Disney Springs is a massive outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district. It is not a theme park, which means you do not need a ticket to enter.
It is the best place at Walt Disney World to spend a “rest day” away from the theme parks. You can easily spend 4 to 6 hours here just walking around, eating, and listening to live music.
Important Basics
- Entry Fee: FREE. There is no cost to walk around Disney Springs.
- Parking: FREE. Self-parking in the massive garages (Lime, Orange, and Grapefruit) is complimentary.
- Security: You must go through a security screening (metal detectors) before entering the district from the parking garages or bus loops.
How to Get There (Transport Guide)
Getting to Disney Springs can be tricky depending on where you are coming from.
- From Your Hotel (Disney Resort): The easiest way. Every Disney hotel has a free bus directly to Disney Springs that runs all day until 1 hour after Disney Springs closes.
- From Your Hotel (Off-Property): Most nearby hotels in Orlando offer shuttles to Disney Springs, or you can take an Uber/Lyft.
- From a Theme Park (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, etc.):READ THIS CAREFULLY.
- Before 4:00 PM: Buses DO NOT run directly from the parks to Disney Springs. You must take a bus to a nearby hotel (like Saratoga Springs Resort) and then walk or take another bus to Disney Springs.
- After 4:00 PM: Direct buses usually start running from the theme parks to Disney Springs in the evening.
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
- Typical Hours: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM (or 11:30 PM on weekends).
- Best time for low crowds: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday mornings.
- Busiest time: Friday and Saturday evenings are incredibly crowded with both tourists and locals.
- Rainy Days: Disney Springs is mostly outdoors. If it rains heavily, there are not many places to hide other than inside shops.
The 4 Neighborhoods
Disney Springs is huge, so it is helpful to know the four main areas:
- Marketplace: The most “Disney” area. This is where you find the giant World of Disney store, the LEGO Store, and family-friendly food like Rainforest Cafe.
- Town Center: This looks like a nice outdoor mall. It has standard brand name stores like Zara, Uniqlo, Sephora, and Lululemon.
- The Landing: This is the best area for high-end waterfront dining (The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Gideon’s Bakehouse).
- West Side: The entertainment hub. Home to Cirque du Soleil, House of Blues, and the giant Aerophile balloon.
Must-Do Dining (Foodie Guide)
Disney Springs has better food than any of the theme parks.
Best Quick Service (Fast & Cheaper)
- Chicken Guy! (Town Center): Famous for chicken tenders and over 20 different dipping sauces. It is cheap and very popular.
- The Polite Pig (Town Center): Incredible modern barbecue. It is a “fast-casual” spot, meaning you order at a counter, but they bring the food to your table.
- Earl of Sandwich (Marketplace): A fan-favorite classic for cheap, delicious hot sandwiches.
Best Table Service (Reservations Needed)
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (The Landing): Famous for its fried chicken and moonshine. It is arguably the most popular restaurant at Disney Springs.
- The Boathouse (The Landing): A massive waterfront restaurant with great seafood and steaks.
- Morimoto Asia (The Landing): High-end Pan-Asian cuisine from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The Peking Duck is famous here.
The “Gideon’s Bakehouse” Strategy
Gideon’s Bakehouse sells famous, nearly half-pound cookies. The line is often 3 hours long.
- How to get a cookie without waiting all day: Arrive right when Disney Springs opens (usually 10:00 AM). Go straight to Gideon’s and join the “Virtual Queue.” They will text you when it is your turn to return and enter the shop.
Best Entertainment & Attractions
- Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil: An incredible acrobatic show themed around Disney animation. It requires a separate, expensive ticket, but it is world-class.
- Aerophile (The Balloon): A giant tethered helium balloon that takes you 400 feet into the air for amazing views. It costs roughly $25 for adults.
- Vintage Amphicar Tours: Located next to The Boathouse, you can ride in a vintage car that drives right into the lake and turns into a boat. It costs roughly $125 per car (up to 4 people).
- Live Music: In the evenings, you will find free live musicians playing all over Disney Springs, especially at the waterfront stage near World of Disney.