Disney Springs: Everything That You Need to Know
Disney Springs is one of the most popular destinations in all of Orlando, which also happens to be free.
In this page, we will explain everything that you need to know about Disney Springs including what it offers, how parking works, the best places to eat, and the must-visit places.
What is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is a premier shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Although it is not a theme park, it is the perfect destination for visitors looking for a more laid-back experience, while still being in a Disney atmosphere.
For this reason, Disney Springs is extremely popular with locals, as they can meet up with family and friends to hang out, eat, watch movies, go bowling at Splitsville, and even go shopping.
Disney Springs offers a variety of dining options, from quick service to fine dining, catering to all tastes and preferences.
Entertainment-wise, Disney Springs is home to several live entertainment venues, featuring daily performances by world-class acts.
Disney Springs Hours
Disney Springs is typically open from 10 AM to 11 PM but can extend to 11:30 PM on certain days.
You'll want to check their hours directly from the Disney Springs site.
How Disney Springs Parking Works
Due to the number of options, parking at Disney Springs can seem a bit overwhelming.
There are three different types of parking available at Disney Springs, Garage parking, Surface parking, and Valet parking.
Every parking option at Disney Springs is free except Valet parking.
The most popular and convenient parking options are the parking garages.
They are very easy to use and to later find your car, as well as they are indoors, keeping you away from the Florida rain that shows up throughout the day.
The parking garages feature 5 floors of availability, with built-in escalators, digital number boxes that show available parking on each floor, as well as color-coded lights in each row.
The Lime garage and Orange garage are very similar and located right next to Disney Springs, while the Grapefruit garage is the largest garage, but will require more walking as it is the furthest away.
Most Popular Stores
Although Disney Springs has dozens of top-notch shops to choose from, there are a few unique ones that are so popular you'll often have to wait in line for them.
World of Disney Store
The World of Disney Store is a shopping store that offers every and any type of Disney-related merchandise, all under one roof.
Rather than needing to travel to each Disney park (and property) to purchase items that are usually only found at that location, they can be bought at the World of Disney Store.
Some of the most popular items include:
- Clothes
- Backpacks
- Hats/Mickey's ears
- Toys
- Pillows
- Mugs
- Pins
- Jewelry
- And even home décor
Visitors can simply walk into the store and purchase any Disney-related merchandise of their choosing.
Lego Store
The Lego Store at Disney Springs features everything and anything that you can think of, made out of Legos.
It features massive Lego sculptures, thousands of Lego toys, screens that make Lego toys come to life (without opening the box), an opportunity to build your own legos, and a MiniFigure factory.
It's easily one of the most impressive displays of creativity that we've ever seen.
You'll get your first look at some of the impressive displays as you get closer to the Lego Store.
You can see a full list of all of the Disney Springs stores on their site.
Best Places to Eat
Frontera Cocina
Frontera Cocina is one of the newer table service restaurants in Disney Springs, that offers Mexican Cuisine by celebrity Chef Rick Bayless.
Rick Bayless is an American chef (and restaurant owner) who is known for specializing in traditional Mexican cuisine, yet with modern tweaks.
Pros & Cons of Frontera Cocina
Pros:
- Food Quality
- Service
- Drinks
- Location - Great view of Disney Springs
Cons:
- Pricey
Must-Have Food
Chips with Salsa & Guacamole
Carne Asada
Morimoto Asia
WOLFGANG PUCK
T-Rex Cafe
T-Rex Cafe is extremely popular with families, as it provides a unique environment full of many types of dinosaurs that come to life every 15 minutes through a 'meteor shower'.
On top of this, the food is outstanding and there are plenty of options for both adults and children.
Although T-Rex does take walks in's, it's one of the most popular restaurants in Disney Springs, with lines around the building daily.
You'll definitely want to consider making a reservation to ensure that you'll be seated.
Paddlefish
POLITE PIG
Gideon's Bakehouse
Know the Best Places to Get Coffee
STARBUCKS ON THE WEST SIDE
Starbucks at the West Side is our go-to option anytime that we need coffee at Disney Springs.
This Starbucks is gigantic and typically has the least amount of lines, and is located right across from the Star Wars Galactic Outpost.
Parking in the Orange garage will be your closest option to this Starbucks.
You'll simply exit the Orange garage, head straight until you see the AMC theatre, and then make a right.
Continue straight for about a minute and Starbucks will be located on your left.
Live Music
Disney Springs has a lot of different places where you can catch live music performed by many different, and talented groups throughout the day and night.
One of the main spots is the Waterside Stage, which is right by the water and has different acts throughout the day.
You can sit and enjoy the music while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Another spot is the Marketplace Stage, which is located in the heart of the shopping area and has a mix of different performers.
There's also the House of Blues, a popular spot that has a lot of different types of music like blues, rock, and gospel, and even has a restaurant where you can have a meal while listening to live music.
Fireworks at Disney Springs
You can see and hear the Disney fireworks from Disney Springs, however, you just can't see everything in detail.
The best view in all of Disney Springs is from the top floor of the restaurant Paddlefish, as it is conveniently located right on the water.
You'll be able to see the size, shape, color, and pattern of the fireworks, but you just won't be able to see the Magic Kingdom castle.
Disney Springs isn't close enough to be able to fully enjoy the fireworks, as the best place to see fireworks is in the actual Magic Kingdom park.
Disney Springs Mask Policy
Wearing a mask or face covering at Disney Springs is not required, as it is optional.
This includes using any Disney transportation (such as buses) from or to Disney Springs.
Additionally - multiple hand sanitizing stations are located around the Disney property.
This is the case in not just Disney Springs, but all of Disney property in Florida.
Hot Air Balloon
For those who love adventure, there's not a better activity to do than Aerophile, the hot air balloon at Disney Springs.
This ride will take visitors up in the air, upwards of 400 feet, for 8 whole minutes.
Riders will be able to see Disney Springs and the surrounding areas from a unique view that many visitors will never be able to see for themselves.
How to Use the Disney Buses
Visitors should know that they can leave from Disney Springs to other Disney properties for free.
The Buses at Disney Springs are very easy to use.
The Disney Buses also have their own lane that other vehicles can't use, which allows them to quickly transport visitors around Disney properties while dealing with minimal traffic.
How to Use the Disney Bus
You'll simply head to the Bus Stop (located right next to the Orange Garage) and find the large, blue, Bus Directory sign placed in front of the Bus loops.
Every Disney Bus has a different destination, and this sign will show exactly where the buses are headed towards.
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