Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Transportation Options

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Transportation Options (With Tips and How To’s)

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside is a dreamy resort with a transportation option that reflects its origins–the Sassagoula Steamboat Company River Cruise. Also, Riverside is so enormous that it commands four bus stops with an internal bus system.

Some might find a resort like Port Orleans Riverside challenging to navigate. But you’ll probably feel differently once you get the hang of 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. 

For those who are already on vacation, here are a few quick links to some of the main destinations at Walt Disney World. 

When we finish, you’ll have a good 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!

Riverside Mill at Port Orleans Riverside

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, there is no walking path from Riverside to a theme park 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. 

Bridge that leads to the River Cruise at Port Orleans Riverside

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 major section of the resort. You’ll want to use the bus stop nearest your location at the resort. 

Here is a list of the bus stops at Port Orleans Riverside. Theme park buses pick up and drop off in this order:

  • West Depot
  • North Depot
  • East Depot
  • South Depot (main lobby)

You’ll return to Port Orleans Riverside from the bus stop at Magic Kingdom. 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 the resort. 

*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, which meant it took even longer to get back to our room.

Port Orleans Riverside bus to Magic Kingdom

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 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.

a wait times sign for the bus at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside

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. Remember to exit at the South Depot if you need to stop at the lobby upon your return. 

bus stop at Port Orleans Riverside

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. Don’t forget the lobby stop is South Depot, if needed. 

the East Depot bus stop at Port Orleans Riverside

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. 

#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 will often indicate 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. 

a bus pulling away from the bus stop at the front entrance of Port Orleans Riverside

#2 Take a Water Taxi from Riverside to Disney Springs

Most will want to take the water taxi from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney Springs. It is a pleasant boat ride back and forth between the two destinations. 

A yellow flag identifies Riverside water taxis. They dock immediately behind the lobby of Port Orleans Riverside and at the Marketplace at Disney Springs. You will have one stop at Port Orleans French Quarter on the way to Disney Springs and the return trip. 

a sign that tells guests the times for the River Cruise (Water Taxis) at Port Orleans Riverside

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.

However, if you’re at the French Quarter, the water taxi that docks on the right side of the dock will travel 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 provide an explanation if a boat doesn’t stop.

a boat docked at Disney Springs that takes guests to Port Orleans Riverside

Accessibility at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Most transportation options at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside accommodate guests with accessibility needs. Disney provides an overview of each form of transportation on their website.

All bus stops have a separate spot for guests in wheelchairs and ECVs to wait. Additionally, the water taxis accommodate most wheelchairs and ECVs. 

Disney has an excellent resource on their site if you want to learn more: Transportation and Mobility Disabilities at Disney World

Waiting area for the bus for guests with ECVs and wheelchairs.

Walking Between Port Orleans Riverside and 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. It takes approximately 15 minutes at a leisurely pace to travel from one resort’s lobby to the other.

the walkway between Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter with a directional between them

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 the 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.

an American flag on the back of a water taxi as it heads down the Sassagoula River toward Port Orleans Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to the Monorail Resorts 

Additionally, most guests will want to visit the monorail resorts for dining or touring. To do this, you can take a bus from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Magic Kingdom.

From there, you will have to walk through security at Magic Kingdom. Then you can walk, boat, or monorail to the following resorts:

Alternatively, you could take a bus from Riverside to Hollywood Studios. Then, take a bus from Hollywood Studios to any of the monorail resorts. 

the resort monorail sign at Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Boardwalk 

If you want to travel to Disney’s Boardwalk Inn or 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. But the Boardwalk does have a few places geared toward adults that are open relatively late.

a scenic photo of Disney's Boardwalk

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.

the water taxi boat dock at Port Orleans Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to the Skyliner Resorts

If you want to take a ride (for leisure) on the Disney Skyliner, take a bus from Port Orleans Riverside to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and board the Skyliner. We have a separate guide that details Disney’s Skyliner’s 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.

the International Gateway entrance at Port Orleans Riverside

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. The first is Kidani Village, and the second is 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. 
a view of Disney Springs on the lake

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 find yourself in need of travel outside of complimentary transportation hours, you can order a car service (i.e., 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 comparable, we would take a car service back to our hotel.

a sidewalk on the grounds of Port Orleans Riverside with white benches

Final Thoughts on Transportation at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside

Hopefully, this article gave you some essential tips for getting to and from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside. Remember to take the time to identify the bus stop closest to your room (and the quickest walking path to it) upon your arrival. It will be smooth sailing from there!

For more articles related to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you might enjoy the following:

What Do You Think?

Did you find these tips for transportation at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside helpful? Will they factor into your planning a stay here? Please share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. We value your opinion and can assure you other readers do as well.

Amber

Author


Hi, I'm Amber the owner of Resorts Gal. We have stayed at every single Disney Resort Hotel. Our philosophy? We believe you can have an incredible time at the resorts without ever setting foot in a theme park. We live near the parks and visit weekly and would love for you to follow along.

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