There are sidewalks and lights, so it's safe and pedestrian friendly. It's about a 10-12 minute walk, at most, I would think. In terms of safety, going to Disney is safe. I have never used the shuttle, but I've traveled to Orlando and visited the parks with my own son and we were fine (we had a car).

Walking to Disney Springs is generally very safe, provided you are staying at one of the nearby "partner" hotels or a specific Disney resort. The area is exceptionally well-lit and features dedicated pedestrian bridges (skywalks) that allow visitors to cross the busy multi-lane roads like Hotel Plaza Boulevard without ever interacting with traffic. These bridges connect directly from hotels such as the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista and the Wyndham Garden to the Disney Springs entrance. Additionally, guests staying at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa can use a scenic, paved walking path that leads directly into the Marketplace section of Disney Springs. For those walking from off-property locations further away, the safety concern is primarily the intense Florida heat and occasional heavy rain rather than crime. Disney maintains a high security presence throughout the area, including bag checks and metal detectors at the entrance points, ensuring that the walking environment remains a secure and family-friendly part of the resort experience.