Orlando Planning Guide
Disney Springs Guide
Everything You need to Know About Disney Springs
Disney Springs Guide
Disney Springs History
Originally opened as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in 1975, Disney Springs is the latest incarnation of Disney World’s entertainment district.
The adult orientated clubs and bars of Pleasure Island in the 90’s has been transformed into The Landing, featuring restaurants, bars and some shops plus Vintage Amphicar Tours, the only place in the world you can ride in a vintage car on water. Town Center takes up much of the original car park. West Side is your place for entertainment while the Marketplace has a shop for every taste.
Disney springs now covers 120 acres (49 hectares) of land opposite Typhoon Lagoon water park and not far from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park. Today. Disney Springs is suitable for all ages and has something for everyone, a decided shift in focus from the more adult-orientated clubbing complex of the 90’s.
IMAGE: LOOKING DOWN ON DISNEY SPRINGS FROM AEROPHILE
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Disney SPrings Guide
Entertainment Districts
Shops
Food & Beverage
Entertainment
Disney Springs Guide
Why Visit Disney Springs?
As Disney World’s prime entertainment district, Disney Springs is one of the very few areas of Disney World that is free to enter. Parking is also free. Yes, there are a lot of boutique and specialist shops but Disney Springs is a joy to just walk around and explore.
Fancy a bite to eat? Disney Springs has over 60 restaurants, bars and pop-up eateries for any kind of budget.
From the latest blockbusters in the AMC multiplex cinema through to Disney’s very own resident Cirque Du Soleil show, Drawn To Life, via some friendly competitive bowling in Splitsville, entertainment in Disney Springs is now as varied as the type of shops you can find.
IMAGE: DISNEY SPRINGS TOWN CENTER
Disney Springs Guide
Getting To Disney Springs
Driving To Disney Springs
Disney Springs has 3 enormous parking garages. Orange and Lime are centrally located. Grapefruit Garage is a little further walk as it is situated on the opposite side of Buena Vista Drive. All Disney Springs car parks offer free parking.
To get to Disney Springs by car take I-4 exit 67. Stay in the right-hand lane and follow signs to Disney Springs.
For sat nav the postcode, commonly called a zip code is 32830.
GPS co-ordinates are 28.3702539, -81.5209851
What3Words users please use the following depending on your chosen garage:
- Orange Garage: participated.biker.deployed
- Lime Garage: conquests.visas.passageway
- Grapefruit Garage: spitfire.dices.albums
Disney Springs Bus Transport
Busses run from all Disney Resort Hotels to Disney Springs throughout the day. If you want to get to Typhoon Lagoon you must first get a bus to Disney Springs and then change buses to Typhoon Lagoon.
Buses also run from the theme parks to Disney Springs but only from 4 pm. The journey is one way as buses do not run from Disney Springs back to the theme parks. To get to a theme park from Disney Springs you must first take a bus (or boat) to a Disney Resort.
Buses to non Disney hotels drop off in the Strawberry parking lot behind the Cirque du Soleil Theatre in the West Side area.
Disney Springs Boat Transport
Boat transport to Disney Springs is available from a few Disney Springs area hotels.
Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resorts have boats to either The Landing or Disney Springs West Side.
Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside Resorts boat transfers are to Disney Springs Marketplace.
Boat transfers are also available from all 3 Disney Springs docks to one another if you prefer not to walk, or want to take a slightly more scenic route.
Ride Sharing At Disney Springs
Uber and Lyft ride-share apps are well represented at Disney Springs. There are 2 drop-off locations at either end of Disney Springs. The first is in the former bus stop in the Strawberry parking lot behind the Cirque du Soleil Theatre in Disney Springs West Side. Alternatively, there is a drop off zone at the end of the Marketplace. If you want to visit stores in the Marketplace please allow walking time from the drop-off location.
IMAGE: DISNEY SPRINGS BUS STATION AT NIGHT
Disney Springs Guide
Hotels Near Disney Springs
Disney Springs also has it’s own neighbourhood of “Good Neighbour” hotels. If you want to stay near the magic but without the price of staying “on-resort” then a good neighbour hotel may be for you. Some hotels are only a short walk away from Disney Springs while others are a short, complimentary bus ride away. Scroll down for a little more indepth information about the Good Neighbour hotels.
IMAGE: DISNEY SPRINGS AREA FROM A HELICOPTER
DIsney Springs Hotels
Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
Moderate
B Resort & Spa
Not quite the furthest hotel in the Disney Springs Area, a walk to Disney Springs entrance will take you roughly 25 minutes.
