Walt Disney World (FL)

FAQ: Parking at Disney Springs

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Disney Springs is the shopping, dining, and entertainment hub at Walt Disney World, featuring dozens of bars and restaurants, retail shops of all kinds, a multiplex movie theater, bowling lanes, a stage show, and much more. Sounds great, but what do you do if you’re driving there? What do I need to know?

Is there parking at Disney Springs?

Yes!

While you can get to Disney Springs via free transportation, many people do choose to drive and there are parking garages and surface lots.

  • Lime Garage: closer to the Marketplace area
  • Orange Garage: closer to the West Side and Town Center
  • Grapefruit Garage: closer to the Marketplace area
  • Lemon Lot: closer to the Rainforest Cafe area
  • Watermelon Lot: closer to the Cirque du Soleil area
  • Strawberry Lot: closer to the West Side area

Some of these parking areas are HUGE, like more than 3,000 parking spots in one garage huge. Do yourself a favor and take a quick photo of your location so you can find your car again at the end of the day. Want to know which garage is closest to your restaurant? See our post Where to Park for Your Disney Springs Dining Reservation.

How much does it cost to park at Disney Springs?

Parking at Disney Springs is free – which, in most cases, is different than the situation at the theme parks and overnight at the Disney resorts.

Note: Valet parking at Disney Springs was discontinued in late 2023.

Is there a handicapped parking area?

Yes, each lot or garage has a designated handicapped parking zone. You’ll need to have a valid disability permit to make use of this space.

Can I charge my electric vehicle at Disney Springs?

Yes. There are three electric vehicle charging stations in the following Disney Springs locations:

  • Lime Garage: 5th floor
  • Orange Garage: 5th floor
  • Grapefruit Garage: 3rd floor
Does it matter which lot I park in?

Orlando-area locals have STRONG opinions about which garage they like best, but for most guests, it really doesn’t matter. If you’re going to be exploring and shopping all over Disney Springs, just park in the first lot you find.

If you have mobility issues and are going to specific place, the AMC movie theater for example, then pay attention to the garage/lot locations above and park in the area closest to your destination.

What should I put into my GPS to get to Disney Springs?

You can input “Disney Springs” into most current GPS systems and it will get you near enough that you can just park in the first lot you see, but if you need it, the GPS coordinates of Disney Springs are 28.3702539, -81.5209851.

Do they ever run out of parking at Disney Springs?

Even though there are many thousands of parking spaces, at times like holiday weekend evenings, they can get full, or close enough to full to make you tear your hair out. The more crowded the parks are (check our Crowd Calendars for a general read on this), the more likely the parking situation will be challenging. During the most crowded times, you’ll probably be happier using Disney’s transportation system if you can.

If it’s busy, how do I know if there will be an open slot for my car?

The parking garages are high-tech, with motion sensors at each spot. There are street level signs indicating whether there are open spaces. And then within each garage there are lights in the ceiling that are red at occupied slots and green at open slots. It’s easy to see where there are opening without any need to aimlessly circle.

Can I park overnight at Disney Springs?

No. Hours vary, but generally the lots close in the 2:00 AM range.

Can I park at Disney Springs to avoid the theme park parking fee?

Theoretically you could, but it wouldn’t be time effective.

The Disney Springs lots generally open in the 9:00 a.m. range and there is no direct transportation to the theme parks from Disney Springs. And bus service from Disney Springs to the resorts starts at about 10:30 a.m. This means that to get to a theme park anywhere near opening time, you’d have to first walk to the Saratoga Springs resort Congress Park stop and grab a bus to the parks from there. And then repeat the trip on the way back to your car in the evening. To me, this just wouldn’t be worth it.

Originally posted September 2021. Updated September 2023. 

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Erin Foster

Erin Foster is an original member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now PlanDisney), a regular contributor to TouringPlans.com, and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. She's been to WDW, DL, DL Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, DVC Vero Beach, and DVC Hilton Head. She's a Platinum DCL cruiser and veteran of 10 Adventures by Disney trips. Erin lives near New York City, where she can often be found indulging in her other obsession - Broadway theater.

7 thoughts on “FAQ: Parking at Disney Springs

  • If we want to stop at Disney springs on our way to checking in to our resort, is there a good spot for an SUV plus cargo trailer to park? I’m sure we did this pre-covid, though I think I may have stayed in the truck while others ran in

    Trying to avoid parking over by Cirque

    Reply
  • December 2022 Disney Springs parking lots and garages not opening until 10am.

    Reply
  • Where can I park a 12 passenger van at Disney Springs ?

    Reply
  • Do you know what time the busses start running from the resort hotels to Disney Springs in the morning? Just wondering if I should drive or take the bus to get there early. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Cheri –

      This varies a bit, but generally the buses don’t start running from the resorts to Disney Springs until somewhere in the 9:30-9:45 range. In my experience the buses to Disney Springs tend to come slowly in the morning, with more service coming after noon. If you want to be there super early, driving is a better option.

      Reply
  • Do people need a parking permit to park or are the parking spaces free?
    I know last time there was some kind of parking permit scheme in place not sure if its still the same!

    Reply
    • The vast majority of the parking at Disney Springs is free and requires no permit. There are a small number of spots reserved for valet parking – which is fee-based – and there are a small number of spots reserved for cast members, usually those related to security or maintenance at Disney Springs. Absent those spots, well over 90% of the parking at Disney Springs is free and open to all.

      Reply

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