3 Weeks When Disney Springs Will Be Empty in 2026

Disney Springs, the ever-popular shopping district at Walt Disney World, is often packed with visiting guests and local Central Florida residents alike, drawn by it’s restaurants and high-end shops. However, not every week’s crowds are created equal.

Disney Springs

Now, one BIG clarification to make here: Disney Springs, like all of Walt Disney World, is always busy. Yes, these weeks are comparatively less crowded than the rest of the year, but if you’re expecting the district to be a ghost town with no waits for restaurants and small shopping crowds, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

April 26th – May 2nd

Thanks to Easter – and in-turn many spring break sessions at U.S. schools – falling relatively early this year, the final weeks of April and even early weeks of May will likely be relatively quiet at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” This extends to Disney Springs, as both locals and tourist numbers will be lower than the holiday period earlier in the month, likely leading to comparatively smaller restaurant crowds and etc. The closer things get to Memorial Day, the more things will pick up.

Disney Springs

August 23rd – 29th

The aforementioned Memorial Day holiday will launch the unofficial start of the summer season, which – as always – will be busy at Walt Disney World. Disney Springs especially sees large crowds during the summer, as out-of-state visitors and locals alike flood the district during summer vacation.

Disney Springs

However, crowd levels will begin to go down at the end of August as most U.S. students – including Florida locals – will be back in session, meaning that for many families summer vacation season will have passed. However, do note that if you plan on visiting during these weeks, you may run into weather issues as it’s not only hot, but it’s the height of Hurricane Season.

Crowds

September 27th – October 3rd

Following the last gasp of summer that is Labor Day Weekend (September 4th to the 7th), Disney Springs will be (again, stressing comparatively) empty during mid-late September, as visitor numbers are down across the board AND the guests visiting the resort during this period will likely prioritize EPCOT for the Food & Wine Festival, sidestepping heading to the shopping district to eat. The week of September 20th through the 26th may see a slight bump due to many schools in the northeast closing for Yom Kippur.

Fall in Disney Springs!

However, there is something thing to keep in mind! Disney Springs will see two MAJOR openings in 2026:

Level99, an interactive, social entertainment center featuring “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment” for adults featuring physical and mental challenges set in artistic environments. The location, which is taking over part of the site formerly occupied by the NBA Experience and DisneyQuest at Disney Springs, will also offer food and drink options at a 2-story bar, including “handcrafted cocktails, local beers and made-from-scratch bites—including LEVEL99’s signature Detroit-style pizza.” It’s scheduled to open in the spring.
Six Ravens, a new concept from the company behind Gideon’s Bakehouse, is also coming to Disney Springs this year. According to owner Steve Lewis, the locations will be focused on savory offerings, specializing in “Coffyns.” Described as an “old school hand pie”, the fluffy yeast bread pastry will be “filled with flavors created not only by the talented minds in Gideon’s kitchen but also by some of your favorite Orlando culinary superstars.” Six Ravens will also serve savory potatoes, local draft beer, and, obviously “some tasty desserts.”

Level99

If either of these highly anticipated established schedule their opening days for one of these weeks (unlikely, but possible) then crowds will inflate considerably!

©Six Ravens

While Disney Springs will never be “empty” in 2026, there are certainly weeks when the shopping district should see significantly lighter crowds. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney’s 2026 dates.

We Wish We’d Known These 3 Things Before Going to Disney Springs on a Weekend

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