Moderate
Doubletree Suites
Another resort that does not have any resort fees but also the furthest from Disney Springs if you want to walk.
Moderate
Hilton Lake Buena Vista
Literally over the road from the Marketplace via a skybridge, this being a Hilton, keep an eye on those resort fees.
Value
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Great staff and character breakfasts throughout the week. Dated decor and high resort fees are the main gripes.
Moderate
Drury Plaza Hotel
A brand new hotel which opened in October 2022. Drury Plaza does not charge any resort fees meaning no nasty surprises on your bill.
Moderate
Hilton Buena Vista Palace
One of the closest hotels to Disney Springs, a short hop over the skybridge and you’re in the Marketplace. Keep an eye on resort fees!
Value
Holiday Inn DS
Charming value range hotel, the Holiday Inn Disney Springs is only let down by its choice to charge a resort fee.
Disney Springs Area Hotels
Frequently Asked Questions
“Good Neighbour” hotels are not the same as staying in a Disney Resort hotel. Here are some common questions that will help you figure out if a “good neighbour” hotel is right for you.
Do Good Neighbour Hotels Offer Free Theme Park Transport ?
Short answer, yes they do but it is not quite like Disney transport. Disney-operated hotel transfers go direct from the hotel to the park.
With good neighbour hotels transfers to Disney Springs and the parks are all included but the transfer buses will stop at more than one resort before dropping off at the park so don’t forget to budget a little extra time if you really want to get to the parks for rope drop.
Do Good Neighbour Hotels Offer Early Entry Into The Theme Parks?
Some but not all do. Always check the official list on Disney’s website before making a booking as the early theme park entry benefit, like all other benefits can be withdrawn at any time.
Early theme park entry is 30 minutes in any of Disney’s main parks (not water parks) before the theme park is opened up to standard ticket holders.
Will I have To Pay To Park My Car In A Good Neighbour Hotel?
This will vary by the resort so please check the hotel’s official website before booking to avoid a nasty charge to your room on checkout day.
Be aware that good neighbour hotels are classed as off-site hotels. As such, guests in these resorts do not receive free parking in Disney World’s car parks.
If you book a good neighbour hotel that charges for overnight parking you will also need to pay the standard daily parking rate in Disney’s car parks if you choose to drive to the theme parks instead of using the transfer buses provided.
When Can I Book My Disney Dining and Genie+ Reservations?
The standard booking window now is 60 days from the date you want to book.
Some, but not all good neighbour hotels will allow you to book dining reservations for the length of your stay (up to 10 days) from the 60 day window. Check the resort’s website before booking to see if it will be included or not.
Disney’s Genie+ must now be booked per day from midnight and cannot be added to any booking whether it be an official Disney hotel or not.
If you wish to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane you must wait until the park officially opens to be able to book your spot. Guests of good neighbour hotels in Disney Springs do not receive the ILL paerk which allows Disney Resort guests to book their ILL at 7am.
Disney Springs Guide
Entertainment Districts
Disney Springs is made up of 4 distinct entertainment districts. They are laid out around Lake Buena Vista opposite Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort with main parking garages, Lime & Orange, centrally located with overflow car parks and ride-share/taxi drop off at the end of Westside and Marketplace areas.
Westside
Restaurants & Entertainment
The Landing
Restaurants, Bars & Waterfront Views
Town Center
Shops & Dining
Marketplace
Shops & Outdoor Entertainment
Disney Springs Guide
West Side
An industrial chic vibe runs through the heart of the entertainment led avenue of West Side. At the far end the towering white peaks of the Cirque du Soleil Theatre beckon visitors without giving away the theatrics held within.
The avenue leading up to the white cathedral to theatrical entertainment is lined with Disney apparel stores and multiple entertainment options including iconic House Of Blues live music venue.
- Cirque du Soleil.
- AMC Cinema Multiplex.
- Aerophile Balloon Flight.
Disney Springs Guide
The Landing
Formerly the clubbing capital of Disney World, Pleasure Island. The Landing is home to a few restaurants and bars, some with stunning views over Lake Buena Vista (check out the sunset!)
Waterview Park hosts open air shows. Right next door take a ride in the World’s only Amphicar for a tour round the lake.
Several shops compliment the food and beverage options but the emphasis in The Landing is on the amazing food on offer. Just check out the queue to get into Gideon’s Bake House!
- Gideon’s Bake House.
