Why did Disney change the name to Disney Springs?

Disney also revealed its plan to change the name of the area to Disney Springs in order to give it a small-town feel, playing off and highlighting an existing lake. We were told that the number of restaurants, shops and venues would double to 150.



Disney changed the name of "Downtown Disney" to Disney Springs in 2015 as part of a massive multi-year expansion to create a cohesive storyline and double the venue's capacity. Before the change, Downtown Disney was a disjointed collection of three areas: the Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and the West Side. Imagineers wanted to ground the area in a fictional "history" similar to a Florida waterfront town built around a series of natural springs (which you can see today as the blue water feature in the "Town Center"). This "story" allowed them to curate a more upscale, family-friendly atmosphere that moved away from the "nightclub" vibe of the old Pleasure Island, which had struggled with declining attendance. The rebranding turned the area into a premiere shopping and dining destination that feels like a "fifth park" rather than just a mall. By 2026, Disney Springs has successfully integrated over 150 tenants, proving that the shift from a "downtown" to a "themed town" was a lucrative move for the resort's ecosystem.

People Also Ask

Size Comparisons Downtown Disney, on the other hand, doesn't even compare to Disney Springs regarding the total area it encompasses. It is much smaller, more intimate, far easier to navigate, and more reliable for finding everything you're searching for quickly and easily.

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It's Official ? 'Downtown Disney' is Now 'Disney Springs' at Walt Disney World Resort. Over the last several weeks, ?Disney Springs? has started to replace ?Downtown Disney? on roadway signage and throughout property. Today, I'm thrilled to share that the name change is official!

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Now, Disney has confirmed that this logo is more than just typeface––it's the new name of the park. Moving forward, the park formerly known as Epcot will be known as “EPCOT”, in all uppercase letters.

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EPCOT Acronym coined by Walt Disney in 1966 meaning Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The park was called EPCOT Center when it opened on October 1, 1982.

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How much does Disney Springs cost? Entrance into Disney Springs is absolutely free, self-parking included. Unlike the four Disney theme parks and two waterparks, admission into Disney Springs is complimentary. No tickets or reservations necessary.

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A: Disney Springs is a themed retail, dining and entertainment center inspired by Florida's charming waterfront towns, historic architecture and natural beauty. The sprawling promenade features 4 distinct neighborhoods?The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center—built around bubbling springs.

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Depends on what you like. Disney Springs is an array of shopping, dining, and entertainment with a Disney twist. Universal Citywalk is known more for their adult nightlife, as well as shopping and dining. Citywalk is also much smaller than Disney Springs.

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It officially opened on May 1, 1989. In September 2008, all of its clubs were closed, but its retail stores and restaurants remained open. The area is now called The Landing and is the central part of Disney Springs. The final logo of Pleasure Island.

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The big draw at Disney Springs is its excellent restaurants ? there are at least half-a-dozen really good places to eat. Disney Springs also has good shopping options, and plenty of bars and snack stands. It's also much easier to get to Disney Springs than ever before.

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Overall, this is a very nice place to do some shopping, walking and dining. Just like Universal City Walk, Disney Springs has lots of walking, Shopping and eateries. This place felt more rich then universal city walk.

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Your princess is in luck though, the attire policies at the Disneyland Resort allow guests under the age of 14 to wear costumes in the park! Sadly, wearing a costume doesn't cover park admission.

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Unlike Disney Springs, Downtown Disney isn't big enough to plan a visit for an entire day, but it is worth visiting for at least a morning, afternoon, or evening. Weekends and evenings are typically busier, so it's best to keep that in mind, especially when booking dining reservations.

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Bear in mind that Disneyland tickets are free for those under 3 years old. We went to Disneyland with a two-year-old Arlo, but it was just a week before his third birthday, which saved us a lot of money! Also, you don't have to prove the child is under three, so make of that what you will!

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We visit Disney Springs all the time. You may be happy to know that you can most certainly visit Disney Springs even if you are not staying in a Disney Resorts Collection hotel.

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Yes. All Guests have complimentary access to our network of monorails, buses and boats.

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#1 – The Best Disney Park – Magic Kingdom Coming in at number one is the original 1971 Walt Disney World park, Magic Kingdom! Home to the most magical castle on Earth and some of the most classic attractions in theme parks.

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The concept was an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, often interchanging city and community. In Walt Disney's words in 1966: EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry.

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