The Orlando parks have been attracting young and old for generations. Millions of visitors from all over the world come here to Florida to get their fill of souvenir photos with Disney characters, experience the thrilling roller coasters of Universal Studios and take a trip to the moist, verdant Everglades.
Among the many parks that the area offers, surrounded by impressive hotels and resorts with amenities for all families, there is Disney Springs, a complex full of options for dining and shopping. For those who have already been to Orlando, you may know it as Downtown Disney, Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, Walt Disney World Village or Disney Village Marketplace. I’ll ignore the reason for the name change every ten years (since 1975) because there is more to focus on: the myriad of restaurants, stores and things to do.
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Where is it and how to get there
Disney Springs, the Downtown of Disney World, is located about 10 miles from Magic Kingdom and about 15 miles from Universal Studios. Parking is free, while valet parking (the service that includes valet) costs $20. If you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, the shuttle to Disney Springs is free. If you’re in downtown Orlando to get there it will take about 25 minutes by car (remember to check out our tips on renting a car).
Things to Do at Disney Springs
Walk around, listen to music and check out the latest movies coming out. Disney Springs is divided into four areas:
- Marketplace
- The Landing
- Town Center
- West Side.
The former was built in the American Craftsman style of the 1930s and boasts numerous stores and restaurants, including the T-Rex Cafe, which has a giant mechanical dinosaur inside (kids will love it!). The Landing is a nautical-inspired area, a style reflected in the stores and restaurants, the largest and most famous of which is the Paddlefish, which not surprisingly resembles a ship; Town Center serves as the business center of the fictional town of Disney Springs, while West Side is famous for its AMC Disney Springs 24 movie theater. In the latter, the cinema of the AMC chain, you can see the latest films released and enjoy the Dine-In experience: sit down, order dishes to share, sandwiches or desserts and they will be brought to your seat to enjoy them while you enjoy the film.
Other things to do and see at Disney Springs include Exposition Park which is a series of food trucks and live performances by DJs and bands; music lovers can’t miss the House of Blues to eat in the company of live performances surrounded by cozy wooden interiors, but also the Marketplace Stage, an outdoor stage where various artists perform.
If you’re more into Latin rhythms, Paradiso 37 is for you as it also offers a menu with as many as 75 different types of tequila; there’s no shortage of big beer and dancing at Raglan Road Live Music and bowling lanes at Splitsville Luxury Lanes. To experience the thrill of a hot air balloon ride at more than 120 feet in the air, rely on the Aerophile, built in France and capable of seating 29 passengers. The cost per adult is $20, and $15 for children (3-8). Arrive before 10 a.m. and you’ll pay for tickets at a reduced price of $10.
The latest addition is the immersive Star Wars attraction (tickets here), a must-see for fans and non-fans alike (to whom I also point out the respective Star Wars movie sets in California). For hours and information on the other attractions visit the official website.
Places to Eat at Disney Springs: Some of the Best Restaurants
There are more than 50 restaurants to choose from and the options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour are endless. Below are some of the most popular and distinctive:
- The Edison: High ceilings, house cocktails and great food. This is one of the most architecturally beautiful restaurants thanks to the soft lighting and industrial style.
- D-Luxe Burger: for sandwich lovers this is the place to be. Locally made sauces and fries and a slew of homemade milkshakes will remind you how much you love this food!
- Raglan Road Irish Pub: Live music, beer and unpretentious food in true Irish style.
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin‘: Fancy trying a dish created by Oprah’s former personal chef? The prices are slightly higher than the other restaurants (main courses between 25$ and 30$), but the quality is correspondingly higher.
- Dockside Margaritas: for refreshment, try a margarita ($11-$13) at this casual bar overlooking Buena Vista Cove.
Disney Springs Shopping
From Disney-themed stores to the most popular brands, it will be hard not to stop in front of the windows. There are so many and it would be impossible to list them all, but we feel like recommending a few in particular:
- World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney store
- Build-A-Dino, a store that will make the little ones happy because they can “build” their own plush dinosaur by stuffing it with clothes and accessories
- Star Wars Galactic Outpost: a reference point for Star Wars fans in the area, where you will find gadgets of all kinds inspired by the George Lucas saga
- The Lego Store, the store dedicated to fans of the little brick, you will easily spot it thanks to the great Disney characters all built strictly in Lego … and you can pull up yours!
- Disney Design a Tee, here’s where to customize your T-shirt with your favorite Disney character and custom writing
- Disney Photopass Service Studio, the place to take a picture with your favorite background
- Lefty’s, the lefty store, we’ve told you about it before, can’t remember where? Check out our article on Pier 39 in San Francisco.
Where to Stay in the Area
