Disney Springs

At a glance
  • No ticket needed. Disney Springs® Area is free to visit — no theme park ticket, no admission fee, and no parking charge.
  • Four neighborhoods. The Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side each have their own personality, shops, and restaurants.
  • Dozens of restaurants. From quick bites to upscale waterfront dining, Disney Springs has more restaurant variety than any other spot at Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Great rest-day activity. Many families spend an arrival night, rest day, or departure morning at Disney Springs — it is a low-key change of pace from the theme parks.
  • Free bus service. Every Walt Disney World Resort hotel runs complimentary bus service to and from Disney Springs.
The iconic water tower rises above the shops and walkways of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, a dining, shopping, and entertainment district that requires no theme park ticket.
Disney Springs

Disney Springs® Area is the shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World® Resort. There is no admission fee, no theme park ticket required, and parking is free. It is open to everyone — resort guests, off-site visitors, and locals alike.

The complex stretches along the waterfront with more than 150 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues spread across four neighborhoods. Most families visit on their arrival night, on a rest day between park days, or for dinner after a shorter park day.

The four neighborhoods

Disney Springs is built around a flowing spring and lakefront setting. Four neighborhoods connect to each other by walkways and bridges. Each one has a different feel.

The Marketplace

Disney Springs Marketplace is the most family-friendly section. It has the largest collection of Disney merchandise anywhere, plus restaurants and snack spots that kids love.

  • World of Disney. The largest Disney store in the world — apparel, toys, pins, ears, and every kind of souvenir. If you only visit one shop, make it this one.
  • The LEGO Store. A Pick-A-Brick Wall and exclusive Disney-themed sets. Kids can build custom minifigures.
  • Disney’s Days of Christmas. Ornaments, holiday décor, and personalization year-round.
  • Marketplace Co-Op. Rotating Disney brands and exclusive collections in one storefront.
  • Goofy’s Candy Co. A candy shop with caramel apples, rice crispy treats, and bulk candy. Kids love picking out their own bags.
  • T-REX. A kid-favorite restaurant with animatronic dinosaurs, meteor showers, and a build-your-own-dino station. Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends.
  • Rainforest Cafe. A themed dining concept at the Marketplace entrance — animatronic animals and thunderstorm effects.

The Landing

The Landing at Disney Springs is the waterfront dining neighborhood. Most of the higher-end restaurants are here, and the views of the water at sunset are some of the prettiest at Walt Disney World Resort.

  • The BOATHOUSE. Upscale waterfront dining with steak, seafood, and dream boat rides on the water. One of the most popular restaurants at Disney Springs.
  • Morimoto Asia. Pan-Asian cuisine from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Sushi, Peking duck, and noodle dishes in a two-story space.
  • Wine Bar George. A Master Sommelier runs this wine-focused spot with small plates and charcuterie. One of the best places for adults to unwind.
  • Raglan Road. An Irish pub with live music, dancers, fish and chips, and a lively atmosphere. Good for families and groups.
  • Homecomin’. Chef Art Smith’s Southern kitchen. The fried chicken is the star. Church Lady Deviled Eggs and the Hummingbird Cake are worth saving room for.
  • The Ganachery. A chocolate shop by the Disney pastry team. Ganache squares, s’mores, and hot chocolate make it a popular stop for treats.

Town Center

Town Center at Disney Springs is an open-air shopping promenade with a mix of name-brand retailers and boutique shops. The architecture draws from Spanish-style Florida towns with fountains, courtyards, and covered walkways.

  • Zara, Uniqlo, Anthropologie, lululemon. National retailers and fashion brands line the promenade. The shopping here feels more like an outdoor mall than a theme park gift shop.
  • Sugarboo & Co. Handmade jewelry, prints, and gift items.
  • Basin. Colorful bath bombs, soaps, and lotions. Kids love picking their own.
  • Frontera Cocina. Modern Mexican food from chef Rick Bayless — tacos, enchiladas, and mole dishes.
  • Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. Signature pizzas, steaks, and handcrafted cocktails.
  • STK Steakhouse. A modern upscale option with a weekend brunch.

West Side

Disney Springs West Side is the entertainment hub. This is where you will find Cirque du Soleil, the AMC movie theater, and Splitsville Luxury Lanes.

  • Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil. A live acrobatic show that blends Cirque performance with Disney animation. The show runs about 90 minutes. No park ticket required.
  • AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres. A 24-screen theater with dine-in options. You can order food and drinks right at your seat.
  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes. A two-story bowling alley with 30 lanes, a full restaurant, and live entertainment. Families, date nights, and groups all work here.

For young families

Splitsville is fun for families with older kids who can bowl on their own. For younger kids, the Marketplace side of Disney Springs has more to offer — toy stores, candy shops, and T-REX for dinner.

Dining at Disney Springs

Disney Springs has more restaurant variety than any other location at Walt Disney World Resort. You will find everything from counter-service food to chef-driven restaurants.

Bavarian pork shanks, soft pretzels, and a cocktail served at a table at Hangar Bar in Disney Springs, showing the kind of creative dining options families find beyond the theme parks.
Disney Springs — The Landing

Table service restaurants

Table service restaurants at Disney Springs accept dining reservations through the My Disney Experience app. Reservations open 60 days before your visit. Popular spots fill up fast — especially The BOATHOUSE, Raglan Road, and Wine Bar George. If nothing shows available in My Disney Experience, check OpenTable. Many Disney Springs restaurants list extra tables there.

A few standouts beyond The Landing restaurants:

  • Polite Pig. Legitimate barbecue with smoked ribs, brisket, and a strong bourbon list. Counter-service style but the food quality is table-service level.
  • Summer House on the Lake. California-inspired menu with pizza, pasta, and fresh salads. Multiple patios overlooking the water.
  • The Edison. A 1920s-themed restaurant and lounge in Town Center. The décor alone is worth a visit.
  • Paddlefish. A restaurant aboard a steamboat replica. Seafood-focused with rooftop views.

Do I need reservations at Disney Springs restaurants?

We recommend reservations for table service restaurants — especially on weekends and during busy travel seasons. Quick service spots and food trucks do not need reservations. Check the My Disney Experience app for open tables.

Quick service and snacks

You will find quick service options across all four neighborhoods. These are grab-and-go spots where you order at a counter or window.

  • Earl of Sandwich. A Marketplace staple with toasted sandwiches and soups. Quick, affordable, and filling.
  • D-Luxe Burger. Creative burgers and thick milkshakes near the Marketplace.
  • Chicken Guy! Chicken tenders with a wall of dipping sauces.
  • Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza. Build-your-own pizza fired in minutes.
  • Amorette’s Patisserie. Pastries, character-shaped cakes, and desserts in Town Center. The petit cakes are art.
  • Gideon’s Bakehouse. Famous half-pound cookies and cold brew in Town Center. The line can stretch over an hour on busy days — go on a weekday or when it rains for shorter waits.

For multigenerational groups

Disney Springs is a great place for dinner when your group cannot agree on one restaurant. Split up — some go to Raglan Road, others to Morimoto Asia — and meet for dessert at The Ganachery or Gideon’s Bakehouse.

Shopping highlights

Disney Springs shopping starts at the World of Disney store in the Marketplace — the main draw for Disney merchandise. If you only visit one shop, make it this one. It has the widest selection of apparel, pins, ears, toys, and collectibles at Walt Disney World Resort.

Beyond Disney merchandise, Disney Springs has a mix of national retailers and Disney-exclusive shops:

  • The LEGO Store. Exclusive Disney-themed sets and a Pick-A-Brick Wall where kids (and adults) build custom minifigures.
  • Disney’s Days of Christmas. Ornaments, holiday décor, and personalization year-round.
  • Marketplace Co-Op. Rotating Disney brands and collaborations in one storefront.
  • Star Wars Galactic Outpost. Star Wars apparel, collectibles, and accessories on the West Side.
  • Basin. Colorful bath bombs, soaps, and lotions. Kids love picking their own.
  • Sugarboo & Co. Handmade jewelry, prints, and gift items in Town Center.

Town Center has fashion retailers like Zara, Uniqlo, Anthropologie, and lululemon. The shopping here feels more like an outdoor mall than a theme park gift shop.

Entertainment

Disney Springs has several headline entertainment options that do not need a theme park ticket.

  • Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil. A collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney Animation. Acrobats, aerial performers, and animated sequences projected into the live performance. About 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are sold on their own — shows run on select nights at the West Side.
  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes. A two-story bowling venue with 30 lanes. Full food and drink service at your lane — sushi, pizza, sliders, and cocktails. Good for older kids, teenagers, and date nights. No reservation required, but lanes fill up on weekend evenings.
  • AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres. A 24-screen movie theater with standard and dine-in options. The dine-in theaters bring full meals right to your reclining seat. New releases and sometimes special Disney screenings.

