Disney Springs: Basics To Know Before your trip

​The Walt Disney World Resort consists of four major theme parks, two water parks, over 25 hotels, golf courses, and numerous merchandise and entertainment locations. Disney Springs offers guests an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World. Many questions by guests involve Disney Springs.

Disney Spring takes up about 120 acres of property. That is almost the size of one of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Disney Springs offers plenty to see and many areas to walk around. This property first opened back in 1975. However, it became known as Disney Springs after several name changes and expansions. The facility includes four sections: Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. Buses and water taxis provide transportation between Disney Springs and other Walt Disney World Resort areas.

What are the Operating Hours of Disney Springs?

Disney Springs opens each day at 10:00 am officially. Still, some dining locations open at 9:00 a.m. at Disney Springs, such as Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, Earl of Sandwich, and Starbucks for breakfast. However, most places open at 10:00 a.m. or later.

The parking garages for Disney Springs will open around 9:00 a.m. Guests must pass through security before entering Disney Springs, so be prepared. ​

Disney Springs remains open until at least 11:00 p.m. each evening. Some of the restaurants stay open past 11:00 p.m. On weekends, Disney Springs stays open until 11:30 p.m. or later.  Closing time will vary, so consult the Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience mobile application for updates.

How Much Does Disney Springs Cost?

Even though Disney Springs is part of Walt Disney World Resort, guests can enjoy Disney Springs for free. In fact, parking is free at Disney Springs. Of course, any dining, shopping, or entertainment purchases you might make will not be without cost. Because of the free entry and shopping center environment, many Orlando area visitors take an “off day” from the theme parks to enjoy a more relaxing day at Disney Springs.

How Do I Get to Disney Springs?

The Disney Springs complex resides near Interstate 4, making for easy travel directions. Traveling on Interstate 4 presents many challenges in terms of traffic, in any case. However, if you take exit 67 and follow the signs, you will be taken directly to Disney Springs.

If you prefer, Disney Springs also has two drop-off areas for ride-share services, such as Lyft or Uber. If choosing to rideshare, ensure you know which pick-up and drop-off location you selected. The two locations exist on opposite sides of the development. 

If staying on-site at Walt Disney World, your transportation options avoid Orlando area traffic. All on-site hotels provide free transportation to Disney Springs. If staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, or Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter, boat transportation to Disney Springs exists. This boat transportation provides a pleasant, relaxing journey to Disney Springs. All other Walt Disney World Resort hotels offer bus transportation to Disney Springs.

What Can Guests Do at Disney Springs?

Your options look daunting at Disney Springs. Guests sometimes express feeling overwhelmed by all the options in a similar fashion to visiting a major theme park for the first time. The choices range from exciting experiences to a calm, relaxing day with coffee and snacks.

Experiences

If visiting in the evening, several live outdoor music venues occur at Disney Spring. Guests will find live music at three different locations nightly. The cost to enjoy this live music is free. Many other dining locations also offer live musical entertainment at Disney Springs.

Aerophile offers a safe but exciting balloon ride. For $25 per adult, Guests enjoy an 8-minute tethered journey with scenic views in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon.

Kids (and adults) can ride the Marketplace Carousel for a charge. With parents’ permission and money, kids experience the Marketplace Train Express.

In addition, visitors can take in a movie at the AMC theatre, visit the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, or stroll around taking in the views. If your budget allows, guests can
​ bowl at Splitsville Luxury Lanes or ride in a vintage Amphicar if you choose. For an evening of world-class entertainment, the “Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney” show astounds guests.

Shopping

Since this is part of Walt Disney World, numerous merchandise items scream your name as you walk for you to pay someone to take them home. Based on the history of this place started as just a shopping center, and merchandise locations abound. Disney Springs offers more shopping options than your average metropolitan city mall. Disney Spring contains merchandise locations, including Alex & Ani, Vera Bradley, Sephora, Uniqlo, M&M’s, and Fabletics, to name a few.

Of course, many Disney-themed merchandise options beckon you to enjoy and visit their locations. Some stores are dedicated to Disney properties like Marvel and Star Wars. Nevertheless, arguably the largest Disney Store in the world, World of Disney, opens every day at Disney Springs. Your Disney Shopping needs should be fulfilled with that enormous store and the other Disney merchandise locations.

Dining Options

Many of the best dining options in the Orlando area can be found at Disney Springs. Table service dining options created by celebrity chefs such as Iron Chef Morimoto, Art Smith, and Rick Bayless amaze diners. With over 20 table-service dining options, Disney Springs provides numerous opportunities for a relaxing meal. Regarding table service dining, please check out our visit to Paddlefish Restaurant in Disney Springs.

Themed dining targeting a younger demographic can be found at Rainforest Café and T-Rex Café. However, we cannot thoroughly recommend the food quality at these places. Nevertheless, kids often love these restaurants.

Table service dining may not interest you, but Disney Springs offers various counter-service options to fit almost all cravings. The sweet tooth of your group can choose between Gideon’s Bakehouse, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, Salt & Straw, and Vivoli il Gelato before exploring even more sugary goodness at Disney Springs. ​

For a counter-service meal, you are always close to an option at Disney Springs. For fast-food-style counter-service dining, your choices range from Chicken Guy, Blaze Pizza, D-Lux Burger, The Polite Pig, and more. Disney Springs also has a food truck area serving various cuisine each evening.

For those just desiring a snack in between shops, Disney Springs offers what you want. Pizza Ponte, Wetzel’s Pretzel’s, Joffrey’s, Sunshine Churros, and Starbucks serve tasty snacks to charge your batteries to keep you going.

Disney Springs Makes a Great Place to Enjoy Yourself

Do you want to take a day away from world-class theme parks? Then Disney Springs allows you to do that. Are you looking for an excellent table-service meal for lunch or dinner? Disney Springs meets that need. Want to spend an evening enjoying music? Yes, Disney Springs always offers that. 

Have you visited Disney Springs lately? Which place at Disney Springs do you most want to see? Let us know in the comments below. 

Jon Self

​Jon Self is an avid theme park fan who has the high privilege to serve as a pastor at an American Baptist Church (fbcmacomb.com). You can follow him at @pastorjonself on Twitter. Jon writes for various theme park sources such as piratesandprincesses.net and universalfamilyvacations.com. He also writes for faithelement.net.