This is our complete Disney Springs Guide. If you’ve never been to Disney Springs, then you need to go. It’s inspired by Florida’s natural beauty, and as such, Disney Springs is a wonderful backdrop for retail shops, dining, and entertainment. It literally does have it all in it’s four “neighborhoods”.
For my family, it is on our Disney must-do list and is a great place to spend some time when you have an off day away from the parks or if you just got settled in your hotel and need something to do the first night on your Disney Trip.
What Is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It is located near many of the Walt Disney World resorts and is easily accessible from the surrounding areas.
The complex is divided into four distinct neighborhoods: The Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. Each neighborhood has its own unique atmosphere and offerings, including a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
Some of the popular attractions at Disney Springs include the House of Blues, the AMC Disney Springs 24 movie theater, and the Marketplace Co-Op.
Throughout the complex, there are also outdoor stages and performance areas where live music is played. Year-round, Disney Springs is a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
Disney Springs is free and open for the public to enjoy all of the fine dining, shopping, and nightlife that it has to offer. Best of all even though it’s near all the Walt Disney World Resorts and theme parks, there’s no ticket is required!
So, about this time your asking what are the four neighborhoods at Disney Springs and what is in them? Well, I’m going to dive right into that and what each has to offer in the way of dining, shopping, and entertainment. I hope you enjoy my Disney Springs Guide.
What Time Does Disney Springs Open and Close?
Depending on the time of year and any special events or circumstances, Disney Springs’ operating hours may vary. Disney Springs is generally open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week.
It is always a good idea to check the specific hours of the individual stores, restaurants, and other venues within the complex before visiting.
For the most up-to-date information about Disney Springs, it is always a good idea to check the official website or contact the Disney Springs guest services team.
What Is There To Do At Disney Springs?
The many things to do at Disney Springs make it a popular destination for both tourists and locals. Disney Springs offers the following activities and attractions:
A wide variety of stores and boutiques are available at Disney Springs, offering everything from souvenirs to high-end fashion.
There are over 50 restaurants at Disney Springs, offering a variety of cuisines and dining experiences. There are quick-service restaurants, sit-down restaurants, and food carts available.
Disney Springs has a number of entertainment venues, including live music stages, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. A virtual reality experience and rooftop beverage bar are also available at the Coca-Cola Store.
There are a number of outdoor areas at Disney Springs where visitors can relax and enjoy the Florida weather. There are a number of green spaces with seating and shade, and a boardwalk that offers views of the surrounding waterways.
Live music performances, holiday celebrations, and other cultural events are held at Disney Springs throughout the year.
Overall, Disney Springs is a great destination for those looking to shop, dine, be entertained, and enjoy the outdoors. Also, if you are looking for some fun free things you can do at Disney Springs we just happen to have more tips.
The Landing at Disney Springs
This is the primary commercial area within Disney Springs and has awesome waterfront views, unique shopping and some incredible fare to choose from as well. This where Pleasure Island was once located if you ever had the….pleasure…of going there! I personally really miss The Adventurers Club that once stood where The Edison is now.
| Restaurants | Shopping |
|---|---|
| The Boathouse | APEX by Sunglass Hut |
| Cookes of Dublin | The Art of Shaving |
| The Edison | Chapel Hats |
| Enzo’s Hideaway | Erin Mckenna’s Bakery |
| Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC | Erwin Pearl |
| Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar | Filthy Rich |
| Maria & Enzo’s | The Ganachery |
| Morimoto Asia | Havaianas |
| Morimoto Street Food | rinse bath & body co. |
| Paddlefish | Sanuk |
| Paradiso 37 | Savannah Bee Company |
| Pizza Ponte | Ship’s Store at The BOATHOUSE |
| Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant | Shop for Ireland |
| STK Orlando | Sound Lion |
| The Basket at Wine Bar George | Swings N’ Things |
| The Tea Traders Cafe by Joffrey’s | |
| Terralina Crafted Italian | |
| Vivoli Il Gelateria | |
| Wine Bar George |
Town Center at Disney Springs
Did someone say shopping? This place has more shopping than anywhere else in Disney World! Of course, it has plenty of places to grab a bite to eat as well. This section has everything from jewelry and perfume to active wear and home goods.
