Walt Disney World/Disney Springs

''This article is about the Disney Springs complex at Walt Disney World. For the Downtown Disney district at Disneyland, see Disneyland.''



At Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney), you can design your own T-shirt or marvel at the biggest Disney store in the world; enjoy the fine cuisine of the world's top chefs or eat among the dinosaurs; see a the new hit movie as you dine at your seat or take a ride in a classic "Amphicar"; and in general just get away from the Disney parks for a while.

An outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in the southeast corner of Walt Disney World, Disney Springs has been re-imagined and expanded to four districtsː Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. Although it's geared primarily to adults looking for something to do away from the parks, kids will find several things to occupy their attention as well.

Nearby is the most popular water park in the country, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, and several resort hotels and golf courses.

Understand
Visitors to Disney Springs will find that it has a split personality. During the day, it's a shopping district like no other on Disney property, with everything from mega-stores to smaller specialty boutiques. This is the place to go if you're on day six of your vacation and still haven't figured out what souvenirs you want, or if you decide you just need some good old-fashioned retail therapy. Most of the large stores are in the Disney Springs Marketplace area, with the specialty shops concentrated in the Disney Springs West Side.

At night, though, the lights come on and the place really gets hopping, with live music, stage shows, and sophisticated restaurant and lounges opening their doors to a primarily adult clientele. If you get tired of the relentlessly artificial environments of the theme parks, you can drop by Disney Springs at night for fun of an entirely different sort. The strongest concentration of activity at night is on the West Side, but The Landing gets its share as well thanks to its upscale restaurants and lounges.

Disney Springs also serves as a major transportation hub (especially late at night when the parks are closed), as it's the most reliable way to transfer buses in order to travel between two resorts via Disney transportation.

History
In 1975, just a few years after Walt Disney World opened, Disney created a small shopping district far to the southeast of the Magic Kingdom, which was at the time the only developed area of the property. As the Walt Disney World Village, and later the Disney Village Marketplace, it remained a remote and rarely visited destination for many years. The only real attraction aside from shopping was the Empress Lilly (Paddlefish in 2017), a non-functional replica paddlewheel boat named after Walt's widow that featured three separate dining rooms.

In the late 1980s, however, as Walt Disney World prepared to open its third theme park, executives realized that adult guests would want to have a place to go after the parks closed, where they could have a drink or go out dancing. And why, they reasoned, should Disney force such guests to go off-property to the city of Orlando to find nightlife, when they could keep them (and their money) on-property? The result was Pleasure Island, a themed collection of nightclubs (with a few restaurants and shops scattered among them) built right next door to the Marketplace. It proved successful, keeping Disney visitors on Disney property, and even attracting locals interested in unique nightclubs like the Adventurers Club and restaurants like Planet Hollywood.

The concept was expanded even further in 1997 with the renaming of the entire area to Downtown Disney, and the opening of the Downtown Disney West Side. The West Side, on the far side of Pleasure Island from the Marketplace, was anchored by the giant circus arena created for a Cirque du Soleil show, and the five-story indoor video play area DisneyQuest (1998). It also included several high-concept restaurants such as Bongos Cuban Cafe and House of Blues.

In 2008, Disney closed down the six remaining Pleasure Island nightclubs, leaving it relatively barren, although the restaurants and shops remained open. Disney had announced plans to convert Pleasure Island into a new district called Hyperion Wharf, but that plan was quickly shelved in favor of a new idea.

In March 2013, Disney released a 3-yr plan to re-imagine and expand the entire Downtown Disney area as Disney Springs, representing a fictional town that developed around a natural spring in central Florida. In this plan, West Side and Marketplace remain, with West Side re-imagined as an Exposition circa 1950s and Marketplace as American Craftsman circa 1930s, while Pleasure Island was transformed in 2015 to The Landing, a transportation hub and marina with re-purposed industrial buildings circa 1900s. A new Town Center was created in 2016, on former surface parking lots just to the south of The Landing, to be the central business district with Spanish revival architecture circa 1920s, complete with a bubbling spring running its length. The Town Center serves as the main entrance of the entire four-district Disney Springs complex. To make up for the loss of parking, Disney added two parking structures, Orange and Lime garages, adjacent to West Side and Town Center respectively.

With the area's transformation, Disney Springs remains an active and vibrant complex, with greatly expanded variety of non-theme-park entertainment, dining, and shopping for Walt Disney World guests and off-property visitors alike.

Get in
There is no admission fee for Disney Springs in general, although individual attractions may carry a fee. The main entrance is the Town Center opened in 2016 in the middle of the complex. Wheelchair, ECV and stroller rentals are available at the nearby Sundries location next to the Town Center bus loop.