- The Edison.
- Vintage Amphicar Tours.
Disney Springs Guide
Town Center
Formerly part of the original car park, Town Center is the new turn-of-the-century themed entrance to Disney Springs. Filled with over 30 boutique stores and a selection of dining options around a new lakeside setting.
- Welcome Centre.
- Big name stores.
- Lovely theming.
Disney Springs Guide
Marketplace
Marketplace is for the kids (and big kids at heart). The World’s biggest Disney Store, and a very popular LEGO Store are the main draws, but you will also find numerous other stores all selling Disney branding on almost every conceivable bit of merchandise you can imagine.
2 popular themed restaurants, T- REX and Rainforest Cafe anchor the food offerings supplemented by some grab and go options and candy stores.
An extension to Marketplace sees a bridge over Lake Buena Vista from the Rainforest Cafe back to the LEGO Store creating a welcome shortcut and stunning sunset views.
- World Of Disney.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
- T-REX & Rainforest Cafe’s.
Disney Springs Guide
Popular Shops, Restaurants & Entertainment By Area
WEST SIDE
Attractions
- Cirque du Soleil
- Splitsville Bowling
- AMC Multiplex Cinema
- Aerophile Hot Air Balloon
Shops
- Star Wars Galactic Outpost
- Coca Cola Store
- Super Hero Headquarters
- Candy Cauldron
Restaurants & Bars
- House Of Blues
- City Works Eatery & Pour House
- Jaleo by Jose Andres
- Planet Hollywood
THE LANDING
Attractions
- Vintage Amphicar Tours
- Waterview Park
- Riverboat Square
Shops
- Art Of Shaving
- Oakley
- Chapel Hats
- Candy Cauldron
Restaurants & Bars
- Gideons Bakehouse
- The Edison
- Morimoto Asia
- The Boathouse
- Paddlefish
- Raglan Road Irish Pub
TOWN CENTER
Attractions
- Cirque du Soleil
- Splitsville Bowling
- AMC Multiplex Cinema
- Aerophile Hot Air Balloon
Shops
- Zara
- Ugg
- Levi
- Superdry
- Pandora
Restaurants & Bars
- The Polite Pig
- Frontera Cocina
- D-Luxe Burger
- Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza
MARKETPLACE
Attractions
- Marketplace Carousel
- Marketplace Train Express
- Waterside Stage
Shops
- World Of Disney
- The LEGO Store
- Marketplace Co-Op
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Disney’s World Of Memories
- Disney Pin Traders
Restaurants & Bars
- Earl Of Sandwich
- T-REX Restaurant
- Rainforest Cafe
- Ghirardelli Soda Fountain
Disney Springs Guide
Disney Springs Map
There is a lot to see, do and experience in Disney Springs. Click the image below to download the official map and get a head start on your visit to Disney Springs.
Disney Springs
Walking Distances
The physical aspect of walking around theme parks almost every day for 2 or more weeks comes as a surprise to many people. To illustrate the physical exertion, I use my Google Fit app to track my step count and distance walked in each park. I’ve crunched the numbers and the figures below represent my most recent visit to the park.
Steps Walked
14,967
Distance Walked
8.2 km (5.09 miles)
Disney Springs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Disney Springs Opening Hours?
Different establishments have different opening hours. As a general rule Disney Springs is open from around 10 am although some stores and restaurants will open either slightly earlier or later.
Closing time is usually 11 pm in the week but this is extended to midnight for busier Friday and Saturday nights.
Do I Need To Make A Reservation To Enter Disney Springs?
Currently, Disney only requires you to make park reservations ahead of your visit for the 4 main theme parks.
You do not need to make a reservation ahead of visiting Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Wide World Of Sports Complex.
Currenly Disney’s Wide World Of Sports Complex remains largely closed to the general public except certain ticketed events so I would advise you to check ahead before visitng.
Is Disney Springs Appropriate For My Children?
Absolutely! The main function of Disney Springs over Downtown Disney, its former guise, is that it appeals to all members of the family, not just adults.
Pleasure Island was a ghost town in the day but came alive at night when numerous bars opened but you had to be 21 and above to enter Pleasure Island past 7pm. The Landing, as it is now called, is open all day and has a different family fun vibe in the day compared to the evening but the whole family is more than welcome to come along.
Shops in Disney Springs Marketplace are generally open from mid-morning until late at night, oftentimes after the theme parks and water parks have closed. Restaurants set their own hours but open well into the evening for those wanting a late bite.
