The 26 Best Things To Do at Disney Springs for a Fun and Memorable Vacation [2024]

Disney Springs is “things to do” embodied. It is a massive Disney destination that complements Walt Disney World Resort with an almost overwhelming selection of places to eat, play, and shop. Where else but Disney Springs can you ride in an amphicar, see a Cirque du Soleil show, and design your own LEGO minifig all in the same evening?

If you’re planning to visit Disney Springs, this is a must-read guide to the best food, shopping, and entertainment available!

Visiting Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a massive outdoor shopping complex near Orlando, Florida, that opened in 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. It has stores, dining, and attractions — many of which are Disney-affiliated. This Disney attraction is open most days from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. but closes at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Disney Springs is worth a visit, especially if you’re visiting Walt Disney World. It’s a great place to enjoy some Disney magic with shopping, dining, and entertainment — and it’s free to enter. No tickets or reservations are required! 

You’ll find 95 shops, 69 dining spots, and 25 attractions within Disney Springs, so there’s no shortage of things to do in this Disney complex that’s open to everyone.

Hot Tip:

Visit Disney Springs on the day you arrive or leave to reserve full days in Orlando for park days. This will allow you to get the most value from your park tickets.

There are 4 areas in Disney Springs: The Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and the West Side. The Marketplace is where you’ll find most Disney shops. The Landing is waterside with numerous restaurants and entertainment. Town Center is the area most like a traditional mall with numerous shops. The West Side has shopping and major entertainment with movies, live music, and Cirque du Soleil.

Parking and Transportation

You can get to Disney Springs by car and use the free parking. There are 3 parking garages and 2 parking lots. If you have a Disney Springs destination in mind, check the map before you arrive so you can park close by. Before leaving your car, ensure you have the Car Locator feature enabled in the My Disney Experience app. The garages close when Disney Springs does, so don’t plan on leaving your car overnight.

If you’d like to ride the bus from a Disney Resort hotel, you can do so when Disney Springs opens and ride back up to an hour after Disney Springs closes. Resort guests at Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, or Port Orleans can ride Sassagoula River Cruise boats between the resorts and Disney Springs.

There is no Disney bus transportation between Disney World parks and Disney Springs.

Hot Tip:

Traffic, buses, and parking can get backed up during busy times at Disney Springs, especially on weekends. If you have time-sensitive plans such as dining reservations or tickets to a show, plan to arrive at Disney Springs at least an hour before you need to be there.

Arriving via ride-share is also an option — and guests staying at resort-area hotels can take footbridges that connect Disney Springs to Hotel Plaza Boulevard.

Disney Credit Card Benefits

If you have one of the Disney credit cards — the Disney^® Premier Visa^® card or Disney^® Visa^® Card — you can use your benefits and rewards at Disney Springs.

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card

2% back Disney Rewards Dollars at Disney, gas stations, grocery stories, and restaurants means more rewards dollars for Disney fans.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$300

Annual Fee

$49

APR

18.49% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Mickey and his friends are like part of the family. Your kids can recite the words to everything from Aladdin to Toy Story. And there’s no question where you’re going on Spring Break (Space Mountain, anyone?).

As a premier Disney fan, you always have the Disney^® Premier Visa^® Card on hand. It earns you cash back and discounts at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your card
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on purchases at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com
• Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and most Disney U.S. locations

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable rewards
• Has a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 5% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com. Earn 2% in Disney Rewards Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations. Earn 1% on all your other card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• Redeem Rewards Dollars for a statement credit toward airline purchases.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.49%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

Disney^® Visa^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A straight 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for Disney tickets, merchandise, and other offerings makes this a Mickey fan's go-to card.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Disney^® Visa^® Card

A straight 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars that can be redeemed for Disney tickets, merchandise, and other offerings makes this a Mickey fan's go-to card.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

$150

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.49% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

For you and your family, vacation time is Disney time. In fact, Disney is #1 for you and your brood all year-round. You have the Mickey ears to prove it!