Typhoon Lagoon admission is $49 for adults and $41 for children, unless you have added the Water Park Fun and More option to your Magic Your Way package.

By car
Disney Springs and Typhoon Lagoon are on Buena Vista Drive; drive east from Epcot Center Drive or west from Hotel Plaza Boulevard. Parking is free at both locations. During peak periods, valet parking may be available for $25.

Two parking structures flank the Town Center main entrance to Disney Springsː the Lime Garage on the right adjacent to Town Center and closer to the Marketplace, and the Orange Garage on the left adjacent to the West Side. There are surface lots on the far end of the West Side.

By Disney transportation
Buses and ferries travel to Disney Springs.

From any resort, you can take the Disney Springs bus from your resort's bus stop. The buses will drop you off in front of the Town Center. These buses sometimes also stop at Typhoon Lagoon after Disney Springs.

Ferries travel the Sassagoula River from Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs to Disney Springs. The three ferry docks are at the far end of the West Side, at the Landing, and on the bridge between the Marketplace and Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Springs and Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza guests can also walk to Disney Springs.

If you're going to Typhoon Lagoon, take the Disney Springs bus. Before 1PM or so, you can stay on board and the bus will continue on to Typhoon Lagoon. After that time, you may have to switch buses; ask your bus driver for confirmation. You can, of course, arrive at Disney Springs by foot or by boat before transferring to a bus to Typhoon Lagoon.

From the theme parks
Because parking at Disney Springs is free, Disney doesn't provide regular direct transportation from Disney Springs to the theme parks or vice versa. Instead, if you want to make the trip, you'll need to transfer at a resort hotel. (The same is true for Typhoon Lagoon.) Your best option might be to take a bus to Saratoga Springs and then make the relatively short walk to Disney Springs.

Disney offers direct buses from the four theme parks to Disney Springs daily after 4PM until 11PM or 2 hours after theme parks close, whichever is earlier. There is no corresponding return bus from Disney Springs to the theme parks.

Get around


Disney Springs is long and skinny, running roughly northeast-to-west. The northeastern-most end is the Disney Springs Marketplace. The Marketplace curves down and around to the southwest, where it meets up with The Landing (on the water front) and Town Center (to the south near the bus stops). To the west is, of course, the Disney Springs West Side, with the Cirque du Soleil arena at the far end near the ferry terminal.

The entire long complex is sandwiched between parking lots/structures on the south side and Village Lake on the north. From Village Lake, boats can travel the Sassagoula River, which provides access to the Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Port Orleans resorts. The Downtown Disney Hotel Plaza, a set of inexpensive non-Disney resorts on Disney property, lies just to the northeast of the Marketplace.

If you're tired of walking and need to get from one end of Disney Springs to the other, a free shuttle boat runs among the three docks (West Side, The Landing, Marketplace) every 15 minutes or so&mdash;make sure you get on the Green Flag boat.

See and do


You may have come for the shopping or for the food, but you shouldn't overlook the other attractions of Disney Springs. You can go to the movies, bowl a few frames, or even take a trip on the tallest attraction at Walt Disney World. You'll also find live entertainment&mdash;music and comedy&mdash;at various venues throughout the complex, especially at night. (For example, look for Nova Era, a chamber trio playing classical music with a modern twist, Wednesdays and Thursdays across from the Lime Garage entrance.)



Typhoon Lagoon


According to Disney Imagineering legend, years ago, a fishing trawler named Miss Tilly found itself caught in a powerful hurricane. When the torrent subsided, the boat found itself perched precariously atop Mt. Mayday, with water still gushing down through channels and valleys to a lake below. What else was there to do but for the survivors to create Typhoon Lagoon?

Typhoon Lagoon is the second-most-visited water park in the world (Chime-Long WaterPark in Guangzhou, China, just barely passed it in 2013), and is a great place to beat the Summer heat from June through September. While its theme is not as whimsically inventive as that of its sister park, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon excels at providing guests a consistent and energetic setting for some of the best water rides in the world. But do keep an eye out for the unique touches the Imagineers have brought to the decor, including scattered remnants of ships' cargoes and even palm trees supposedly bent low by the hurricane!

Typhoon Lagoon is not far from Disney Springs, and the two often share bus routes. The park is usually open from 10AM–5PM, and admission is $52 for adults or $44 for kids ages 3-10. Admission to the water park counts as one of your "Fun Visits" if you've added either the Water Park Fun & More or the Park Hopper Plus options to your tickets&mdash;and note that just one admission almost pays for the cost of the option.

The direct telephone number for Typhoon Lagoon is +1 407 560-4141. Typhoon Lagoon closes for annual refurbishment every fall or winter, almost always including the month of December (during which Blizzard Beach remains open to provide a bit of Christmas-in-Florida atmosphere).



