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Disney Springs Removes Some Free Parking for Guests Starting Now

If you’ve ever visited Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, you know how essential parking is to the experience. With its wide variety of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and attractions, the area draws millions of visitors each year. Most visitors opt to drive to the complex, as it offers a convenient way to access everything from the famed World of Disney store to exclusive dining at spots like The BOATHOUSE and Morimoto Asia. But as demand continues to rise, finding parking at Disney Springs could become more difficult than ever.

Sorcerer Mickey at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs
Credit: Dan Gaken, Flickr

The Disney Springs Parking System: Where to Park

A large water tower with the words "Disney Springs" painted on it stands against a cloudy sky. Elevated on a metal frame and surrounded by palm trees and nearby buildings, the scene is lit by soft, warm evening light, evoking the enchanting atmosphere of Disney World.
Credit: Disney

Disney Springs has several parking garages and lots spread across the property, designed to cater to different sections of the sprawling complex. Here’s a breakdown of where you can park:

  • Lime Garage: Located closer to the Marketplace area, this garage is among the largest and often the most convenient if you’re planning to explore the shops and restaurants in that section.
  • Orange Garage: This garage, located near the West Side and Town Center areas, is a prime location for those visiting attractions like Cirque du Soleil, but it can get very busy.
  • Grapefruit Garage: Also near the Marketplace, this garage serves as a secondary option for those looking to avoid the Lime Garage.
  • Lemon Lot: Located closer to Rainforest Café, this surface lot is one of the less crowded options.
  • Watermelon Lot: Situated near Cirque du Soleil, this lot also provides easy access to entertainment options.
  • Strawberry Lot: Found near the West Side, this lot is useful for visitors attending events or dining in that area.

While these parking areas cover a large swath of Disney Springs, there’s still the challenge of finding an available spot, especially during peak hours or holidays. These garages can fill up fast, especially when the area is experiencing high traffic or during the evening hours.

Free Parking? A Rare Perk at Disney Springs

One of the most appealing aspects of Disney Springs is that parking is free. Unlike the theme parks, where guests must pay to park, Disney Springs allows guests to enjoy the area without having to pay a parking fee. However, this perk is somewhat offset by the sheer volume of visitors, which can lead to tight parking situations during busier times.

Additionally, while parking is free, there are no longer valet services at Disney Springs following a discontinuation in late 2023, so guests will have to rely solely on the self-parking lots.

Handicapped Parking and EV Charging Stations

For those with accessibility needs, each garage and lot at Disney Springs provides designated handicapped spaces, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, there are several Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations located in the Lime, Orange, and Grapefruit garages, making it easier for those driving electric cars to enjoy a day at Disney Springs.

Does It Matter Where You Park?

A large group of people walking towards a bridge with towers, under a cloudy sky. In the background, I-4 near Disney World can be seen alongside a theme park with various buildings and a tall, rocky structure resembling a mountain. Lush greenery surrounds the area.
Credit: Photo by AK on Unsplash

For the casual visitor, it doesn’t make much difference which garage you park in. If you’re planning to explore multiple areas of Disney Springs, it’s often easiest to park in the first available garage you come across. However, if you’re visiting a specific destination, such as the AMC theater or a specific restaurant, consider parking in the garage nearest to your chosen spot to save time and effort.

That said, Orlando locals and regular visitors often have strong opinions about which garage they prefer, as parking preferences are shaped by factors like proximity to certain attractions or ease of access. For those with mobility issues, it’s wise to take a moment to check which garage is closest to your destination, as Disney Springs spans a significant area.

Upcoming Orange Garage Closure: A Major Disruption

Starting January 13, 2025, one of the most critical parking structures at Disney Springs will be undergoing major renovations. The Orange Garage, which has been serving guests since 2014, will undergo a refurbishment that will impact parking availability. During this project, levels 3, 4, and 5 of the Orange Garage will be temporarily closed as improvements are made to lighting and other aspects of the structure.

Given the popularity of the Orange Garage, which provides direct access to the West Side and Town Center, the closure will likely have a significant impact on available parking spaces at Disney Springs. With fewer spaces available, parking could become even more difficult, particularly during peak times when all the garages are at or near capacity.

Parking Chaos Ahead?

The closure of the Orange Garage adds to an already growing concern about parking congestion at Disney Springs. Recently, Disney Springs has experienced days when all parking lots reach capacity, leaving visitors scrambling to find alternatives. With the Orange Garage closed for an extended period, visitors could face even greater challenges, especially when trying to find a spot close to their intended destinations.

This disruption is especially concerning given the sheer volume of traffic that Disney Springs has been handling lately. As it continues to grow in popularity, the demand for parking has risen steadily, making it harder for guests to park quickly and efficiently. This could potentially lead to longer wait times for parking and a more stressful experience overall.

For visitors planning a trip to Disney Springs during the closure, it may be worth considering alternative parking options or arriving earlier to secure a spot. Garages like Lime and Grapefruit may become more popular as the Orange Garage becomes unavailable, but they too can fill up quickly.

Broader Implications for Walt Disney World

Disney Springs Parking garage
Credit: Disney

The issues with parking at Disney Springs are part of a larger trend at Walt Disney World, where parking congestion has become a growing concern across the resort. As more guests flock to Disney Springs for dining, shopping, and entertainment, and as the theme parks continue to draw high crowds, finding a parking space has become increasingly difficult. If these challenges aren’t addressed, it could spill over into other areas of the resort, including the theme parks and resorts themselves.

This also points to the broader issue of Walt Disney World’s infrastructure struggling to keep pace with increasing visitation. With a growing number of guests, there will inevitably be more pressure on parking facilities and transportation systems. Without a significant expansion of parking resources or improvements in public transportation options, it’s only a matter of time before visitors face even more frustration when trying to get to their destinations.

Prepare for Parking Headaches

disney springs brick signage dreams that soar
Credit: Becky Burkett

For now, Disney Springs visitors should plan ahead when it comes to parking. The ongoing Orange Garage closure and the rising number of visitors to the resort could make it increasingly difficult to find a spot, especially during busy periods. While Disney Springs still offers a large number of parking spaces, the combination of high demand and fewer spaces available due to renovations may create new challenges for guests. If you’re planning a visit, consider using Disney’s extensive public transportation network or arriving earlier to avoid parking issues. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending more time searching for a spot than enjoying the attractions Disney Springs has to offer.

As Walt Disney World continues to grow, these parking difficulties may be an issue for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, visitors should be prepared for longer waits, crowded lots, and potential frustration as they navigate the increasingly competitive parking landscape.

Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

2 Comments

  1. That’s why I say stay away from Disney. My grandkids will go back, but they won’t get granddaddy’s money to go I told him I’d give him money to go to universal and seaworld orlego land but not to disney, they are too woke in.D e I

  2. Please remove the word handicap from your article, the appropriate terminology is “disabled”, even when referring to parking spaces.

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