New Disney Springs Rules & Tips for a Smoother Trip

Dining Reservations and Open Table

• 💡 Open Table can be used to make advanced dining reservations for many Disney Springs restaurants, offering "backdoor reservations" outside the typical 60-day Disney window.
• ⚠️ Be aware that rules for Open Table reservations may differ from My Disney Experience, including reservation windows, grace periods for lateness, and no-show fees.
• 📌 Always read the fine print for Open Table reservations to understand specific restaurant policies.

Planning Your Travel Time

• ⏰ Allow an extra hour for travel to Disney Springs to account for Orlando traffic, bus wait times, parking challenges, security lines, and the sheer size of the area.
• 🚗 If driving, be aware that parking garages can fill up, especially on weekend nights.
• 🚌 Disney buses from resorts to Disney Springs are less frequent in the afternoon.

Navigating Transportation and Ride Shares

• 🚫 No direct bus transportation exists between Disney Springs and most Disney parks; only Blizzard Beach is an exception.
• 🚗 For direct travel between parks and Disney Springs, use your own car or a ride share service (Uber/Lyft).
• 📍 Ride share drop-off points are limited to specific locations on the far ends of Disney Springs (Marketplace and West Side).

Last-Minute Dining and Airport Travel

• 🤝 A same-day dining info podium is available in the Orange parking garage to help find last-minute table availability.
• 🧳 Luggage is generally not allowed on Disney buses, so ride shares or shuttles are recommended if traveling from the airport with bags.
• ✈️ Consider ride shares or shuttles like Mears Connect for direct transport from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to avoid luggage issues on Disney buses.

Parking and Navigation

• 🅿️ Disney Springs offers multiple parking garages (Lime, Orange) and lots (Strawberry, Watermelon), with Lime and Orange being the most popular.
• 📸 Use the My Disney Experience app's car locator feature or take a photo of your parking level and number to avoid getting lost.

Camera Equipment and Pet Policies

• 🚫 Large tripods and monopods are not allowed unless they fit comfortably in a backpack; selfie sticks are strictly banned.
• 🐶 Pets are not allowed in Disney Springs unless they are service animals meeting Disney's criteria; emotional support animals are not permitted.
• 🏨 Consider doggy daycare or the Best Friends Pet Hotel for your pets, which offers pick-up and drop-off services.

Dining Tips and Happy Hour

• 🍽️ Splitting entrees is often allowed at a la carte restaurants to save money and stomach space for snacks, but not typically with prix fixe menus.
• 💰 Tip generously when splitting entrees, as if you had ordered two separate meals, to compensate the server.
• 🍹 Happy Hour deals (half-priced apps and drinks) are often restricted to bar areas only, not main dining rooms.
• 📍 Specific examples include Summerhouse on the Lake, Paradiso 37, and Raglan Road, which have bar-area-only happy hours with specific times and pricing.