Was there last month (2nd time) and went from PO - Riverside. Picked up tickets there. We just drove b/c we'd been napping and didn't need an hour to get there. It takes about 8 minutes to drive there, it's literally down the road from the Port Orleans resorts. (Turning right out of the resorts, then following signs. NOT going back through Magic Kingdom gates) We couldn't believe how close we were. We ended up driving that direction to the Contemporary too. Once there we waited on their bus system about 5 minutes and the ride is about 5 minutes. It's so huge there and they have their own internal system. I think we left about 25 minutes before and still had plenty of time.
Anyhow... have done the bus to MK thing before and take a boat. You have to allow at least an hour. You don't need to be there that early, but you may have to wait here or there on something a few extra minutes.
We've also gone over there from Shades of Green. We took bus to TTC and then monorail to Contemporary. Hung out there for a few minutes and then took boat from Contemporary to Fort Wilderness. It was an evening where we had no plans and a few hours to kill. I think we allowed about 2 hours or so just to take an easy route. We saw Peter Pan on the dock at the Contemporary Resort too, neat!
If you eat early and have time to kill that night.... You can also take boat back to Contemporary and watch the fireworks @ the Magic Kingdom if you time it right that night. You could also see the night water pageant parade on the water, again if you timed it right. I think it gets there a little later though. Depends on what show you see and how late you mind hanging out.
We are always looking for "free entertainment" and things to do that aren't just "park related".
They do really have buses waiting after every show to get everyone back where they need to go pretty quickly. They have buses waiting for all destinations. Kinda thoughtful of them.
Have so much fun, this is one of our favorite things to do and we went in January and are going back in November with family. Can't wait to share it with them!!