Disney Springs

This complex is a large shopping and entertainment district within Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, bringing together more than 100 stores, dining venues, and leisure attractions. The area divides into four themed zones, each with its own design character, connected by walkways, bridges, and a network of waterways.

The site opened in 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village with a handful of small shops, then grew over the decades into a much larger complex. The current layout emerged between 2013 and 2016 through expansions and renovations that brought the offering to its present scale.

The name refers to natural springs that once fed Reedy Creek, now recreated through a man-made waterway running through the center. Visitors sit on terraces along this creek or stroll across wooden walkways, while lanterns light the paths after sunset.

Entry is free and the area stays open until late in the evening, so visitors can wander around even after sunset. Several parking garages surround the site and display available spaces on electronic boards, while boats and buses connect to nearby hotels.

A tethered hot-air balloon lifts guests about 400 feet (120 meters) above the ground and slowly rotates on its axis to offer views in all directions. The ride lasts only a few minutes and returns to the same fixed mast where it started.