Questionof the Week: Is there a charge to park at Disney Springs?
It’s a new year filled with more than enough opportunities to make fun memories with your family and close friends.
No one said you have to wait for any major holiday to visit a world-class location like Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida.
Thetrick to having a blast at any getaway is planning. Well, planning isn’texactly fun to do which is why we’re making your work way less stressful.
Wonderinghow we’re going to do that? Here it is.
There’s so much to do and know about Disney Springs (including the fact that parking is free), which is why we’ll be telling you all there is to know about visiting such an amazing place for those hungry for fun!
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What is Disney Springs?
Just so we’re on the same page, Disney Springs isn’t a Disney Theme Park although it is on the Walt Disney Resort property.
However, you can have fun-filled experiences in both the theme parks and at Disney Springs!
DisneySprings is an outdoor complex that has more than enough shopping centers withDisney-themed merchandise, high-quality restaurants, a movie theater, liveperformances, bars, and so much more.
Doyou know what the best part is?
Even adults have more than enough places to visit and things to do that are age-appropriate, like posh lounges and happy at places like STK.
Let me not spill all the tea; keep reading and discover what Disney Springs has in store for you and your family.
I’ve made a list of the most common issues and questions people have about Disney Springs and we’ll answer them the best way we can.
Plus, everything you need to know about ways to park at Disney Springs.
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Parking at Disney Springs
Parking at Disney Springs requires special attention and the reason is quite obvious; it’s Disney Springs!
Thousandsof people come to Orlando, Florida to experience this unique location. Also, it’susually filled with families with many using their own vehicles to visit.
CastMembers have put in a lot of effort to ensure that parking is made easy for you.It’s interesting to note that Disney Springs’ garages are named after commonfruits in Florida.
Themost used garages at Disney Springs are Grapefruit, Orange and Lime. Strawberry,Watermelon, Lemon and Mango lots are the flat, outdoor parking areas.
Parking here is quite easy to understand even if it’s your first time. Valet parking, preferred parking, free self-parking, and parking for guests with disabilities are available.
Although it has recently been changed, the Disney Springs parking technology for the Lime parking garage originally came from a company called Q-free/TCS.
Their system made it easy to know if there’s an available parking space in any of the garages.
Thissystem allowed Guests to easily get directed to a space in the garage!
Disney Springs Map
Disney Springs Parking Technology
Ofcourse, Disney Springs has to always improve their top-notch parking technologyto make your visit easier!
Asmentioned earlier, the Q-free/TCS had a sensor system for the Orange and Limegarages that indicated if there were free parking spaces available.
However,some Guests complained that sometimes the LED lights above the garage alwaysshowed red even when there were free spaces available.
Thisis probably the perfect time to mention that the Reedy Creek ImprovementDistrict wanted to introduce a new parking technology for all the garages thatwould help improve Guest experience.
Thenew parking system called Indect, provided similar functions as theprevious Q-free/TCS system.
The current Indect system displays a free available parking space in the garage but in an improved manner.
It allows Reedy Creek Improvement District to access the system quickly and in a more convenient way.
Italso has other functions which include helping you find your car (so you don’t haveto worry about forgetting where you parked) since it can help track your car,and also displays free parking spaces.
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Benefits of this Technology
Disney goes the extra mile to create an easy vacation experience, even down to parking.
Boomeranging in the garage has now been taken out of the “reasons to hate finding a parking space on crowded days.”
Plus,if you don’t want to go through the stress of looking for a parking space,valet services are available.
I’llelaborate on valet parking as you read on.
Disney Springs has also been commended for having parking services for guests with disabilities.
Valet Parking at Disney Springs
Justin case you want to get to all the action and you don’t have time choosing agarage or parking space. It’s cool, I totally get it!
Disney Springs gets it too which is why they have valet service.
Youcan get a valet service for $20 and be rest assured that your vehicle will be safe.The Lemon Lot is mainly for valet parking which makes it super easy to locateyour car.
You can get valet services at these locations:
- Near the Entranceto the Orange Garage from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- On West Side infront of Cirque du Soleil from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- In the Lemon Lotnear the World of Disney store from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Asyou approach Disney Springs from I-4 or from the parks, you’ll be able to seesigns that have “Valet Parking” to lead you to where you need to go to get thisservice.
