Disney Springs – Walt Disney World
Disney Springs is the shopping and entertainment district at Walt Disney World formerly known as Downtown Disney. This shopping area has gone through many changes over the years and is hardly recognizable to visitors of the past. There are 4 areas that are packed with dining, shopping, and entertainment options to keep you busy for a few hours or even an entire day. There is the Marketplace, Town Center, The Landing, and The West Side. Keep in mind that if you want to park close to where you intend to shop, it’s better to do a little research first and try parking at certain parking lots or garages.
Advantages of Visiting Disney Springs
The main advantage is that there’s no parking or admission charge, unlike the Walt Disney World theme parks. There are two spacious parking garages and a surface parking area to provide ample space for cars even at busy times. You won’t have to drive aimlessly in the garage searching for a space. Each level has a lighted sign telling you how many vacant spots it has. Red or green lights above parking spaces let you know where to find a spot.
Parking Lots & Parking Garages
Watermelon and Mango lots: The two open-air parking lots are located near the West Side of Disney Springs close to Cirque du Soliel.
Orange Parking Garage: Also located near the West Side of Disney Springs close to Cirque du Soliel.
Lime Garage: This lot is close to Town Center gives you access to the middle of Disney Springs.
Grapefruit Garage: This lot is right behind the Lime Garage, but you will have to cross over two bridges and bring you to the Marketplace section of Disney Springs.
Lemon Parking Lot: This open-air lot also sits Marketplace section of Disney Springs, however, there is a charge to park there.
Valey parking is also available for an additional fee in each of these lots.
A Walk Through Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a great place to visit with about 100 shops, 63 places to dine, and 23 attractions, shows, and events to keep you occupied while you take a break from the parks. With great activities scenic views, Disney Springs will is an experience to add to your Disney vacation.
Here are some of the highlights of Disney Springs:
Marketplace
World of Disney – A great place to find many Disney souvenirs and a wide variety of the latest in Disney merchandise.
Star Wars Trading Post – Here you’ll find more Star Wars merchandise to fill your galactic needs.
The Rainforest Cafe – Eat, drink, and shop inside this active volcano which erupts approximately every 30 minutes! Be sure to have your cameras ready.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Fairy Godmothers will pamper and primp your child until they look storybook stunning.
LEGO Store – Do you like legos? Well come and see this massive store with a wide variety of legos you may not find in your typical stores.
T-REX – Eat, drink, shop, and dig here in this restaurant with a giant T-Rex skeleton.
Town Center
Coach – Find luxury accessories, bags, shoes, and apparel at a high-quality leather goods boutique.
Under Armour Brand House – The latest innovations in athletic apparel, footwear, and fitness devices.
Planet Hollywood – A great place to eat that is loaded with movie memorabilia.
Coca-Cola Store – Here you can find a wide variety of Coca-Cola souvenirs that you won’t find in your typical store.
The Landing
Paddlefish – Dine in this authentic replica of a 19th-century riverboat named after Disney’s wife. Christened in 1977 as The Empress Lilly, Paddlefish offers amazing fine dining.
Raglan Road – Irish cuisine, live music, and dance in a beautiful pub.
Maria & Enzo’s – Authentic Italian cuisine in the spacious setting of an airline terminal. Enjoy wonderful fine dining in the ambiance of the golden age of air travel.
West Side
Aerophile – Take a ride in a hot air balloon ride that flies over Disney Springs.
AMC Movies 24 – Enjoy a lovely dinner and the latest movies in this state-of-the-art theater
House of Blues – Dine on Southern favorites and enjoy the nightlife with a live concert at this legendary music spot.
Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil and Disney – Take a journey into a world where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. With the mesmerizing movements of Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic mastery, the show will showcase as a celebration of life.
Christmas Tree Trail
Disney’s Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs debuted in 2015 and put together a set of themed Christmas trees on one end of the district. Themed to the different movies in Disney’s collection, these trees showcase Disney’s creativity in celebrating Christmas. Disney also included a little themed treemap this recent year, making our favorite shopping area into a fun-filled scavenger hunt.