How do you get from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort to Epcot?
If you are staying at Saratoga Springs or planning a future visit, you probably want to know how to get to Epcot from the resort.
Below, I will detail FIVE specific ways you can make this journey.
Saratoga Springs to Epcot:
Option #1: Take the FREE Disney bus to Epcot!
Did you know Disney World provides FREE bus transportation from Saratoga Springs to Epcot? 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 Epcot, you must first find the bus stops at Saratoga Springs. Because Saratoga Springs is such a big resort, there are five 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 find one of them.
Here are the FIVE different bus stops, listed in the order they PICK UP guests at Saratoga Springs:
- #1. The Grandstand
- #2. The Carousel
- #3. The Paddock
- #4. Congress Park
- #5. The Springs
Below is a map of where you can find each bus stop at Saratoga Springs.
Bus service to Epcot 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.
You will find a screen at all the bus stops showing when the next bus to Epcot is expected to arrive.
Since the Disney buses are free to ride, it’s the most popular way to travel to Epcot from Saratoga Springs. 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 make sure to give yourself plenty of time to arrive at Epcot 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 Saratoga Springs, Epcot is 4 miles (6.4 km) away. The bus ride should take about 15 minutes.
But please be aware that you will probably be on the bus longer than 15 minutes, 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 before finally leaving for the theme park. For example, if you get on the bus at The Grandstand (Stop #1), it’s estimated that it will take about 15 minutes to get through the rest of the stops within Saratoga Springs before finally leaving for Epcot.
One strategy that some guests use is walking directly to one of the last bus stops, which would be Congress Park (#4) or The Springs (#5). They do this to avoid spending additional time on the bus.
But I want to warn you that 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 these last stops. 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 Epcot sounds frustrating, keep reading to learn about other options. 🙂
Option #2: Take an Uber from Saratoga Springs to Epcot
If you don’t want to ride on or wait for the bus, using a rideshare service (Uber or Lyft) from Saratoga Springs Resort is easy. Just open the app and select Epcot as your destination, and you should be matched with a driver within seconds.
Because Saratoga Springs is such a big resort, you must mark your location CORRECTLY in the app to avoid any delays. No matter which building you are staying in, there is a large parking lot nearby, offering plenty of room for your driver to pick you up.
The driving distance from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort to Epcot is 4 miles (6.4 km), and the drive should only take 10-15 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic. Another benefit of taking an Uber or Lyft is that they typically drive to Epcot faster than the slower Disney buses.
I have found the one-way fare from Saratoga Springs averages under $15.
If you have limited time to travel to Epcot, I think it is money well spent! The best part about using a rideshare service while staying at Saratoga Springs 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 Epcot
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 Epcot 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 Epcot
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 Saratoga Springs 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.
Option #5: Drive yourself to Epcot!
Getting in your car and driving yourself is an often overlooked way from Disney’s Saratoga Springs to Epcot. 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 only 4 miles (6.4 km). The drive only takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic.
And here is the BEST news about driving yourself to Epcot…
As long as you are staying at Saratoga Springs, the parking at Epcot 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 Saratoga Springs Resort, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at each park.
Related Posts:
Can I take the Disney boats from Saratoga Springs to Epcot?
No. While there is boat transportation at Saratoga Springs, the boat does not travel to Epcot. You can only take the boats from Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs.
Can I take the Disney Monorail from Saratoga Springs to Epcot?
No, the monorail does not have a boarding station at Saratoga Springs. If you want to use the monorail to get to Epcot, you must stay at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Polynesian Village Resort.
Can I walk from Disney’s Saratoga Springs to Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. First, the distance between the resort and the theme park is long, around 4 miles (6.4 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 the Disney Skyliner take me from Saratoga Springs to Epcot?
The short answer to this question is NO. There is no boarding station for the Disney Skyliner at Saratoga Springs.
If you want a Skyliner boarding station at your hotel to get to Epcot, stay at the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, or Pop Century.
What is your favorite way to travel from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort to Epcot?
Leave a COMMENT below!