| Restaurants | Shopping |
|---|---|
| Amorette’s Patisserie | ALEX AND ANI |
| AristoCrepes | American Threads |
| Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza | Anthropologie |
| D-Luxe Burger | Coca-Cola Store and Rooftop Beverage Bar |
| The Daily Poutine | Columbia Sportswear |
| Frontera Cocina | D-Living |
| Homecomin’ – Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine | Edward Beiner |
| Sprinkles Cupcakes | Everything But Water |
| The Polite Pig | francesca’s |
| YeSake | Free People |
| Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill | Harley-Davidson |
| Johnny Was | |
| Johnston & Murphy | |
| kate spade new york | |
| Kipling | |
| LACOSTE | |
| Levi’s | |
| Lilly Pullitzer | |
| L’Occitane en Provence | |
| Lucky Brand | |
| Luxury of Time by Diamonds International | |
| MAC Cosmetics | |
| Melissa Shoes | |
| Na Hoku – Hawaii’s Finest Jewelers Since 1924 | |
| Oakley | |
| Origins | |
| Pandora | |
| Sephora | |
| Shore | |
| Sperry | |
| Stance | |
| Sugarboo & Co. | |
| Superdry | |
| Tommy Bahama | |
| TROPHY ROOM | |
| TUMI | |
| UGG | |
| Under Armour Brand House | |
| UNIQLO | |
| UNOde50 | |
| Vera Bradley | |
| Volcom | |
| ZARA |
West Side at Disney Springs
This is where you’ll find most of the entertainment venues at Disney Springs along with more shopping and restaurants. This is home to places like the DisneyStyle store, M & M store and Splitsville Bowling Alley.
| Restaurants | Shopping |
|---|---|
| AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres/MacGuffins | Bongos Cuban Cafe Souvenir and Gift Shop |
| Bongo’s Cuban Cafe | Candy Cauldron |
| Bongo’s Cuban Cafe Express | Curl by Sammy Duvall |
| Chicken Guy! | DisneyStyle |
| City Works Eatery & Pour House | Fit2Run |
| Food Trucks – Exposition Park | Pelé Soccer |
| House of Blues Restaurant & Bar | Pop Gallery |
| House of Blues – The Front Porch | Something Silver |
| House of Blues – The Smokehouse | Sosa Family Cigars |
| Jaleo by Chéf Andrés | Star Wars Galactic Outpost |
| Planet Hollywood Observatory | Sunglass Icon by Sunglass Hut |
| Splitsville Luxury Lanes | Super Hero Headquarters |
| Starbucks | |
| Stargazers Bar | |
| Wetzel’s Pretzels |
Marketplace at Disney Springs
The marketplace area of Disney Springs is most well known for World of Disney, the largest Disney Store in the world. But there are many other shops like the Marketplace Co-op and restaurants here, as well as some pretty cool nightlife. The Waterside Stage is located here too, right across from World of Disney. You can usually catch a concert or performance here at any point in the day!
| Restaurants | Shopping |
|---|---|
| B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. | Arribas Brothers |
| Dockside Margaritas | The Art of Disney |
| Earl of Sandwich | Basin – Bath & Facial Products |
| Forty Thirst Street Express | Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique |
| Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop | Disney’s Days of Christmas |
| Rainforest Cafe | Disney’s Pin Traders |
| Starbucks | Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop |
| T-Rex Cafe | Goofy’s Candy Company |
| Wetzel’s Pretzels | Lefty’s – The Left Hand Store |
| Wolfgang Puck Express | LEGO Imagination Center |
| Marketplace Co-Op | |
| Marketplace Fun Finds | |
| Mickey’s Pantry | |
| Once Upon a Toy | |
| Rainforest Cafe Shop | |
| Tren-D | |
| Wonderful World of Memories | |
| World of Disney |
Entertainment at Disney Springs
There is so much shopping and eating to do at Disney Springs, and then there’s the added entertainment value. One time we were there and just as night was falling we were preparing to go back to our room, but our daughter had a different idea…..she found a dance party where we stayed and played for at least another hour beyond what we intended to.
