How bad/good is the parking at Disney Springs?

[CAS239]

Sorry if this was already answered but is the construction at DS all done?

No. But the majority of it is done. Their still working though

 

[obxshark]

Sorry if this was already answered but is the construction at DS all done?

In the sense that construction never seems to be 100% done, as they will be adding new shops and dining for a while yet, at this point I'd say major construction is about 95% done. You're still going to see some orange barrels on the roads, but once parked (and parking is about one million percent better!), you will barely notice any construction at all. It is truly as nice as advertised. Go and enjoy!

 

[kj2mom]

A couple of weeks ago I decided I needed to go to World of Disney on a Saturday night before it closed at 11:30, it was 11:00pm when this was decided. It was the last night of my trip and I didn't have anything purchased for my children yet and was told the only place I could get something specific I wanted was at WOD. So, off we went from CBR. I am the kind of person who last year when to DS at 10am on a Friday because I wanted nothing to do with the the crowds that can sometimes be DS and here I was heading there at 11pm on a Saturday on a time crunch. It was no problem! We drove to the lime garage, my friend and I jumped out while her dad parked the car and not only did we make it with plenty of time to spare (I think it was 11:15), her parents had time to park the car and also make it in plenty of time. Traffic was not an issue, parking was super simple and the fact that the lime garage was open and brought us out right where we needed to be was glorious (last year when we were there lime was not open yet so our walk was much longer). I am thrilled to report my daughter wears those pajama shorts every single night (I have to pry them from her to wash and convince her that they will be wash/dry again in time for bed) and the trip was well worth it!

 

[TSR6]

This was back in October, and it's only gotten better since from what I've read!

 

[disneysteve]

This was back in October, and it's only gotten better since from what I've read!

It's gotten way better since October. We were there in November, January, and last week. There are now 2 garages - Lime and Orange - and a lot more of the road construction is done (though it's still quite a mess).

 

[JimmyMartin]

I was there this past week end. Went to DS on Saturday. Mistake. Left Animal Kingdom at 4:15 to go there. Of course you still can't get there from the parks so you have to go to a resort. After all the transfers we arrived at 5:45 by bus. We were taken to the ONLY bus stop they have now. In the middle near all the MALL stores. At that time middle daughter and kids did not have time to eat since their stroller had to be back at 7:00. So we had to find the bus stop for Art of Animation. It is the very last one near the main road. A long walk from where they let you out. So we also left for OKW and decided to eat off property. When driving to dinner I drove past the old bus area and it is still there being used for taxis. NO buses. I also drove by the parking garages and both said full. At 6:30. Only parking available was surface beyond Cirque Du Soleil. After dinner we took the boat from OKW to DS. It only goes to the Landing. The middle boat dock. The crowd was awful. Bottlenecks everywhere. Drinking and half-dressed girls everywhere since they have entertainment everywhere. Even had two young guys come through World of Disney with cups of beer.


I would recommend not taking your family to DS on weekend nights and maybe all nights. I also started observing how many people had packages of purchased items. Just my observation but I would say 1 out of 40-50 had something. I also expect shoplifting to increase dramatically with these huge crowds. It would be very easy for something bad to happen and no one have a clue who did it. With the parking decks you cannot even tell it is a Disney property. Prediction: The non-Disney (Mall) stores will not succeed and will be gone in less than five years. Disney does make mistakes. This is one.


Another kicker for you. It is 3/4 of a mile walk form the Art of Animation bus stop to the new location of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. How many little girls will like that? I can’t figure out how the tiny bus stop/station worked and this huge one was needed. The new queues are at least as large as the ones at the parks. I would like to know how much more parking there is now over what was there. Disney has killed (Downtown) Disney Springs for families. All adult drinking and parties should have stayed in the West End. Oh wait, that didn’t work either.

 

[TSR6]

Even had two young guys come through World of Disney with cups of beer.
.

Hello. You'd have seem my wife & I in WOD with a full beer back in October. What's the problem with this?

 

[JimmyMartin]

Its not necessary to be drinking in there. Most stores in the whole world prefer there is not eating or drinking in their stores for a reason. And beer? In a clear Solo cup? Makes no sense. And they had bought nothing as I saw them leaving.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

is the way to the Lime garage clearly marked? When we were there last (in January) only Orange was open - we'd prefer to park in Lime when we go in September. Thanks

 

[JimmyMartin]

Yes all parking areas marked with directions. Just be prepared to walk farther than you are used to.

 

[hakepb]

is the way to the Lime garage clearly marked? When we were there last (in January) only Orange was open - we'd prefer to park in Lime when we go in September. Thanks

There are overhead electronic signs that show which lane(s) lead to which garage. (I'm not sure if they change the sign text if a garage is full)

 

[disneysteve]

I was there this past week end. Went to DS on Saturday. Mistake.

Sorry but going to DS/DTD on Saturday night in peak season has always been a mistake (unless that's what you were looking for). We were there the last 2 weeks and went to DS a couple of times and didn't see any of what you describe. I'm quite sure that was the scene on Saturday night but not during the week or during the day on the weekends. Back in the Pleasure Island days, walking around on Saturday night was just as family-unfriendly as what you experienced this past weekend. I make it a firm rule to stay away on Saturday nights.

 

[Kat-n-Mouse]

We have actually avoided during several trips over the past two years because of the terrible parking during the construction. We were just there this month and I have to agree with what I have read above. The new garages were great and even though it was busy (4th of July weekend) it was easy to find a spot. I love that they tell you how many spots there are in a row before your drive down. I wish all parking garages had this!

 

[disneysteve]

I love that they tell you how many spots there are in a row before your drive down. I wish all parking garages had this!

I'm starting to see it more and more places. Philly airport has it now and we were at a mall in Virginia on our way to Florida and they had it. I don't know how costly it is to install but I guess places that can, will.

 

[kevgraub]

I love that they tell you how many spots there are in a row before your drive down.

Not only that, the spots that are open will have a green light above them, so you know exactly what spots are available once you turn down the row.

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

There are overhead electronic signs that show which lane(s) lead to which garage. (I'm not sure if they change the sign text if a garage is full)

Yes, they do change the overhead electric signs when the garages are full. So helpful when driving there!

 

[UCFGrad01]

FWIW, I wouldn't put too much stock in those full signs. I went last Saturday evening for a movie and both garages said full. I parked in the Orange garage, where there were plenty of spots on just about all the levels. The top deck, in fact, had hundreds of empty spots.

 

[North of Mouse]

We still prefer using the bus.

 

[B-Ride]

The new parking garages are fantastic. So convenient, well lit and staffed.

This is good news. Parking was always a bit of a bother.

 

[cgattis]

Not only that, the spots that are open will have a green light above them, so you know exactly what spots are available once you turn down the row.

Shut UP! Really?!? That is awesome!!!

Lime is closest to the "old" Marketplace, right--like WOD and Ghiradelli, correct?