Credit: SJ Grant, FlickrPlanning a Disney Springs visit requires coordination that extends beyond simply deciding which restaurants to try or which shops to browse. Parking logistics might seem like a minor detail when you’re focused on reservations at Wine Bar George or finding the perfect souvenir at World of Disney, but parking availability can significantly impact your entire experience at this sprawling entertainment and shopping complex.
With thousands of guests descending on Disney Springs daily, the resort’s parking infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth arrivals and departures. When one of the major parking garages goes offline for extended maintenance, it creates a ripple effect that every guest needs to understand before making the trip.
Starting today, January 12, 2026, the Lime Garage at Disney Springs enters the first phase of a two-part closure that will keep it unavailable for roughly two months over the next ten weeks.
This maintenance work represents a significant disruption to normal parking patterns at Disney Springs, particularly for guests who typically use the Lime Garage to access their favorite sections of the complex.
Understanding the closure timeline, knowing your alternative parking options, and planning your visit accordingly can mean the difference between a smooth experience and a frustrating search for parking that eats into your valuable time at the resort.
The Closure Timeline
The Lime Garage will be closed in two separate phases that bookend a brief reopening period. The first closure runs from January 12 through February 11, 2026. After reopening for less than a week, the garage will close again from February 17 through March 13, 2026.
This staggered approach allows Disney to complete necessary maintenance work while providing guests a short window of normal parking operations between the two phases.
The total impact spans roughly two months across a ten-week period, meaning guests planning Disney Springs visits through mid-March need to account for reduced parking capacity. The timing affects both the tail end of winter vacation season and the beginning of spring break periods when Disney Springs typically experiences elevated traffic volumes.
For guests who have developed parking habits over multiple visits, the Lime Garage closure disrupts familiar patterns. This garage serves as the primary parking option for guests accessing certain areas of Disney Springs, and its absence forces everyone to adjust their approach to arriving at the complex.
Where to Park Instead
Disney Springs offers several alternative parking locations that remain operational during the Lime Garage closure. The Orange Garage continues operating at full capacity and represents the most direct alternative for guests who typically used the Lime Garage. Additionally, surface parking lots scattered throughout Disney Springs remain available for guest use.
All parking at Disney Springs continues to be free regardless of which location you choose. Disney has not implemented any temporary parking fees or priority systems during the Lime Garage closure, meaning all available spaces operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
However, the reduced parking capacity created by the Lime Garage closure means the remaining options will fill more quickly than usual, particularly during peak visiting hours. Weekend evenings, holiday periods, and special event nights will see the Orange Garage and surface lots reaching capacity earlier than guests might expect based on past experience.
Recent Security Concerns at Disney Springs Garages
The Lime Garage closure comes during a period when Disney Springs parking garages have faced increased scrutiny from both security officials and guests. Recent tragic incidents at the Orange Garage in early January 2026 brought heightened law enforcement presence to Disney Springs and raised awareness about safety protocols in these structures.
While the Lime Garage maintenance work is unrelated to these security incidents, the timing means guests will be directing more traffic to the Orange Garage and surface lots during a period when security measures and monitoring may be more visible than usual.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Disney security continue working together to maintain safe environments throughout Disney Springs, including all parking facilities.
Guests should expect to see security personnel throughout parking areas and should report any concerning behavior or situations to nearby Cast Members or security officers. The parking garages remain safe for guest use, but increased awareness of surroundings is always prudent in any large parking facility.
Using Technology to Check Availability
Disney has implemented a helpful feature in the My Disney Experience app that provides real-time parking availability information for Disney Springs. This tool becomes especially valuable during the Lime Garage closure when remaining parking options will fill faster than normal.
To check parking availability before leaving your resort or home, open the My Disney Experience app and navigate to the operating hours section. Beneath the Disney Springs operating hours, you’ll find current parking status updates. When parking reaches capacity, a red message appears in the app alerting you to consider alternative transportation options.
This advance warning system prevents the frustration of driving to Disney Springs only to discover no parking available. Instead, you can make informed decisions about timing your visit differently or using alternative transportation before committing to the drive.
Planning Your Visit Around the Closure
With reduced parking capacity, successful Disney Springs visits during the Lime Garage closure require more advance planning than usual. Arriving earlier than you normally would is essential, especially during peak times like weekend evenings when restaurants and entertainment venues draw maximum crowds.
Consider visiting during off-peak hours when possible. Weekday afternoons typically see lighter traffic than Friday and Saturday evenings. Early morning visits before lunch crowds arrive also improve your chances of finding convenient parking.
Alternative transportation options deserve serious consideration during this closure period. Guests staying at Disney resort hotels can use complimentary Disney transportation to reach Disney Springs without dealing with parking concerns at all. Resort buses provide regular service throughout the day and evening, eliminating parking stress entirely.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer another viable alternative. These services can drop you directly at your desired Disney Springs location, allowing you to skip parking entirely. While this option involves cost, it may prove worthwhile during peak periods when parking becomes genuinely challenging.
What the Maintenance Involves
Disney has not released detailed information about the specific maintenance work being performed during the Lime Garage closure. However, parking garage maintenance typically involves structural inspections, concrete repairs, lighting upgrades, painting, and system updates that require closing sections or entire levels to ensure worker safety and project efficiency.
The two-phase approach suggests the work requires extensive time but can be divided into sections that allow for a brief operational period between phases. This structure minimizes total consecutive closure time while still accomplishing necessary maintenance objectives.
Regular maintenance of parking structures is essential for long-term safety and functionality. Concrete parking garages require ongoing attention to prevent deterioration, address wear patterns, and maintain safety systems. While closures inconvenience guests, they represent responsible facility management that ensures safe, functional parking for years to come.
Are you planning a Disney Springs visit during the Lime Garage closure? Tell us in the comments how you’re adjusting your parking strategy or whether you’re switching to alternative transportation entirely.
And if you’ve got tips for finding parking during busy times at Disney Springs, share them with fellow readers who might be stressing about where they’ll park during their upcoming visits. We’re all navigating this together, so let’s help each other out with practical advice that makes these next two months a little easier for everyone.