For first-timers

Drawn to Life is worth seeing, but it does not need to compete with a park day. Save it for a rest day or an evening when you leave the parks early. A Good Story Vacations travel advisor can help you figure out which night works best in your schedule.

When to visit Disney Springs

Disney Springs is open daily. Hours vary by season, but most days it opens at 10:00 AM and stays open until 11:00 PM or later. Each restaurant and shop keeps its own hours — some open earlier and some close later.

Best times to go

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the quietest. The Marketplace and Town Center have plenty of room to walk around without crowds. Restaurants are easiest to get into for lunch.

Evenings and weekends are busier, especially during holiday seasons and school breaks. If you want a table at a popular restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night, reserve ahead through the My Disney Experience app.

Rest days and arrival nights

Disney Springs is the most popular rest-day activity at Walt Disney World Resort. After a full day or two at the theme parks, a few hours of shopping and eating without a schedule feels like a welcome break.

Many families visit Disney Springs on their arrival night. If your flight gets in during the afternoon, check into your resort, unpack, and head to Disney Springs for dinner. It is a relaxed way to start the trip without the pressure of a park day.

Departure mornings work too. If your flight is in the afternoon, spend the morning at Disney Springs picking up last-minute souvenirs and grabbing brunch.

For large groups

Disney Springs is one of the easiest places to manage a large group at Walt Disney World Resort. No tickets, no reservations for entry, and enough variety that everyone can find something they enjoy. Split up for shopping, regroup for dinner. A Good Story Vacations travel advisor can book a group-friendly restaurant ahead of time.

Tips for your visit

  • Wear comfortable shoes. You will still walk a lot. Disney Springs covers a large area and there is no transportation between neighborhoods — it is all on foot.
  • Bring a stroller for little ones. The Marketplace to the West Side is a long walk for small legs. A stroller keeps the visit from ending early. Since Disney Springs is open to the public, keep an eye on your belongings.
  • Check the entertainment schedule. Live music, street performers, and special events happen throughout Disney Springs. The schedule changes daily.
  • Keep an eye on the weather. Disney Springs is mostly outdoors. Florida afternoon rain showers are common. The parking garages, AMC theater, Splitsville, and indoor restaurants are good rain shelters.
Guests browse colorful Disney merchandise inside the World of Disney store at Disney Springs Marketplace, the largest Disney retail location in the world.
Disney Springs Marketplace — World of Disney

Getting to Disney Springs

Bus from your resort

Every Walt Disney World Resort hotel runs free bus service to Disney Springs. Buses run during Disney Springs operating hours and continue until one hour after closing.

Boat from select resorts

Four resorts have boat service directly to Disney Springs along the Sassagoula River:

  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Boats run daily with departures every 15 to 30 minutes. Hours vary by season and weather. The ride is relaxing and scenic — it is one of the nicest ways to get there.

Driving and parking

Parking at Disney Springs is free. Three parking garages (Lime, Orange, and Grapefruit) and three surface lots (Strawberry, Watermelon, and Mango) surround the complex. The garages show color-coded signs so you know which levels have open spots.

The Orange Garage is closest to Town Center and The Landing. The Lime Garage is closest to the Marketplace. If you are driving from off-site or staying at a non-Disney hotel, Disney Springs in Orlando is easy to reach from I-4. The address is in the Lake Buena Vista area, just off exit 67.

Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber also drop off and pick up at Disney Springs. These are the same Walt Disney World transportation options available across the resort.

Is parking really free at Disney Springs?

Yes. All parking at Disney Springs is completely free — no validation, no time limit, and no parking meters. The three parking garages and three surface lots are all free for everyone.

FAQ

Is Disney Springs free to visit?

How do I get to Disney Springs from my Disney resort?

Is Disney Springs worth a full day?

What are the best restaurants at Disney Springs?

Can I go to Disney Springs without staying at a Disney hotel?

Next steps

Dining at Disney World
Learn how Walt Disney World dining works — reservations, mobile ordering, and restaurant types.
When to visit Walt Disney World
Travel dates affect crowds, weather, and what's open at Disney Springs.