Lucky for you, the Disney^® Visa^® Card makes it simple to earn Disney Rewards Dollars that you can spend at Walt Disney World^®, Disneyland^®, shopDisney.com, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Save 10% on select purchases at shopDisney.com when you use your Disney Visa Card
• Receive 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations at the Disneyland^® and Walt Disney World^® Resorts when you use your Disney Visa Card
• Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all your card purchases with no limits to the amount you can earn

Cons

• Does not earn transferrable points to other travel partners
• Has a foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $150 Statement Credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Earn 1% in Disney Rewards Dollars on all card purchases. There are no limits to the number of Rewards Dollars you can earn.
• 0% promo APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase, after that a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.49%
• 10% off select merchandise purchases at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland^® Resort and Walt Disney World^® Resort.
• Save 10% on select purchases at DisneyStore.com
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Disney Rewards

Disney cardholders get discounts at select Disney Springs restaurants and shops. These include 20% off your purchase (excluding alcohol) at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. and 10% off at Planet Hollywood. Several shops also offer 10% off select merchandise, including World of Disney, Stance, and Levi’s.

You can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars at many Disney Springs restaurants and shops. If you need to pick up a Disney Rewards Redemption Card, you can do so at the Guest Relations Welcome Center at Disney Springs Town Center.

Disney Premier cardholders can earn 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars at most Disney locations at Disney Springs. Generally, those locations should be the same restaurants and shops where you can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars.

Ready to explore Disney Springs? Let’s look at some of the best things you can do there, whether you want to enjoy celebrity chef dining, Disney shopping, or entertainment.

The 10 Best Restaurants at Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a dining destination, whether you’re seeking dishes imagined by celebrity chefs or themed dining fun for the whole family.

1. Jaleo by José Andrés

With a name that means “revelry,” Jaleo is celebrity chef José Andrés’ lively take on traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine. Plates are designed to be shared, featuring tapas, wood-fired pit paellas, Spanish cheeses, sangria, and Spanish wines.

Hot Tip:

Right next door in the West Side area of Disney Springs is Pepe by José Andrés, a quick-service restaurant with Spanish sandwiches, gazpacho, and sangria.

2. Morimoto Asia

Whether you’re craving Chinese, Japanese, or Korean dishes, you’ll be thrilled by the cuisine designed by the Iron Chef himself, Masaharu Morimoto. Set within a dark and dramatic 2-story dining room in The Landing area of Disney Springs, Morimoto Asia offers a VIP-style lounge and exhibition kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work. Menu highlights include sushi platters, dim sum, ramen, and fish from Japan’s famed Toyosu Market.

Hot Tip:

Just outside Morimoto Asia is Morimoto Street Food, a patio restaurant serving street food favorites such as ramen, egg rolls, ribs, sake, and bubble tea.

3. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Another celebrity chef concept in Disney Springs, the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in Town Center features its namesake Wolfgang Puck’s California-style dining, including wood-fired pizzas, comfort food, and brunch favorites, including chicken and waffles and avocado toast.

Hot Tip:

Just want dessert? There’s a walk-up gelato window on the side of the restaurant.

4. Chicken Guy!

The “Boss of Sauce,” Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy restaurant in Town Center serves up chicken tenders, skewers, Big Bite Sandwiches, loaded fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, and chopped salads. Choose from more than 20 house-made sauce options to pair with Chicken Guy’s bites, then end on a sweet treat with a Flavortown Shake in flavors such as Apple Cinnamon Cereal and Triple Double Mint.

5. Planet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs’ Town Center combines American food with Hollywood artifacts and live entertainment. Guests can watch the massive planetarium-style video wall with music videos, animations, and more. Menu highlights include the World Famous Chicken Crunch, L.A. Lasagna, Guy Fieri! Big Bite Burgers, and Guy Fieri! Signature Sandwiches.

6. The Boathouse

With waterfront dining, you can take in views along with lobster rolls, coconut prawns, Baked Alaska, steaks, chops, and more at The Boathouse. Located in The Landing area of Disney Springs right on the water, you can watch the Disney Amphicars go by — and even take a ride on one of these amphibious vehicles yourself after dining.

