Chasing EverAfter

Our breakdown and review of Disney’s district

When people think of Disney, often their thoughts jump right to the parks. The outdoor adventures of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, drinking around the world in Epcot, Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios, and the dazzling display of Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. However, while Disney Springs may not be at the forefront of one’s mind when considering their Disney trip, it often becomes a highlight for many and has become a must do for most Disney vacations. We’re happy to provide our breakdown of Disney’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district as well as some insight on our favorite spots in the Springs!

Disney Springs is broken into four separate sections, Town Center, The Landing, Westside, and Marketplace, with Town Center being a central hub and primary entrance. Each section has its own vibe and atmosphere, with the Landing focusing heavily on dining and beautiful water views, Westside being a more modern and entertainment focused area, and Marketplace offering family friendly stores, attractions, and snacks, such as Goofy’s Candy Company, where you’ll find an array of sweet treats (and even be able to design your own) or Marketplace Snacks and their selection of sundae filled bubble waffles.

Disney Springs is both free to enter and offers free parking, and while you’ll certainly find plenty of shopping and dining options to spend that Disney cash on, there are also plenty of sights to see and free entertainment that can make coming to Disney Springs feel like a park day without the cost of a park ticket. Some of the entertainment options include live music at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage, being serenaded by the Strolling Piano, building your own designs at the LEGO Imagination Center (a free play zone for kids – and kids at heart,) photo opportunities with larger than life creations and statues of some of your favorite Disney characters, as well as plenty of window shopping and beautiful water views. If you’re willing to pay to see more, you can enjoy incredible experiences like Cirque Du Soleil, riding through Lake Buena Vista in a Vintage Amphicar tour, or seeing Disney Springs like never before by taking a ride in Aerophile, a tethered helium balloon.

Beyond the plentiful opportunities to enjoy entertainment, Disney Springs is also home to many different dining opportunities, offering snacks, quick service, and table service options with enough variety to satisfy any craving. Looking for something sweet and cold to beat the Florida heat? Swing over to Swirls on the Water to get your Dole Whip fix. Maybe you’re looking for something savory? Try the Chicken Guy and their collection of signature sauces. Seeking that caffeine pick-me-up to carry you through the day? Head on over to Joffery’s Coffee & Tea Company, where you can get custom art designs on the top of your latte. And if it’s a memorable experience you’re after, try Raglan Road, where you can have a great meal while enjoying live Irish music and river dancers, or head to The Boathouse to feast on seafood while relaxing by the lake.

Disney Springs also offers great dining options for families with small children, with exciting and over the top themed restaurants such as Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex (think Rainforest Cafe, but with dinosaurs,) and Planet Hollywood, where your kids can jam out to their favorite Disney songs while you indulge your inner child with out of this world shakes and Cap’n Crunch crusted chicken tenders. While these may not be pure Disney experiences, they do offer plenty of fun for your kids while they enjoy the music or watching the animal and dinosaur animatronics come to life, and they come at a price that doesn’t drown your wallet in regret.

When it comes to shopping, Disney Springs hits all the marks. From art galleries, jewelry stores, and clothiers, to toy stores, gift shops, and plenty of Disney themed speciality outlets, like Disney Ever After, where you can create your own headband with different Disney characters to pick from in your design. The pinnacle of this all comes together in the well known World of Disney, a massive and eye-catching retailer that is actually the largest Disney merchandise store in the world. Filled with all types of souvenirs, apparel, home goods, and more, World of Disney is the ultimate stop for anyone looking to bring a little magic home with them. You can also find more common retail outlets as well, such as the LEGO store, Columbia Sportswear, Vera Bradley, and many more. All in all, Disney Springs consists of over 100 shops and over 50 dining options, making it a go-to destination for anyone from their first time to a seasoned Disney adult.

So if you’re planning a Disney trip and looking for a recommendation, we would absolutely say Disney Springs is a must do. While you’re there, consider checking out some of our favorite go-to spots, including Gideon’s Bakehouse, a delicious bakery with incredible cakes and cookies among other options. A pro tip – if you’re planning to head to Gideon’s, consider making it your first stop in the morning, as lines fill up fast and you may be waiting a while to enter the bakery. Trust us though, the cookies and cakes are worth the wait, and their cold brew coffees are pretty impressive as well.

For a dining option that never disappoints, The Polite Pig is a highly rated quick service that offers an incredible selection of smoked meats and BBQ (did the name give it away?) as well as a bourbon bar and a wide variety of craft cocktails. Recognized on the Michelin guide, The Polite Pig is owned by award winning chefs James and Julie Petrakis and has steadily grown into a must try destination for many. We’ve enjoyed The Polite Pig on multiple occasions and it has quickly become one of our favorite eats in the Springs. We would personally recommend the Butcher Board for Two, which will give you a well rounded taste of the menu. For drinks, the Pigsty is both delicious and comes with an adorable little pig on top (yours to keep) and the Grapefruit Margarita is the perfect refresher under the sun. Plus, did we already mention the bourbon bar? (We know we did, but it’s worth mentioning twice!)

And finally, if you’re looking for a little extra fun and a way to commemorate your trip, consider heading over to the Disney PhotoPass Studio, where you can get magical photos taken by the same professional photographers that work in the parks. Whether it’s a fun shot flying through London on your way to Neverland, getting the scare meter filled to power Monstropolis, or having a dream in the Snuggly Duckling, this is sure to be a hit with your whole party.

From dining and shopping to entertainment and sightseeing, Disney Springs truly has something for everyone. It has become such a popular attraction with our family, that even when we’re in Florida for trips that have nothing to do with the house of mouse, we still take a day to head over, grab a bite, and feel that Disney magic. So if you find yourself in the Orlando area, whether you’re there for your next Disney trip or any other reason, be sure to spend a day exploring and enjoying all the Springs has to offer; we’re sure you won’t be disappointed!