Golf
There is one 18-hole championship golf course in the Disney Springs area. See "Golf" in the overview for rules and regulations. Monday through Friday, 18 holes will cost $89 if you're staying at a Disney hotel, and $104 otherwise. On weekends, add $10. During the summer, 10AM-3PM tee times are discounted; ask for the "Summer Price Slice" when you call. Late afternoon tee times are $59 on weekdays and $69 on weekends for everyone. Call +1 407 WDW-GOLF (939-4653) to reserve a tee time.



Waterfront recreation
The Riverside section of Disney's Port Orleans Resort has an old-fashioned Fishin' Hole, with cane rods and plenty of bluegill, bass, and catfish to catch (though you may have some competition, in the form of a river otter). Hours normally 7AM-1:45PM daily.

Buy
Disney Springs is a retail mecca, a mall done Disney-style. The highest concentration of Disney-themed merchandise shops is in the Marketplace, the eastern part of Disney Springs. The new Town Center holds most of the chain stores one might find in any American mall, but also is home to more unique retailers not easily found elsewhere. Many of the stores here also sell exclusive Disney-inspired designs. The rest of Disney Springs has fewer shops, but the West Side does house some specialty retailers, with a lot less mouse ears.

For shops without direct phone numbers, you can call Guest Relations at +1 407 828-3150. Press '3' and tell the operator which store you wish to contact.

All stores at Disney Springs open at 10AM and close at 11PM (11:30PM Friday and Saturday).

Marketplace
The Marketplace is anchored by the 51,000-square-foot (4,700-m2) World of Disney:



If that doesn't suit your fancy, try out these other shops:



Gift shops inside the Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex restaurants also sell a variety of specialized themed merchandise. Inside of T-Rex specifically, the gift shop includes a Build-A-Bear Workshop outpost with a twist; Build-A-Dino allows you to create your very own dinosaur stuffed animal.

Throughout the Marketplace area, various kiosks sell goods ranging from pearl jewelry and custom rings to gifts for your dog and items made just for those that are left-handed.

Town Center
This is the newest and most "mall" section of Disney Springs, but nevertheless, many of the chains here have a very limited selection of brick-and-mortar stores, with their Disney Springs location being one of their only outlets.



Other, more standard "mall" stores here include Anthropologie, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Everything But Water, francesca's, kate spade new york, Lucky Brand, MAC Cosmetics, Oakley, Pandora Jewelry, Sephora, Sperry, Tommy Bahama, UGG, and Vera Bradley.

There are also some unique specialty stores spread around the Town Center, with eyeglasses at Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear; handbags and backpacks at Kipling; jewelry at Alex and Ani, Luxury of Time by Diamonds International, and Na Hoku - Hawaii's Finest Jewelers; shoes at Johnston & Murphy, and Melissa Shoes; and art and home goods at Sugarboo & Co.

'''[https://planet-hollywood.myshopify.com/collections/the-store-at-planet-hollywood-observatory? The Store at Planet Hollywood]''' also sells a variety of themed apparel and souvenirs.

The Landing
Dominated by restaurants and bars, there are some smaller shops tucked in among the large eateries on this island.



Kiosks in the "Riverboat Square" plaza near the bridge to the Marketplace sell goods ranging from hammocks, to bath and body products, to movie-replica jewelry.

Both the Boathouse Boatique and Raglan Road's Shop for Ireland stock unique goods based on their respective restaurant's theme.

West Side
The West Side's stores are all larger, specialty shops focused on a specific type of merchandise or brand.



Bongos Cuban Café Souvenir and Gift Shop, Splitsville's Memory Lanes, and the House of Blues Company Store all offer unique themed gifts specific to each restaurant and venue.

Eat
Disney Springs is Disney World's largest dining destination, and while it is geared primarily towards adults, all of the restaurants are family-friendly (at least before nightfall). You won't find many "generic" restaurants here; each one has a distinct hook or drawing card that brings in the crowds. If you run out of time to try them all, well, now you have something to look forward to on your next visit, right?

See Eat in the main Walt Disney World article for information on the Disney restaurant pricing system, character dining, dietary restrictions, and advance dining reservations. The telephone numbers below are for extraordinary circumstances only; for reservations and most health or diet issues, call the main Disney Dining number at +1 407 WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Although most of these restaurants are run by outside companies, they all now accept the Disney Dining Plan. The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Paddlefish, and STK Orlando are Signature Restaurants and require two table-service credits; the other table-service restaurants require only one.

Marketplace
The Disney Springs Marketplace is where you'll find the kid-friendliest food options; the restaurants close earlier so they don't have as many late-night entertainment options. Marketplace restaurants are open from 9AM to 11PM daily.



