You would think getting to the place where Disney wants you to spend the most money would be the easiest part of your trip. It isn’t.
Note: This guide is part of our complete Ultimate Disney World Transportation Guide. If you are trying to figure out how to get around the entire resort, start there.
While getting back to your hotel from Disney Springs is straightforward, getting to Disney Springs can be a logistical headache if you don’t know the rules. Whether you are trying to make a dining reservation at The Boathouse or just grabbing a late-night cookie at Gideon’s, you need a plan that doesn’t involve waiting on a bus bench for 45 minutes.
Here is the strategic guide to navigating Disney Springs transportation efficiently.
The Golden Rule of Disney Springs Transportation
Before we break down the routes, you must memorize this rule to avoid being stranded:
🚫There are NO direct buses between the Theme Parks and Disney Springs.
- You cannot go directly from Magic Kingdom to Disney Springs.
- You cannot go directly from Disney Springs to EPCOT.
- For all parks, you must transfer at a resort or use a rideshare.
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, 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 all Disney Resorts: Direct bus available.
- From off-site or driving yourself: Park in the Orange Garage (closest to most restaurants & easiest exit).
- In a rush? Uber/Lyft is almost always worth the $12–$15 to skip the transfer.
How to Get to Disney Springs from the Parks
Magic Kingdom → Disney Springs
- The “Free” Way: Walk (10 min) or take the Monorail to the Contemporary Resort. From there, take the bus to Disney Springs.
- Why this works: It avoids the chaos of the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC).
- The “Fast” Way: Take a Minnie Van. It is the only rideshare allowed to pick you up directly at the Magic Kingdom bus loop.
- The “Standard” Rideshare Way: You must take the Monorail/Ferry to the TTC to catch a regular Uber/Lyft.
EPCOT → Disney Springs
- The “Back Door” Route (Best Strategy): Exit EPCOT via the International Gateway (between France and UK). Walk to the Beach Club Resort bus stop. Take the bus to Disney Springs. You could also grab a Uber/Lyft from the Beach Club, too.
- Bonus: You can grab a drink at the Beach Club Marketplace while you wait.
- The Rideshare Route: Exit out the front of the park for Uber/Lyft pickup.
Hollywood Studios → Disney Springs
- The Skyliner Strategy: Take the Skyliner to Riviera Resort. Go downstairs to the bus loop and catch the Disney Springs bus.
- Note: You could also transfer at Caribbean Beach, but the internal bus loop there is a nightmare. Riviera is a single, concise stop.
- Note: You could also transfer at Caribbean Beach, but the internal bus loop there is a nightmare. Riviera is a single, concise stop.
- The Saratoga Hack: Take a bus from Hollywood Studios to Saratoga Springs Resort. Get off at the Congress Park stop. Walk the path along the water directly into Disney Springs (Marketplace side).
Animal Kingdom → Disney Springs
- The Transfer: Take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is the closest resort, making for a short bus ride. Then, transfer to a Springs-bound bus.
- Real Talk: Just take an Uber. Animal Kingdom is physically far from Disney Springs. The double-bus transfer can easily take 60–90 minutes. A rideshare takes 15.
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.
Every Disney resort runs buses 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).
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.
Garage | Best Access To… | Vibe Check |
|---|---|---|
Orange | West Side: AMC, Splitsville, Jaleo, Summer House on the Lake, Coca-Cola Store. | Most central. Easiest to enter/exit. Park here by default. |
Lime | Marketplace: World of Disney, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Lego Store, Uniqlo. | Avoid on weekends. It is smaller and fills up instantly, leading to traffic jams. |
Grapefruit | Across the street: Connected by a pedestrian bridge. | The overflow lot. Park here only if signs say Orange/Lime are full. |
Surface Lots | Cirque du Soleil / House of Blues | Located on the far West Side (Strawberry/Watermelon lots). It is a hot, long walk. Stick to the garages. |
Uber & Lyft
Using rideshare? Be careful where you set your drop-off pin, or you might end up walking an extra mile.
The Two Drop-Off Zones
- Marketplace Loop (East Side): Near the old bus loop/Rainforest Cafe. Best for shopping at World of Disney.
- West Side Loop: Near Cirque du Soleil. Best for House of Blues, City Works, or the NBA Experience area.
Minnie Vans
Minnie Vans are the only private vehicles allowed to use the official Disney Bus Loop.
- Why pay extra? It drops you dead center in Disney Springs (near the Town Center), drastically reducing your walking time compared to the Uber/Lyft loops at the far edges.
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.
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 luggage to Disney Springs?
Technically yes, but there is no luggage storage/bag check at Disney Springs. You will have to drag it with you. Do not recommend.
How late do buses run?
Buses run back to the resorts until 1 hour after Disney Springs closes. If Springs closes at 11:00 PM, the last bus is at 12:00 AM. Do not miss it, or you are Ubering.
What time do buses to Disney Springs start running?
Most resort buses begin service to Disney Springs around 10:30–11:00 AM
Is there a Skyliner station at Disney Springs?
No, sadly. the Skyliner does not connect to Disney Springs at all.
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.
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.