One of the most common questions we get is how to get to Disney World from Disney Springs. Of course, when you realize that Walt Disney World isn’t actually one place, and that the answer will be different depending on where you headed, you can imagine it all gets quite confusing. Especially if you’re staying at one of the hotels near Disney Springs. Because, while you may be able to walk to Disney Springs, getting to Disney World from there is much more complicated. Luckily, we’re going to share all the things you need to know on How to Get from Disney Springs to Walt Disney World.
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Disney Springs Buses to Disney World
Previously Disney World’s Downtown Disney, this area is expansive, so we’ll be sure to share the Disney Springs Map below so you can get a lay of the land. Including popular restaurants like The Boathouse, and Gideon’s Bakehouse, there are plenty of reasons to take time at this shopping center. If you’re visiting Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, here is everything to know before you go.
- Disney Springs Hours are 10:00 AM- 11:00 PM
- Disney Buses Run until 12:30 AM between the parks, resorts and Disney Springs.
Are there any Disney Buses from Disney Springs to the Parks?
If you’ve booked a hotel within walking distance of Disney Springs, then you’re probably wondering how to get to the Disney World theme parks easily. Unfortunately, Disney Springs buses to the Parks don’t exist, yet. And there is not a Disney Springs Shuttle to Parks either. HOWEVER, you are able to take Disney Springs Buses to the Disney Resorts near the parks. As such, that’s where we’re going to make things easy. Here you will find all the info about the transportation options at Disney that can help you get from Disney Springs to Disney World.
Are you Allowed to Park at Disney Springs and Take the Bus to the Parks?
Yes. Disney offers Complimentary Transportation across parks, resorts, restaurants, and Disney Springs. If you’re going from Disney Springs to Disney World you are able to park at the shopping center for the day. If you’re driving to Disney Springs from your hotel, airbnb or anywhere else, then know that this Walt Disney World Downtown area is also one of the best places for Parking at Disney World. With parking lots, and parking garages, the parking at Disney Springs is FREE, and allows you to come and go as you please.
How do you get from Disney Springs to Disney World?
Getting from Disney Springs to any Disney Park is possible by taking a Disney Bus to a Disney resort, and then transferring once you arrive to the bus going to your park of choice. Disney Bus transportation from Disney Springs is complimentary, and services all Disney Resorts. Free to anyone visiting, you simply need go to the bus depot at Disney Springs and board the bus to the resort of your choice. Traveling from Disney Springs to Walt Disney World is made easier when you choose the resort closest to each park.
Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom
If you’re headed to Magic Kingdom then your travel is fairly easy. Disney Springs to Magic Kingdom is possible by taking a Disney Bus to any of the Disney Monorail Resorts. From there you can walk to Magic Kingdom, or grab the monorail.
- Take the Disney Springs bus to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: The closest Disney Resort to Magic Kingdom, by Monorail, is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Therefore, you can take the bus to Grand Floridian, and then transfer to the Monorail once you arrive. The monorail is located on the second floor, and the Magic Kingdom is the first stop on the route.
- Take the Disney Springs bus to Disney’s Contemporary Resort: The closest Disney Resort to Magic Kingdom, by Walking is Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Once you arrive at Disney’s Contemporary Resort bus stop, simple turn left and take the little path towards the park. It’s about a 5 minute walk to the Magic Kingdom front gates.
There is no Disney Springs Bus Service from the Disney Parks. As such you cannot take a bus from Magic Kingdom to Disney Springs. You can, however, get back to Disney Springs Bus by taking the Disney Springs bus from any Disney Resort.
Disney Springs to EPCOT Park
Traveling from Disney Springs to EPCOT Park also gets you close to the Disney BoardWalk Area. To get to Epcot from Disney Springs, you can board a bus to any of the BoardWalk Resorts, all within walking distance of the park. Or transfer to a Disney EPCOT bus once you reach the resort.
- Take the Disney Springs bus to Disney’s Beach Club Resort: The closest Disney Resort to EPCOT is the Disney Beach Club. Often using a shared bus, you can also take the Yacht and Beach Club Bus from Disney Springs, and then just be sure to get off at the Beach Club. Once at the Beach Club, you can simply walk through the lobby, and out onto the BoardWalk. From here, it’s about a 5 minute walk to the Epcot International Gateway, located at the back of EPCOT Park.
There is no Disney Springs Bus Service from the Disney Parks. As such you cannot take a bus from Epcot to Disney Springs. You can, however, get back to Disney Springs Bus by taking the Disney Springs bus from any Disney Resort.
