Planning a Walt Disney World vacation requires juggling countless variables, from securing theme park reservations to booking dining experiences months in advance to coordinating travel logistics for an entire group. Most guests focus their preparation on the four main theme parks, researching attraction wait times, planning Lightning Lane strategies, and mapping out optimal touring plans to maximize their limited vacation days.Credit: DisneyHowever, experienced Disney visitors know that a complete Walt Disney World experience extends beyond Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Disney Springs, the sprawling shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, has become an essential component of many trips, offering experiences that complement the theme parks while providing a completely different atmosphere.Unlike the gated parks that require admission tickets, Disney Springs operates as a free-access destination where guests can browse world-class shops, enjoy diverse dining options ranging from quick-service to upscale restaurants, and experience entertainment offerings without the pressure of maximizing expensive park tickets.The complex attracts not just Disney resort guests but also locals and tourists staying off-property who want a taste of Disney magic without committing to full park admission. Free parking has been a significant draw, eliminating one of the cost barriers that might otherwise discourage visits. For families taking rest days between intensive park touring, Disney Springs provides the perfect low-pressure environment to recharge while still feeling immersed in the Disney experience. The combination of accessibility, variety, and no admission cost has made Disney Springs increasingly popular, sometimes rivaling the theme parks themselves for crowds during peak seasons.However, guests planning Disney Springs visits during the first quarter of 2026 need to be aware of a significant operational change that will impact one of the most critical aspects of any visit: parking availability. A major construction project will close one of Disney Springs’ primary parking structures for approximately two months, potentially creating challenges for guests trying to access the complex during what are typically busy periods.Lime Garage Maintenance Project DetailsCredit: Disney DiningThe Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has announced plans for a comprehensive “Lime Garage Maintenance Project” scheduled to begin in January 2026. The project will affect all levels of the parking structure, requiring a complete closure during construction periods.The Lime Garage will close beginning January 12, 2026, with work expected to conclude by March 13, 2026. The closure schedule includes a brief reopening for President’s Day weekend to accommodate the holiday crowds, then closes again until completion. The specific timeline breaks down as follows:Closed January 12 through February 11 Temporarily open February 12 through February 16 for President’s Day weekend Closed again February 17 through March 13 Planned reopening March 14, 2026The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s project plan emphasizes efforts to “minimize parking disruption” with an “aggressive schedule to coincide with minimum disruption of holiday coverage.” Documentation states that “work shall be completed in phases, and Contractor shall work with the District to minimize disruptions and facilitate maximum garage capacity and operations around work zone(s).” The plan also notes that “this project has a critical schedule and a required completion date,” indicating urgency in completing the maintenance work.Despite these efforts to minimize impact, the two-month closure will unavoidably affect parking availability during a period when Disney Springs typically experiences substantial traffic.Understanding the Lime Garage’s ImportanceThe Lime Garage represents a significant portion of Disney Springs’ parking infrastructure. The structure offers over 2,000 parking spaces and provides direct pedestrian access to Disney Springs Town Center, making it one of the most convenient parking options for guests visiting that section of the complex.The garage’s size and location make it particularly popular with visitors. Direct access means guests can park and immediately begin their Disney Springs experience without lengthy walks across surface lots or navigation through other garage levels. For families with young children, elderly guests with mobility concerns, or anyone visiting during Florida’s notoriously hot summers or afternoon thunderstorms, this convenience factor significantly enhances the overall experience.When the Lime Garage closes, guests will still have access to the Orange Garage, Grapefruit Garage, and various surface parking lots throughout Disney Springs. However, removing 2,000 spaces from available inventory during periods that can already see parking challenges creates legitimate concerns about finding convenient spots during busy times.Peak Periods and Parking ChallengesCredit: Rough Tough, Real Stuff, FlickrDisney Springs experiences varying crowd levels throughout the week and year, with certain times creating particularly intense parking demand. Evening hours typically see the heaviest traffic as guests finish theme park days and head to Disney Springs for dinner and entertainment. Weekends consistently draw larger crowds than weekdays, with Saturdays often representing peak attendance.The closure period from mid-January through mid-March encompasses several busy stretches. While January typically sees lighter crowds as post-holiday tourism decreases, February includes President’s Day weekend, one of the busiest periods of the winter season. The temporary reopening of Lime Garage specifically for President’s Day weekend acknowledges this reality, though even with the garage open for those few days, parking will likely be challenging given the holiday crowds.March historically sees increasing attendance as spring break season begins, with many schools scheduling breaks throughout the month. The garage’s planned March 14 reopening should help accommodate these crowds, but the weeks leading up to that date could prove difficult for parking access.During the closure periods, guests may face longer walks from more distant parking areas, potential waits for garage spots to become available, or the need to circle repeatedly looking for openings. For visitors on tight schedules trying to reach dining reservations or entertainment bookings, these delays could create stress and potentially cause late arrivals.Alternative Transportation OptionsDisney resort guests have a significant advantage during the Lime Garage closure: free bus transportation directly to Disney Springs. Disney’s complimentary bus service runs regularly from all resort hotels to Disney Springs, eliminating parking concerns entirely while also avoiding the need to drive on unfamiliar roads or navigate parking structures.For guests staying on property, utilizing bus transportation during the closure period makes practical sense. The service drops visitors at convenient locations within Disney Springs, and return buses operate until the complex closes for the evening. This option particularly benefits those planning to enjoy alcoholic beverages with dinner, as it eliminates any concerns about driving afterward.Guests staying off-property or locals visiting Disney Springs won’t have access to Disney’s bus system but should plan accordingly by arriving earlier than usual to secure parking, particularly during evenings and weekends when demand peaks. Considering visits during weekday afternoons rather than evenings or weekends might help avoid the worst parking congestion.Broader Context of 2026 ClosuresThe Lime Garage closure represents just one of numerous refurbishments and construction projects planned for Walt Disney World in 2026. Several major attractions will also be temporarily unavailable during various periods throughout the year.Frozen Ever After, one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions, will close for refurbishment beginning January 26 with reopening scheduled for an undetermined date in February. The Frozen-themed dark ride consistently draws substantial crowds, particularly from younger guests, making its closure notable for families planning winter visits.The Disney Skyliner, the aerial gondola transportation system connecting EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with select resort hotels, will shut down from January 25 through January 31 for its annual maintenance period. This brief closure affects guests staying at Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Riviera resorts who rely on the Skyliner for park transportation.More significantly, several permanent closures will reshape Walt Disney World in 2026. DINOSAUR and the entire DinoLand U.S.A. section of Animal Kingdom will close in February to make way for a new Tropical Americas themed area. Magic Kingdom’s Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Square Riverboat have already closed permanently, along with Hollywood Studios’ Muppets Courtyard, all making room for future expansion projects.Planning Around the ClosureGuests with Disney Springs plans during January, February, or early March 2026 should factor the Lime Garage closure into their preparation. Arriving earlier in the day before parking lots fill, utilizing Disney resort bus transportation when available, and building extra time into schedules to account for parking challenges will help minimize frustration. Checking Disney Springs’ official communications closer to visit dates may also provide updates on construction progress or any schedule changes to the reopening timeline.The post Disney World Cutting 2000 Guest Spots in 2026, Capacity Reduction Placed appeared first on Inside the Magic.