Welcome to planDisney, Laurie!
It looks like you're already in the middle of the magic, so there's no time to waste. Let's get right to your question!
If you're hoping to save a few steps at Walt Disney World Resort, then you've come to the right place, Laurie. planDisney not only has a
Disney Parks Blog feature outlining the
various methods of transportation available to Guests of Walt Disney World but a full
podcast dedicated to the topic as well, and just like the buses, boats, monorails, and Skyliner gondolas, these resources are complimentary!
As you mentioned, the
Disney Skyliner connects EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios to Disney Resorts collection hotels such as Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Art of Animation Resort. While these theme parks are also accessible by
watercraft, unfortunately, the FriendShip Boats sail along Crescent Lake which is not connected to the Sassagoula River that flows past Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resorts, and Disney Springs.
If you'd like to arrive at
Disney Springs by boat, which I highly recommend, you'll need to catch a bus from a Walt Disney World theme park to one of the Disney Resort hotels listed above. From there, you'll be able to board the Sassagoula River Cruise and sail into Disney Springs. If you feel that the destination rather than the journey is your priority, then you'll find that a
bus running from your Disney Resort hotel to Disney Springs is the best bet.
I hope this was helpful, Laurie! Feel free to
stop back by with any additional questions that arise during your vacation.
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie