Disney Springs is the new name given to the complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. Formerly known as Downtown Disney and prior to that as Disney Village Marketplace and Walt Disney World Village it was officially changed as per September 2015.
The complex is divided into three areas: West Side, the Landing, and the Marketplace. As was Downtown Disney, Disney Springs is open all year and there is no admission or parking fees charged. Visitors of Walt Disney World resort can use the free transportation, buses and water taxis, to and from Disney Springs.
West Side
The Disney Springs West Side has many full service restaurants, large stores, and entertainment venues. Planet Hollywood opened in December 1994. Jenny, the shrimping boat used in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, is located on the northwest corner of that restaurant. Characters in Flight opened in early 2009 and features a giant tethered balloon that rises 400 feet.
Expansion of the existing AMC Theaters Pleasure Island 24 opened with Downtown Disney West Side in 1997. In late 2010 it was refurbished and created so that theaters could be offering food service. The complex was renamed AMC Downtown Disney 24. In 1997, there were plans to open a Planet Movies by AMC entertainment complex at this location by combining the Planet Hollywood restaurant with a re-branded AMC megaplex. However, these plans never took place because of Planet Hollywood’s continued financial problems. The complex has now been renamed AMC Disney Springs 24
The Landing
The Landing was formerly Pleasure Island, a nighttime entertainment complex with two comedy clubs and four dance clubs. These clubs were all closed permanently in September of 2008. Pleasure Island was ready to undergo extensive renovations and re-theming to transform it into the early twentieth century wharf-themed entertainment area. New shopping and dining locations would have also been added. However all plans were cancelled in favor of Disney Springs with the area currently known as Pleasure Island, along with part of the current parking lot, eventually becoming The Landing.
Marketplace
The Marketplace has many shops and restaurants. The first restaurant in the Earl of Sandwich chain is located here. T-Rex Cafe is a dinosaur-themed restaurant, which features dinosaurs. It opened on October 14, 2008. Rainforest Cafe is also located at this location. A walkway spanning the Village Lake and connecting Rainforest Cafe with the Lego Store – The Marketplace Causeway – was constructed and opened in 2015.