When I’m planning a Disney World vacation, my visits to Disney Springs are more of a luxury rather than something I focus a trip around. However, as Disney Springs keeps evolving and upgrading its offerings, it’s hard to ignore that the outlet has quickly become a destination location that deserves your attention — on top of a wild amount of strategy.

If you haven’t been to Disney Springs in a minute, I need you to hear me out — things have changed. Which means that there are some NEW rules you need to know about — whether you’re checking out the new restaurant from Gideon’s or doing some vacation shopping. Trust me — nothing ruins a perfectly planned Disney day faster than parking in the wrong area, getting stopped at security, having trouble finding the right store, or realizing the vibe is very different from what you expected.

The first time I visited Disney Springs, I wasn’t quite ready for… everything. Folks, this shopping and dining district is A LOT, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Fortunately, my team and I have picked up a lot of tips over the years that should help you RIGHT NOW as you make the trek over to Disney Springs in search of good food, plenty of fun, and memorable experiences outside of the Disney Parks.

Embrace the “New”

Death, taxes, and Disney Springs will continue to grow — these things are certain. AND THAT’S OKAY!

Yes, there will be a lot of turnover, but there will also be a ton of new additions like the challenge-based entertainment venue/restaurant Level99 coming to the former NBA Experience location!

LEVEL99 is a destination for “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment” for adults, and Disney Springs’ location will feature over 50 physical and mental challenges set in artistic environments.

When I hear that it’s a futuristic arcade that offers a chef-crafted menu — including LEVEL99’s award-winning, Detroit-style pizza — my plans change dramatically. This is something worth being away from the parks for. This spot is expected to open in 2026.

Also debuting in 2026, Six Ravens — created by the folks at Gideon’s Bakehouse — will open in The Landing and will offer hand pies that Six Ravens calls Coffyns — housemade yeast rolls complete with fillings created in partnership with other Central Florida chefs.

It’ll also serve potatoes, local draft beer, and some tasty desserts. These guys definitely get my love language, and I can’t wait to spend DAYS trying everything it has to offer!

Arrive AT LEAST 1 Hour Early

With all these cool things coming to Disney Springs, you should just accept that the district will always be packed. As such, arriving on time for your Disney Springs dining reservation can be a mistake. Our team recommends SHOWING UP 1 HOUR EARLY to save yourself some misfortune.

Remember: Disney Springs is occupied by BOTH locals AND tourists. So parking can get tricky. Once you park, you’ll need to actually get through security checkpoints — which can get backed up with lines. Then — once you finally tackle parking and those checkpoints — you’ll need to walk to your destination. This isn’t a simple task, especially if it’s your first time in Disney Springs.

This area is HUGE, and getting from A to B may take you up to 20 minutes or more. I don’t know about you, but me (personally), I’m too nervous to just show up and expect a restaurant to be close by. I’m ALWAYS going to allocate a bunch of time to make sure I can successfully navigate Disney Springs before my reservation. And if I show up super early? Maybe the restaurant can seat me early, or I can use that extra time to do a bit of shopping nearby. There is no downside!

But hey — life happens. If you find yourself running late, you can always try modifying your reservation through the My Disney Experience app as long as you’re at least 2 hours BEFORE your scheduled time. It’s also a good idea to call the restaurant directly, especially if you can’t make a reservation through the app. In that case, you can also modify or cancel your reservation through OpenTable if you booked with that service!

It’s seriously so much easier and relaxing just to show up earlier if you can. And hey — isn’t the whole point of visiting Disney Springs rather than a theme park to take it slow? Give yourself the peace of mind!

Get Familiar with Parking BEFORE Your Visit

Disney Springs’ parking setup isn’t the most friendly, unfortunately — but at least it’s FREE.

I try not to drive to Disney Springs when I can help it, but if you find yourself needing to park, here are some useful tips — starting with the Orange Garage! This structure is ideal for accessing locations on the West Side, like AMC Theaters and Cirque du Soleil. It has two entrances on both sides of the AMC, so note which one you parked in before leaving your car, or get ready for a struggle bus back to your car.

Our team has found that the Lime garage is great for when you want to visit restaurants in the Town Center, Landing, and Marketplace sections of Disney Springs!

The Grapefruit Garage is located across the street and has an elevated pedestrian bridge to Disney Springs, but it may be limited to Cast Members ONLY during peak traffic times — so be mindful of that.

There are also surface lots that you can use on the West Side of the district — also known as the Watermelon and Strawberry lots! Their security line and entrance are near Cirque du Soleil, and you can follow road signs to these lots.

Speaking of security, back in the garages, checkpoints exist ONLY on the second floors of each garage. If you’re instinctively trying to get to the bottom floor to go through security, you’ll be disappointed to know you’ll need to turn around. You can’t even get out at the bottom, so save yourself the steps!

When in doubt, look at the map in the My Disney Experience App or even one on your phone to scout the garages and parking lots before your visit! See where you’d like to visit in Disney Springs and then prioritize a nearby lot or garage. Trust me, it’s better to do this bit of homework ahead of time so you’re avoiding an unnecessary walk at the end of your visit.

Book Months In Advance

As a Disney expert, I’m the 60-day reservation rule for restaurants INSIDE the Disney Parks…but did you know that this rule can also apply to Disney Springs restaurants?

You should also be aware that several restaurants use OpenTable INSTEAD of the Disney reservation system. In this case, you may be able to book even earlier — sometimes as far as 90 days out. But that’s not all! Some popular restaurants like Summer House on the Lake, Morimoto Asia, and Wine Bar George offer reservations through BOTH Disney and OpenTable!

As for which restaurants you should prioritize, we recommend Homecomin’, Morimoto Asia, and Wine Bar George. On the flip side, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, Raglan Road, and Jaleo are usually reliable for same-day reservations.

Know When to Go

Finally, knowing when to visit Disney World can save you a massive headache.

In our experiences, peak Disney Springs times often occur at night and on the weekend — thanks to an influx of local guests. If you’re a tourist wanting to avoid these rushes, we recommend heading over during weekday mornings. Locals are at work, and other tourists are in the parks — so this will be your best bet for lower crowds.

Not only that, but Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are usually the quietest. But hey, sometimes I’m craving a lively environment, so weekend nights can be incredible!

In truth, there are SO MANY great tips for surviving and thriving in Disney Springs, and they’re always changing because…well…Disney Springs is always changing! For the latest updates, tips, and hacks, make sure you keep it posted right here at the Disney Food Blog!

A Ridiculously Detailed Guide to Disney Springs Parking Garages

Share some of YOUR best Disney Springs tips in the comments below!