7. Rainforest Cafe

The Rainforest Cafe in The Marketplace offers themed dining inside a rainforest, complete with animatronic creatures, rainstorms, and volcano desserts. This restaurant is especially fun for families as kids can interact with the animals. The menu features an extensive selection of American cuisine with seafood, burgers, pastas, and more. Especially impressive is the kids’ menu, with more than a dozen options ranging from classic dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets to grilled fish.

8. T-REX

Another family-friendly themed restaurant, the one-of-a-kind T-REX Cafe features animatronic dinosaurs, wooly mammoths, and meteor showers — be sure to give the dinosaurs a heads up that a meteor is on the way! This dinosaur-themed restaurant in The Marketplace is a fun destination for amateur paleontologists of all ages. The main dishes include the Bronto Burger, Tar Pit Fried Shrimp, and Boneyard Buffet. Be sure to grab a Chocolate Tarpit kids’ dessert — chocolate pudding with crushed Oreo cookies and gummy worms.

Hot Tip:

Before you dine, visit the Paleo Zone with interactive displays, including a fossil dig and panning for treasures.

9. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Explore the hangar of Indiana Jones’ pilot Jock Lindsey from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” located conveniently in The Landing of Disney Springs. You can enjoy flights of whiskey or beer or try themed cocktails such as the Fountain of Youth or The Scottish Professor. Favorite bites include the Air Pirate’s Cargo-Loaded Pretzel, flatbreads, and tacos. Throughout the hangar bar, you’ll see spare airplane parts and mementos from Lindsey’s worldwide aviation adventures.

10. The Edison

Travel a century back in time at The Edison, set in a 1920s abandoned power plant with themed spaces. This industrial spot in The Landing is family-friendly by day and an adult hotspot by night — complete with burlesque shows. Major features are craft cocktails and nightly Gatsby-inspired live performances. The menu includes light bites such as candied bacon, burgers (including namesake The Edison), steaks, and Edison’s Elixirs.

The 7 Best Stores at Disney Springs

From specialty Disney shops to big-name boutiques, you can test the limits of your luggage with the incredible shopping at Disney Springs.

Hot Tip:

Read our guide to the best credit cards for Disney and Universal to know which cards are a good fit for Disney Springs shopping.

1. World of Disney

The centerpiece of Disney Springs in The Marketplace, the World of Disney store is the world’s largest collection of Disney merchandise, spanning over 50,000 square feet and 12 massive rooms. You can marvel at the vastness of Disney items all in a single place and haul away housewares, toys and plush, collectibles, apparel, pins, and park essentials such as raincoats and backpacks.

Hot Tip:

This is a good shop to visit if you want to buy Disney souvenirs during your Disney World vacation but don’t want to haul them around during park days.

2. DisneyStyle

This West Side boutique at Disney Springs features trendy styles inspired by Disney park attractions and characters. It’s a great place to stop by for a park outfit or accessories such as hats, socks, and iconic Mickey ear hats.

3. Super Hero Headquarters

Marvel fans can visit this shop in Disney Springs’ West Side to find superhero favorites from The Avengers to Guardians of the Galaxy. This shop features many Marvel items you won’t find within Disney parks, such as flerken kittens featured in “The Marvels.” You can pick up action figures, plush toys, collectibles, and clothing for superhero fans.

4. Star Wars Galactic Outpost

Star Wars Galactic Outpost is between DisneyStyle and Super Hero Headquarters, featuring an impressive collection of Star Wars tees, toys, and collectibles. You can even build your own lightsaber for an epic duel. 

5. LEGO Store

A must-visit for brick lovers, this LEGO superstore has mind-blowing LEGO models — including Fantasia Mickey and a sea serpent in Lake Buena Vista across from the front door. The Disney Springs LEGO store promises endless entertainment whether you’re picking out your favorite Disney collectible kits, racing cars on the patio, or tapping into your Master Builder creativity with LEGO’s Pick-A-Brick Wall or Minifigure factory.

Hot Tip:

The Disney Springs LEGO store is much larger and more interactive than most other LEGO stores, so plan to spend more time here than you would at a typical LEGO shop.

