7 Do’s and Don’ts for Disney Springs

Disney Springs, just like any of the theme parks, requires a little bit of planning in order to get the most out of your day at the outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.  There’s so much to do- you could spend all day at Disney Springs, and still not visit every shop or restaurant! Luckily, there are tips to help ensure you have an awesome day at Disney Springs without getting too tired or breaking the bank.

7 – DO Park Near Your Last Stop

This is probably the best tip I can give for visiting Disney Springs. If you have a rough idea of what your plans are, park near where you know you’re going to end your day. For example, if you’re there for a movie and dinner on the West Side, park in the Orange Garage. If you’re ending your visit with a stop in World of Disney, park in the Lime Garage. Make sure to look at a map of Disney Springs before you head out- there’s one available on the My Disney Experience app and on Disney’s website. Your tired feet will thank you at the end of the day!

6 – DON’T Forget Where You Parked

Disney Springs has multiple parking garages and surface lots, so make sure to remember where you parked! All the garages are named after fruit: Lime, Orange, and Grapefruit. The Lime Garage and Orange Garage exit directly into Disney Springs, and the Grapefruit Garage connects to a pedestrian bridge leading toward The Marketplace. During busy periods, you may be instructed to park in a surface lot across the street. Keep a mental reminder of the row number and name of the lot/garage you parked in!

 5 – DO Book Dining Reservations

Restaurants at Disney Springs can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends and evenings. Some of the more popular restaurants, such as Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Morimoto Asia, and STK, can fill up pretty quick, and they may stop taking walk-ins. My husband and I encountered this many times over the holidays. Save yourself some time and hunger pains by booking a reservation in advance through the My Disney Experience app, online, or over the phone.

4 – DON’T Get Lost in the Crowds

Just like the theme parks, Disney Springs can get very crowded, especially during nights and weekends, when a lot of the locals come out. Disney Springs also gets very packed over the holidays. Always plan ahead for crowds by making advance dining reservations and purchasing tickets for shows or movies in advance. Make sure everyone stays together, especially in huge stores like World of Disney, and drive slowly coming in and out of the parking garages. The best time to visit Disney Springs without crowds is in the morning.

3 – DO Enjoy the Entertainment

I sometimes get so caught up in planning my days at the theme parks, that I forget all about the entertainment options at Disney Springs. There is a lot to do here, and one of my favorite activities is watching a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theater. You can also go bowling at Splitsville, enjoy a concert at the House of Blues, and the Aerophile balloon offers fantastic views of Disney Springs from the air. For those looking for casual entertainment, there are usually performances on the Marketplace Stage, as well as street performers over on the West Side. Definitely take some time to enjoy all that Disney Springs has to offer because it is so much more than shopping and dining!

2 – DON’T Let the Rain Get You Down

It rains a lot in Florida, sometimes putting a damper on a day spent in an outdoor shopping/entertainment center. Disney Springs doesn’t offer a lot in terms of overhead coverings (unless you’re in the Town Center section), so make sure to come prepared with ponchos and an umbrella. The big indoor shops like World of Disney can get really crowded in the rain, so sometimes it’s best just to embrace the weather and keep strolling!

1 – DO Set a Budget

Take it from me- it is very, very easy to spend all of your money at Disney Springs! In one day, I can empty my wallet by purchasing sundaes at Ghirardelli’s, shirts at Uniqlo, tapas at Jaleo’s, and soaps at Basin. The merchandise lining the shelves and the delicious scents wafting in and out of bakeries are tempting enough to entice even the smartest shoppers, so it’s best to create a budget before your trip and stick to it!