Disney Springs Parking Garage Hours
Parking hours in Disney Springs’ garages (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Lime) are usually from 7 a.m. – 3 a.m. However, the hours do constantly change so always check with Disney before your trip.
Youwill not be allowed to park your car overnight and as mentioned earlier,standard parking is free.
What are the safest, closest and most convenient parking spots for DisneySprings?
It depends on what your goal is for your Disney Springs trip.
In general, the Lime Garage is the most convenient place to park since it puts you out in the center of Disney Springs.
As far as safety, the parking garages are safe in my opinionas they are well lit and always have Disney staff patrolling the lot.
Disney Springs Hours
TheDisney Springs area is open daily from 10 a.m. until 12 a.m.
Beingin a place as fun-fill as Disney Springs can get very exciting and you may wantto plan your trip around some of the experiences here.
- Shops and Restaurants: Open Daily (hours will vary based on thebrand)
- NBA Experience: 12 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Splitsville:Daily hours range from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- Disney Ticket Center and Guest Relations: Daily from 10 a.m. –11:30 p.m.
Things to Do at Disney Springs
DidI mention that there are a ton of interesting things to do at Disney Springs?Well, now you know!
Mosttimes, you can’t do everything in one day. Which is why you will find me atDisney Springs a lot.
Thereare so many places to shop, LEGO stores, restaurants that serve deliciousmeals, activities like bowling, live performances, and so many otheractivities.
Mostof the prices are pretty reasonable (for Disney) and worth the whileexperience.
Ifyou are visitingDisney alone, then you’ll be happy to know that there are things to dothat interesting and fun for your adult solo trip.
Notonly are there bars, but there are other interesting places likeMorimoto Asia, the Basin, Coca-Cola Orlando Store, and lots more.
Therewill never be a dull moment when coming to Disney Springs by yourself or withyour family.
Youcan trust us on that!
Special events at Disney Springs include:
- DiscoverPet-Friendly Finds at Disney Tails Inside Marketplace Co-Op: Time: Daily 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Enjoy WingSpecial & More During Football Sundays at Splitsville Luxury LanesTM: Time: Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 11:55 p.m.
- Karaoke theNight Away – Step into the Spotlight at Stargazers Bar: Time: Fridays 8:00 p.m. – Midnight
- Live OutYour Hoop Dreams at the All-New NBA Experience: Time: Daily Noon – 11:00 p.m.
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What to Know Before You Go?
Before you head out to this popular Disney adventure, you shouldknow a few things to help make your experience the best it can possibly be.
Can I Take the Bus from Disney Springs to the Disney Parks?
Yes,you can. Disney has a transportation system that has been made available to allguests for free.
However,you will pay with your time if you choose to get on the bus system as thebuses will only go to the Disney resorts.
So,you would have to take a bus from Disney Springs to a resort, then wait foranother bus (or another form of free Disney transportation) to take you to yourtheme park of the day.
Read:What’s theCost to Park at Disney World? (How to Park for Free)
Here’s the Bus Schedule to Disney Springs:
- From the 4Disney theme parks – daily busservice is available from 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. or 2 hours after the themeparks close, whichever is earlier.
- From selectDisney Resort hotels – daily busservice is available from 45 minutes prior to opening until 1:00 a.m. Returnservice to Disney Resort hotels ends at 2:00 AM.
Final Thoughts on Parking at Disney Springs
Sharingthis information with you and helping you understand the Disney Springs parkingsystem has been so much fun!
The bottom line is that Disney Springs is completely amazing (and they know it), which is why they try to make every bit of the experience including parking and transportation as convenient as possible.
Disney Springs should be a must-do visit for your family or even if you’re on your own.
That’s what makes it unique; you can go with or without company and still have so much fun!
Ihope the information provided builds your excitement and makes planning a loteasier.
Nowthat you know what to expect from Disney Springs, read Howto Plan for Disney Even If You Only Have A Few Days here!
Untilnext time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
NikkyJ
(Original Article Date: June 6, 2016/Updated January 25, 2020)