. It all just confuses me.
10:07pm on 6/25/26 by
h2olly
I'm pretty sure all it takes is a $10 ADR to get around all of this and ride whatever bus or boat you want - and if it's an undercover security effort, then at least they have a digital trail for the person that made the ADR.
10:11pm on 6/25/26 by
Ali Ababwa
I don't know what to make of the wording but it does feel like Disney is trying to "take the temperature ". Seeing lots of chatter about this all over the internet . I'll be very interested to see if they limit park hopping around the holidays. Hope not!
10:13pm on 6/25/26 by
NaviMommy
That makes sense Ali. The wording was just so weird. Hope your pain from spine is better today.
10:13pm on 6/25/26 by
h2olly
Yes Navi. I have seen a ton of social media posts about that. I thought maybe Liners might know what was going on. I kind of get it I was lucky enough to stay 3 nights at GF on Easter weekend last year. Lobby was always so very crowded and it was annoyi
10:15pm on 6/25/26 by
h2olly
Annoying to have to wait in a long line to catch monorail to MK.
10:16pm on 6/25/26 by
h2olly
Those who seem to be in the know said it has to do with Disney infrastructure. On big FW holidays, the garages at DS filled early and those people used buses/boats but the WDW accounts for resort guests not nonguests.
10:28pm on 6/25/26 by
Elaine5715
So buses/boats get filled, adding to waits for resort guests and those nonresort guests flooding the resorts with FW viewing, not necessarily spending money but squeezing out guests plus requiring extra CMs to deal with the nonguests
10:31pm on 6/25/26 by
Elaine5715
Yhea, Elaine. I get the DS limited access. That makes sense. I think Poly limits beach access to fireworks during July 4th and New Year's. Sounds like they need to do so every night.
10:38pm on 6/25/26 by
h2olly
I visit in early December annually, & the deluxe lobbies do get crowded. It don't mind it, but I can see why they might restrict hopping from 12/26-1/1. I also agree with others that these touches are eroding due to crowding.
1:33am on 6/26/26 by
pdmccartin
Only Disney knows what their ultimate aim is not social media!
2:47am on 6/26/26 by
tiggertypooh
Can you link the announcement?
5:21am on 6/26/26 by
Flutegarden
On weekends and of course holiday times, DS is a disaster of parking and traffic. Free parking there is meant for people spending $ at DS. Wonder if it's a CFTOD thing regarding tax $ too.
8:14am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
And it's only DS transportation-no change to monorails, skyliners, 7Seas/BayLake/Crescent Lake boats, park buses (park hoping, visiting resorts).
8:21am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
8:34am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
However if you follow the link provided by PlanDisney there's no mention of the change on that page
8:37am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
As an on property visitor I would love this luxury for the price of hotels to be more exclusive transportation. That's a perk for me not renting a car. Does DS not charge for their garages? That's unheard of here in NE.
8:38am on 6/26/26 by
Magicalday2011
8:39am on 6/26/26 by
PrincipalTinker
I am a DVC owner at CCV and BWV. I could see how they could limit WL (with additional cost for Disney scanning buses and boats) but no way BW could be limited. How could it be some, not all?
8:41am on 6/26/26 by
PrincipalTinker
Parking at DS is free. It might make more sense to charge for off site guests at DS.
8:53am on 6/26/26 by
Flutegarden
@MagicalDay yes free parking at DS.
8:57am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
Its pretty clear they are trying to manage resort traffic while trying to let onsite guests free to roam. The guest experience really nosedives when facilities are stretched and the first thing they would reasonably try to cut down is offsite visitors
8:59am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
@Flute Nooooo. Or just show a receipt for purchase. But slowing down movement of cars through lots would make a bigger mess for traffic.
8:59am on 6/26/26 by
irenek
I think the DS garages were built with agreement w local gov for free parking. The DS tenant merchants probably need the offsite customers too.
9:00am on 6/26/26 by
TumbleMonkeys
Especially at flagship properties like Poly and GF which are mobbed during peak periods it becomes hard to justify the deluxe pricing without being able to deliver that "exclusive" feeling. Im not saying its right or even fair. It just is what it is.
9:01am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
Even just comparing the AKL experience (which is harder for people to just visit on a whim) there really is a difference. Imagine going down to Sanaa for a quiet bfast with the giraffes (i can always get a window table) and instead find it mobbed. Boo.
9:04am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
I also appreciate quiet mornings in OKW and being able to find a quiet spot to work for the morning. And as a DVC owner it really does add to the "this feels so special and is so worth it" feeling.
9:05am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
If AKL were on the monorail the savannah overlooks would be jammed full every day. I guess thats the equivalent of the poly beach during fireworks and the gingerbread house during the holidays. Getting a table at Sanaa or Boma would be harder too.
9:08am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
I'm not sure how they will enforce but I do wish that more lounges offered a way to show proof of being a part of the "favorable attendance" than just lottery the lobby. Also I say the favorable comment very tongue/cheek after the earnings call
9:27am on 6/26/26 by
youcanfly
Ugh, not lottery but loitering the lobby.
9:28am on 6/26/26 by
youcanfly
As I said earlier, I'm sure Disney's unspoken security goal is to have a membership/digital record for EVERY person that gets on the transportation system or enters a Disney park. This is expanding their secure border throughout Disney properties.
9:33am on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Formerly any completely undocumented person could step onto the buses/boats and go to any resort or park entrance, buy a cash ticket, and walk into a park. This closes a lot of security loopholes for Disney. They don't care about holiday resort visiting.
9:37am on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Yeah. I guess the last thing they want is having a person staying onsite, experiencing the chaos and coming out of that experience saying "never again" - bec its hard enough to find people willing to pay that much (see deep deluxe discounts). Btw i say
9:43am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
All this as someone that does enjoy resort visits even on days im staying offsite. So im not loving these changes 100pct either. We love to hang at the GF lobby listening to the pianist. For hours. Or see HEA from Poly beach. Oh well.
