A great Disney vacation could be done without ever setting foot in a theme park.
For example, you could spend your days at a Disney Resort Hotel like the Caribbean Beach, vibing by the pool and having a drink with a tiny umbrella.
Maybe golf or rent a Disney chartered boat and do a little fishing.
Then, spend your evenings at Disney Springs with a little shopping and live entertainment.
I don’t think I could be that close to the parks and not go in, but maybe one of these years I’ll do a Disney Springs vacation all by itself. With so many things to do, it’s certainly possible.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
To see a list of current area deals, discounts and offers!
Is it free to get into Disney Springs?
It is free to get in, but good luck getting back out without spending a good portion of your vacation budget.
Is there a lot of walking at Disney Springs?
It depends on how you do it. Disney Springs covers about 120 acres and has about 150 venues – which include shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
If you’re going to check out everything? Yeah. It’s a pretty good bit of walking.
However, if you know what you want, it’s not bad. For instance, on our last trip, we went straight from the parking garages to the World of Disney Store, walked over to Paddlefish for dinner and then strolled over to the LEGO Store and the rest of the east side.
If you want to avoid walking, it’s best to have a plan.
What attractions are at Disney Springs?
It’s mostly shopping, live music, entertainment and dining.
Among other things, Disney Springs is a first-rate entertainment complex. Let’s list some of the best things to do while visiting Disney Springs:
1. Vintage Amphicar & Italian Water Taxi Tours
For $125 per car, you can take a 20-minute guided tour – driven by your captain – on the waters of Lake Buena Vista while riding in a vintage Amphicar.
The Amphicar is a rare amphibious vehicle that can drive on land and float on water.
Read Also: Amphicar Disney Springs: Tips & How To Book It for $100
2. Aerophile tethered helium balloon
This is a ride that takes you up 40 feet over Disney Springs.
3. Kiddie rides
If you’re looking for something that’s along the speed of your little ones, there’s also Marketplace Carousel and the Marketplace Train Express for kids.
While it’s not a ride, Disney Springs also has a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where the little princesses in your life can come and get a Disney-style makeover without going into the Magic Kingdom. This shop remains temporarily unavailable but could return at some point.
4. Go see a movie
While AMC is not necessarily unique to Disney Springs, it is a nice theater (photo by James Overholt/HeyOrlando.com)
5. Go bowling
Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a great little bowling alley. They also offer drinks and snacks.
6. See a show
Disney has partnered with the Canadian Avant-garde circus act Cirque Du Soleil by presenting Drawn to Life – a magical show that brings Disney characters from animation to life in a live stage show.
And in addition to concerts at several outdoor music venues, you have live music at the House of Blues, Stargazers Live Entertainment, The Edison Live Entertainment and Paradiso 37 Entertainment.
Does Disney Springs have good shopping?
I don’t want to oversell it, but Disney Springs has great shopping in various categories. Let’s start with merchandise stores:
7. Once Upon a Toy
It’s a whimsical shop featuring hard-to-find collectibles, board games, puzzles, plush and more.
8. Disney Pin Traders
Here you can remember your favorite Disney characters, attractions, parks or shows with pins that capture each magical moment.
It’s perfect for those already in the pin trading hobby or looking to get started.
9. Disney’s Days of Christmas
This Christmas store is your year-round shop for Disney Christmas ornaments, decorations and more. Also, the air conditioning in this shop on the east side is EXCEPTIONAL.
10. Star Wars Trading Post & Star Wars Galactic Outpost
Yes, Disney Springs has two Star Wars-related stores in addition to Star Wars sections in World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy.
Disney Springs is the place to go for fans who want Star Wars merch without getting tickets for Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
11. World of Disney
The largest Disney store in the world has toys, clothes, candy and treats plus all manner of souvenirs, Disney merchandise and more.
12. Coca-Cola Store
Modeled after a 1920s bottling plant, Coca-Cola Store Orlando located in the Town Center offers unique branded merchandise from the world’s most iconic beverage brand, including apparel, accessories, home goods, souvenirs, gifts and more.
In addition, guests can meet and snap pics with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear on the second level or head to the rooftop beverage bar for an array of refreshing beverages while enjoying panoramic views of Disney Springs.
13. M&M’s Store
Located on Disney Spring’s west side, the M&M’s store offers its signature chocolate wall, photo ops with loveable, life-size characters and plenty of sweet M&M’s moments to discover.
Certainly, it’s a great place to get a unique gift, including custom M&M’s.
Also, you can keep your purchases at the store until you’re ready to leave so they won’t melt in the Florida heat.
14. The LEGO Store
Check out the cool LEGO builds or get the sets you need to build your wildest Disney dreams. You can also build your very own Minifigure.
15. Goofy’s Candy Company
This is a fun place to go if you’re looking for fudge, gourmet cotton candy and more.
16. Disney’s Candy Cauldron
It’s sweet treats and a show. You can see how the treats are made – from cake pops, cookies and cupcakes to candies of every color, shape and size.
The shop also stocks flavored popcorn and intricately decorated Disney candy apples.
17. The Ganachery
This specialty shop is known for its custom-blended dark and milk chocolate ganache.
There’s also a fine selection of other treats to indulge in or pick up as delicious gifts.