You can also take a trip up in the hot air balloon that overlooks all of Disney World from 400 feet up! This was very fun and exciting and I highly recommend you do it at least once on your Disney trip if you get a chance.
At the landing you can even ride in an Amphicar! Right next to The Boathouse restaurant you can hop in these vintage looking cars and drive right into the water for a tour of the Sassagoula River!
There are a few high points entertainment-wise, that our family really enjoys here and I’ll dive into a few of them for you.
The Springs Overlook in the town center area has a quaint outdoor venue that often has live music. This is especially appealing at night with the lights dimmed. One of my husband’s personal favorites.
The Marketplace Waterside Stage is an open-air venue along Lake Buena Vista where special events, activities, and live performances take place every day and night. You might even catch a glimpse of Eddy Maserati dancing the night away here (or anywhere else at Disney Springs for that matter). The last time we were at Disney we caught Keegan-Michael Key filming for the touchdown celebration on this stage. You never know what you’ll see here.
Amphicars are a part car part boat that you can take a ride in leaving from the Boathouse restaurant. It costs $125 for up to 4 people and they run from 10am to 10pm, weather permitting.
Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life is the new show that was announced what seems like forever ago. It was originally supposed to open in the spring of 2020 but with the shutdown it was paused. Thankfully, this show is now open and absolutely breathtaking! If you have never been to a cirque du soleil show you should defiantly check this one out.
There is so much nightlife and entertainment at Disney Springs that I could write a completely separate article about that. The live acts scattered throughout Disney Springs are constantly changing and there is always something new going on. This is one of my favorite things about Disney Springs, no matter where you are in Springs in the evening there will be bands playing live music! For a full Disney Springs entertainment schedule check out wdwent.com.
Disney Springs F.A.Q.
What Are The Current Hours At Disney Springs?
The current hours at Disney Springs are 10AM to 11PM Sunday thru Thursday.
Friday and Saturday nights stay open until 11:30PM.
Disney Springs Map
You can click on the map to enlarge it. This will give the best look at Disney Springs all of its locations for dining, shopping, and much more.
Courtesy Disney
You can also check out our complete maps guide to all of the Disney World Parks for more.
Are Downtown Disney and Disney Springs the same?
Yes, they are one and the same. Disney made the official name change back on September 29, 2015. It originally opened on March 22, 1975, and has been renamed over the years a few times previously.
Are there things for adults to do a Disney Springs?
Disney Springs was created with Adults in mind. Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of things for kids here as well, like the Lego Store and the outdoor dance parties. But with all of the Restaurants, Bars, Outdoor Entertainment and Shopping, it’s hard to think of Disney Springs as anything other than an adult playground.
Can you park at Disney Springs for free?
If you are parking your own car, yes, it is free in their lots as well as parking garages.
You can pay a little more and get preferred parking where you can pay the parking attendant $10 in the Lemon and Mango parking lots. If you are feeling fancy you can pay $20 for valet parking.
Can you buy Disney World tickets at Disney Springs?
Yes. Once you are in Disney Springs, go to the Disney Springs welcome center and find guest relations. If you are having a hard time finding the welcome center make sure to check the maps throughout Disney Springs in order to direct you where you need to go.
Does the monorail go to Disney Springs?
No, unfortunately, the monorail does not go to Disney Springs. You can, however, take the Disney Buses to get you to Disney Springs from any of the Disney resorts.
Alternatively, you could take a Minnie Van or an Uber. Also, if you are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, Riverside, Saratoga Springs or Old Key West resorts you can take the Disney Water Transportation to get you there.
Last but not least, if you are staying at Saratoga Springs, you could take a nice leisurely walk, which usually takes about 10 minutes.
Can you see fireworks from Disney Springs?
