We all love Disney World but it can be expensive! When you’re not in the parks, why not save some money and enjoy these free things to do in Disney Springs.
What is Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is a shopping, dining and entertainment center. You will find an array of Disney inspired stores and statues around the area but also a range of eateries to choose from as well. If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, you can take advantage of the bus and water transportation to Disney Springs.
The mini town takes its theme from Florida’s waterfront towns and is separated into four neighbourhoods – The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center.
Disney Springs offers many ways to spend money – from merchandise to restaurants, but we have made a list of the free (and cheap) things to do in Disney Springs, so that you can enjoy a day out of the park, without spending a fortune.
Disney Springs know before you go
Disney Springs Hours: 10am to 10pm
Disney Springs Zip Code: 32830
Disney Springs address:
1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, United States
How to get to Disney Springs:
If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel – use the bus and water transportation options to Disney Springs. These are free and easy to use.
The easiest way to get to Disney Springs is by car. Head to Buena Vista Drive where you will see signs to the two parking structures at Disney Springs. Parking at Disney Springs is free whilst valet parking is sometimes available for $25.
If you are travelling from one of the parks, we recommend catching a bus to Saratoga Springs then making the short walk to Disney Springs. Disney do offer direct buses from the four theme parks to Disney Springs, but these run after 4pm up to 11pm.
Disney Springs Map:
Disney Springs is long and thin. The northeastern end is the Disney Springs Marketplace, which meets with The Landing (the waterfront) and Town Center (south, near the bus stops). Then, to the west of Marketplace is the West Side, where you will find Cirque du Soleil and the ferry terminal.
Free things to do in Disney Springs
- Days of Christmas
Any Christmas lover will love the Days of Christmas store. It is open all year round, decked in holiday decor and also has a continuous loop of Christmas music.
- Photo ops at DisneyStyle
DisneyStyle is a great store with many photo opportunities – including inside a giant teacup.
- The Art of Disney
Head into The Art of Disney in the marketplace area to see the Disney characters displayed in beautiful artwork and collectibles. It is like stepping into a Disney-inspired art gallery and you can even sometimes see an artist working.
- The Lego Store
Inside and outside the Lego store, you will see amazing sculptures of familiar characters. There are playstations inside the store too and lots of fun photo opportunities.
- Live performers
You will find performers around Disney Springs, often on or near the stage across from The World of Disney store.
- The Splash Pad
If you are visiting with young children, bring a change of clothes or a bathing suit. The Splash Pad in Disney Springs is a fun area for your child to play and cool down in.
- Goofy’s Candy Co.
Have a sweet tooth? Head to Goofy’s Candy Co to watch iconic Disney treats being made; you can ask to sample Goofy’s Glaciers here too.
- A free boat ride
Walt Disney World resort guests can use the boat rides as transportation and so can you. Head down the Sassagoula River on a boat ride to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort and head back again. This is a nice option in the late afternoon as the sun sets.
- The Sandbox
The T-REX restaurant has a Paleo Zone, which is a hands-on fossil discovery experience. You can dig for hidden dinosaur fossils, pan for treasure and learn from the interactive displays.
- Ghirardelli
For free chocolate samples and a colourful store of endless bars of chocolate, head to Ghirardelli. This is only in the free section for those who are strong enough to resist temptation!
- Once Upon a Toy
Visiting with children? Once Upon a Toy has a large collection of toys and games, including theme park play sets and Mr Potato heads. There are some interactive play stations for adults and kids, so get stuck in and enjoy a bit of play.
- Harley-Davidson Store
This is a unique store in Disney Springs, which again offers some photo ops; jump on a motorcycle for a quick picture.
- The Basin
This all-natural beauty care store is inside the marketplace store. Browse the options available and sample some of the hand lotions and scrubs.
- Coca Cola Store
This themed, unique store is a great place to visit in Disney Springs. Not only can you check out the quirky merchandise on offer in the 1920s Coca Cola bottle shaped store, but you can also get your photo taken with the Coca Cola Polar Bear or try some Cola drinks from around the world in the rooftop bar. There are adult drinks available to purchase as well.
- Rainforest Cafe birds
Throughout the day, you can find cast members outside the Rainforest Cafe holding exotic birds and giving short talks. If you miss this, you can see the animatronic birds outside the restaurant itself.
- Princess Parade
Each day (weather permitting) at 3pm, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique runs a parade from the store to the Carrousel. This parade is full of princesses who have been made over that day in the boutique. It is a cute experience to watch but be aware of the prices of the store if you have a child who wishes to join in.
- Glass blowing
Head to Arribas Brothers store to watch demonstrations of glass blowing and cutting throughout the day. This art is fascinating and you can easily spend 30 minutes watching these artisans at work.
- See Santa
Visiting Disney Springs at Christmas? During the holiday period, you will find a little house next to the World of Disney Store. Here, you can visit Santa for free. They do offer photo packages but you can also take your own photo too. If you are visiting at Christmas time, you can also spend time seeing the many decorations around Disney Springs; it really does light up with trees, carol singers and festive performers.
Cheap things to do in Disney Springs
- The Marketplace Carousel
With 16 handcrafted hoses, the carousel is a fun option to break up all the shopping. Rides cost $3 per person.
- Take a train ride
The Marketplace Train Express is another short ride to break up a day; the train costs $3 per ride or $5 for 2 rides.
- Sprinkles
This cupcake store is a popular option in Disney Springs because of its unique cupcake ATM. Gourmet cupcakes cost $4.95.
- Live music
Enjoy free live music in the Front Porch Bar at House of Blues for the cost of a drink or snack. This is often restricted to 21 and over. Alternatively, head to Raglan Road to enjoy the music in their main room and patio, or visit the outdoor patio at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’.
- Pin Trading
Head to the Pin Hut for some pin trading. They often have lots of pins on sale here too.
- Eat dinner
Disney Springs is home to many restaurants and most are not cheap. However, if you are looking for a cheap bite to eat, try Blaze Pizza, Earl of Sandwich or the Daily Poutine.
Have a great time at Walt Disney World! We hope you enjoy the free things things to do in Disney Springs but also the cheap rides, tasty treats and budget-friendly dinner options!
We had to cancel our Disney trip in April! We were planning on going to Coca-Cola world but wow I had no idea so much more stuff was FREE!!
I will definitely use this guide when we reschedule our trip!!
Sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip, hopefully you can get to Disney soon. But yes there are so many fun things to see and do in Disney Springs, it is a great place to enjoy if you don’t want to spend all your time in the park.
Disney and free don’t often go together but these are some great tips. I would be all over the Coca Cola store for the drinks from around the world. And the Ghirardelli store. Clearly I’m all about food and drink, but it looks like the place is big enough to walk it off
I remember being to Disney world in Paris and loved every bit of it! But after kids, we never managed to there yet. Perhaps, after this lockdown, we can plan for our future travel. You have given some great tips and information, that will help us plan the trip!