Disney Springs Resort Area at Walt Disney World

One of the best things about staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is that each resort area has its own unique atmosphere and transportation options. While many guests focus on staying near the parks, the Disney Springs Resort Area offers a quieter setting with beautiful scenery, convenient transportation, and easy access to dining and shopping.

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This area is home to four Disney-owned resorts that all offer boat transportation to Disney Springs, making it easy to enjoy an evening of shopping, entertainment, or dining without needing a car.

Highlights of Staying Near Disney Springs

The Disney Springs Resort Area is a great option for families who want a relaxing resort stay with easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment. While there are a number of “Good Neighbor” hotels also near Disney Springs that are not run by Disney for the purposes of this article we are going to focus on the Disney run resorts!

We believe that the benefits of staying fully on Disney property, at a Disney-owned resort, is one of the best ways to visit Walt Disney World. Unlike Disneyland that has a small footprint with a number of outside owned hotels within walking distance, the unique layout of Walt Disney World means having easy access to Disney transportation is one of the biggest perks to staying at a Disney Resort.

Some of the biggest highlights of staying in this area include:

• Boat transportation to Disney Springs from all four Disney Resorts in this area
• Walking access to Disney Springs from parts of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Bus transportation to all four Walt Disney World theme parks
• Larger villa-style room options at Saratoga Springs and Old Key West
• Moderate Resort pricing and charming theming at the Port Orleans Resorts
• Easy access to popular dining, including Olivia’s Cafe, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, and Mickey beignets at French Quarter
• Peaceful resort grounds that can feel like a break from the busier theme park areas

This area is especially nice for guests who plan to spend time at Disney Springs during their trip or families who want a little more space and a quieter place to return to after a park day.

Which Disney Resorts Are Near Disney Springs?

There are four main Disney Resorts operating in this area! They all have their own unique charm and personality. Two are moderate resorts, and two are large Deluxe Villas. So you can always usually find rooms at the resorts in this area because of three of these resorts having a large number of rooms.

Download the free Disney Springs Resort Area reference list to put with your planning materials!

The Disney Resort hotels located near Disney Springs include:

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

While there are also several Disney Springs area hotels nearby, those are Good Neighbor Hotels and are not operated by Disney. I generally recommend staying at a Disney Resort hotel to take advantage of perks like complimentary Disney transportation, Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours at select resorts, and the extra Disney magic you’ll find throughout your stay.

Transportation from Disney Springs Area Resorts

One of the biggest benefits of staying in this area is the transportation.

All four Disney Resorts offer boat transportation to Disney Springs, making it easy to head over for dinner, shopping, or entertainment. Guests staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort can also walk directly to Disney Springs from certain sections of the resort.

In addition, all four resorts offer bus transportation to:

• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The relaxing boat rides are one of our favorite ways to travel around Walt Disney World and are often an overlooked perk of staying in this resort area.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is one of the original Disney Vacation Club resorts and is classified as a Deluxe Villa Resort.

Inspired by the famous horse racing town in New York, this sprawling resort offers a peaceful atmosphere with beautiful landscaping and views of Lake Buena Vista.

Room types include:

• Deluxe Studios
• One-Bedroom Villas
• Two-Bedroom Villas
• Three-Bedroom Treehouse Villas

Because the resort primarily consists of villa-style accommodations, it’s a fantastic option for larger families or multi-generational trips. Many rooms include kitchenettes or full kitchens, making it easy to prepare meals during your vacation.

Although it is categorized as a Deluxe Villa Resort, Saratoga Springs can feel more like a Moderate Resort in some ways due to its exterior hallway layout.

One of the biggest advantages is its close proximity to Disney Springs, with walking access available from parts of the resort.

Read my full Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Review.

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Another original Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Old Key West Resort offers a laid-back Florida Keys atmosphere with colorful buildings, tropical landscaping, and spacious accommodations.

Like Saratoga Springs, Old Key West offers:

• Deluxe Studios
• One-Bedroom Villas
• Two-Bedroom Villas
• Larger Villa accommodations

The rooms here are some of the largest Disney Vacation Club accommodations on property, making them a great option for families who want extra space.

One thing that makes Old Key West unique is Olivia’s Cafe, one of Disney World’s hidden gem restaurants. Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth stopping for a meal.

While Old Key West lacks a traditional indoor quick-service dining location found at many Deluxe Resorts, its relaxed atmosphere and spacious rooms make it a favorite among Disney Vacation Club members. For casual visitors of Walt Disney World, it’s distance from the theme parks and lack of indoor quick service dining may be a drawback.

Read my Disney’s Old Key West Resort Review.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside is one of Disney’s Moderate Resorts and offers beautiful Southern-inspired theming throughout the property.

The grounds are expansive and feature walking paths, river views, and plenty of quiet areas to relax after a day in the parks.

Highlights include:

• Royal Guest Rooms inspired by Disney royalty
• Boatwright’s Dining Hall
• Multiple themed pool areas
• Riverside Mill Food Court
• Scenic Sassagoula River boat transportation

Because of its size, Riverside has four separate bus stops located throughout the resort to help guests access transportation more easily.

We especially enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and charming scenery found throughout the resort.

Read my Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review.

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is Riverside’s sister resort and offers a completely different feel despite being located right next door.

Inspired by New Orleans’ French Quarter, this smaller Moderate Resort is often considered one of the easiest resorts to navigate thanks to its compact layout.

Guests love French Quarter for:

• Mickey-shaped beignets
• Mardi Gras-inspired theming
• Easy transportation
• Colorful architecture
• Relaxed atmosphere

The resort often features fun seasonal celebrations around Mardi Gras, adding even more character to an already charming resort.

Even if you’re staying elsewhere at Walt Disney World, it’s worth visiting French Quarter just to grab an order of their famous beignets.

Read my Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Review.

Which Disney Springs Area Resort Is Best?

The best Disney Springs area resort depends on your family’s travel style and budget.

Choose Saratoga Springs if you want:

• Walking access to Disney Springs
• Disney Vacation Club accommodations
• Villa-style rooms with kitchens

Consider Old Key West if you want:

• Large rooms
• A relaxing atmosphere
• Easy access to Olivia’s Cafe

You’ll want to choose Port Orleans Riverside if you want:

• Beautiful grounds
• Moderate Resort pricing
• Royal Guest Rooms

Staying at Port Orleans French Quarter if you want:

• Smaller resort grounds
• Easy transportation
• Mickey beignets

We find ourselves staying at the Port Orleans Resorts most often because of their combination of theming, transportation, and value, but all four resorts offer unique advantages for Disney vacations.

Our Thoughts on Disney Resorts Near Disney Springs

Whether you’re looking for spacious villa accommodations, a relaxing atmosphere, or convenient access to Disney Springs, the Disney Resorts in this area offer something for every type of traveler. We swing around to both of the Port Orleans resorts quite frequently, and they are some of our overall favorites at Walt Disney World!

With boat transportation, beautiful scenery, and easy access to dining and entertainment, these resorts can be an excellent home base for your Walt Disney World vacation.

Check out these articles below to help with your planning!

• Best Disney Resort Pools at Walt Disney World
• Best Disney Resorts for Couples Only Stays
• Tips for Planning Your First Disney World Trip