6. M&M’s

You might never visit a chocolate factory, but the M&M’s store feels like the next best thing, with 10,000 square feet of bright, cheery, and exceptionally sweet M&M’s merchandise. Find M&M’s apparel, housewares, and more in any color of the rainbow, Disney and M&M’s merchandise, and create your personal blend of M&M’s by selecting candies from a wall of massive dispensers.

Hot Tip:

Self-serve M&M bags are by the pound, so it’s easy to overspend on candy here. Check your bag’s weight on the scales as you go so you don’t get more M&Ms than you planned to pay for.

7. Boutique and Designer Shops

In addition to Disney-affiliated retail, you’ll find designer and boutique shops and kiosks. Look for Pele Soccer, Art of Shaving, Stance, Kate Spade New York, Kendra Scott, Lilly Pulitzer, Oakley, Sanuk, Sephora, UNIQLO, and so much more. 

The 9 Best Attractions at Disney Springs

1. Free Shows

You can find free live shows at Disney Springs every day. Catch a concert or outdoor show at the Orange Stage, Waterview Park, or AdventHealth Waterside Stage. On Saturdays, play at the Disney Springs Kids Club at Waterview Park, where families can dance and play with jump ropes, acrobatics, a drum circle, and hula hoops.

2. Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life

This Disney Springs Cirque du Soleil show celebrates Disney animation and brings drawings to life with signature acrobatics. It follows the story of a young woman who finds her animator father’s collection of sketches.

3. House of Blues

Visit this live concert venue for shows from nationally known musicians and emerging artists from all genres — including the blues. Visit for the famous Sunday gospel brunch or arrive early for a show to enjoy the restaurant and bar, which offers Southern dishes ranging from gumbo to baby back ribs.

4. Vintage Amphicar Tours

Is that a car or a boat you see in the water at Disney Springs? Why not both? The restored vintage Amphicars that tour Lake Buena Vista are amphibious vehicles that can drive on land and float on water. Groups of 3 to 4 can take 20-minute guided tours in these floating Disney convertibles.

5. Aerophile

Floating high above Disney Springs, you can see Aerophile as you approach the shopping and entertainment district. This hand-painted helium balloon soars up to 400 feet and offers views of up to 10 miles away on a clear day. You can take an 8-minute ride on the tethered balloon — no hot air required.

6. Splitsville Luxury Lanes

This larger-than-life bowling venue spans 2 stories and 50,000 square feet of bowling and dining. Hit the lanes for some friendly bowling competition, or enjoy billiards, live music, and dining all under the same roof.

7. Marketplace Carousel

Create some core memories by hopping on a handcrafted carousel horse on this classic carousel, or choose a Disney spinning teacup for a quick spin around the Marketplace. Adults can ride for free with a paid child under 42” tall.

Hot Tip:

With a relatively short 2-minute ride time, get a discounted multiple-ride bundle if you want to enjoy the carousel a few times.

8. Marketplace Train Express

Guests of all ages can take a 2-minute ride on this open-air train, but it’s especially fun for young kids. The marketplace train requires children 36” and under to have an accompanying adult, but accompanying adults ride for free.

Hot Tip:

Like the carousel, you can save on multiple train rides if you buy a few at a time.

9. Disney PhotoPass Studio

You can get great photos from Disney PhotoPass photographers at the theme parks, but the Disney Springs studio offers a photo studio experience with Disney-themed backdrops and props. You can get photos with no reservation, and there’s no session fee — you’ll get free downloads if you have an active Memory Maker service for your Disney vacation.

Bottom Line:

Still looking for more entertainment? There’s a lot more to do in Orlando! Read our guide to the best things to do in Orlando, including theme parks, free activities, and things to do for both kids and adults.

Final Thoughts

A hub of entertainment, dining, and shopping that’s fun for Disney vacationers and locals alike, there’s so much to do at Disney Springs. With celebrity chef restaurants, themed dining, specialty shops, big-name boutiques, and endless entertainment, Disney Springs offers something for everyone.