A charming, family-focused lakeside district filled with classic Disney shopping, quick-service dining, and the heart of Disney Springs nostalgia.
The Marketplace combines timeless Disney charm with the resort’s best family shopping and kid-friendly dining—making it a perfect stop for military families looking for an easy, relaxing outing without using a theme park ticket.
Location Within Disney Springs
Disney Springs is divided into 4 areas: The Marketplace, Town Center, The Landing, and The West Side.
The Marketplace sits at the far eastern end of Disney Springs. It is adjacent to The Landing and Town Center; The West Side is the furthest area from The Marketplace.
Transportation & Arrival
- Disney’s Disney Springs Buses: Drop at Town Center; from there, expect a moderate walk to The Marketplace.
- Minnie Vans: Can drop you most anywhere, but for The Marketplace, ask for the Rideshare Zone or the Disney Bus Loop in Town Center, depending on your destination in The Marketplace.
- Shades of Green Disney Springs buses: Drop at the West Side, making the Marketplace the longest walk across Disney Springs.
- Boat transportation: The Disney Springs boat dock is located just outside the Marketplace, making this the closest section for guests arriving by boat from Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West.
- Walking paths: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has a walking path to Disney Springs, which enters at the far eastern end of the Marketplace.
- Ride-share: Drop at the Disney Springs ride-share zone, adjacent to the Marketplace.
- Parking Garage: The Lime Garage enters Disney Springs at Town Center, just a short to moderate walk to The Marketplace.
Look & Feel
The Marketplace is bright, colorful, and warm—built with clapboard-style architecture reminiscent of a lakeside village. Expect wide pedestrian pathways, kid-friendly storefronts, fountains, toy shops, and charming docks overlooking Lake Buena Vista.
This is the most “classic Disney” feeling section. During the day it’s bustling with families; in the evenings, the area glows with soft lighting and waterfront ambiance. It offers the gentlest pace of any Disney Springs district and feels especially welcoming for multi-generational groups and military families with younger children.
What the Marketplace Offers
Dining Highlights
While more limited in table-service options, the Marketplace offers several popular quick-service and snack spots, including:
- Earl of Sandwich – Fan-favorite value meal option
- Ghirardelli Soda Fountain – Classic sundaes and chocolates
- Rainforest Café – Immersive family dining
- T-Rex – Table Service – Dinosaurs, waterfalls, bubbling geysers, and a fossil dig site
- Seasonal or rotating kiosks such as crêpes or soft-serve concepts
- Snack kiosks, walk-up treats, and bakery options
Planning a Disney Vacation?
Military Disney discounts can save families a significant amount of money, but figuring out eligibility, tickets, resorts, transportation, and Lightning Lane strategies can get confusing quickly. These guides are a great place to start.
- Back to Basics Posts – Start here for beginner-friendly Disney planning topics.
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Guide
- Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
- Disney Packing Checklist
More Planning Resources:
Shopping Highlights
The Marketplace is the premier shopping zone of Disney Springs, especially for Disney-branded merchandise.
Key stores include:
- World of Disney – The largest Disney store in the world
- Disney’s Days of Christmas – Year-round ornaments and holiday décor
- The Art of Disney – Artwork, collectibles, and animation pieces
- LEGO Store – Iconic outdoor LEGO sculptures and interactive play areas
- Disney Pin Traders – The go-to spot for Disney pin collecting
- Tren-D – Trendy apparel and accessories
- Marketplace Co-Op – A store featuring six shops under one roof
- Once Upon a Toy – Classic Disney toys, plush, and themed games
This makes the Marketplace particularly great for souvenir shopping early or late in your trip.
Entertainment & Family Fun
- Marketplace Carousel
- Marketplace Train Express (seasonal operation)
- LEGO play area outside the LEGO Store
- Live music on the Main Stage and small pop-up entertainment along the lakeside
- Photospots with Disney-themed backdrops and lake views
History of the Marketplace
The Marketplace has the deepest historical roots of any Disney Springs area, dating back to the earliest days of the Walt Disney World Resort.
1975–1989: Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village / Walt Disney World Village
The Marketplace began in 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, designed as a quiet, upscale, lakeside retail destination. It served local residents, resort guests, and business travelers staying in the nearby Lake Buena Vista villas.
Shops in this era included:
- Wine and gourmet food shops
- Women’s fashion boutiques
- Art and home décor galleries
- Toy and book shops
This was Walt Disney World’s first true dining and shopping district.
In 1977, the Empress Lilly opened nearby (now Paddlefish), adding the first major table-service restaurant to the area.
By the early 1980s, the district evolved into Walt Disney World Village, expanding with more Disney-focused retail and accessible family dining.
1989–1995: Disney Village Marketplace
With the opening of Pleasure Island next door (now The Landing), the area was renamed Disney Village Marketplace and took on a more family-oriented identity.
This era saw the introduction and expansion of:
- World of Disney (smaller than today but quickly growing)
- More Disney-branded merchandise locations
- Additional toy, Christmas, and collectible shops
1995–2015: Downtown Disney Marketplace
As Downtown Disney took shape, the Marketplace evolved into the bright, colorful, child-friendly zone many guests remember. Several iconic stores from this period remain, though heavily updated.
Highlights from this era included:
- A much-expanded World of Disney
- LEGO Imagination Center (the forerunner of today’s LEGO Store)
- The arrival of Rainforest Café (opened 1996)
- Specialty boutiques focused on Disney characters, apparel, and collectibles
2015–Present: Disney Springs Marketplace
With the Disney Springs reimagining, the Marketplace retained its identity as the most family-friendly area but received:
- Updated facades and refreshed exteriors
- Wider walkways and improved traffic flow
- More shade structures and seating areas
- A fully reimagined World of Disney
- New snack and dessert concepts, plus enhanced entertainment offerings
It remains the heart of Disney-branded shopping and a favorite for families seeking a relaxed place to explore.
Wrap-Up
The Marketplace is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the classic side of Disney Springs. With its lakeside charm, kid-friendly shops, great quick-service dining, and deep Disney history, it’s an ideal destination for military families looking for a relaxing, budget-friendly outing. Whether you’re browsing World of Disney, grabbing a bite, or enjoying the waterfront paths, the Marketplace offers something for every age.
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
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