How to Get to Disney Springs from Anywhere at Disney World

You’d think it’d be easy to get to Disney Springs.

It’s full of restaurants, bars, shops, and free entertainment, and Disney wants you to spend money there. But getting there? It’s not always as straightforward as it should be.

Whether you’re headed there for cocktails, cupcakes, or a last-minute Gideon’s run, this guide has your back. We’ll walk you through every way to get to Disney Springs from the parks, resorts, or a rideshare, so you can spend less time waiting on a bench and more time sipping a Margarita at Dockside.

TL;DR: Quickest Ways to Get to Disney Springs

From Magic Kingdom: Walk or take the monorail to the Contemporary Resort and grab a bus.
From EPCOT: Exit at International Gateway, walk to Beach Club or BoardWalk, then catch a bus.
From Hollywood Studios: Skyliner to Riviera (or Caribbean Beach), then bus to Disney Springs.
From Animal Kingdom: Take a resort bus (like to Animal Kingdom Lodge), then transfer to a Springs-bound bus.
From most Disney Resorts: Direct bus available.
From off-site or driving yourself: Park in the Orange Garage (closest to most restaurants).
Need to leave a park and get to dinner fast? Consider Uber, Lyft, or a Minnie Van (we’ll break those down too).

Important note: Buses only run from resorts to Disney Springs, not from Disney Springs to the parks, and not between parks and Disney Springs.

How to Get to Disney Springs from the Parks

Magic Kingdom → Disney Springs

There’s no direct bus, so you’ll need to transfer:

Option 1: Walk or take the Monorail to the Contemporary, then hop a bus to Disney Springs.
Option 2: Use rideshare or Minnie Van and skip the hassl

EPCOT → Disney Springs

Option 1: Exit via International Gateway and walk to Beach Club, BoardWalk, or Yacht Club, then take a Disney Springs bus.
Option 2: Exit either out the International Gateway OR the front of the park and use rideshare or Minnie Van.

Pro Tip: The walk from the International Gateway to a nearby resort is about 7-10 minutes.

Hollywood Studios → Disney Springs

Option 1: Skyliner to Riviera, then transfer to a bus to Disney Springs. (You can also catch a bus from Caribbean Beach, but we’ve found it is faster to just Skyliner all the way to Riviera, and take a bus from there).
Option 2: Take a resort bus to Saratoga Springs, then walk or take the internal shuttle to Disney Springs.
Option 3: Walk or take a boat to the EPCOT resorts and catch a Springs bus.

Animal Kingdom → Disney Springs

Option 1: Take a bus to any Disney resort then transfer to a Springs-bound bus (or boat if you go to Old Key West, Riverside, French Quarter).
Option 2: Take a resort bus to Saratoga Springs, then walk or take the internal shuttle to Disney Springs.
Option 3: Just call an Uber or Lyft. Seriously. This is one of those routes where the time and energy saved are worth the $12.

How to Get to Disney Springs from the Resorts

This is one of the only times where staying at a Disney resort actually makes getting somewhere easier. Most on-property resorts offer direct, complimentary bus service to Disney Springs, and a few even offer a scenic boat ride. You don’t need a park reservation, and buses typically run every 20 minutes or so, especially in the afternoon and evening.

Resorts with Direct Bus Service

Every Disney-owned resort (Value, Moderate, and Deluxe) has a dedicated bus route to Disney Springs. Just head to your resort’s main bus stop and look for the Disney Springs sign.

Buses typically run from Disney Springs hours until about 1 hour after close.
They do not go to the theme parks from Disney Springs, though. Just to resorts.
If you’re at a large resort (like Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs), allow extra time for internal stops.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to hop to Disney Springs from a park using a resort as a middleman unless you have to. If you’re already at your hotel, the bus is your best bet.

Resorts with Boat Transportation

If you’re staying at one of these three resorts, congrats! You’ve got the most relaxing way to get to Disney Springs:

Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans French Quarter
Old Key West Resort
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

These resorts have Sassagoula River Cruise boats that run back and forth to Disney Springs all day (weather permitting). It’s a calm, scenic ride and a nice break from the usual bus hustle.

Boats run about every 20–30 minutes.
Not super fast, but highly charming.
May pause service in bad weather (lightning = no boats).

Pro Tip: Saratoga Springs also has walking paths to Disney Springs. If you’re in the Congress Park section, you’re about a 5–10 minute walk to the Marketplace entrance. Sometimes walking beats waiting.

Driving, Rideshare, and Walking to Disney Springs

Sometimes Disney buses just aren’t it, especially when you’re trying to make a reservation, escape the crowds, or get back to your car after a long night of drinks and shopping. Here’s what to know if you’re going the DIY route.

Driving Yourself to Disney Springs

Good news: Parking at Disney Springs is free.
Better news: There are three massive garages with direct access to different areas of Disney Springs.

