Disney World guests are encountering a different set of boundaries across the resort in 2026.
Four rules are affecting everything from free transportation and Disney Springs parking to strollers and attraction access. While not every change makes a vacation more restrictive, several could disrupt plans for guests who don’t know about them beforehand.
The changes also stretch across multiple parts of Walt Disney World, meaning they aren’t limited to one theme park.
Free Disney Transportation Now Comes With Restrictions
For years, Disney Springs offered guests an easy way to reach Disney Resort hotels without driving.
That’s become more complicated.
As of June 28, Disney restricts resort-bound transportation from Disney Springs. Guests boarding buses or boats must be staying at an eligible Disney Resort hotel or visiting one with a valid dining or experience reservation.
Cast Members can verify reservations before guests enter the appropriate transportation areas.
The change particularly affects day visitors who once parked at Disney Springs before hopping between hotels.
Disney has previously enforced similar restrictions during crowded periods. In 2026, however, the requirement became a regular part of operations.
Guests can still visit Disney hotels, but some will need to rethink how they get there.
Disney Springs Parking Has Another New Limit
Disney is also putting a stop to extremely early arrivals associated with major merchandise releases.
Disney collectors sometimes arrive hours before stores open when highly anticipated pins or other items debut.
Now, Disney Springs parking garages and rideshare areas remain closed until 7 a.m. on special event merchandise days, including Tuesdays featuring new pin drops.
Arrive before that cutoff and you may be asked to leave and come back.
Disney is attempting to prevent overnight parking and guests gathering hours before they’re supposed to enter.
The restriction can also catch regular Disney Springs visitors in the middle. Someone arriving early for another reason could face the same 7 a.m. restriction if a merchandise event happens that day.
Strollers Can’t Simply Go Everywhere
Animal Kingdom has another rule parents need to remember.
Bluey’s Wild World brought Bluey and Bingo to Conservation Station in May, but reaching the experience requires riding the Wildlife Express Train.
Only foldable strollers are allowed aboard.
Parents can fold compatible strollers for the journey. Those who can’t will need to leave the stroller in Africa and pick it back up after returning from Conservation Station.
For families who essentially use a stroller as a mobile storage unit during a long theme park day, that can create an unexpected headache.
Planning what to carry before boarding could make the experience much easier.
Disney Lowers Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Requirement
Finally, one heavily enforced Disney rule has actually become less restrictive.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened at Magic Kingdom in May after undergoing a refurbishment lasting well over a year.
Following changes to the attraction and a safety review, Disney lowered its minimum height requirement from 40 inches to 38 inches.
That means more young children can now experience the classic Magic Kingdom coaster.
Disney remains firm about minimum heights, however. A child who doesn’t reach 38 inches won’t be allowed to ride.
For families, those two inches can make a major difference.
Together, the four policies serve as another reminder that Disney World vacation planning doesn’t stop once you’ve learned the basics.
Transportation practices change. Parking procedures change. Attraction requirements change.
Guests returning in 2026 after even a relatively recent Disney World vacation may discover that some of the strategies they used last time no longer apply.