Disney Springs to Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is close to both EPCOT and the Disney BoardWalk. If you’re headed from Disney Springs to Hollywood Studios your best bet is to take a Disney Resort bus to the Disney BoardWalk Resorts or the Disney Swan Resort. From these resorts you can walk or take a boat to the Hollywood Studios front gates. Or wait for a Resort Bus, going to Hollywood Studios.
- Take a Disney Springs bus to Disney’s Swan Hotel: The Disney Swan Resort shares a boat dock with the Disney Dolphin Hotel and offers service to the Hollywood Studios front gates. You can alternatively walk to Hollywood Studios from the Swan, via the walking path.
- Take a Disney Springs bus to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn: If you head to the Boardwalk Inn Hotel, you can either grab a Hollywood Studios bus from there or take the walking path, just behind the resort. You can also take the boat at the dock just outside the resort, to go to Hollywood Studios.
There is no Disney Springs Bus Service from the Disney Parks. As such you cannot take a bus from Hollywood Studios to Disney Springs. You can, however, get back to Disney Springs Bus by taking the Disney Springs bus from any Disney Resort.
Disney Springs to Animal Kingdom
Of all the Disney Parks, Animal Kingdom is typically the hardest to get to. As such, the closest you can get to Animal Kingdom from Disney Springs is by heading to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. One of our favorite resorts at Disney World, we always recommend taking a minute on the balcony to see the animals while you’re at this resort.
- Take the Disney Springs Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge: Inaccessible by any other means, except bus, once you reach Animal Kingdom Lodge you will need to transfer to the Disney Animal Kingdom Bus in order to get to the park.
There is no Disney Springs Bus Service from the Disney Parks. As such you cannot take a bus from Animal Kingdom to Disney Springs. You can, however, get back to Disney Springs Bus by taking the Disney Springs bus from any Disney Resort.
Disney Springs Boat Transportation
Another way to get to Walt Disney World from Disney Springs, is by taking the boat from Disney Springs to one of the Port Orleans Resorts. From the resort you can catch a Disney Bus to any Disney Park you choose. The boat launch is located on the far side of the shopping center and boats run from 10:30 AM- 11:30 PM. With service between the French Quarter Resort and Riverside and Disney Springs.
This is a great option for getting to the parks, if you’re taking it easy. The boat trip is typically about 10-15 minutes to the resorts. Plus, you can enjoy beignets at Sassagoula, or browse the gift shops once you get there, before heading into the parks. And if you have more time, you can even walk to the resorts from Disney Springs, on the walking path near the boat dock. Saratoga Springs, French Quarter and Disney’s Riverside Resort are all along this walking trail.
Can you get a Bus from the Parks to Disney Springs?
No. Unfortunately, there is no Disney Springs Bus Service from the Disney Parks, yet. As such you cannot take a bus from the parks to Disney Springs. While this is terribly inconvenient, especially if you’re staying at the parks late, it makes sense that Disney Springs wouldn’t want the parking lot full of parkgoers avoiding the parking fees at Disney parks. To head back to the shopping center after being in the parks, you will have to head to a Disney Resort first. Then get a Disney Springs bus, to bring you back to the bus depot.
Do Disney Springs Parking Lots Get Full?
Yes, especially during the busy season and holidays. Sometimes the parking at Disney Springs also reaches capacity on weekends and evenings As a result you can find out if the garages and parking lots are full via the digital message boards along Buena Vista Drive.
Do you have to Pay to Park at Disney Springs?
No. Self-parking at Disney Springs is complimentary in all surface lots and garages, providing direct access to Disney Springs. However, Overnight Parking is not permitted. And as Disney Springs closes at 11pm, it’s best to be back to your car by then to avoid ticket or tow.
Find Your Car with the Car Locator at Disney Springs
With several parking lots, garages, you may forget where you parked your car at Disney Springs. Luckily, you can use the Disney Car Locator in the My Disney Experience App to help find your car via location services. You can save your parking details at select Walt Disney World Resort parking locations, including Disney Springs in the app.
Disney Springs Map
If you’re parking at Disney Springs and heading to the parks, remember that Disney Springs has hours up until 11:00 PM. Afterwards you risk having your car ticketed or towed. Be sure to double check hours of the parks and shopping center prior to leaving your car.
How to Get to Disney World
Hopefully this post has given you everything you need to make your Disney World trip easier. Know that if you’re using the transportation at Disney Springs, the Disney Buses, Boats and Walking Trail are all options to get you to a Disney Resort. So that, afterward, you can transfer to a Theme Park bus. Don’t forget to check out all the Things to Do at Disney Springs while you’re in the area too! It’s one of our favorite places to spend a Free Day at Disney World.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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