The short answer is yes. You won’t see much of the fireworks at all really unless you are up in the Aerophile hot air balloon and even then you have to time it right to see any of the fireworks at Walt Disney World.
Not to get off-topic, but there are many other great spots that you can see Disney World fireworks and I highly recommend that you try to watch them anywhere other than Disney Springs.
Pro tip: If you want a fun fireworks experience go to California Grill over at The Contemporary Resort. At 5 PM they have a lounge hour where you can order beverages and food from the bar area. Then you can come back later for fireworks, you just show your receipt and they’ll take you up to one of the nicest spots in Disney World to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!
Do they allow dogs at Disney Springs?
No, with the exception of service dogs for disabled guests. Pets are not allowed at Disney Springs.
Where does uber pick up at Disney Springs?
If you feel the necessity to take an Uber from Disney Springs to another place, the best places to go for this depending on which side of Disney Springs you are near is the west side the near the Cirque du Soleil building or alternatively if you are on the other side of Disney Springs you can be picked up near the World of Disney store.
Are there memory maker photographers at Disney Springs?
Yes, there is actually a Disney PhotoPass Service Studio located in Disney Springs. Typically you’ll be able to get seasonal backdrops and props used in your photos as well. That makes this a really fun thing to do, especially if you are there around the holidays! (Think Christmas card photo)
You do not need a reservation, it is first-come, first-serve. So keep that in mind and plan accordingly if you plan on using this service.
How much is the Aerophile hot air balloon at Disney Springs?
Adult pricing is $25 per person and children (ages 3-8) are $20 each. As a regular here, I can tell you that you will get some of the very best views of the Disney and Orlando area. On a clear day you can see up to 10 miles away! The location opens daily at 9 a.m., weather permitting, and wait times are typically shorter earlier in the day, which makes for a better ride anyway.
Where Can I find The Disney Springs Crowd Calendar?
Disney Springs doesn’t really have a different crowd calendar from the rest of Walt Disney World. There are busy times just like the theme parks. Typically evenings are busier then during the day because people tend to go after the parks close because they stay open longer. Also weekends are busier then during the week because this is when locals tend to go. I recently went on a Tuesday around lunch time and it was so nice because there were so few people there.
Can I use Disney gift cards at Disney Springs?
Yes, all locations in Disney Springs accept Disney Gift Cards as a form of payment. I had an extremely hard time finding this information, so I called Disney Guest Relations directly and found the answer.
You can also find out more about Disney gift cards by checking out their website at www.disneygiftcard.com.
Tips For Disney Springs
Everyone and their brother has their favorite tips for every location at Disney World. But after collaborating with our friends over at Paging Mr. Morrow, we’ve put together our top 5 tips for Disney Springs that we think you will find most helpful.
- Make sure you stop by the Coca-Cola store next to Planet Hollywood and meet the polar bear on your way up to the rooftop lounge area. It’s included in your memory maker and I highly suggest it, especially if you have kids or are a big kid. You’ll love it! They actually have a tray that you can buy of different Coca-Cola products from all over the world as well, so make sure you give it a try!
- From 3 pm to 5 pm House of Blues has half-priced mixed drinks and beers! Cheapest beer on Disney World property according to Nate from Paging Mr. Morrow as well!
- Starbucks has grande sized ice waters for FREE.
- To avoid the masses get there earlier in the day or after 8 pm at night.
- Most of the sit-down restaurants will require reservations for dinner, so plan accordingly.
Walk Through Of Disney Springs
Check out the video below for a complete walkthrough of Disney Springs if you’ve never been before and would like to check it out.
Conclusion
Disney Springs is such a great place with so much to do, that’s exactly why I created this Disney Springs Guide. Yes, it’s expensive, but it unrivaled for free entertainment and things to do while you are at Walt Disney World. We usually will go to Disney Springs on an off day or later in the day on the first day we arrive.
So take the time to visit Disney Springs and enjoy all the Shops at Disney Springs, dining, and entertainment. You won’t feel let down, and if anything you might feel a bit euphoric!