Over the course of its 50+ year history, the area currently known as Disney Springs has been no stranger to change. Beginning as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, the area has seen the addition of Pleasure Island, the Downtown Disney expansion, and its final transformation into the current upscale shopping area.
Disney Springs
That tradition of change has carried into 2026, as new openings, major rule changes, and the closure of a longtime staple have continued transforming Disney Springs.
LEVEL99
Back in June, LEVEL99 opened at the former DisneyQuest/NBA Experience location. The interactive adult playground features “real-world, challenge-based, social entertainment.” The Disney Springs location is home to 63 life-sized mini-games and challenges.
LEVEL99 in Disney Springs
There are tons of puzzles, games, and challenges to take on with groups of 2-6 players, and the restaurant’s menu includes handcrafted cocktails, local beers, and bar-style bites, including Detroit-style pizza. Guests can buy tickets in advance of their visit at level99.com, starting at $29.99 per player for intervals of 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Detroit Style Pizza
Level99’s operating hours are as follows:
- Monday–Thursday: 11 AM – 11 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 11 PM
LEVEL99
Six Ravens
From the same team behind the popular Gideon’s Bakehouse, Six Ravens is a new establishment offering a menu of Coffyns, AKA handheld yeast rolls stuffed with different fillings. Some of those offerings include:
- The Villain of Valentina — Collaborating with Pizza BRUNO — House Basil Pesto Chicken, Balsamic Tomatoes, and all the Kingdom’s Garlic, trapped in a Herb Panko-splashed Coffyn. Pairing: Bruno’s Garlic Knot Juice ($10.99)
- The Imperial Idol — Collaborating with Red Panda Noodle — Mildly Spicy Chicken with Potato & Carrot Coconut Curry, in a Fried Garlic-covered Coffyn, harmonizes to create this flavorful offering. Pairing: Red Panda’s Dipping Sauce ($10.99)
- The Forager’s Find — Spiced Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Black Bean Corn Salsa, Crushed Pepitas, and Queso Cotija in a Pumpkin Seed-topped Coffyn. Pairing: Tropic of Mango Aioli Dip ($10.99)
- The Peasant’s Patty — Collaborating with The Pink Salamander — A Classic Cheeseburger topped with American Cheese, Dill Pickle Bits, encased in a Sesame Seed-sprinkled Coffyn. Pairing: Pink Salamander Dipping Sauce ($10.99)
- The Wizard’s Wonder — Collaborating with Smoke & Donuts BBQ — Mac & Cheese with Pickled Poblano Peppers, Pulled Pork, BBQ-seasoned Panko Crumbs shrouded in a BBQ Crumb-covered Coffyn. Pairing: Prince Donut’s Smoke & Cherry BBQ Sauce ($10.99)
- The Moreish Monk — Middle Ages Grilled Cheese using Vermont White Cheddar, Havarti cheese, and House Tomato Jam wrapped in a Parmesan-smothered Coffyn. Pairing: Wolf Peach Dipping Sauce ($10.99)
The Forager’s Find
In addition, Six Ravens — which has a medieval theme — offers a side option, desserts, and a selection of local craft beers.
©Six Ravens
A Downtown Disney Day One Staple Has Closed
After nearly 30 years as a dining cornerstone of both the Downtown Disney and Disney Springs versions of the area, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill had its final day of operation on September 13th. The loss of the moderately priced restaurant is a loss for Disney Springs, and we’ll miss some of our go-to items, including the Bruschetta, the Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo, and the Giant Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie.
Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill
Disney Springs Is Enforcing Transportation Rules…
This past June saw a major change in how guests can ride transportation at Disney Springs. Guests now have to show a valid hotel or dining reservation to be granted access to the Disney buses or boats leaving Disney Springs. This rule has been enacted before during busy times of the year but now has become permanent. Disney has not shared the official reason for this rule change, although we can surmise that it is because too many non-resort guests were using the buses to get around and resort-hop between hotels they weren’t staying at, which in turn was making the wait too long for the guests paying to stay at these hotels.
Disney Springs transportation rules.
… And Parking Restrictions
In addition to transportation changes, Disney is also cracking down on fans waiting HOURS for the newest pin drop. New pins are often released on Tuesdays, and hardcore collectors will often arrive at Disney Springs early to grab them in person. Now, those early birds will need to change their parking plan, as Disney Springs’ parking garages and rideshare loops will not open to guests until 7 AM on special event merchandise days. This is an attempt to curb people from parking in the garages overnight, and yes, it includes Tuesdays for new pin drops. Of course, this also means that those planning to arrive at Disney Springs early for another reason on Tuesdays, or on a day that also happens to be a large merchandise drop, won’t be able to enter until 7 AM. Those who arrive in their vehicle or a rideshare before 7 AM will be asked to leave and return at 7 AM.
Parking lot at Disney Springs
Sunshine Churros Has Permanently Closed
Finally, another eatery in the shopping, dining, and entertainment district has closed permanently. Sunshine Churros had its final day of operation on September 5th. This spot was known for churros with a unique twist, like fun flavors! Instead of churros with a traditional cinnamon sugar topping, these desserts are topped with Pop Rocks, Dubai chocolate, Fruity Pebbles, and others! We’re definitely going to miss their rotating Churro of the Month!
Strawberry Dubai Chocolate Churro
Disney Springs has seen some major changes in 2026 as the area continues to evolve. Stay tuned to DFB for more on changes coming to Disney World!
