Disney Springs Illustration

Thanks to the official name change, we can finally put our Downtown Disney related confusion to rest— It’s officially called Disney Springs, ladies and gents. The name isn’t the only thing that has changed: Disney Springs is nearly twice as large as Downtown Disney, and a plethora of new shops and restaurants have either opened or are in the works.

ORLANDO TOURIST TIP: Be sure to read our complete guide to Disney Springs before you set off to visit this Orlando shopping attraction.

For visitors that are unfamiliar with Disney and all of its offerings, Disney Springs is one of the few properties accessible with no theme park tickets or reservations required. Guests are free to walk around and explore, experiencing Disney Springs however they want— whether that means souvenir shopping, fine dining, or some casual family fun (bowling, anyone?)! Some of the new shops and restaurants are already opened, and business is booming— what foodie wouldn’t be curious about the dining at Morimoto, Disney Springs’ new pan-Asian restaurant from Iron Chef’s Masaharu Morimoto himself?

While construction is much more manageable now than it has been in the past months (parking is finally back on track with the recent completion of the “smart” parking garage, which tells guests how many spots are available on each level), visitors should expect to see some walls up as Disney continues developing the four, distinctive sections that will eventually make up Disney Springs. With parking availability and massive construction finally at manageable levels, the real hassle is the masses of people flocking to see the new and improved entertainment hub!

With shops and restaurants opening day and night, Disney Springs is a great option for all different types of visitors. With dining, shopping, and kid-friendly activities available on site, guests are bound to find something fun to do at this Orlando attraction. Whether you’re hitting Ghirardelli’s for ice cream or taking the classic hot air balloon out for a spin, both old and new aspects of Disney Springs will leave you with memories you won’t soon forget.