Too often overlooked as just a collection of standard shops and restaurants, Disney Springs offers so much more.
Formally known as Downtown Disney, the area has recently been subject to a 3 year, multi-million dollar overhaul on an epic scale. The result is a fabulous destination comprising 4 main areas. Each houses a wide selection of eateries, outlets and/or entertainment venues.
It's somewhere we always enjoy spending time, especially when taking a break from the parks, so I've put together a guide to this lively location, including some of our best-loved spots.
Disney Springs Shopping
High Street names
Shopping fans will love the variety on offer at Disney Springs. With focuses on fashion, jewellery, beauty, toys and homeware, you'll find many high street names. These include Superdry, Levi's, Zara, Sephora, UGG, Vera Bradley, Pandora, and MAC Cosmetics, alongside more specialised boutiques.
Even those less keen on a shopping expedition around the various outlets (yes, we have a couple in our family), enjoy visiting some of the shops. We just have to be selective on which ones.
Disney merchandise
Our personal favourite is the recently extended and refurbished World of Disney Store. Kids will love the spitting Stitch above the main entrance. It's fun to watch them squeal with laughter as they attempt to dodge intermittent jets of water squirting from Stitch's mouth.
Once inside the store, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time browsing the wall to wall Disney merchandise. There's a huge array of: toys, games, clothing, ears, accessories, homeware, pins, jewellery, pictures and various other collectables.
It's probably no coincidence this is also where you're required to collect your Disney Gift Card, if one is included in your holiday package. The biggest challenge is making it back out again with the card still fully charged.
If you can't find what you're looking for in World of Disney, there are a number of smaller Disney boutiques situated in the Marketplace area.
The Art of Disney sells Disney prints and figurines. Next door in Disney's Wonderful World of Memories, you can purchase personalised souvenirs, including Disney character hats.
It's Christmas everyday at Disney's Days of Christmas, where you'll find a number of festive decorations and homeware. More kitchenware is available at the nearby Mickey's Pantry. And for any Disney Pin collectors, there's also a large pin store in this vicinity.
Lego Store
For us, a trip to Disney Springs wouldn't be complete without a visit to the large Lego store. Here you can marvel at some of the amazing creations situated around the outside and inside the store. Kids will love the chance to have their photograph taken alongside some life-size Disney favourites Lego figures, as well as get creative at the play tables.
Inside the store, there's a Lego pick-n-mix. Plus the opportunity to admire and purchase the latest Lego sets.
Snack shopping
For those whose preferred momento is food, I recommend a trip to Goofy's Candy Company. You can almost feel the sugar rush as you step over the threshold to be greeted with their enticing displays of sweet offerings. Counters are crammed with Mickey Apples, cakes, cookies and rice krispie treats.
Something we always enjoy whilst here is the 'Create your own' snack option. Choose from a marshmallow, gingerbread cookie or Mickey shaped rice krispie base. Then select your preferred chocolate dipping sauce, topping and chocolate drizzle, before watching the Cast Members bring your chosen treat together right in front of your eyes.
The best part about this, is that the snacks are included on the Disney Dining Plan. It's a great use of a snack credit, and we've certainly had fun designing different variations over the years.
More Disney inspired sweet snacks can be found at Candy Cauldron. And again, many of these are can be purchased using Disney Dining Snack Credits.
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop is a must visit for chocolate fans. Whereas cake lovers with adore the array of cupcakes on offer at Sprinkles. For added fun, you can even order and collect your treat via a specialised Cupcake ATM. Of course we had to have a go at this when purchasing a Sprinkles cupcake with, well, with sprinkles on.
Coca-Cola Store & Rooftop Bar
Another somewhat unique venture is the huge Disney Springs Coca-Cola Store. Here you'll find 2 floors of Coca-Cola branded merchandise to peruse, as well as the chance to meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. However, it's highlight is the 3rd floor rooftop bar selling the largest selection of Coca-Cola produce we've ever seen.
Alongside well known favourites such as classic Coca-Cola, Cherry Coke, Sprite and Fanta Orange, you can also try Fanta Pineapple, Fanta Grape and Fanta Blue. There's also Powerade Fruit Punch, VegitaBeta and Bibo Kiwi Mango, plus many more.
The Freestyle Experience is great value. For between $3 - $3.75, you can help yourself to 5 refills from the Freestyle dispensing machine within an hour of purchase. The hardest part is deciding which ones to choose.
There's more sampling to indulge in with the Coca-Cola Tastes of the World trays. We ordered the Float Tray which held 8 different variations. These included Coca-Cola, Cherry Coke, Sprite, Fanta Grape, Fanta Orange, Pibb Extra, Barq's Red Creme and Barq's Rootbeer, all served with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream on top. As you would expect, some we favoured more than others, but it was fun to try.