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I miss everything about Disney Springs, or rather Downtown Disney aka Disney Marketplace. In other words, before they demolished Pleasure Island. It was a great size to walk without getting exhausted in the hot sun, it had fun shops and places to eat. Getting rid of Adventurers Club was a very bad decision. Even the early days of Disney Springs were nice. I’d say things started going downhill when the Ugg store left. Since then changes are happening too fast and what’s replacing the stores and restaurants has been less than great imo.
My biggest disappointment is Six Ravens. I was so excited for it but that’s what I get for getting my hopes up! Love the theming but once inside it’s extremely dark. I expected a traditional, handheld, medieval Scottish meat pie to be front and center on the menu but no. In fact, there’s nothing on the menu that is edible for me. All kinds of weird ingredients and combinations. So disappointing….but indicative of the direction most wdw menus are going.
We’ve been going since Day One when you could park in the lot just near World of Disney (the lot is no longer) and there was a gorgeous, huge garden of flowers and water with Disney statuary surrounded by stone…I have pictures… leading you into the shopping area which pretty much stopped after Lego. Then you entered Pleasure Island which was mostly closed during the day bc its mission was to celebrate New Years Eve every night and was for adults. Disney Springs has had many name changes through the decades. Imo this is not a fifth park but it’s grown to nearly the size of one! It’s exhausting to navigate and the stores and restaurants are changing much too quickly for our taste. There is little theming imo except specifically in World of Disney though a very few shops near there sell some nice Disney things. Fyi World of Disney doesn’t sell everything found elsewhere at Wdw though it sells a lot but it’s always extremely crowded mostly with very rude adults and children running you over and acting like it’s a playground. As for the ‘newer’ section down by Planet Hollywood, built after they destroyed Pleasure Island, it’s nothing that says Disney, is really only for adults, and the boat dock is closed so wear comfy clothes and shoes bc you’ll have to walk the entire Springs to get to buses or the other boat dock! There are almost no benches for sitting. This place is almost also crowded by rude people for most of the afternoon and evenings and definitely on the weekends. If being shoved and stepped on or you like waiting 60-90 minutes in a restaurant so noisy you can’t hear your tablemate to place an order and then get served cold, overpriced food is your thing, then you’ll enjoy Disney Springs. As with every park and resort at Wdw, Disney has also ruined Disney Springs to the point that you can’t even walk to its far end to take a relaxing boat ride to Port Orleans for beignets or Old Key West for key lime pie which we always enjoyed. Good luck trying to find either at Disney Springs!! We used to love it here but don’t any longer. Sigh.
Are the wait times that bad that WDW has to restrict others from Resort hopping. I haven’t found that to be true and I’m a Vacation Club member. It’s so snobby to cut other visitors out. With all of the costs of the hotel and tickets, why can’t WDW just add a few more buses for the lines. Also, everyone, learn to be a little patient. Talk to each other in line. Get to know people.
We have been to WDW 85 times, own DVC, plus annual passes. Will we be able to use buses from Disney Springs? Not staying on WDW property this trip, but still annual pass holders and DVC members. THANK YOU.
I so agree with the above post. I too have been there since the beginning when I was a kid. We used to rent golf carts from our villas (now the Saratoga) and easily pop over to Disney Marketplace to grab a bite to eat or do some shopping. It was such a chill place and I have terrific memories. It was a nice break from the crowded parks. The years of huge expansion and non-thematic vibe have totally changed the character of the area. Yes, change is inevitable as nothing stays the same forever.
I recall our last visit there, we did not like the restaurant we had booked in advance (they left us sitting at a table for 45 min with no waiter, no drink or food so we walked out). We tried multiple restaurants and could not get in anywhere. Tired and hungry, we went back to our Disney hotel and were so happy the quick service option was still open! Disney Springs has morphed into something not to our liking and we are writing this stop off of our list for future Disney visits. So glad I have my treasured childhood memories!
Pretty Much Sums Up WDW as a Whole.
I agree with everything Anne says. Simply put…the “Disney Magic” has disappeared. As frequent guests at Disney World, after our last visit our interest (and vacation dollars) has moved on to different places that are interesting, fun and not so mercenary. Needless to say, Disney has lost our business. Very sad.
Hi Robert! You will not be able to use transportation from Disney Springs to a Disney Resort if you are not staying at that resort or do not have a dining reservation. It will not matter that you are a DVC member or an Annual Passholder, the restrictions apply to everyone not staying at a Disney Resort at the time.
All true, sad but true. I have visited Disney well over 100 times and now own a vacation/retirement home in the area. Disney/Disney Springs and most everything is not the happiest place on earth any more. I have asked my wife on more than one occasion, what is your favorite dining option at DS and she could not come up with one. While there are a lot of dining options at DS, there is not one over the top recommendation that is not priced way out in left field or is just not that good. Disney has definitely lost its mojo. Very disappointed. As far as the transportation issues and the parking problem as DS. Parking at the Resorts and parks can be easily corrected by lowering the parking fees at the drive in parking lots. $ 20 per day to park your car is too much and that is why guests are fleeing to the resorts and DS. Drop the parking fee to $5.00 per car and guests will no longer be parking at the resort hotels and DS. They will return to the general parking at the parks. What happens if you are a DVC member staying on property. Do we get to use the busses anywhere or at on the resort you are staying at…?
I too remember the old Downtown Disney even pre DD
Marketplace, When Chef Mickey’s was in the octagon shaped building over looking the water, and The Empress Lilly Riverboat,
Pleasure Island was great fun in the 90’s and I do think Disney springs has some wonderful restaurants, but we’ve lost a lot of the entertainment, and fun.
The high end shops have taken over and it’s so extremely crowded at night, not sure how that could be fixed.