The Landing
Pleasure Island's nightclubs are a thing of the past, but The Landing is home to some new and very good restaurants. They're for the most part not heavily themed, but they're well worth checking out if you're in the mood for high-quality food without loud music&mdash;or loud dinosaurs&mdash;interrupting your meal.





West Side
The West Side is the home of the celebrity restaurant. Movie stars, comedians, singers, and even a celebrity chef have all created venues here that reflect their own personalities and proclivities. West Side restaurants are open from 11AM to midnight daily.



Food trucks
Disney's dipping their toe into the food truck phenomenon. They've constructed a Food Truck Park on the West Side near Bongos Cuban Cafe. There are four Disney food trucks, each one representing one of the four theme parks, but since they're mobile they may or may not be present on any given day. Non-Disney trucks may also be found on occasion, especially if one of the Disney trucks is elsewhere. The trucks serve food daily, opening between 1PM and 5PM (depending on crowd levels) and closing at 11PM. For the four Disney food trucks, entrees cost $8–15, or you can use a quick-service credit from the Dining Plan.

Snacks and sweets
There are several food locations at Disney Springs that don't really qualify as restaurants, but a couple are of particular note:



Resort dining
All restaurants at Disney resorts accept the Dining Plan.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter used to be two separate resorts, so they each have their own food courts for quick counter-service dining. They share a table-service location, though:



Disney's Old Key West Resort
Goods To Go is your standard basic counter-service location with burgers and chicken nuggets and not a whole lot else. For more substantial fare:



Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Artist's Palette serves hot sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads from a counter. For table-service:



Drink


Several years ago, this section would have been chock full of unique late-night venues, with comedy, music both modern and classic, and even (briefly) rollerskating. Now, the nightclubs are gone (though you can find a couple over at Disney's BoardWalk: Jellyrolls and Atlantic Dance Hall), but you still have some options if you're looking for nightlife.



Keep in mind that many of Disney Springs' restaurants have full bars, letting you belly up for a drink without waiting for a table. Chief among them is Raglan Road, The Landing's Irish pub. Between pints of Guinness, you may catch some live music on selected nights.

On the other hand, if you're really in the mood to rock the night away, head over to the House of Blues on the West Side. They've got live music every night, though you'll have to pay extra to catch the best shows in their main hall. And if all you want to do is get your groove on, your best bet is Bongos Cuban Cafe; the music is deejayed but the dance floor is ready and waiting.

Of course, don't forget Splitsville's bowling lanes and the AMC Disney Springs 24 movie theater, both of which keep guests entertained well into the night.

Resorts
The resorts all have pool bars available with a small selection of refreshments. In addition:



Sleep


There is a full range of hotel options near Disney Springs, unless you're looking for a Disney Value Resort like Pop Century. The low-end options in this area are non-Disney hotels with none of the theming or amenities provided to Disney resort guests. The Moderate and Deluxe resorts, however, are Disney through-and-through, and possibly the most scenic and most tranquil resorts on the entire property.

The price you pay for tranquility, however, is remoteness; with the exception of Disney Springs itself, the parks are all a fair distance away by bus or car, with no monorail or boat transportation available. If this doesn't trouble you, however, it's hard to go wrong with any of these resorts.

Budget
The Disney Springs Hotel Plaza, adjacent to the Marketplace, is made up of seven chain hotels. These are fairly generic hotels that lack most, if not all, of the theming and amenities of their Disney-owned counterparts. They are, however, ideal for guests who are on a tight budget or who prefer a more traditional hotel experience. The Best Western, Buena Vista Palace, Doubletree, Hilton, and Wyndham have car rental kiosks in their lobbies.



Mid-range
A pair of "Moderate" resorts lie at the northern end of the Sassagoula River (with boat access to Disney Springs). Between the two of them, they cover all of the iconic aspects of Southern living, from the Mississippi bayou, to massive plantation mansions, to the lively French Quarter of New Orleans. Rooms at these resorts are smallish but adequate, with basic amenities and exterior entrances.



Splurge
The Deluxe resorts near Disney Springs are both dedicated Disney Vacation Club resorts, which means there are no basic hotel rooms. The smallest villas are studios, which have a kitchenette but no separate living room. It also means that DVC members get first crack at the entirety of both resorts, but they're both so large, especially Saratoga Springs, that you shouldn't have any problem getting a room.

At both resorts, you'll find a full array of amenities and recreation, including boating, tennis, basketball, playgrounds, and of course swimming pools. There are also special activities that vary each day; you'll get a full schedule at check-in. Both resorts also have general stores for stocking their villas' kitchens; prices are high and selection is poor, but they're awfully convenient.