Exploring Disney Springs
Downtown Disney has officially transformed into Disney Springs, a world-class dining, entertainment and shopping district.
Disney Springs has been around in some form since shortly after the Magic Kingdom opened in the 1970s as a place for guests to visit after a day at the nearby theme parks. Over the years, it's evolved as a shopping destination as Walt Disney World Village to a nightlife destination with the addition of Pleasure Island in the 80s and then a lifestyle center with Downtown Disney. Today, Disney Springs is a world-class retail, dining and entertainment complex and continues its final stages of a major renovation to add more shops and restaurants than ever before.
While guests must manuever through some traffic and construction to get to the new central parking garage, once inside Disney Springs is easily navigable for visiting new shops and restaurants. New dining options include The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia and Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar along with new shops at the Town Center including Kate Spade, Sephora, Sperry, Johnston and Murphy and more.
Disney Springs emcompasses four neighborhoods: The Westside and Marketplace along with the new Landing and Town Center. Admission and parking to Disney Springs are free, and anyone is permitted on property whether staying at a Disney resort or not.
Entertainment & Attractions
Cirque du Soleil
New acts for 2016 will take your breath away in this stunning performance. "La Nouba" combines acrobatics, juggling, stunts, breakdancing and more set to live music and emceed by hilarious clowns.
DisneyQuest, Walt Disney World
Five floors of interactive attractions, rides and games combining Disney characters and stories with immersive technologies. You can even design and ride your own roller coaster.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Not your typical home town bowling alley, this upscale venue brings a sophisticated menu along with lots of lanes, billiards, live music and lane-side table service.
Restaurants
Morimoto Asia
​Morimoto Asia is the Japanese master chef’s first-ever pan-Asian restaurant. This Disney Springs dining destination features a stunning two-story dining room along with waterside seating and terraces. Guests can view inside the kitchen where chefs carve Peking duck and make dim sum.
Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
"Indiana Jones" fans will especially love this festive spot, named for Indy's pilot Jock Lindsey. Check out vintage travel posters and movie memorabilia before sitting down on the waterside patio for small plates and themed cocktails. Fun for the entire family.
The Boathouse
The company behind T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe brings another fun, family-friendly theme to Disney Springs. Sit in a booth that's really a boat and dive in to some delicious seafood and raw oysters. Splurge on a ride inside an amphibious retro car.
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
It's St. Paddy's Day every day at this mega pub and restaurant helmed by Irish Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon. Enjoy authentic Irish food, a pint or two and live dancing and entertainment at this lively venue fun for the whole family.
House of Blues
Get filled with the spirit on Sundays for the Gospel Brunch or stay late night for a concert by a world-renowned musicians. The restaurant serves Southern soul food for lunch and dinner.
T-Rex
Dinosaur lovers won't want to miss this: a family restaurant in the midst of animatronic dinosaurs, a 125-foot-tall Argentinosaurus and fossils.
Bongos Cuban Cafe
Gloria and Emilio Estefan bring a taste of Cuba to Orlando with mojitos, live music and savory bites.
Rainforest Cafe
This destination restaurant will wow the kids with its erupting volcano, indoor thunderstorms, animatronic jungle animals and enormous desserts.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
This ice cream, chocolate and coffee shop is the perfect pick-me-up for a day of shopping or exploring the attractions at Disney Springs.
Sprinkles
The cupcake store that started the cupcake craze has landed in Disney Springs. Stop in for gourmet cupcakes and ice cream before a day of shopping at the new Town Center. Line too long? Order your cupcake from the Cupcake ATM. Brilliant, right?
Shopping
World of Disney
Pay a visit to the world's largest Disney store. Find unique gift items and souvenirs along with everything from toys and costumes to Christmas ornaments and kitchen utensils and a boutique for princesses.
Lego Imagination Center
You can easily spend an afternoon admiring the amazing LEGO sculptures and taking part in the free building and racing experiences. Inside, you’ll find every LEGO shape, color and size you can imagine, plus plenty of kits for making worlds of fantasy.
