Theme Park Scope

Let me paint a picture. You’re staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. You’ve had a lovely day. The sun is setting, there’s a Disney Springs dinner in your future, and you’re picturing yourself floating there on a boat with a snack and zero stress. (I’m picturing the snack, specifically.)

And then you find out the boat isn’t running.

That’s the situation right now for guests at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. The boat service that connects the resort to Disney Springs, the Sassagoula River Cruise, is temporarily closed. Currently, it’s unavailable from October 12 through November 1, 2026. That’s about three weeks.

This isn’t the first time the boat has been out of service this year. It was also unavailable in late July into early August 2026, and at that time the pause was reportedly linked to maintenance work on the shorelines along the route. Whether this new closure is connected to that, I couldn’t say. It’s tempting to connect the dots (I’m doing it in my head right now), but that would be speculation.

The practical takeaway is simple. If you’re staying at Old Key West between now and November 1, plan on the boat not being an option.

The good news is that you do have options.

• Buses. Bus service between Old Key West and Disney Springs is running during the closure. This is the one most reports recommend, and it’s the one I’d pick too.
• Walking. It’s technically possible to walk. One report puts the walk at about 45 minutes. That’s fine on a gorgeous, breezy day. It’s less fine if it’s hot, humid, or threatening to rain. (This is Florida. All three can happen before lunch.)
• Driving. If you have a car, that’s the other obvious route, though I’d check parking details at Disney Springs before you go.

One more thing worth knowing. Disney Springs transportation has been restricted to registered resort guests this year, so if you’re taking a bus or boat from Disney Springs back to your resort, you may need a Magic Band or other resort ID that confirms your stay, or a dining or recreation reservation at a Disney resort. I’d double-check Disney’s current policy before relying on that, since these rules have been changing.

Mostly, this is a bummer for guests who like to hop over to Disney Springs several times during a stay. The boat is a more relaxed, scenic way to get there, and it’s one of the quiet perks of staying at Old Key West. If you’re booked there in the next few weeks, you don’t need to change your reservation. You just need a different plan for getting to dinner.

If you have a stay coming up after November 1, it’s a good idea to check the resort’s transportation page closer to your trip. I’d hate for you to be surprised twice.

I’m going to be honest. I love a boat ride. A boat ride is one of the most underrated parts of a Disney trip, and the Old Key West one is a perfect “I’m on vacation, and I have nowhere to be” moment. So it stings a little to see it out of service again.

But I’m also trying to stay realistic. Resort maintenance happens. Docks and shorelines need work, and if that’s what this is, then I’d rather the boats be safe and reliable when they come back. A couple of weeks of buses is a small price to pay. I’m just hoping that when service does return, it stays that way for a good long while.

My advice, for what it’s worth, is this. If you’re staying at Old Key West, don’t let the closure ruin your trip. Treat the bus as your bonus relaxing time (air conditioning, no walking, a seat), and save the boat ride for next time.

Have you ridden the boat from Old Key West before? Was it worth it? Tell me in the comments! And as always, keep checking back with Theme Park Scope, because if I hear anything new about when the boats are coming back (or why they left), I’ll let you know.