I’ve seen many Disney Stores by now — in cities and shopping malls, and they all look pretty similar. But the World of Disney at Disney Springs in Orlando is truly one of a kind!
But let’s go in order.
What is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is a large shopping, dining, and entertainment area within Walt Disney World. Since its opening in 1975 under the name Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, it has changed names several times:
- Walt Disney World Village in 1977
- Disney Village Marketplace in 1989
- Downtown Disney in 1997
- Disney Springs in 2015
The name change wasn’t just for show — the shops, restaurants, and entertainment offerings evolved right alongside it.
Just think: in the mid-90s, there was even a nightclub open until late at night!
It’s hard to imagine associating the Disney brand with something like that today — but hey, the ’90s were wild 😅
Finally, this huge area has found a form that appeals to young adults, families, and fans of both food and entertainment.
Disney Springs is divided into 4 areas:
- West Side
- Town Center
- The Landing
- Marketplace
West Side
In this area you’ll find:
- The famous Cirque du Soleil, reopening in March 2020 (tickets here)
- NBA Experience, where you’ll be fully immersed in the world’s most famous and spectacular basketball league
- AMC Disney Springs 24, a 24-screen movie theater showing both classics and the latest releases
- House of Blues, a globally known chain famous for both its cuisine and high-quality entertainment
- Planet Hollywood, recently renovated inside and out, now themed like an astronomical observatory
Town Center
This is the area where you’ll find many familiar brands, just like in major American malls — but here at Disney Springs, they all offer Disney-themed products designed especially for this location.
The Landing
This is my favorite part of Disney Springs 😍
With the latest renovation, they’ve created a surreal atmosphere. Most of the walkways are docks overlooking the large central lake or an inner artificial lake with beautifully colored waters.
It feels like you’re in another part of the world, where every business has a waterfront view, complete with piers, boats, scents, and colors you can only find in such places.
Here you’ll mostly find restaurants — my favorites are:
- D-Luxe Burger, where they serve truly WOW burgers
- Morimoto Asia, where one of the greatest Asian chefs serves up incredible seafood dishes
- Cooke’s of Dublin — if you love fish and chips, you MUST try it
Marketplace
This area has changed the least in recent years.
The main attraction here is, of course, the World of Disney, now with a brand-new look!
Everything is designed to make you feel the Disney magic you’d expect inside a park — even though you’re “only” in the world’s largest Disney Store 😂
From the wall projections where Tinker Bell interacts with shelf items, to the huge variety of products — including a whole section dedicated to plushies, adult apparel, and shelves full of ears in styles you’ve never seen before.
Basically, the World of Disney must be seen to be understood — both for its size and the overwhelming selection of items you won’t find in a regular Disney Store.
In this area, you’ll also find Disney’s Pin Traders — a shop whose walls are literally covered with an enormous number of pins.
If you’re prone to spending a fortune on pins… I’d recommend staying out 😂
Another cool shop is Marketplace Co-Op – D-Tech on Demand, where you can get personalized phone cases, as well as adult apparel and prints made by officially recognized Disney artists who add their unique touch to iconic characters.
In conclusion
Disney Springs is a great alternative to a day in the parks.
I usually go in the morning right when it opens, so I can browse the shops calmly and grab popular items before they sell out.
But it’s also beautiful in the evening — with all the lights on and music flowing from the venues, it’s truly magical. If you want to dine at one of the restaurants, I highly recommend reserving via the Walt Disney World app.
If you’re interested in learning more about the parks in Orlando, check out this video where I give an overview of the most exciting parks in Florida.
Or download my free guide to start planning your next vacation to Orlando right away.