You might be asking about Gideon’s Bakehouse here, but I decided to include that among the restaurants.
18. Orlando Harley-Davidson
Several of the shops here at Disney Springs have no discernable connection to Disney other than this is a place where people come who have money and people who have money might like to buy Harley Davidson merch.
19. Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
Did you come to Disney to select from an impeccable collection of the world’s most coveted designer watches and fine jewelry?
Here’s your spot.
20. Corkcicle at Disney Springs
This purveyor of tumblers and coolers with high-performance insulation, functionality and gorgeous colors that elevate every sip of your drink is included here for the sole reason that I misread this shop’s name and am briefly bewildered every time I see it only to forget that it exists and then be bewildered all over again the next time.
But, it’s a popular shop if you like the Corkcicle brand.
21. Levi’s
When I think of a Central Florida vacation, I think of jeans.
Does Disney Springs have good dining?
The dining at Disney Springs ranges from tourist trap cafes like the dinosaur-themed T-Rex or jungle-themed Rainforest Cafe to insanely good fine dining experiences to excellent niche sweet shops and fantastic food trucks.
Here are some of the best places to eat:
22. Local Green Orlando Food Truck
Style: Quick service
Enjoy a healthy alternative to fast food at Local Green Orlando Food Truck, featuring delicious American dishes made with nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables.
The mostly plant-based menu includes dishes that are inspired by some of the South’s top musical acts.
23. Pepe by José Andrés
Style: Quick service
Award-winning celebrity Chef José Andrés beckons you with a menu of flavorful comfort food that celebrates the authentic tastes of his native country.
24. 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
Style: Quick service
Does your town have a Barbacoa food truck? If not, get to this place right now.
Brought to you by the folks behind the award-winning, Florida-based 4 Rivers Smokehouse, this fresh concept features flavor-forward street food gleaned from the founder’s culinary adventures, including beef birria dishes.
You’ll find signature dishes made with 4 Rivers meats like tender brisket and delicious pulled pork, but classically prepared using traditional “barbacoa” techniques – barbecue-style cooking methods that originated in the Caribbean and were perfected in Mexico.
25. Raglan Road Irish Pub
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
Aim for the weekend brunch at this classic taste of the Emerald Isle.
26. Paddlefish
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
This is a family tradition. We love Paddlefish and its excellent menu designed by executive chef Steve Richard. The seafood menu features a daily catch, seafood boils, king crab, scallops and even filet mignon.
The stuffed lobster is my wife Leslie’s favorite. I’m a sucker for the crab cake app, a cup of chowder and the scallops – served with cauliflower puree, haricots verts (green beans) and a honey saffron vinaigrette.
27. Morimoto Asia
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto gives his take on Pan-Asian cuisine. It’s wonderful.
28. Boathouse
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
I’m no marketer but I’m not sure the folks at the Boathouse are doing themselves any favors by declaring extra-fresh fish. Extra fresh? Look, it’s exceptionally prepared fish. Was it swimming yesterday? Who knows?
That said, they also have an out-of-this-world raw bar, steak, chops, pasta and other options. It’s fantastic.
29. Wine Bar George
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
Select from 140 wines by bottle or glass and dine with small plates like hummus, meatballs or pork belly.
Or you can order family-style dishes like skirt steak or sea bass that will feed two to four diners.
30. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Style: Table service (reservations recommended)
This restaurant features Southern comfort food favorites from award-winning celebrity chef Art Smith. The fried green tomatoes are done right.
They also feature fried chicken, barbecued pork chop, shrimp and grits.
These Southern classics are elevated to the perfect combination of fine dining and down-home eating.
31. Vivoli il Gelato
Style: Dessert
Is there anything better on a warm night than a great gelato?
32. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
Style: Dessert
Here you can enjoy a warm, handmade donut and a refreshing cold brewed coffee in a classic donut shop where “Happiness is Glazed Daily!”
33. Amorette’s Patisserie
Style: Dessert
Amorette means “little love” in French but to me, there’s a whole lotta love in the work of this confectionery, from showstopping cakes to savory crêpes.
Read Also: The Best Disney Springs Desserts, Top 10 Ranked
34. Gideon’s Bakehouse
Style: Dessert
Orlando’s very own Gideon’s Bakehouse is best known for its ingredient-rich, from-scratch “almost half-pound” cookies that take over 24 hours to create.
Prepare to experience flavors ranging from their celebrated Original Chocolate Chip to the delicious Pistachio Toffee.
What Disney resorts are near Disney Springs?
If you’re looking to stay close to the action in a Walt Disney World Resort, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West resorts are close to Disney Springs in addition to a handful of affiliate hotels that are not Disney operated but enjoy some Disney-related perks.
Is Disney Springs the same thing as Downtown Disney?
Disney Springs is Downtown Disney 2.0, the upgraded version. Disney Springs is now a cosplay town, pretending to be a real berg that sprung up around the fictional Disney Springs.
Can you do Disney Springs in one day?
It depends on how much you want to do and see. You can get a good feel for what Disney Springs offers in one day.
But if you want to try everything Disney Springs offers, you’ll have to come back several times for the different shops, restaurants, kiosks and treat stands.
Heck, just sampling the various entertainment venues can be a lot.
What are your favorite things to do and eat at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments.
