One of the biggest problems that Disney needed to solve in the massive project to transform Disney Springs into Disney Springs has been parking.

Parking initially got worse as Disney closed off surface lots. That made scarce parking even harder to find.

Now, finally, after months of construction, new parking spots are becoming available.

Huge Construction Project

Disney closed the parking lot that ran between Splitsville and the AMC 24 movie theater. Now, in place of surface parking sits a huge 400-foot-wide by 850-foot-long parking garage.

Construction crews had a big job. They installed 12,000 feet of 60-inch storm sewer pipes below the garage, poured 52,000 yards of concrete, installed 4,000 tons of rebar, and put 1 million pounds of support cable in place.

The construction isn’t quite finished, but enough is done that Disney has been able to open parts of the garage just in time for the busy Christmas season.

As of early December, about 2,000 spaces are available.  A total of 3,000 should be open soon. When all construction is complete the garage will provide 4,000 total parking spots.

The garage that recently opened is the first of two planned parking structures which will eventually provide a grand total of 6,000 badly-needed spots.

When the total transportation project is complete, the parking facility will include pedestrian bridges, a widened Buena Vista Drive (the main road in front of Disney Springs), dedicated lanes for buses, and a connection from the Interstate 4 exit that leads directly to the garage.

The opening of the parking garage is a key milestone along the way to the makeover of Disney Springs, which should be complete by 2016.

Let’s take a look:

Architectural rendering of the parking garage.

Architectural rendering of the parking garage.

The new garage is still under construction but is partially open.

The new garage is still under construction but is partially open.

The main entrance hub isn't ready yet.

The main entrance hub isn’t ready yet.

The new garage has high ceilings which make if feel more open and full of light that most parking garages.

The new garage has high ceilings which make if feel more open and full of light than most parking garages.

Light in the ceiling show whether spots are occupied or open, which should make it much easier to find spots.

Lights in the ceiling show whether spots are occupied or open, which should make it much easier to find spots.

The lights weren't working correctly when I visited, but I'm sure they will work soon.

The lights weren’t working correctly when I visited, but I’m sure they will work soon.

The elevator banks are clearly marked.

The elevator banks are clearly marked.

Like much of the garage, not everything was quite finished with the elevators.

Like much of the garage, not everything was quite finished with the elevators.

There were plenty of escalators to move between the levels of the parking garage.

There were plenty of escalators to move between the levels of the parking garage.

Do you like the new parking garage at Disney Springs?