There is much more to Disney World than just four theme parks. Besides the resorts and water parks, this area is also home to Disney Springs.

Disney Springs is a shopping, dining, and entertainment district within the Walt Disney World Resort. Here you can shop not only Disney stores but also well-known brands like Uniqlo, Coach, Sephora, and more! Many guests choose to spend an evening or even an entire day at Disney Springs during their trip. If you’re coming to Disney World and want to visit Disney Springs, you’ll need to know how to get there.

Disney World has a variety of free transportation throughout the parks. There’s the iconic Monorail, the bus system, the new Skyliner transport, and even boats! You can also choose paid options like ride share services; both Lyft and Uber operate within Disney World, and Disney has its own ride share service — Minnie Vans — which partners with Lyft. The buses are a popular choice for guests because you can find stops across the resort, they’re free, and their large capacity means less time waiting in line to hop on.

A COMPLETE Guide to Taking the Bus in Disney World

You can catch a bus from your Disney resort to Disney Springs, and buses start running once Disney Springs opens. There aren’t any buses that go from Disney Springs to the theme parks, so if you are planning on going to the parks after a morning in Disney Springs, you’ll need to find another option.

Disney Springs has three bus loops, and each has a different use! The Disney Springs West Side loop is now used for ride share such as Minnie Vans, guest pick up/drop off, and non-Disney-owned hotels. The Disney Springs Marketplace loop is used for Minnie Vans and other ride shares. Lastly, the main Disney Springs bus area near the Town Center is where you’ll find buses departing to and arriving from the Disney Resort hotels. Disney Springs buses typically start running at around 9AM, and the bus driver will announce the latest bus return time, usually about 1 hour after Disney Springs closes for the night.

Buses tend to run about every 20 minutes, but traffic and delays can occur, so we recommend giving yourself at least an hour for Disney transportation, especially if you’re trying to make a dining reservation! If you do find yourself in a pinch (like if the line for the bus is exceptionally long and you don’t want to or can’t afford to wait) you can always opt for a ride share, but you will have to shell out some cash.

Getting to and from Disney Springs from your Disney resort is easy when you use the bus service. Just keep an eye on the clock to make sure you don’t miss any reservations or end up missing the buses entirely! When it’s time to head back to your resort, you can check the bus directory to see which bus you need and where to meet it. Taking the bus may not be the quickest option, but it is free and fairly convenient because you don’t have to worry about making arrangements like you would with a ride share.

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Do you prefer to spend an afternoon or evening in Disney Springs, or do you like to set aside a whole day devoted to the area? Comment below!

The post Disney Springs Bus Schedule, Tips and Advice first appeared on the disney food blog.