Disney Springs Orlando Florida

What is Disney Springs Orlando Florida that years ago was known as Downtown Disney? Let’s have a look. First of all, the new (free to use) Disney Springs parking garage is very convenient, and the exit from I-4 to Disney Springs whisks you to the free parking in no time.

There seems to be acres of free parking at the Disney Springs parking garages complete with EV charging stations. This view is from the top floor at about 10:15 a.m. Elevators and escalators whisk you to your floor, and signs at each level indicate how many spaces are available, how many reserved spots, etc. Well done indeed.

In 2022 things at Disney Springs are fresh and new. This is the entrance from the Lime parking garage to the street level. Before reaching this point EVERYONE is screened through security before they leave the parking garage to head down to ground level.

From the Lime parking garage (and that’s just one of a number of parking areas), ground level is in the newer section of Disney Springs. Bearing in mind that Disney Springs is, essentially, an outdoor shopping plaza, it nevertheless is pretty spectacular, and a good way to while away a few hours in Orlando and spend very little money if one chooses to be frugal.

Under cover shopping at Disney Springs 2022 - and like everything at Disney it is sparkling clean and well landscaped — Under cover shopping at Disney Springs 2022 – and like everything at Disney it is sparkling clean and well landscaped

It really is spectacular. As you stroll among the many visitors, shops of all kinds abound, with some recognizable brands among them. Pretty much anything people look for in consumer goods is available, including lots of confections for young and older guests.

Lots of goodies to buy at Disney Springs to satisfy that sweet tooth. It gets busier as the day progresses, but check out is typically fast and smooth. Just not free! 🙂

Walking (also quite suitable for strollers and wheelchairs) is leisurely, with lots to see and do. New bridges in Disney Springs make moving around convenient, and there are kiosks with maps of Disney Springs freely available. Those that haven’t been might want to grab one of those, as there is quite a bit of ground to cover. Yet that process too is full of enjoyable things. Here’s one:

Ferry rides at Disney Springs

One of the things we remembered fondly about the earlier version was the no-charge ferry rides. A visitor could embark and disembark at a host of locations all around the area, and could also connect from Downtown Disney to a number of Disney resorts.

Well, the pandemic has changed all that. Now the ferries only dock at one station at Disney Springs, and they only go to the resort area, apparently. I say apparently as we couldn’t board, not wanting to go through the long line of security, but also because it appears that unless you’ve got proof of your stay at a resort in Disney World, you aren’t going. Period. Too bad. On a hot day at Disney Springs a leisurely drift along their waterways was very pleasant.

There’s still one way to get out on the water easly though. And that is the amphibious cars.

Amphibious car rides at Disney Springs

For some money folks can be taken on an amphibious car ride around the lake. Here’s a video of a amphicar launch.

Here’s another look at the launch of an amphicar at Disney Springs:

We do hope the gentlemen appearing at the start of the video isn’t upset about being featured here. 🙂

Disney Spring’s “volcano”

One of the stops we always made at Disney Springs was the Rainforest Cafe. We’ve never had a chance to eat there as this restaurant is very, very popular. One time we did have an adult beverage at the bar. Very neat place this, and it is almost worth the trip to Disney Springs just to check out what’s new at this spot.

We were pleased to see that the “volcano” at the Rainforest Cafe is still erupting in March of 2022, promptly at 12 noon.

Other things at the Rainforest Cafe, besides the awesome interior, are displayed in this next, quick video.

We wandered along the streets of Disney Springs, popping into the odd store that appealed, actually bought some stuff, but really, just enjoyed the ambience. When lunch time came along we found that just like before there is no shortage of places to eat.

Foods options at Disney Springs Orlando Florida

Not surprisingly I suppose – given that the entire premises are controlled by the Disney Corporation – prices at almost all restaurants were very similar. Nevertheless, pretty much whatever you’d enjoy for a lunch or dinner meal can be found on the grounds of Disney Springs.

there are burgers and other fast-food,
the Earl of Sandwich is still going strong,
there’s chicken,
Asian,
Italian,
Puck’s,
Rain Forest cafe,
T-Rex cafe,
there’s smoked meat,
there’s even a food truck
ice cream and other treats
and many more food options, more than we could visit in one full day

Among them all, this one appealed to us, tucked away below the bridge and offering outdoor and somewhat private dining.

Disney springs restaurant — Disney Springs restaurant. We liked that you could get away from the crowds a bit, but still sit outside at the secluded table shown on the right in the photo.

As always, we took way more photos than this page will allow. Here’s a slide show with just a few more.

Click on a thumbnail image to open the slideshow, and again on any image to close it.

Enjoy the show, and comment about the page below if you wish. Thanks.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”24″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Here’s a link to the Disney Springs website. Cheers!