Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Transportation Options (With Tips and How To’s)
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is a dreamy resort with two transportation options—the Sassagoula Steamboat Company River Cruise and Disney’s complimentary bus service. The resort is so enormous that it has four bus stops and an internal bus system.
Some might find a resort like Port Orleans Riverside challenging to navigate, but you’ll probably feel differently once you understand how things work. Based on our experience, we’ve compiled a transportation guide with tips for Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. If you have an upcoming vacation, you’ll want to review this guide beforehand and bookmark it in case you need it for a quick reference while you’re on vacation.
When we finish, you’ll have a complete overview of how to get to and from Port Orleans Riverside. Additionally, we’ll discuss a few other tips for getting around the resort and to the neighboring French Quarter. So, put on a pot of gumbo for dinner because we’re headed down to the bayou to learn how to slither out of the swamp!
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Transportation Options
The following forms of transportation are available at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort:
- Disney Bus Service
- Disney Water Taxi
- Walking
You can walk between Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts. However, the resort does not offer walking paths to theme parks or Disney Springs. While the resort is so spread out that it requires an internal bus system, its charm and unique landscape make it desirable. Port Orleans Riverside has stunning grounds that you could spend hours roaming about.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Magic Kingdom
You’ll take a bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Magic Kingdom. Port Orleans Riverside has bus stops at each section of the resort. You’ll likely want to use the bus stop nearest your room assignment. Here is a list of the bus stops at Port Orleans Riverside and the order of stops.
- West Depot
- North Depot
- East Depot
- South Depot (main lobby)
When you leave Magic Kingdom, you’ll find the resort bus stop for Port Orleans Riverside. Buses drop off in the same order listed above. If you need to stop at the resort’s lobby on the way back, you’ll exit the bus at the South Depot, the last stop before the bus leaves.
*During slower times, Port Orleans Riverside may share bus service with Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. So, you’ll always want to pay attention to the announcement over the intercom before the bus stop.
Many years ago, we exited at the French Quarter bus stop because we thought we were at Riverside. It wasn’t until we walked inside the lobby that we realized our mistake. It was a long walk back to the room.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Epcot
You’ll take a bus from Riverside to Epcot. Buses continue to pick up in the same order for Epcot:
- West Depot
- North Depot
- East Depot
- South Depot (main lobby)
You’ll return from Epcot the same way. Remember to exit at the South Depot if you need to pick up something from the gift shop or restaurant before returning to the room.
Wait times for the next bus are posted at each resort bus stop. We have found that wait times are pretty accurate. They are transmitted to the sign via a signal from the bus’s location. So, if you notice a fluctuation, it’s probably because the bus stopped at a light or ran into traffic.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Hollywood Studios
You’ll take a bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses continue to pick up in the same order as the other parks.
- West Depot
- North Depot
- East Depot
- South Depot (main lobby)
You’ll return from Hollywood Studios to Riverside the same way.
Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom
You’ll take a bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Buses continue to pick up in the same order:
- West Depot
- North Depot
- East Depot
- South Depot (main lobby)
You’ll return from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the same manner.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs
You’ll have two options for traveling from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. You can take a bus or a boat from the resort to Disney Springs.
Option #1: Take a Bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs
You can take a bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. When you get to the bus stop at Port Orleans Riverside, the sign often indicates taking a water taxi to Disney Springs. It is confusing, but if you wait, a Disney Springs bus will come. This bus service is shared with Port Orleans French Quarter and doubles as the resort’s internal bus service. Here is its route:
- Port Orleans French Quarter Bus Stop (lobby)
- South Depot at Riverside (lobby)
- West Depot
- North Depot
- East Depot
- Port Orleans French Quarter Bus Stop (lobby)
- Disney Springs
Since this bus serves as the internal bus at Port Orleans Riverside, guests can take the Disney Springs bus from the lobby to:
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Alligator Bayou Sections (West and North Depot)
- Magnolia Bend (North and East Depot)
- Disney Springs
For example, if you have dinner at Boatwrights, you can take the Disney Springs bus back to your room in Magnolia Bend. You would not want to take a theme park bus back to your room because South Depot (the lobby) is the last stop before theme park buses leave the resort. The Disney Springs bus is the only bus that stops at South Depot first.
Option #2: Take a Water Taxi from Riverside to Disney Springs
Most guests will want to take the water taxi from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. It is a pleasant boat ride between the two destinations. Riverside water taxis are identified by a yellow flag. They dock immediately behind the lobby of Port Orleans Riverside and at the Marketplace at Disney Springs. On the way to Disney Springs and the return trip, you usually stop at Port Orleans French Quarter.
Water Taxis run the following routes:
- Disney Springs
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Port Orleans Riverside
- Port Orleans French Quarter
- Disney Springs
*The water taxis at Disney Springs hold approximately 32 guests. You can take this same water taxi to travel back and forth between the French Quarter and Riverside. You’ll want to make sure to board the correct water taxi. The one that docks on the right side of the dock travels to Riverside. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. The boat captain will identify where the boat is going before you board.
