A lively, entertainment-focused district packed with big venues, bold flavors, and some of Disney Springs’ best nighttime energy.
West Side is where Disney Springs goes big—movies, bowling, concerts, Cirque du Soleil, and great dining—making it a fantastic option for military families who want a fun, ticket-free evening out.
Location Within Disney Springs
Disney Springs is divided into 4 areas: The Marketplace, Town Center, The Landing, and The West Side.
The West Side occupies the far western end of Disney Springs. It sits west of The Landing, farthest from the Marketplace, and west of Town Center.
This section contains the largest entertainment venues and the widest open spaces.
Transportation & Arrival
- Disney Springs buses: Drop at Town Center; from there, expect a moderate walk to The West Side.
- Minnie Vans: Can drop you most anywhere, but for The West Side, ask for the Parking Lot near Cirque du Soleil or the non-Disney Bus Loop, both at the west end of the West End.
- Shades of Green Disney Springs buses: Drop at the western edge of the West Side, making this the shortest and most convenient walk for Shades of Green guests.
- Boat transportation: Docks are located outside the Marketplace. From the dock, Town Center is a long walk.
- Walking paths: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has a walking path to Disney Springs, which enters at the far east end of the Marketplace. It’s a long walk from there to the Town Center.
- Ride-share: Drops you off at the Disney Springs ride-share zone, adjacent to the Marketplace, with a moderate walk to Town Center.
- Parking Garages: The Orange Garage enters Disney Springs at The West Side, and the Lime Garage is further, with its entrance in Town Center.
Look & Feel
West Side feels like a modern entertainment district, with bold signage, large buildings, and contemporary architecture. There’s more glass, metal, and neon-style lighting here than in the Marketplace or The Landing, with big marquees advertising concerts, shows, movies, and bowling.
During the day, West Side is relaxed and easygoing as guests visit restaurants, grab ice cream, or stroll by the lake. At night, the area lights up as crowds arrive for Cirque du Soleil, concerts at House of Blues, movies at AMC, and bowling at Splitsville.
This is a great area for families with teens, adults looking for a night out, and anyone who enjoys live music, shows, or a laid-back evening with food and entertainment.
What West Side Offers
Dining Highlights
West Side leans into casual-yet-upscale dining and bar-style restaurants. Notable options include:
- House of Blues Restaurant & Bar – Southern-inspired comfort food with a live music vibe.
- City Works Eatery & Pour House – A huge craft beer selection, sports-bar atmosphere, and hearty American pub fare.
- Jaleo by José Andrés – Spanish tapas and paella in a vibrant, modern setting.
- Pepe by José Andrés – Quick-service sandwiches and Spanish street food.
- Planet Hollywood – Table Service – Dine amidst famous movie memorabilia.
- Splitsville Dining Room – Sushi, burgers, and shareable plates served alongside the bowling experience.
- Summer House on the Lake – Serving a California casual menu. Small bites, pizza, salads, and lots of avocado.
- Salt & Straw – Creative, small-batch ice cream flavors that change with the seasons.
- Additional kiosks for churros, pretzels, coffee, and grab-and-go snacks.
West Side is especially handy if you want to combine dinner with an activity like bowling, a movie, or a Cirque du Soleil performance.
Entertainment & Experiences
Entertainment is the star of West Side. Major offerings include:
- Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney – A Cirque du Soleil show inspired by Disney animation, performed in the custom-built white theater that once housed La Nouba.
- AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres – A full multiplex with reserved seating and dine-in options.
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes – Bowling, billiards, dining, and lounge spaces with a retro-modern vibe.
- House of Blues Music Hall – A concert venue hosting touring artists, special events, and live music throughout the year.
- Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight – A tethered helium balloon experience that provides sweeping views of Walt Disney World from high above Disney Springs.
Together, these experiences make West Side a fantastic “no-park night” destination for families, couples, and groups.
Shopping Highlights
West Side is more focused on entertainment and dining than pure shopping, but you’ll still find:
- Specialty boutiques and lifestyle shops
- Entertainment-related merchandise tied to venues like House of Blues and Cirque du Soleil
- Smaller stores and kiosks for souvenirs, apparel, and gifts
It’s the perfect place to browse for a bit before or after a show or meal.
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:
History of West Side
1997: West Side Joins Downtown Disney
West Side opened in the late 1990s as part of the Downtown Disney expansion, adding large-scale entertainment venues such as the AMC Theatre, Gloria Estephan’s Bongo’s Cuban Cafe, and House of Blues. This new district was designed to feel more like a contemporary urban entertainment zone, complementing the smaller, village-style Marketplace on the other end of the property.
During the Pleasure Island years, when guests had to pay admission to enter Pleasure Island, the only way to reach the West Side from the rest of Downtown Disney without paying was via a long, narrow sidewalk that ran between Pleasure Island and the edge of the parking lot. It was roughly a quarter mile, exposed, and notoriously cramped—so narrow in places that two people walking in opposite directions could barely pass each other. There was heavy foot traffic along this path at most times of the day. Guests often described it as one of the worst navigation experiences at Walt Disney World. Eventually, Disney built a lower pedestrian bridge underneath the western Pleasure Island bridge, which didn’t shorten the walk but did move part of the route off the roadside and made the connection slightly more pleasant and safer.
1998–2017: DisneyQuest & La Nouba Era
Two major attractions defined West Side’s early years:
- DisneyQuest – A multi-story indoor “interactive theme park” filled with virtual reality experiences, arcade games, and digital attractions.
- Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba – A custom Cirque du Soleil production housed in a striking white theater at the edge of West Side, running from 1998 through 2017.
Together, these attractions established West Side as a destination for unique, non-park experiences at Walt Disney World.
2015–2018: Transition to Disney Springs
As Downtown Disney was transformed into Disney Springs, West Side underwent its own evolution. Exteriors were refreshed, new dining concepts were added, and the overall guest flow was improved with wider walkways and enhanced lakefront views.
DisneyQuest eventually closed, and its building later housed the short-lived NBA Experience, while other venues were reimagined with updated themes and menus to better fit the Disney Springs concept.
2021–Present: Drawn to Life & Modern West Side
In 2021, Cirque du Soleil returned to West Side with Drawn to Life, a new show created in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios. The show continues the theater’s legacy as a centerpiece of West Side entertainment.
Today, West Side is defined by:
- Entertainment-forward venues like Cirque du Soleil, AMC, Splitsville, and House of Blues
- Distinctive dining with everything from tapas and bar food to creative ice cream
- A strong “evening out” appeal for both locals and resort guests
It remains the most entertainment-centric section of Disney Springs and a favorite option for guests looking to enjoy a full night out without ever stepping into a theme park.
Wrap-Up
If you’re looking for a night of food, fun, and big experiences outside the parks, West Side is the place to be. With bowling, movies, concerts, Cirque du Soleil, and plenty of dining, it’s ideal for military families who want to slow down, enjoy some entertainment, and still feel like they’re in the heart of Walt Disney World—without scanning a theme park ticket.
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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