Disney Springs, or for those who know it by its former name, “Downtown Disney,” is an admission-free sprawling area of dining, shopping, and entertainment options on the Walt Disney Resort campus.

Disney Springs includes four neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side, and Town Center, built around the springs from which it takes its name. Disney Springs is a beautiful tribute to waterfront towns and the architecture of Florida.

Whether it’s for the shops, the restaurants, or the shows you will find nowhere else, no Disney World vacation is complete without an excursion or three to Disney Springs. If you’re staying at one of the most popular budget resort hotels, the Pop Century resort, you’ll need to know how to get back and forth from Disney Springs.

Getting around Disney World can be overwhelming at first. Once you know all the transportation options and their pros and cons, getting where you want to go is a snap. Keep reading our guide to learn how to get from Disney Springs to Pop Century Resort.

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How To Get From Disney Springs to Pop Century Resort: Your Options

If you need to get to the Pop Century Resort from Disney Springs, there are several ways to do it: Disney World Bus Service, Disney’s Minnie Van Service, rideshare, and by car. Each option has its perks and drawbacks. You may decide to switch it up from one Disney Springs or Pop Century outing to the next.

Disney World Bus Service

Disney World’s Bus service is the number one way to get around Disney World. The buses are free, run every 10-20 minutes, have convenient easy-to-find bus stops and are a fun way to get from one place to another within the resort.

To get from Disney Springs to Pop Century Resort, find The Gateway near Town Center, where the Disney World bus service picks up and drops off. There will be signs throughout Disney Springs directing you to The Gateway. Use the directory to find which line to stand in to wait for the bus to the Pop Century Resort.

Buses from Disney Springs to Pop Century start running when Disney Springs opens at 1 pm and stop operating at 2 am, an hour after closing. Allow an hour for travel and be aware that the buses can get quite crowded, especially at peak times.

Disney’s Minnie Van Service

Disney’s Minnie Van service is a fun rideshare option you can use while traveling through Disney World. A friendly and knowledgeable Disney World Cast member will pick you up in a cute red and white van and drive you to your destination.

Open the Lyft app on your phone for Disney’s Minne Van service. Type in your destination to see the price for your trip and order a driver to pick you up.

Disney’s Minnie Van service can fit a family of six and come with up to two complimentary car seats for children under six years old.

While more expensive than using the free bus, Disney’s Minnie Van Service offers more flexibility in travel. It is a good option when you’re worried about missing a reservation or show time or when you and your tired family don’t want to squish into a crowded bus.

Rideshare

Besides Disney’s Minnie Van Service, while in Disney Springs, you can also use the more traditional rideshare services of Lyft or Uber.

There are two rideshare pickup spots in Disney Springs. Lyft and Uber will only pick you up in these designated places.

Use the Lyft or Uber app on your phone to check prices, schedule, and pay for your ride. At busy times you may have to wait a while for a car. Surge pricing may apply.

Ridesharing can be a pricier way to go when it comes to getting from Disney Springs to Pop Century Resort, but sometimes the privacy and ease are worth it.

Car

Another option for getting from Disney Springs to Pop Century resort is by car. Whether you’ve rented a car to use while at Disney World or took a family road trip to Disney World in your car, driving around Disney can offer freedom and flexibility that no other transportation method can.

Driving cuts down on wait times for buses and rideshares, but parking can be an issue. Self-parking at Disney Springs is free. While there are several garages and surface lots, parking lots fill up. Plan to arrive at Disney Springs an hour before any reservation or showtime. A digital board on Beuna Vista Drive will display which lots are to capacity.

Parking space is more available Monday- Thursday earlier in the day. The lots often reach capacity during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

There is also valet parking available at the Cirque Du Soliel and preferred parking at the Mango lot, both for a fee.

Using My Disney Experience App to Get From Disney Springs to Pop Century Resort

Disney World is constantly changing and upgrading with the times. How people navigate their vacation, their tickets, their hotel reservations, and their transportation options have changed with the My Disney Experience App.

While planning your Disney World vacation, download the app to keep track of your travel details and make further plans, such as dining reservations and event bookings. Not only will all your reservations and bookings be at your fingertips and in one place, but you can also use the app to view park maps, see the opening and closing times, and contact-less entry into the parks.

The My Disney Experience App also has a feature to help you navigate transportation. The app shows bus arrival times from your current location to your destination. If you don’t remember all your transportation options or aren’t sure which is the quickest one at the moment, the app will provide the best directions and routes.

With just a little preparation and research into the options, you will never be late or get lost when getting from Disney Springs to the Pop Century Resort or wherever else you go within the Disney resort. For more advice on navigating your Disney World vacation, check out some of our other guides:

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Caitlin Lloyd

Travel Editor at The Family Vacation Guide

Caitlin is one of The Family Vacation Guide's long standing contributors. She enjoys taking vacation to busy, vibrant cities and has stretched her traveling legs out towards Europe in recent months, enjoying new experiences in Barcelona in Spain, and Nice in France.

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