Hi Catherine!
Welcome back to planDisney! I'm so glad you stopped by to see us again as you prepare for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort. I just returned from my latest trip, which included a stay at
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort! It is one of our favorite resorts as my boys love the theming and bright colors. Not to mention, you can enjoy so many
great resort benefits - that sounds like a home run if you ask me!
Catherine, there has been a lot of chatter lately about the updated operational practices at
Disney Springs that are now in effect. Guests staying at a hotel in the Disney Resorts Collection can show their resort reservation to board
buses and/or
boats departing from Disney Springs. In contrast, non-resort Guests must have a valid dining or experience reservation for the resort they are visiting. Currently, no changes have been announced regarding transportation between theme parks and resort hotels or park-hopping buses.
As an on-site Guest, you shouldn't see any changes to available transportation right now, but it's important to remember that operational updates can occur at any time. I would suggest confirming the latest information on the
Walt Disney World website before your arrival, or you can always check back in here at planDisney.
Now let's chat for a minute about
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort - one of my favorite places to visit! While all Guests have typically been able to access the beach at this property to view fireworks or the
Electrical Water Pageant, there have been times when beach access has been restricted to those staying here, particularly at the holidays or other peak times. We haven't heard anything about this access being permanently restricted moving forward, but it's important to know that those policies, like others, are subject to change. Similarly, security guards at the entrances of resort hotels may ask Guests arriving by rideshare to confirm their reservation - either for a hotel stay, dining, or an activity. If a rideshare is your preferred method of transportation, you could always make a reservation for dinner at
'Ohana or
Kona Cafe and then plan to stop by
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto after for a full evening of fun!
I hope this information has been helpful, Catherine, as you continue to plan your visit. With these evolving updates, I'd recommend keeping an eye on official Disney Parks resources as your trip approaches. You've also got a friend in me here at planDisney, so please stop by to see us again if we can offer any more assistance!
See ya real soon!
Kristi