The Florida Mall IS NOT an hours drive from anywhere on Disney property.
Maybe the bus was going super slow that day or made a lot of stops.
The drive to the Florida Mall from Disney will take you approx 23 minutes depending on the time of day and the route you decide to take!
You can take the 417 (North) to the Orange Blossom Trail exit. Head North on S Orange Blossom Trail approx 5 miles. The Mall will be on the right side at the corner of Sand Lake and SOBT. There are tolls on the 417
My favorite option is below. (and the quickest IMO-considering traffic)
If you don't like driving on the highways and want to see other stores, restaurants or whatever, you can drive down Palm Parkway to Central FL Parkway. Turn right-- stay on Central FL Parkway-you will pass Discovery Cove on the right side and then Sea World on the left. Cross over John Young (it will get residential here with apts and houses as well as a school zone.)
Turn left when you get to Orange Blossom Trail.
Or you can take I 4 to the Sand Lake exit. (This is my least favorite way to go as when you exit onto Sand Lake there will be heavy heavy traffic, not to mention the ridiculous traffic you just went thru on I 4) When you get to Sand Lake, you will turn right (East) Cross over John Young (there will be a Super
WalMart, Logans Steakhouse, and Lowes among others in a shopping plaza on the right hand side of Sand LakeRd and John Young Parkway.
Stay on Sand Lake til you get to Orange Blossom Trail where you can stay straight and make a right turn at Chilis Restaurant to enter the mall parking areas.
The Florida Mall is a great mall. They have a fantastic Dillards, JCPenney is another anchor store, SEARS, and Macys along with about 135 smaller stores.
Park outside of JCPenney. For some reason, this always seems like the best place to park. Another option is Dillards-on the east side of the mall.