How do you get from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort to Animal Kingdom?
If you are staying at Riverside, you probably want to know how to get to Animal Kingdom from the resort.
Below, I will detail FIVE specific ways you can make this journey.
Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom:
Option #1: Take the FREE Disney bus to Animal Kingdom!
Did you know Disney World provides FREE bus transportation from Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom? Being able to jump on and off these buses is one of the best benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort.
To use the buses to get to Animal Kingdom, you must first find the bus stops! Because Riverside is such a big resort, there are FOUR different locations where you can board the buses. The good news is that no matter where you stay within the resort, you shouldn’t have a very far walk to at least one of the bus stops.
Here are the FOUR different bus stops, listed in the order they PICK UP* guests at Port Orleans Riverside:
Here is a map of where you can find each bus stop at Port Orleans Riverside.
- Pick up #1: West Depot
- West Depot (pictured below), North Depot, and East Depot are much smaller than the South Depot bus stop.
- Pick up #2: North Depot
- Pick up #3: East Depot
- Pick up #4: South Depot – this is the stop outside the main lobby. It is considered the MAIN bus stop. It is the largest and busiest.
*This is also the order in which guests get dropped off coming back from the parks.
When you arrive at the bus stop, you will find a screen that shows when the next bus to Animal Kingdom is expected to arrive.
Bus service to Animal Kingdom typically begins 45 minutes before the park opens and ends 1 hour after it closes. Once they start, the buses run continuously throughout the day. I have found that you can typically expect a bus to arrive around every 20 minutes.
Since the Disney buses are free to ride, it’s the most popular way to travel to Animal Kingdom from Port Orleans Riverside. You can expect a bit of a line to board the bus at certain times, such as in the morning around the park opening. So, give yourself ample time to get to Animal Kingdom for a reservation or show. Our family usually leaves our room about an hour before we want to arrive, just to be safe.
Once your bus leaves Riverside, Animal Kingdom is 7.8 miles away (12.6 km). The bus ride should take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
But please be aware that you will probably be on the bus longer, depending on which stop you board the bus.
That’s because you must wait as the bus drops off and picks up guests at the other stops within Port Orleans Riverside before finally leaving for the theme park. For example, suppose you get on the bus at the West Depot (Pick up #1). In that case, it’s estimated that it will take 10-15 minutes to get through the other three bus stops within Riverside before finally leaving for Animal Kingdom.
This time can vary greatly, depending on how many guests get on or off the bus. Also, it will take longer if anyone boards with a mobility issue (scooter or wheelchair).
Some guests use a strategy to walk directly to the last bus stop (South Depot). They do this to avoid spending additional time on the bus. Also, it’s nice to get a snack or drink at the Riverside Mill Food Court before leaving for Animal Kingdom.
But I want to warn you this plan could backfire.
During busy times, such as in the morning, the bus may already be full of guests by the time it reaches the last stop (South Depot). If that happens, the bus will drive by, and you must hope the next one has room for you.
If using the free bus transportation to get to Animal Kingdom sounds frustrating, keep reading to learn about other options. 🙂
Option #2: Take an Uber/Lyft from Riverside to Animal Kingdom
If you don’t want to ride on or wait for the bus, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Port Orleans Riverside Resort is easy. Just open the app and select Animal Kingdom as your destination, and you will be matched with a driver within seconds.
Because Riverside is such a big resort, you must mark your location CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays. There is plenty of space outside the main lobby for your driver to stop and pick you up.
But the Riverside Lobby is far from parts of the resort. The great news about using Uber or Lyft is the driver can pick you up ANYWHERE you want. No matter which building you are staying in, a parking lot will be nearby, offering plenty of room for your driver to stop quickly for you to jump in.
The driving distance from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort to Animal Kingdom is 7.8 miles (12.6 km), and the drive should take around 15 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic. Another benefit of a rideshare service is that they typically drive to Animal Kingdom faster than the slower Disney buses.
I have found the one-way fare from Port Orleans Riverside averages under $15.
If you have limited time to travel to Animal Kingdom, I think it is money well spent! The best part about using a rideshare service while staying at Riverside is that you don’t have to deal with your bus stopping at multiple places within the resort before finally leaving for the park. You also don’t risk the bus being full when it arrives at your bus stop.
Between Uber and Lyft, there are a lot of drivers cruising around. Almost every time I’ve used a rideshare to the parks, I’ve had to wait less than 10 minutes to get picked up. 🙂
Option #3: Ride in a MINNIE VAN to Animal Kingdom
One fun thing about using the rideshare service Lyft is that they have partnered with Disney World to provide MINNIE VANS, which are Minnie Mouse-themed mini-vans!
A big benefit of using a Minnie Van is they are driven by DISNEY CAST MEMBERS. I know many people like this fact because the drivers are employees of Disney, which provides additional peace of mind.
While using the Lyft app inside the resort, choose Animal Kingdom as your destination. Then, order the Minnie Van to come and pick you up.
While this option is fun, as you can see above, it is more expensive than a regular Lyft vehicle. But in addition to a Disney Cast Member driving, here are a few additional benefits of a Minnie Van.
- They can fit up to SIX people.
- Includes two car seats, which your driver will install for you.
- These vans can fit scooters and wheelchairs, but please pre-arrange your ride if you need this service.
Option #4: Take a TAXI to Animal Kingdom
I know some people don’t like using Uber or Lyft because they don’t know about the person driving or don’t feel comfortable using the app. If this describes you, calling a traditional taxi company for a ride is easy.
Taking a taxi has many of the same benefits as rideshares, such as not waiting for a bus. But of course, you must pay for the taxi ride, where the Disney buses are free.
If you want to take a taxi from Port Orleans Riverside Resort, I recommend calling Mears Taxi, a well-known and trusted company in the Orlando area. You can even schedule and book your ride online.
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Option #5: Drive yourself to Animal Kingdom!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort to Animal Kingdom. It’s probably the fastest way to travel since you don’t have to wait for someone to pick you up. 🙂
The distance between these two locations is 7.8 miles (12.6 km). The drive takes about 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Animal Kingdom…
As long as you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, the parking at Animal Kingdom is FREE! Unfortunately, many guests don’t realize (or forget) that if you stay at a Disney World Resort, parking at any of the parks does not cost anything.
Getting FREE parking at the theme parks is an incredible benefit of staying at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Can I walk from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and the theme park is long, 7.8 miles (12.6 km). And second, there are no walking paths that connect them. You must take the bus, a taxi/rideshare, or drive yourself to get there!
Can I take the Disney Monorail from Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom?
No, the monorail has no boarding station at Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the monorail does not travel to Animal Kingdom. The monorail only travels to two theme parks – Magic Kingdom and Epcot. If you want to use the monorail from your hotel, you must stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
Can the Disney Skyliner take me from Riverside to Animal Kingdom?
No, the monorail has no boarding station at Port Orleans Riverside. In addition, the monorail does not travel to Animal Kingdom.
Can I take the Disney boats from Port Orleans Riverside to Animal Kingdom?
While there is boat transportation at Riverside, the boat does not travel to Animal Kingdom. You can only take the boats from Riverside to Disney Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter.
What is your favorite way to travel from Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort to Animal Kingdom?
Leave a COMMENT below!
