Credit: DisneyOne of Walt Disney World’s most popular hotel perks has suddenly stopped for guests staying at one particular Deluxe resort.
Disney Resort hotels offer several advantages that can make a vacation easier, especially for guests who plan to spend most of their trip on Disney property. Complimentary transportation remains one of the biggest.
Now, guests at one Deluxe property have temporarily lost access to one of those transportation options. It won’t disappear forever, but anyone staying there over the next few weeks will need to adjust their plans.
Disney World Resort Guests Get Some Major Advantages
Staying at a Disney World hotel comes with benefits that guests staying elsewhere don’t necessarily receive.
Disney Resort guests get earlier access to dining reservations and Lightning Lane selections. They can also enter the theme parks 30 minutes before regular opening through Early Theme Park Entry.
Guests staying at eligible Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive another advantage: Extended Evening Theme Park Hours at select parks on certain nights.
Yet, complimentary transportation remains one of the most useful perks.
Depending on where guests stay, Disney provides buses, boats, the Disney Skyliner, and monorails to get around the property. It can reduce the need for a rental car and make getting around Disney World much easier.
For guests at one Deluxe resort, however, one popular option has suddenly disappeared.
Some Deluxe Resort Guests Just Lost a Major Perk
Guests staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort should prepare for a transportation interruption.
The Sassagoula River Cruise connecting Disney’s Old Key West Resort with Disney Springs is currently unavailable. Boat transportation is expected to be closed through early August.
That’s disappointing for guests who enjoy taking the water route between the two destinations.
The boat isn’t simply another way to get from one place to another. The cruise itself can feel like part of the Disney experience, offering guests a relaxing trip on the water rather than another bus ride.
Old Key West also carries plenty of Disney history. The property opened in 1991 as Disney Vacation Club’s first resort and remains a Deluxe Villa Resort today.
Fortunately, guests still have another complimentary way to reach Disney Springs.
Guests Will Have to Rely on Other Options
Until the Sassagoula River Cruise service returns, Old Key West guests can use Disney bus transportation to travel to and from Disney Springs.
The buses accomplish the same basic job, but guests lose the convenience of choosing between road and water transportation. That could make a noticeable difference during busy periods, particularly for guests who prefer a slower, more relaxing boat ride after a long day of walking through the theme parks.
Travelers should also be aware of Disney’s current restrictions on resort transportation from Disney Springs.
Cast Members may verify that guests are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel before allowing them to board resort-bound buses or boats. That means visitors can’t necessarily head to Disney Springs and use its transportation network to tour Disney hotels if they aren’t staying on property.
The restriction makes resort transportation less accessible to day guests who might otherwise use Disney Springs as a starting point for visiting different hotels. Eligible resort guests, however, can continue using the transportation provided during their stay.
Old Key West guests shouldn’t have an issue using the buses during the boat suspension, but they should be prepared for Disney to confirm their resort status before boarding.
Losing the Perk Matters at Deluxe Resort Prices
Losing one transportation option might sound minor, but it can feel more significant when guests are paying Deluxe-level prices.
Old Key West isn’t marketed simply as a place to sleep after visiting the parks. Guests are paying for larger accommodations, resort amenities, location, and convenient access around Walt Disney World.
Transportation plays a major role in that convenience.
The Sassagoula River Cruise also gives Old Key West something many Disney resorts don’t offer. Guests can normally board a boat at the resort and enjoy a scenic ride directly to Disney Springs.
That’s particularly useful for visitors planning dinners, shopping trips, or evenings in the district.
Buses will still get guests there without an additional transportation charge, but the experience isn’t quite the same. For guests who specifically chose Old Key West partly because of its Disney Springs access, the temporary suspension takes away one of the resort’s more appealing conveniences.
The Popular Perk Is Expected to Return
Thankfully, this doesn’t appear to be a permanent transportation cut.
The Sassagoula River Cruise is currently expected to resume service around mid-August. Until then, Old Key West guests can continue using Disney’s complimentary buses to reach Disney Springs.
No one is losing access to the district altogether, but guests visiting over the next few weeks will have fewer transportation choices than usual.
And when Disney Resort guests are paying a premium for convenience, losing even one of those options can make a difference.
For now, anyone staying at Old Key West should plan on taking the bus. Those hoping to cruise along the Sassagoula River will have to wait a little longer for one of the resort’s most enjoyable transportation perks to return.
