Which day to do Disney Springs?

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

I want to pop into Disney Springs for a bit while I'm in Disney. I wanted to go on the day I fly in, but I'm not sure I'll have time so I wanted a back up plan. (I'm solo btw)

My first question is: Is it better to go to Springs after park close or go to a park, leave for a bit to go to Springs, then come back to the park for night time stuff?

If I do the first, I'll most likely just go on a day where a park close at 8 or something. If I do the second, would it be better to do Epcot, Hollywood, or Animal?

I will be there during the opening of Galaxy's Edge and Food and Wine, if that makes a difference. Anddd Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. Lol.

What do you think?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do it after AK closes. They are fairly close and you'll waste less time going back and forth if you put it in the middle of your day. Plus, the park to DS buses don't start running until late afternoon and there are no DS to park buses, so getting back and forth from a park is not terribly easy.

 

[nkereina]

We've found Disney Springs to be most crowded during the evening and weekends. So I'm inclined to say it would be better to go in the afternoon, and return to the park later. During the opening of SWGE, I'd be hesitant to leave DHS in case there's capacity closings or something like that. So I'd probably say return to Epcot, if you go back to a park. It's also a shorter commute than to AK.

That said, we like ending our days at Disney Springs, even though its busier than the afternoon. Since Disney Springs is open late, we can take our time strolling, having a drink, enjoying the atmosphere. We don't need to watch the time and worry about returning to the park at a certain time.

Are you staying on site? If you're not within a day or two of your last day, you can have your purchases at Disney Springs sent back to the resort. That's a good option if you decide to return to a park after, so you don't have to carry bags around.

 

[Searc]

If you aren't driving a car, you'll have to uber back to a park or do the resort to park transfer. That can eat up a lot of time. DS is most crowded at night and on the weekends. I'd do it in the middle of the day if you want to avoid crowds.

 

[Peppeperoni]

I’m staying at French Quarter next
Month. With the ease of access via boat, I made multiple food reservations on the off days, for the evening

 

[nkereina]

If you aren't driving a car, you'll have to uber back to a park or do the resort to park transfer.

Good point. You can bus to Disney Springs after 4pm from a park, but there are no buses back to any parks. For that reason, OP, if you decide to go back to a park at night, I would still choose Epcot. You can just bus to Beach Club or Boardwalk from Disney Springs and walk over to Epcot, entering through the International Gateway. Or use Uber, of course.

 

[beccasmom]

We've found Disney Springs to be most crowded during the evening and weekends.

I totally agree with weekends and evenings being the most crowded. Rainy days too! We were visiting in November once and happened to be there on Veteran's Day - mid-week - and it was crowded then as well in late morning. So we try to avoid those times. But we're there on a long weekend on our upcoming trip, so it's inevitable.

 

[Shellyred8]

I think it might all depend on what you want to get out of your trip to DS. If it's just shopping and eating, then probably going in the late morning or afternoon is best from a crowd perspective. However, if you want to experience some of the nighttime stuff they have going on, then you will want to go in the evening.

Have a great trip!!

 

[gharter]

Our general plan is to go to DS on our arrival day.
But we generally have a car and drive there direct from the airport.

 

[TammyLynn33]

More arrival ppl here

 

[kitkat4622]

we usually have an "off" day during our trip when we go to a water park for relaxation then head to disney springs for dinner. we stay at french quarter and take the boat. everything we like is at that end of disney springs where the boat docks so it works for us......