Hi Melissa!
Thanks for posting your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. We love helping Walt Disney World guests make informed choices.
Because efficiency is important to you on your upcoming trip, I would suggest that you rent a car during your weekend stay at a Disney Springs Resort Area Hotel. While shuttles at these resorts do appear roughly every thirty minutes, they stop at more than one hotel in the area to pick up guests. Each shuttle also stops at two of the Disney theme parks. Thus, if the theme park you're headed to is the second stop, it will take you a bit longer to get there. The time spent waiting for the shuttle or stopping at hotels other than the one at which you're staying can add up. If you are looking to save time, then renting your own car would be a good choice.
However, it should be noted that while renting a car is the most
efficient choice, it comes with some added expenses. Parking at your hotel will likely incur a daily charge as would
parking your rental car at the Disney theme parks. Personally, I would happily pay a bit extra to expedite my transportation to and from the Disney theme parks, especially if I were only going to be there for a long weekend.
Don't forget to walk over to
Disney Springs during your stay. There are so many amazing places to shop and dine there. One of my favorite Disney Springs restaurants is the
Boathouse. Their lobster roll is spectacular! Calling in advance for dining reservations (407-WDW-DINE) is a great way to make sure they can accommodate you.
Wishing you a magical adventure,
Jill