What Do You Need to Know about Disney Springs?
When you’re relatively new to Walt Disney World, some aspects may not make sense.
For instance, what’s the difference between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Frequent guests know the answer, but many people don’t.
We take some aspects of Disney trips for granted. So, let’s go back to the basics in case you don’t know some parts of the Disney campus.
What do you need to know about Disney Springs? Good question!
What Is Disney Springs?
You can think of this like any other entertainment district. Disney hosts countless stores and restaurants at Disney Springs.
You’ll also find plenty of entertainment options, some of which are unique for Central Florida.
Of course, conceptualizing an entertainment district isn’t that easy to do. So, I always tell friends to think of Disney Springs as several blocks of outlet malls.
There’s a difference, though. Outlet malls lure in customers with the promise of good deals. Here you’re paying more for major brands.
That’s the key part here. Disney Springs doesn’t just sell Disney merchandise. On the contrary, companies like Coach, Coca-Cola, Lego, and Harley-Davidson (!) operate shops here.
Yes, you can buy Legos and a motorcycle during the same visit. It’s surreal. Disney Springs is like if the internet were a real place.
In fact, I think of the place as equal parts mall food court and classy Amazon warehouse. You can find anything you could possibly want here.
This Disney Complex also features Imagineering theming, although I’ll level with you. Only diehard Disney enthusiasts can explain the details of the theming.
For everyone else, all that matters are the basics. Disney Springs includes four different sections: The Landing, Marketplace, Town Center, and West Side.
My standard advice for friends is to hang out in one section as much as possible. Disney Springs covers 1.83 miles if you walk the entire property.
Should you backtrack, something that’s hard to avoid, you’ll expend that much more effort…and Walt Disney World requires enough walking as is!
What Can You Do at Disney Springs?
Okay, we’re opening a whole can of worms with this question. I could legitimately list dozens of entertainment options.
However, let’s divide the list into the most celebrated activities. For starters, you can watch a Cirque du Soleil show called Drawn to Life. It looks like this:
Okay, fine. It’s actually this:
Presuming you’re not afraid of heights, you can also take a magical balloon ride at Aerophile.
For those who want a more active experience, you can bowl at Splitsville!
Then again, if you don’t want to bowl, you can just eat here and watch one of the dozens of televisions. It’s a sports bar with a sport thrown in for good measure.
Perhaps the most memorable activity involves sailing…and driving. The BOATHOUSE, a restaurant with a nautical theme, operates Amphicars.
Here’s what these vehicles look like:
Yes, you’ll feel like James Bond as you drive off the road into the water…without needing to call 911.
By the way, you’ll discover some more basic activities at Disney Springs, too. For example, there’s a popular movie theater, the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In.
You can enjoy dinner and a show here, as the stadium seats include at-seat meal delivery. If you’ve never tried this, it adds a ton to the movie experience.
Is There Any Free Entertainment?
Okay, I can see why you would wonder that. Many of the options I just mentioned aren’t free…or even cheap. For example, that Amphicar ride costs more than $100 per person.
Thankfully, you can find free entertainment at Disney Springs. In fact, troubadours often perform on the weekends and sometimes even on weekdays.
You can watch a singer-songwriter play their own music or often a personal spin on classic hits, some of which are Disney songs!
Dancers and drummers sometimes appear as well. Frankly, you never quite know what you’ll find music-wise during a Disney Springs visit.
In addition, paid performers appear at several restaurants in the area. At The Edison, acrobats perform mesmerizing gymnastics routines. Or a band plays.
Speaking of which, Planet Hollywood often features live entertainment, as does House of Blues.
Raglan Road hosts a Lord of the Dance-style presentation with people’s legs flailing about as if independent of their bodies. It’s pretty great.
At the restaurants, you may need to be a paying customer to watch the shows. It depends on the place and where the band is playing. Just ask if you’re not sure.
Shopping and Dining at Disney Springs
Look, you know how mall strips work. You roam around, aimlessly wandering into various stores.
At Disney Springs, you’ll find enough Disney merchandise to fill up your home and maybe a storage locker or two.
For Disney fans, World of Disney feels like the ultimate shopping destination. However, you’ll find oh so much more here.
I already listed several unlikely establishments at Disney Springs. Others include Uniqlo, Vera Bradley, and Volcom. Some come from earlier in the alphabet, too!
You can roam the aisles of Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Alex and Ani, LACOSTE, Levi’s, Oakley, and Pandora Jewelry.
Frankly, your greatest danger at Disney Springs is wiping out your bank account in one joyous shopping spree!
In between giant bags of gear, you should try the various restaurants.
Disney enthusiasts know that only the World Showcase rivals Disney Springs when it comes to Orlando dining options.
Even better, the options will satisfy any budget. There’s a food truck court and several counter service options available here.
I highly recommend Chicken Guy! and D-Luxe Burger, while my wife would lie and try to tell you that The Daily Poutine sells great poutine dishes. No, great poutine dishes don’t exist.
Anyway, the smartest Disney fans know where to find the best bang for the buck, which is Earl of Sandwich. It’s a five-star restaurant with one-star prices.
Of course, you may want to spend time savoring the best that Disney Springs has to offer.
These Table Service restaurants include Terralina Crafted Italian, Morimoto Asia, Paradiso 37, and Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’.
Anyone willing to bump up their budget for a special occasion will find high-end options like The BOATHOUSE, Paddlefish, and STK Steakhouse.
Frankly, there’s something for everyone at Disney Springs, and that’s what makes it so great!
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Instagram/disneysprings@sirjamesphoto)