Walking from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs (Both Ways)

Sometimes, during your Walt Disney World vacation, you want to visit Disney Springs for a meal, shopping, or to enjoy a little entertainment. If you’re staying at Saratoga Springs, you’re in luck because two walking paths lead from the resort to Disney Springs.

Below, we’ll preview the details for walking from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs. I’ll add a few tips for guests visiting from other resorts who might like to utilize the walking path from the Congress Park bus stop to Disney Springs. (This is a common route many guests take from the theme parks to Disney Springs.)

Unfortunately, the former after 4:00 p.m. bus service from the theme parks to Disney Springs is no longer an option. So many guests take a bus from a theme park to Saratoga Springs and use the walking path to Disney Springs. You can do this at any time of the day if it falls within the operation hours of Disney’s complimentary transportation.

Let’s look at the specifics and which walking path will work best for you. It will likely depend on which side of Disney Springs you’re headed.

Congress Park Bus To Disney Springs (Marketplace)

We’ll start with the walking path between Congress Park and Disney Springs. Disney knows that many guests visit Disney Springs via this route, so they have signs that direct guests to the walkway from the bus stop.

So, if you’re visiting the resort from elsewhere, you’ll want to listen for the Congress Park stop. Saratoga Springs is a massive resort, so Congress Park is the fourth stop after arriving.

The Congress Park walking path leads to the Marketplace entrance of Disney Springs. The Marketplace was once the main entrance to Disney Springs. It’s where you’ll find the Rainforest Cafe, the Lego Store, World of Disney, Earl of Sandwich, and many other classic shops and restaurants.

The walkway to Disney Springs is immediately behind the Congress Park bus stop. You’ll see a sign with an arrow pointing towards the Disney Springs walkway.

From there, you’ll walk directly down a pathway past the Congress Park Pool. You’ll continue straight until you reach Lake Buena Vista. Disney Springs sits in the distance on the other side of the lake. You’ll want to take a left when you reach the water!

When you see the balloon, you’ll know you’re in good shape.

As you walk toward the Disney Springs Marketplace entrance, you’ll see a bridge, a boat dock, and the Rainforest Cafe.

Soon, you’ll cross the bridge to Disney Springs. On the way, you’ll pass the Marketplace Boat Dock. These boats will take you to Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter, Old Key West, and The Springs boat dock at Saratoga Springs.

*Water taxis formerly took guests to the opposite side of Disney Springs. Unfortunately, this service has yet to return. But you can still take a water taxi to the other resorts if you like.

The walk from the Congress Park bus stop to The Marketplace entrance at Disney Springs averages 10-12 minutes. It’s a beautiful walk. We always enjoy visiting Disney Springs via this route.

The Springs Walkway to Disney Springs (West Side)

If you’re going to the West Side of Disney Springs, you can take the walkway from the opposite side of Saratoga Springs. Personally, I would only take this route if you were staying at the resort or exceptionally familiar with the area. It’s considerably longer, and the pathway is not well-marked.

This pathway begins near The Springs boat dock at Saratoga Springs. The Springs boat dock sits below The Carriage House, where the resort’s main lobby, dining, and pro shop are located.

If you were visiting Saratoga Springs from another resort, you would want to exit at The Springs bus stop. This is the last bus stop after Congress Park. From there, you would have to walk through the entire Springs area to the boat dock.

It’s a large area, so it might not be very clear. But if you’re only out for leisure or exploring, you will see many of the resort’s main amenities.

Below is a photo of the entrance to the boat dock. You’ll continue past the boat dock on the path that leads to the golf course. (This boat will take you to the Marketplace at Disney Springs.)

From there, you’ll cross a bridge on the golf course. Again, the only signs you’ll see are those for guests of the golf course.

You’ll continue to the left after crossing the bridge. A Mickey-shaped sand trap sits on a hill to the right.

From there, you’ll keep straight on a sidewalk that leads to ground parking at Disney Springs. This sidewalk continues past the strawberry lot at Disney Springs and eventually comes out near Cirque de Soleil.

You can then continue on the path by the lake that leads to the Aerophile Balloon. Or you can enter the West Side at Cirque De Soleil. Other popular locations on the West Side of Disney Springs include the AMC Movie Theater, Jaleo, and Splitsville Bowling Alley, to name a few.

The route from the boat dock at Saratoga Springs to the West Side (the balloon) is nearly three-quarters of a mile and takes approximately 20 minutes at an average pace. It is twice as long as the Congress Park route to the Marketplace.

Here is a map that shows the walkway between the West Side of Disney Springs and The Springs boat dock at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort.

How to Return to Saratoga Springs or Your Resort

When you leave Disney Springs, you can return to Saratoga Springs using either a walkway or a water taxi from the Marketplace. Bus service is also provided between Disney Springs and Saratoga Springs.

However, if you’re returning to another resort, you’ll want to locate the bus stop for your resort. The bus stop at Disney Springs is located in front of Town Center. We usually take the walkway by Wolfgang Puck’s or the Coca-Cola store to get to it.

Related: Disney Springs Transportation Tips

Hopefully, these directions and tips will be helpful on your next visit! For dining options, you might like to check out our list of the Best Restaurants at Disney Springs. It includes some of our favorite places to dine at the venue.

For more details about Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, you might enjoy the following:

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review
• Restaurants at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Every Pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Deluxe Studio at Saratoga Springs (Lots of Photos)
• Transportation How-To’s for Disney’s Saratoga Springs

Would You Try This Route?

Have you ever taken the walkway from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs? Would you take the walkway to the West Side? What are your thoughts on walking to and from these venues? Would you prefer to take another form of transportation over the walking paths? Leave your thoughts or questions below. As always, we value your opinions and experiences.