The major perk of staying ‘onsite’ at a Disney Resort is the convenient and complimentary transport straight to the park entrances.
Guests at Port Orleans Riverside may not have the same variety as some of Disney’s higher-priced ‘monorail resorts’, nevertheless the Disney bus services is a great time saver in the day or night.
Meanwhile, the Sassagoula River gives Riverside (and sister resort French Quarter) a wonderful and unique transport perk for moderate resort guests.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting to the magic of Disney's theme parks from the resort.
Disney bus transportation
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside provides complimentary bus transportation for all guests heading to the theme parks.
These buses are your primary mode of transport to the four main Disney parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can also get a bus to Disney Springs.
Buses typically depart every 15-20 minutes from designated stops throughout the resort, making it easy to hop on and head straight to the parks.
At Port Orleans Riverside there are four bus stops for guest pickups and drop off, each located near the hotel room blocks across the resort area.
The Magic Kingdom is the closest park to the resort, and it takes around 20 minutes to get there by bus.
For Epcot and the other parks, travel times range from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Disney Springs ferry boat
One of the most enjoyable and scenic transport options in all of Disney World is the ferry boat service between the Port Orleans resorts to Disney Springs - the fact that these resorts are in the moderate price bracket, makes it feel like an extra special perk.
The ferry departs from the Riveside resort’s marina and takes a scenic ride down the Sassagoula River, arriving at Disney Springs in about 15-20 minutes. A separate ferry route leaves from the French Quarter dock.
The ferry is free of charge, making it a fun and relaxing way to get to Disney Springs for shopping, dining, or entertainment.
Can you walk to the parks?
Unlike some Disney resorts, Port Orleans Riverside is not within walking distance of any theme parks. Walking is not recommended due to the distance and lack of pedestrian-friendly routes.
However, the bus and boat services more than make up for this, offering convenient and free transportation to all the major attractions.
Costs and accessibility
All transportation options from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside, including the buses and ferry boats, are completely free for resort guests.
The resort’s complimentary transportation is also wheelchair accessible, ensuring every guest can travel comfortably.
Hail a ride
Guests can, of course, choose to hail a ride from Uber or Lyft if waiting for a scheduled bus doesn’t suit their itinerary.
Disney allows Uber and regular Lyft drivers to pick up and drop off guests at designated spots at the resorts and at the parks.
‘Minnievans’, a partnership between Lyft and Disney, are granted wider access (for example, a Minnievan will take you right up to the Magic Kindom drop-off area near the park entrance, rather than only taking you as far as the Ticket and Transportation Centre).
Ride-hailing apps use dynamic pricing, so the price of your journey changes depending on the time of day and how busy it is.
Final thoughts on Port Orleans Riverside’s transport
Whether you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or Disney Springs, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside offers reliable and frequent transportation options to make your park visits stress-free.
With buses and boats available at no additional charge, your journey to the magic will be as convenient as it is fun!