*During higher volume crowd times, more boats might service this route. For reference, a yellow flag is Port Orleans Riverside, a purple flag is Port Orleans French Quarter, and a yellow and purple flag services both resorts. You don’t necessarily have to know this, but it might explain if a boat doesn’t stop.
Accessibility at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Most transportation options at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside accommodate guests with accessibility needs. All bus stops have a separate spot for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs to wait. It’s essential to wait in the designated area so the bus driver can identify you when they arrive and know how they need to load the bus. Also, the water taxis accommodate most wheelchairs and ECVs.
Disney’s site has an excellent resource for learning more: Transportation and Mobility Disabilities at Disney World.
Walking Between Port Orleans Riverside and the French Quarter
Guests can walk between Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter. A sidewalk runs from the Port Orleans Riverside lobby to the opposite end of the French Quarter. Traveling from one resort’s lobby to the other takes approximately 15 minutes at a leisurely pace.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Water Parks
Occasionally, Disney offers direct bus service to and from the resort to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. However, that is rare. When you reach the bus stop, the electronic sign will indicate which bus to take to which water park.
Usually, guests must take the bus to Disney Springs when traveling to Typhoon Lagoon. When you reach Disney Springs, you’ll exit that bus and board a transfer bus to Disney Springs. Someone will be in the area to direct you to the correct bus stop. It’s not far.
However, when you leave Typhoon Lagoon, you’ll have to walk further to find your resort bus stop at Disney Springs. So you’ll want to make sure to have a change of clothes for the return trip.
For Blizzard Beach, you’ll take a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and then board a nearby transfer bus to Blizzard Beach. You’ll then return in the same manner.
*Important Note–You do not want to take the boat from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs to visit Typhoon Lagoon. The water taxi service drops off at The Marketplace. From there, you would have to walk to the Marketplace entrance at Disney Springs. Then, you would walk across most of the venue to reach the transfer bus to Typhoon Lagoon. I haven’t timed it precisely, but I estimate that route would take close to an hour and involve a good deal of walking.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to the Monorail Resorts
Additionally, most guests will want to visit the monorail resorts for dining or touring. You can take a bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Magic Kingdom to do this. From there, you will have to walk through security at Magic Kingdom. Then you can walk, boat, or monorail to the following resorts:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (walk, boat, monorail)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (boat, monorail, technically can walk via the Grand Floridian walkway to Magic Kingdom)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (walk or monorail)
Alternatively, you could take a bus from Riverside to Hollywood Studios. Then, take a bus from Hollywood Studios to any of the monorail resorts.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Boardwalk
If you want to travel to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn or the other Epcot Resorts, take a bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Epcot Resorts include Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin.
From Hollywood Studios, you can walk to the Boardwalk or take a Friendship Boat. You’ll want to return to Riverside in the same manner. However, if you’re staying out past theme park hours, you might have to order a car service (i.e., Lyft, Uber, Taxi, or Minnie Van) if the buses are no longer running. Those would be pretty late hours to keep. However, the Boardwalk does have a few places geared toward adults that are open relatively late.
Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness
Additionally, you can take a bus to Magic Kingdom for Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Once you arrive at Magic Kingdom, take a bus or the red flag boat to either resort.
*During inclement weather, you must take a bus from Magic Kingdom to Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness. Hopefully, you’ll get to take the boat, though. It’s a pleasant ride and part of the fun.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to the Skyliner Resorts
If you want to ride the Disney Skyliner (for leisure), take a bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and board the Skyliner. We have a separate guide that details the route. Stops include Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera Resort, and Epcot’s International Gateway.
*Remember these tips are subject to Disney’s transportation hours of operation.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom Lodge
To visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we usually take a bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Then, we’ll take a bus from the Animal Kingdom to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Note that the bus makes two stops at the Lodge: Kidani Village and Jambo House. You’ll want to know which location is your intended destination.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Other Disney Springs Resorts
If you want to visit one of the resorts near Disney Springs, you can boat from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. You’ll have the following options:
- Walk or take a water taxi from the Disney Springs Marketplace to Disney’s Saratoga Springs.
- Take a water taxi from the Disney Springs Marketplace to Disney’s Old Key West.
Airport to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Lastly, when traveling from the Orlando International Airport (MCO), you’ll need to arrange transportation to the resort. Disney no longer offers transportation between the airport and the Walt Disney World Resort.
Tip: If you need to travel outside of complimentary transportation hours, you can order a car service (e.g., Lyft, Uber, Taxi, or Minnie Van). We try to avoid the extra expense as much as possible. But if we had late dining reservations or something comparable, we would take a car service back to our hotel.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article gave you some essential tips for getting to and from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. Upon your arrival, remember to take the time to identify the bus stop closest to your room (and the quickest walking path to it). It will be smooth sailing from there!
For more articles related to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you might enjoy the following:
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Review
- Disney’s Port Orleans Magnolia Bend Mansion Room Tour
- Every Pool at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
- Port Orleans Riverside Restaurants Guide
- Photo Tour of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside
Want to save time and energy on your vacation? Get a copy of our 5 best transportation tips for Walt Disney World.
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