Three Days in 2026 When I'm Skipping the Theme Parks and Going to Disney Springs Instead

There are plenty of days when you should happily rope drop a Disney World theme park, stack Lightning Lane reservations, and bask in the awe of a brilliant fireworks show. But every once in a while, Disney Springs calls our name, and we won’t resist the urge to listen.

Disney Springs

Sometimes, the best Disney World day isn’t spent at the parks, but rather shopping and dining to your heart’s content in Disney Springs. This is especially true in 2026, since there will be several days — including three I’m super hyped for — that will demand attention from Disney fans around the world. Let’s talk about them!

The Day Six Ravens Opens

When a new big-time restaurant opens at Disney Springs, it changes the entire energy of the shopping, dining, and entertainment district — and Six Ravens is exactly that kind of opening.

©Six Ravens

Created by the folks at Gideon’s Bakehouse, Six Ravens will open in The Landing, just a few doors down. The menu will feature exciting offerings like hand pies (that Six Ravens calls Coffyns) — housemade yeast rolls (complete with fillings created in partnership with other Central Florida chefs), and other items in a partnership with The Polite Pig.

©Six Ravens

The restaurant will open later this year — and an opening date has yet to be announced — but there’s no doubt it’ll be buzzing with excitement. We’ll be there and covering the progress of this restaurant every step of the way!

The First Day of the Holiday Season

The first official day of Disney’s holiday season is extra special. While most people opt to visit the parks, there are plenty of perks to heading to Disney Springs instead.

Disney Springs

For starters, the parks can be slammed, and if you want to avoid crowds but still embrace the holiday spirit, Disney Springs will give you that opportunity. That first day is when decorations go up overnight, holiday menus quietly appear, and seasonal entertainment starts rolling out. Honestly, Disney Springs absolutely shines during the holiday season.

Christmas Tree Stroll

You get the Christmas Tree Stroll, specialty drinks, limited-time treats, live music, and way more room to breathe than you’ll find in the parks. It’s cozy, atmospheric, and it actually lets you enjoy the start of the holidays instead of surviving them.

You have to come back at night

An official date to the start of the holiday season has yet to be announced, but sometime around November 6th is a good guess if you’re in the early stages of planning. We’ll let you know when an official date is revealed.

The Day Level99 Opens

Level99 is one of those additions that instantly redefines what a Disney Springs day can be. LEVEL99 is an interactive, social entertainment experience that serves as a destination for “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment” for adults –featuring physical and mental challenges set in artistic environments.

Future location of LEVEL99

Found on the West Side of Disney Springs, this new offering will occupy over 45,000 square feet in a two-story space and will feature dining with a chef-crafted menu — including LEVEL99’s award-winning, Detroit-style pizza!

Full spread at LEVEL99 at Natick, Massachusetts

Trying to squeeze Level99 into a park day will be a rookie mistake. This is something you plan your day around, as you’ll want to explore, take breaks, grab food, and get the full experience. An opening date has yet to be announced, but Disney World revealed that this new dining and gaming experience is expected to open in 2026.

©LEVEL99

Disney Springs isn’t just a backup plan anymore — it’s a destination. In 2026, you’ll have plenty of reasons to make it a priority.

Which Disney Springs offering are you most looking forward to in 2026? Let us know in the comments, and continue to follow us here at DFB for all the latest Disney World tips and updates!

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