The floats are also available to buy as larger individual drinks, alongside tea, coffees, cocktails and alcoholic smoothies.
Drink experiences aside, another reason to visit the Coca-Cola rooftop bar is for the fabulous view over Disney Springs.
Dining at Disney Springs
There's certainly no shortage of eateries at Disney Springs. As well as the various snack outlets, you'll find an array of Counter Service and Table Service Restaurants. Some of which are relatively new to the complex as a result of the renovations.
Counter Service
One of our favourite counter service locations, Wolfgang Puck Express, didn't reopen after the pandemic, which is a real shame. However, you can still enjoy their fabulous food at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill table service restaurant located nearby.
We shall miss the delicious pizzas we used to order from the counter service restaurant. But luckily, this gap will be filled by Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza.
Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza
Dining at Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza provides the opportunity to build your own 11-inch pizza from a choice of over 40 toppings.
Signature pizzas are also available from the menu, two of which we selected during our 2017 trip.
It was hard to decide which one we preferred between the BBQ Chicken with mozzarella, red onion & peppers or the Red Vine Pizza. Which is a simple yet delicious combination of mozzarella, tomatoes, parmesan and basil.
All meals are cooked to order, meaning you may be subject to a wait, but we deemed it was worth it.
YeSake
For healthier options, head to YeSake. This Japenese street food kiosk provides outdoor seating, plus the chance to build your own flour tortilla wrap, rice or noodle bowl. You can add tuna, chicken, salmon, beef or shrimp , then select from a wide choice of vegetables and other toppings, plus a sauce.
We had a quick bite to eat here one evening, the food was pretty good.
Other Disney Springs Counter Service locations which gain good reviews are B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. which is perfect for hot dog fans. There's a barbecue happening at The Polite Pig, and Cookes of Dublin is recommended for their fish & chips. If you're looking for a good burger, D-Luxe Burgers is the place to head to.
Table Service
We haven't eaten at a Table Service restaurant in Disney Springs since our very first trip in 2012, when our choices were Planet Hollywood and T-REX.
Planet Hollywood was a big disappointment with it's awful service and average food, whereas the lively atmosphere, great service and tasty meals at T-REX made for a fabulous evening.
T-REX
The menu at T-REX is pretty standard American fare. Soups, salads, burgers, pasta, steak and chicken, but it's the unique themeing which sets it apart from some of the other restaurants. Dinosaur fans will love the animatronic creatures and fossils dotted around the various rooms. With clever lighting effects and even an intermittent meteor shower adding to the enjoyment.
I can recommend ordering the impressive Chocolate Extinction dessert, which the kids still talk about.
Before you consider booking a table at T-REX, it's worth knowing that all the fun effects make it an extremely loud and lively restaurant.
Although we haven't eaten here, there's more entertainment to be found at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. Whereas if you're seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, I've heard good reports of the food at Morimoto Asia and Paddlefish.
Entertainment
With the closing of Disney Quest in 2017, one of Disney Springs most popular entertainment locations disappeared. It has now been redeveloped into an NBA themed venue, which opened in Summer 2019. Here you can put your basketball skills to the test whilst experiencing the thrill of what becoming a basketball player entails.
If basketball isn't your thing, there are plenty of alternatives. Discover live shows at Cirque du Soleil La Nouba and House of Blues Music Hall. You can also watch the latest movies at AMC, try your hand a bowling in Splitsville Luxury Lanes or cruise along the water in the Vintage Amphicar & Italian Water Taxi Tours.
Youngsters may enjoy a ride on the Marketplace Carousel or the Marketplace Train. And of course, there's also the iconic Disney Balloon Flight.
Getting to Disney Springs
Despite it being situated at one end of the Walt Disney World site, Disney Springs is still relatively easy to get to.
For guests staying at a Disney Resort, there are complimentary buses which drop off in the central location, near the Coca-Cola Store.
If you're lucky enough to be staying in one of Walt Disney World's Disney Spring Area Hotels (Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs), a fabulous way to travel is by water taxi. This leisurely trip along the waterways, disembarks at the Marketplace Dock. Boats leave approximately every 15-20 minutes and travel throughout the day and evening between the resorts and Disney Springs.
Saratoga Springs is the nearest Walt Disney Resort to Disney Springs, so if you don't want to wait for the boat, there's a walkway you can use instead.
If you're planning to travel by car, Disney Springs has 2 large car parks, Lime and Orange. Lime is the most convenient for the Marketplace area, bringing you out near the World of Disney store. Whereas Orange is better for those guests wishing to be closer to the cinema (AMC), Cirque du Soleil or the Coca-Cola Store.
However you wish to travel, we highly recommend a visit to Disney Springs during your Walt Disney World trip. Whether it's for shopping, eating or the entertainment, Disney Springs is a great location, with so much that appeals to all ages. The perfect place to visit if you're having a break from the fun in the parks.
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