UPDATE: Walt Disney World has combined two pairs of resort bus routes from all four theme parks. Disney's Polynesian Village Resort now shares service with Disney's Contemporary Resort, while Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground shares service with Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
WDW News Today observed the new pairings at Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 17. Magic Kingdom Cast Members confirmed to the outlet that the same combinations apply at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Polynesian and Contemporary Buses Now Share a Route
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, guests for the Polynesian and Contemporary now board at gate 4. The bus stops at the Contemporary first.
Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge guests share gate 8. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa continues to use its own bus at gate 6.
The earlier pairings often put Grand Floridian and Polynesian guests together, with Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge guests on another bus. The new routes change both combinations and add Fort Wilderness to the shared service described in the report.
Animal Kingdom's Four-Stop Extension Remains Open
The Animal Kingdom bus-depot extension opened August 3 at the end of the existing row. Its four stops serve transfers to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century Resort.
The section has themed signs, large ceiling-mounted fans, queue railings, fresh paving and lampposts. The original opening report documents the finished transfer area.
World Drive Work Changed the Resort-Area Roadway
The route changes follow work on World Drive North Phase III near the Magic Kingdom resort area. Central Florida Tourism Oversight District records cover construction inspection and landscaping work for the roadway project. Those records do not list the new bus pairings.
The affected resorts remain part of Walt Disney World's bus network. Shared-route combinations are not published there. Guests can ask a Cast Member for current assistance, and they should check the sign at the park bus depot before boarding.
Sources: WDW News Today on the August 17 route combinations, WDW News Today on the Animal Kingdom depot opening, Walt Disney World bus transportation, and Central Florida Tourism Oversight District records.
Image: Disney Experiences. The bus photograph is a transportation illustration and does not depict the new depot.