9:45am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
Ali - to your point - beyond security, it also has a lot to do with being able to track your every move (and on a larger scale, crowd flow) through the disney ecosystem. They will be able to track you like a fedex package.
9:46am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
Bec it doesnt just filter OUT offsite guests you end up logging onsite guest movement too. (Crazy right?)
9:47am on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
Absolutely. And Disney wants us all to get sidetracked into emotional discussions about visiting gingerbread houses to take our minds off the surveillance perimeter they have imposed.
10:04am on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Which I should add that it's fine with me on Disney property keeping us safe, bc they're a huge target. I just don't want governments to adopt these practices.
10:05am on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
I read the announcement about holiday offerings... it made sense to me that they would encourage dining and staying at resorts. It didn't say required.
11:41am on 6/26/26 by
sarahr
I love resort hopping! That being said, when I got a survey about buying DVC at Poly Tower, the main reason I cited was due to the quagmire beehive crowd of when trying to visit the Great Ceremonial house. It just wasn't pleasant.
12:55pm on 6/26/26 by
joeyjojojuniorshabadoo
Lol to "emotional discussions about visiting gingerbread houses". I wish thay had kept that. If they are tamping down on offsite visits there might actually be enough room
12:55pm on 6/26/26 by
Totsypooh
(Sorry, I tried to fit too many words in my post LOL)
12:57pm on 6/26/26 by
joeyjojojuniorshabadoo
Has there been recent security issues? Have always pondered how great Disney is considering how big of a target for anything nefarious.
I love going solo and feeling so safe
1:54pm on 6/26/26 by
Magicalday2011
I kind of think it may be a security issue as well.
2:04pm on 6/26/26 by
kslawyergirl
This happened first but no one really paid attention. A massive resurgence in Disney pin trading and limited-edition merchandise drops has recently caused severe crowd control issues at Disney Springs.
2:39pm on 6/26/26 by
Elaine5715
Collectors were parking overnight, using rideshare services at ungodly hours, and camping out in the garage structures before opening.
2:39pm on 6/26/26 by
Elaine5715
Disney causes some of these problems themselves in regards to the merchandise. Why make things so limited, that only brings out all the resellers and doesn't even give the average person a chance to get anything. Sell things in a reasonable quantity.
2:57pm on 6/26/26 by
vickiwaffles
@Magicalday2011 Walt Disney World is the top tourist destination worldwide, one of the top terrorist and crime targets worldwide, and the magnitude of its security rivals that of many nations. Disney successfully hides about 98% of security.
3:16pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
If it hasn't been said here, the exact same wording was used last year.
4:12pm on 6/26/26 by
Sorcerers_Apprentice
4:46pm on 6/26/26 by
PrincipalTinker
Can't you still walk up and buy a day ticket? MK windows at least are always packed.
5:01pm on 6/26/26 by
moondance07
I support this effort, TBH. My Disney friend stays on property, uses an ECV due to disability, and relies on the buses for transport around the resorts and the parks. If his transport is hindered by non-resort guests it feels like kind of a raw deal TBH
5:40pm on 6/26/26 by
joeyjojojuniorshabadoo
I don't see many folks walking on foot to most of the ticket offices and paying cash, and I'm sure those who do are flagged somehow, but this eliminates them taking free Disney transport to get there.
5:41pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Meaning that every car that enters WDW parking is screened, probably some screening occurs of people walking from cars to park entry, some screening is probably done on all WDW transport, then they go through regular security before the ticket windows....
6:07pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
So this eliminates those people coming to the parks or transferring to resort buses without any digital trail. Clearly a security loophole if you think about it.
6:08pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
@Ali, you have much more confidence than I do with Disney's IT. They can't even handle Tuesday discount drops!
6:17pm on 6/26/26 by
snowdiz
Yeah, IT and security are two different things. Some overlap in what security monitors using IT, but Disney's security system and protocols are wildly complex and layered, I'm sure.
6:46pm on 6/26/26 by
utang44
They don't have security to enter a resort. They don't have security any on the boardwalk specifically. There are lots of ways people can avoid security. I still think this is about paying guests and tracking isn't necessarily just about safety
6:52pm on 6/26/26 by
youcanfly
It's about knowing the consumer and understanding what drives their spending habits also.
6:53pm on 6/26/26 by
youcanfly
I think it's because the cost of the resort has skyrocketed and if you are paying that and can't get into the amenities offered (or take a long time to do so ) so this allows them easier access.
7:02pm on 6/26/26 by
snelvis
There is vehicular security entering the resorts now, formerly very weak. I'm sure there's also some screening of people in the parking lot and entering the front lobby. The weak link was formerly people arriving via Disney bus.
7:14pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Recently they layered on extra vehicular screening for people driving into resorts and just this week added more screening/bracelets for big pool entry in several locations. They're trying to plug the various gaps.
7:16pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
7:33pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Way to take it dark, @Ali (shudder). Point well taken. I think the hand-wringing about diminished WDW experience in the setting of these security concerns is perhaps overwrought? I just watched WDWNT in the YouTubes about the GD GB house and was like WTW?
8:47pm on 6/26/26 by
joeyjojojuniorshabadoo
It just now occurred to me that every time I can recall stepping on a WDW bus, the driver has been seated and looking directly at me while boarding (unlike most transit drivers). I'll bet they are trained to scan everyone for some particular set of clues.
9:08pm on 6/26/26 by
Ali Ababwa
Someone noted in the forum that this is the exact same language that was in the 2025 announcement. Maybe we are handwringing for nothing.
9:08pm on 6/26/26 by
JenniferB1975