Parking Garage Breakdown:

Orange Garage: Best for The BOATHOUSE, Wine Bar George, Gideon’s, and the main shopping area.
Lime Garage: Best for World of Disney, The Polite Pig, and Marketplace Co-Op.
Grapefruit Garage: Least convenient; requires a pedestrian bridge and is farthest from the action.

Pro Tip: Arrive early in the evening or on weekends because garages fill fast. There’s a digital sign at the entrance showing how many spots are left in each garage and indicators above each space to help you identify which spots are open.

Uber & Lyft

Rideshare is a very good idea if:

You’re going directly from a theme park
You’re headed to a fancy dinner
You don’t want to navigate multiple bus transfers
You’re wearing uncomfortable shoes (we’ve all been there)

Where to Get Dropped Off:

There are two official rideshare zones at Disney Springs:
- 1. Marketplace Side (near Rainforest Café)
  - This is the most commonly used drop-off location, especially in the morning and early afternoon.
  - It’s great for access to World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op, and the Disney buses.
- 2. West Side Entrance (near Cirque du Soleil and the Orange Garage)
  - Ideal if you’re heading to see Drawn to Life, The BOATHOUSE, Jock Lindsey’s, AMC, or House of Blues.
  - It’s closer to the Orange Garage and the newer dining and nightlife areas.

Minnie Vans

Drop off and pick up at the main Disney bus loop, which is the most convenient location, right in the center of Disney Springs.
That means you’re steps from both sides (Marketplace and West Side), and closer to shops, lounges, and most dining.

Minnie Vans vs. Uber/Lyft:

Minnie Vans: Driven by Cast Members, kid-friendly with car seats, and drop you closer, but they also cost more.
Uber/Lyft: Usually cheaper and quicker to get, but drop you slightly farther back and don’t have guaranteed car seats.

Pro Tip: Prices for both spike around dinner and closing time. If you’re flexible, wait 10–15 minutes after the rush to avoid surge pricing.

Walking to Disney Springs

Disney Springs isn’t super walkable from most of Walt Disney World, but there are a few resorts where walking is not only possible, it’s actually one of the best options.

Walkable Disney Resorts

Saratoga Springs Resort

The only Disney-owned resort with a dedicated walking path to Disney Springs.
The Congress Park section is closest; you’ll be inside the Marketplace in about 5–10 minutes.
The Grandstand and Carriage House sections are walkable too, but farther.

Pro Tip: If you want a quick morning run to Everglazed Donuts or a late-night Gideon’s cookie, request a Congress Park room at check-in.

Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels (aka the third-party ones on Hotel Plaza Blvd)

These are non-Disney hotels that sit just outside Disney Springs, but they’re close enough that you can walk over in under 10 minutes.

Hotels with walking access to Disney Springs:

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Hilton Buena Vista Palace
Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
B Resort & Spa
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton

All of these hotels are:

Located along Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Connected via pedestrian bridges and sidewalks
Within walking distance to either the Marketplace or West Side entrances

Pro Tip: The pedestrian bridges make crossing Buena Vista Drive safe and easy; no frogger-style dashes required.

Resorts That Aren’t Walkable

Let’s be clear:

If you’re staying at places like Pop Century, Art of Animation, or the All-Stars, you cannot walk to Disney Springs. It’s several miles of highway with no sidewalks, no shade, and no thank you.

Disney Springs Transportation FAQs

Can I take a Disney bus to Disney Springs from a theme park?

Nope. Disney doesn’t run buses from the theme parks to Disney Springs. You’ll need to first go to a resort and take a bus from there or grab a rideshare.

Can I take a Disney bus from Disney Springs to a park?

Also no.

You can only take a Disney bus from Disney Springs to resorts, not theme parks.

What time do buses to Disney Springs start running?

Most resort buses begin service to Disney Springs around 10:30–11:00 AM
They typically run until 11:00 PM or later, depending on the night

Is there a Skyliner station at Disney Springs?

No, sadly. the Skyliner does not connect to Disney Springs at all.

If you’re staying at a Skyliner resort, you’ll need to transfer at a park or resort to get there.

Can I walk from Disney Springs to a park?

Nope. It’s not walkable to any of the four parks.

You’ll need to take transportation to a resort or grab a rideshare.

Where do rideshares drop off at Disney Springs?

Uber and Lyft usually drop off at:

Marketplace loop (near Rainforest Café)
West Side loop (near Cirque du Soleil)

Minnie Vans drop off at the Disney bus loop, which is the most convenient spot (but also the most expensive option).

Which resorts have boats to Disney Springs?

Port Orleans – Riverside
Port Orleans – French Quarter
Old Key West
Saratoga Springs

Just note: Boats are weather-dependent and don’t run super early in the day.

Got a shortcut we missed?

Drop your tips in the comments! Whether you’ve found a sneaky transfer route or just want to vent about the Skyliner not going to Disney Springs (we agree, it’s rude), we’d love to hear it.