Hi Cody,
Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for stopping by with your question about transportation from Disney Springs to hotels in the
Disney Resorts Collection.
Please don't worry. There has been no change to Walt Disney World's
policies regarding free transportation on buses, boats, monorails and the Skyliner. In fact, guests who aren't staying at a Disney resort are encouraged to park at a theme park and use the transportation network for ease of access to resorts, other theme parks and Disney Springs.
During the busiest seasons -- Spring Break, Christmas and New Year's, for example -- Disney Springs sometimes may do reservation checks to manage capacity on the buses departing from there. That's probably what you've heard.
But please know that access to the complimentary transportation remains an option for guests visiting Walt Disney World whether or not you are staying in one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels.
I love your idea of spending a leisurely day resort hopping. My husband and I enjoy making the circuit of the Epcot-area resorts to grab a bite to eat at
Ale & Compass Lounge, a drink at
AbracadaBar or a milkshake at
Beaches & Cream. We can fill a whole day hanging out at
Animal Kingdom Lodge or
Wilderness Lodge. And it's always fun to do a monorail crawl of the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian for shopping, snacking and dining.
I hope that helps, Cody. Please let us know if we can answer any other questions for you as your vacation nears.
Enjoy,
Wilma