What’s at Disney Springs?
Disney Springs is a popular shopping, dining, and entertainment destination located within the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The area is home to over 120 stores, restaurants, and experiences that cater to visitors of all ages. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan your visit and make the most of your Disney Springs experience.
The Disney Springs Map
Before we dive into the details, let’s take a look at the Disney Springs map. The map provides an overview of the different areas of the complex, including:
- The West Side: This area features shops, restaurants, and experiences like The Land, The Polite Pig, and Columbia Harbour House.
- The East Side: This area is home to the entertainment venues like the United States Live Musical Exhibition, and the movie theater, AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres.
- The Marketplace: This area is dedicated to shopping and dining, with stores like Build-A-Bear Workshop and GameWorks.
Shopping and Dining
Disney Springs offers a wide range of shopping options, from high-end boutiques to affordable souvenir shops. Here are some highlights:
- Build-A-Bear Workshop: This popular store allows kids (and adults!) to create their own stuffed animal, choosing from a variety of themes and accessories.
- GameWorks: This entertainment venue features over 30 games, including bowling, laser tag, and a virtual reality experience.
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar: This themed bar serves up classic cocktails and appetizers, and is themed after the famous space smuggler from the Star Wars franchise.
- The Pinballz: This interactive pinball center offers over 20 games, each with its own unique theme and challenges.
- The Lobsta Roll: This casual restaurant serves up fresh seafood, including lobster rolls, fish sandwiches, and other comfort food classics.
Entertainment
Disney Springs offers a variety of entertainment options, including:
- The United States Live Musical Exhibition: This 10-minute musical performance features a talented cast of actors and actresses, showcasing Disney songs and dances.
- The Disney Primedia Experience: This immersive experience features characters and scenes from popular Disney movies and TV shows, such as The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.
- The Mouse Ear Workshop: This interactive experience allows visitors to create their own Disney-themed mouse ears, a fun and memorable souvenir.
Events and Activities
Disney Springs hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including:
- Disney Springs at Night: This nighttime spectacular features live music, street performers, and stunning fireworks displays.
- Fireworks: Disney Springs often hosts special fireworks displays, such as the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth celebration during the winter holiday season.
- Disney’s Very Merry Christmas Party: This annual party offers special decorations, character meet-and-greets, and exclusive experiences, including the Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s Holiday decorations.
Special Experiences
Disney Springs offers several special experiences, including:
- The Children’s activity Center: This interactive play area features activities like face painting, arts and crafts, and play structures for kids.
- Disney’s Kite-Ball: This interactive game features a giant kite that can be inflated and watched as it flies overhead.
- The Citizens Band Radio Station: This fun station allows visitors to contact other users of the Citizens Band Radio Station and send and receive messages.
Tabletop Games
Disney Springs features a number of tabletop games, including:
- Dragon Quest: This Japanese RPG-themed board game features a unique blend of strategy and role-playing elements.
- Gloomhaven: This cooperative game features a modular board and campaign of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.
- Ticket to Ride: This train-themed board game features a variety of routes and destinations to compete to build railroad networks.
Evening Dining
Disney Springs offers a variety of evening dining options, including:
- The Boathouse: This waterfront restaurant serves up seafood, steaks, and other American classics, with a focus on live music and dancing.
- The Polite Pig: This gastropub features a menu of BBQ favorites, including ribs, burgers, and sandwiches.
- Enzo’s Hideaway: This Italian restaurant serves up pasta, pizza, and other Italian classics, with a focus on fresh ingredients and homemade pasta.
Events at the Disney Springs Amphitheater
The Disney Springs Amphitheater hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including:
- IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: This nighttime fireworks display features a 20-minute display of music, fireworks, and projections.
- Disney’s Live Nation Concert Series: This series of concerts features a variety of artists and bands, including rock, pop, and country music.
- Disney’s Honda Celebration of Light: This outdoor concert features a variety of artists and bands, including rock, pop, and country music.
Special Dates
Disney Springs has several special dates throughout the year, including:
- Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular: This evening fireworks display celebrates the Star Wars franchise, featuring a 20-minute display of music, fireworks, and projections.
- Disney’s Live Nation Concert Series: This series of concerts features a variety of artists and bands, including rock, pop, and country music.
- Disney Springs Halloween Party: This seasonal party features costumes, decorations, and special events, including costume contests and trick-or-treating.
Insider Tips
Here are some insider tips for visiting Disney Springs:
- Plan ahead: Disney Springs is a popular destination, and it’s a good idea to plan ahead to avoid long lines and crowds.
- Check the schedule: Disney Springs often hosts special events and activities, so be sure to check the schedule to plan your visit accordingly.
- Use the My Disney Experience app: The My Disney Experience app allows you to reserve FastPass+ experiences, check wait times, and make dining reservations, among other things.
- Consider visiting during off-peak hours: If you can, consider visiting Disney Springs during off-peak hours, such as during the weekdays or early in the morning, to avoid crowds and long lines.
In conclusion, Disney Springs is a fun and exciting destination that offers something for everyone. From shopping and dining to entertainment and events, there’s always something to do at Disney Springs. With its wide range of activities and attractions, it’s no wonder that Disney Springs is one of the most popular destinations at Walt Disney World.