Is Disney Springs easier to get to now?

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

On our last trip (November 2015), only one garage was open. We went to DS twice. The first time, we parked in the garage, and there was plenty of parking, which was nice and convenient. The second time, any traffic coming from Disney Resorts was not being let into the parking garage, only traffic from the opposite direction. We were directed across the busy road to a parking lot in the back (I have no idea what this is used for normally or now) and we had to cross the road leading back to this parking lot with our kids to get to the elevators that led to the long pedestrian bridge. Between that trip, going through the crowds to get to TRex, the tremendous amount of time it took to get seated and eat at TRex and finally leave, and the hike back to the car, I said I couldn't care less if I ever went to Disney Springs again!

Well, for our next trip, I could care less about the new stores, but having the QS meal plan, I thought it might be nice to eat at WPE or ES if it were easier getting there. So, to finally get to my point, has the second garage made parking much easier, or should we consider taking a bus from our resort? The last time we took a bus it seemed like a much longer trip than when we drove ourselves.

TIA!

 

[zaccaglin]

The garages have made parking easier, but the roadwork is still in progress. It's definitely easier to drive around than it was, and the signage is a lot better, but it may be a bet horrific with traffic at times. The buses however are starting to adapt the new bus only lanes, and the new bus stops are set to open soon. So that being said, buses may not be a bad idea.

 

[joelkfla]

The garages have made parking easier, but the roadwork is still in progress. It's definitely easier to drive around than it was, and the signage is a lot better, but it may be a bet horrific with traffic at times. The buses however are starting to adapt the new bus only lanes, and the new bus stops are set to open soon. So that being said, buses may not be a bad idea.

The new bus depot opened today. The dedicated bus lanes will help buses bypass some of the traffic at busy times, but they still have to stop at TL coming in in the morning and going out in the afternoon. The new depot location means longer walks to EoS & WPE, which were right next to the old depot.

Traffic early evening was beautiful. No backups at all on BVD in front of DS, and traffic was flowing smoothly into and out of both garages from either direction. There was some congestion crossing Epcot Center Drive, where construction is still in progress, but nothing too horrible at the time I passed thru.

The uppermost 2 levels on both garages were less than half full at 6pm. Even on Level 2, which was almost full, the lane empty space counters and the green lights above the empty spaces made finding a space easy, as long as you're not picky about how close you are to the pedestrian entrances.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Where is the new bus stop located at?

 

[joelkfla]

Where is the new bus stop located at?

Between the 2 garages. Most buses drop off at a walkway into Town Center. When leaving, you can enter the bus loops either from Town Center or by PH at the valet parking loop.