By Lauren Tjaden
Disney Springs® in Orlando promises 103 eclectic shops, pavilions and pop-ups; 63 ways to dine that range from quick service eateries to sit-down delights; and an astounding 22 attractions, shows and events, including live entertainment, family-friendly amusement and late-night fun for adults.
The Drawn to Life show is guaranteed to make your imagination soar, combining classic Disney animation with the unmatched spectacle of Cirque du Soleil; Anthropologie, a boho-chic emporium, tempts visitors with casual attire, diverse jewelry and striking home décor; and Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, a superb trattoria with top reviews, invites you to splurge on authentic Italian cuisine.
Here are just a few of the fun things to do at Disney Springs®, plus some tips to help plan your getaway.
DISNEY SPRINGS® BASICS
This themed retail, dining and entertainment center is inspired by the Sunshine State’s charismatic waterside villages, historic building style, and unaffected splendor. Centered around effervescent springs, the expansive promenade encompasses four distinct sections, which are The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center. To help you get around, check out this Disney Springs® map and these frequently asked questions about parking, security, transportation and more.
SHOPPING
With fashion and sportswear, beauty and health supplies, jewelry and accessories, home décor and specialty gifts, and toys and games, Disney Springs® delivers spree-worthy shopping of all kinds. Check out these popular Disney Springs® stores:
World of Disney Store
Here's the go-to place to find the world's largest collection of Disney merchandise -- from apparel, Mickey ears, and home decor to pins, plush toys, and souvenirs.
Fashion Savvy Stores
Discover trendy treasures and timeless classics at iconic stores like Kate Spade New York®, heralded for upscale collections in modern color palettes; Lucky Brand, the undisputed master of street style; and Ron Jon Surf Shop®, a legend for beach, surf, sand and skate wear. Here’s a list of fashion and sportswear shops at Disney Springs®.
Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories
Disney-themed costume jewelry, accessories and apparel are certain to charm fashionistas at this enchanted store.
Face Painting Kiosk by Enjoy Your Face
Who- or what—do you want to be today? Let your imagination run wild and your face be the canvas as professional face painters turn you into a fairy, flower, butterfly, pirate or Super Hero. Want something edgy? Henna designs and temporary tattoos are also available.
More Magic
With more than 100 stores, Disney Springs is the ideal place to scoop up special treasures or to find the ideal outfit. Here’s a list of all Disney Springs® stores.
DINING
Bars and lounges! Carts and kiosks! Table service and quick service! Disney Springs® offers a feast of choices. Here are some Disney Springs® restaurants and dining options.
The Edison
Classic American cuisine, signature cocktails, an unusual design and live entertainment combine to make this industrial, gothic-themed eatery a hotspot. Fashioned to look like a deserted 1920s power plant, this vast, split-level space features seven well-defined dining and bar areas, waterfront balcony views, steampunk-inspired furnishings and a constant stream of unusual acts.
Wondering what to eat? You can’t go wrong with the famous DB 'Clothesline Candied Bacon,' a rich concoction festooned with maple, black pepper, fruit mostarda and sweet and spicy pickle, the signature burgers, or the Barolo Short Rib.
After the sun goes down, The Edison is a favorite for nightlife.
Amorette’s Patisserie
Indulge in edible works of art at this upscale, French-style confectionery. Stunning cakes, savory crêpes and perfect pastries all deliver a treat for both the eye and the pallet. It’s hard to miss, no matter what you order here. But the macaroons – which come in pistachio, espresso, caramel sea salt, chocolate, or passion fruit – are luscious, and sharable. Or not. Adults can pair their goodies with a glass of bubbly, since champagne and sparkling wine are sold by the bottle or glass.
The BOATHOUSE®
Super-fresh fish, an outstanding raw bar and steak are some of the temptations you’ll find on this upscale restaurant’s menu. Situated waterfront on Lake Buena Vista, the ambience is a good as the food, with brilliant sunsets, private and nautically themed dining rooms, harbormaster flag ceremonies throughout the day and nightly live entertainment. Cap off the evening with a sinful dessert, like the celebrated Baked Alaska. Even better, after your meal, climb aboard a vintage Amphicar—a rare amphibious vehicle that you can pilot on both land or water--for a 20-minute guided tour on Lake Buena Vista.
Chicken Guy!
Take your pick from 20 tantalizing varieties of house-made sauces, perfect for dipping -- or smothering -- quick bites like chicken tenders, skewers, and sandwiches, all teeming with celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s iconic flavors.
More Magic
The yummy adventures are just beginning: Frontera Cocina delivers a contemporary spin on traditional Mexican dishes from Chef Rick Bayless, a 7-time James Beard Foundation Award winner; Disney Food Trucks serve up gourmet street cuisine; and the highly-rated House of Blues® Restaurant & Bar is a watering hole featuring American favorites with a pinch of New Orleans.
But whatever you’re looking for, odds are you can find it at Disney Springs®.
Check out this list of all Disney Springs®® restaurants. You can filter the listings for the type of dining you’re looking for, like table or quick service; the meal, like breakfast, lunch or dinner; entertainment and more.
EXPERIENCES
Disney Springs® offers an extraordinary array of memorable happenings: Cirque du Soleil performances, character meet-and-greets, concerts, holiday galas, and even balloon flights. Here are some don’t-miss things to do at Disney Springs®®.
Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight
Your littlest adventurers can join in the fun when you take to the skies for an eight-minute tethered flight in the planet’s largest hand-painted helium balloon. Remember to bring a camera for the ultimate selfie: the views are spectacular at 400 feet high, and you can see up to 10 miles away on clear days.
Marketplace Train Express
Kick back and take a break while the kids delight in a short but sweet ride around a colorful loop in a choo-choo train.
Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney
Cirque du Soleil is in their own league: their acrobatics are mesmerizing and impossibly difficult, blended with staging that makes their shows vivid, utterly unique spectacles. When you add Disney Imagineering to the mix, the creative genius soars even further. Billed as ‘a love letter to the art of Disney animation,’ this production turns an animator’s desk into the stage where his drawings come to breathtaking life.
Coca-Cola® Polar Bear Photo Op Experience
Bear hugs are in order when your gang meets the Coca-Cola® Polar Bear, a super-cool, seven-foot-tall bundle of frosty fuzz who loves to pose for photos.
More Magic
You’ve just gotten started on the action at Disney Springs®: the House of Blues® Music Hall is an epic venue that showcases nationally known musicians as well as the hottest up-and-coming acts; and the Marketplace Carousel beckons with 16 handcrafted horses that jump or rock, as well as two ornate carriages, and a spinning teacup—a nod to Disney’s whimsy. Here’s a list of all of Disney Springs® entertainment.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND OFFERS
Pop-up shops, limited-time offerings and exclusive deals are everyday occurrences at Disney Springs®. Here’s a list of special events at Disney Springs® and a list of special offers to add some extra pixie dust to your visit.
Guest Services
Whether you need to rent a wheelchair or scooter, snag a map in another language, exchange foreign currency or get help finding a lost item, Disney Springs® has you covered. Check out Guest Services that can help make your trip seamles
PLACES TO REMEMBER
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