The Best Things to do at Disney Springs
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Disney Springs is one of the many great entertainment destinations you can visit outside of the theme parks. Being located just a 10-15 min drive from the WDW makes it a top choice for convenient post park fun. If staying at a WDW resort, you will receive complimentary transport here which is a nice bonus if you are flying in and don’t have your own car.
This is a great place to explore on any day you are not visiting the parks as there is plenty to do in a fun environment. With all the themed restaurants, shopping, and occasional live entertainment, it almost still feels like you are at the parks. Basically, you don’t have to sacrifice the vacation fun – this is no ordinary outdoor mall. After visiting many times, I have come up with my guide to the top attractions to put on your bucket list.
1. Dinner at Raglan Road
Raglan Road is a fantastic Irish pub – in fact, it is one of the best I’ve ever dined at. You would think the top Irish pub would be somewhere up north in Boston or NYC – it’s not too often that you come across an authentic Irish pub in Florida. This hidden gem of a pub features beautiful mahogany woods and stained glass which were built entirely in Ireland.
The menu includes traditional favorites like Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and a Guinness Beef stew to name a few. The addition of gluten-free and vegan options makes the restaurant accessible to almost anyone. The kitchen staff is well informed of allergens and will customize almost any meal to meet your preferences. They have a dedicated fryer for gluten-free goods so you can order your fish and chips, french fries, onion rings, and fried scallops! And vegan Shepherd’s pie – what a find!
The best part about dining here is getting to listen to and see the talented Irish bands and step dancing performers. Monday-Saturdays live step dancing performances occur every hour daily (starting at 4:30pm during the week and Noon on weekends). These step dancers are so talented – really I could watch them all day. So, enjoy a pint of Guinness and a shepherd’s pie and join in the fun – it’s St. Patrick’s Day everyday at Orlando’s best Irish pub!
2. Splurge on a character latte
What is more delicious than an expertly made latte? How about a latte with a Mickey or Minnie greeting you? At Joffrey’s, the official specialty coffee of Walt Disney World, you can pay a little extra for a MIckey or Minnie art creation in your cup.
This is a fun little splurge for anyone that wants just a little more magic even on a non park day. The house coffee here is really delicious and they offer fun specialty lattes throughout the year including indulgent fall and winter creations.
3. Shop for holiday decor at Days of Disney
Those who love year-round Christmas shops will have a ball in Days of Christmas. Here you will find many unique Disney themed ornaments, decor, and collectibles for yourself or anyone on your holiday gift list. I really love these Mickey mouse Santa ears ornaments shown in my pic above.
I could browse around this store for hours being a big Christmas buff, although I would probably be walking out wasting more money than I should!
4. Bowl at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Bowling at this luxury retro themed bowling alley is expensive, however, you are on vacation and everything in in this city is overpriced. Bowling is a fun activity for the whole family and this alley is conveniently located right amongst a sea of shops and restaurants.
One of the highlights here is an extensive menu featuring upscale offerings (including gluten-free options) and nightly live entertainment. Pricing varies based on day of the week/number of people in your party. I would say it is one of the best places to escape the harsh heat & humidity (for a few hours!).
5. Pick up a sweet treat at Erin McKenna’s Bakery
This unique gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free bakery is sure to please anyone with a sweet tooth. Allergies or not, you will be satisfied with the variety of delicious desserts and pastries found at this NYC based company. Pumpkin muffins, donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes are some of the items you will be able to test out. Be sure to try the Thin Mints – they are outstanding!
This fantastic bakery proves that just because a treat is vegan and gluten-free doesn’t mean it is not fabulous! One piece of advice: do not over-order! In the intense Florida heat, your treats will melt very quickly. I wish they would add a small indoor seating area as it is quite hard to eat the treats out of styrofoam while walking around.
6. Enjoy a fun tropical themed dinner at Rainforest Cafe
If you’ve never visited this popular jungle themed chain, Orlando is as good as any location to check out. The unique design concept is so much fun! Dining here is more an entertaining experience rather than just a meal. As for the food you will see that the menu consists of comfort favorites like burgers, sandwiches, fried appetizers, seafood and meat based entrees, and pastas. I like the Rasta Pasta which is basically a veggie pasta topped with garlic and an Alfredo based sauce.
7. Explore The Lego Store
At this huge Lego Store, you will find hundreds and hundreds of your favorite Lego sets, in every variety from Barbie to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. After a few simple minutes browsing around the shop you will see that there is a Lego set for every age and budget. It would be hard to leave without picking up a set, either for yourself or to be given out as a future birthday or holiday gift.
The lifesize Lego figures (Buzz and Woody from Toy Story among others) really pretty cool to see. In addition, be sure to check out the amazing Lego dinosaur creation out by the water (just in front of the store). On a recent visit, we took some cool pictures of Stars Wars lego figures.
8. See a show
Visiting Orlando without making room for a show or 2 just wouldn’t be right. Although there are dozens of themed varieties to choose amongst (from a pirate’s dinner adventure to a Medieval Feast), there are also a few shows conveniently located right in this entertainment complex.
Cirque du Soleil is a fun production featuring incredible acts like the high wire, aerial ballet, juggling, and much more! House of Blues, with a full lineup of monthly events, is another option. As an added bonus, before/after your show you have plenty of dining and shopping options.
9. Escape the heat and see a movie
It can get really hot, crowded, and frustrating walking around anywhere in Orlando during the hot and humid summer months even if you are popping in and out of AC stores. Summer days when the sun is at its’ strongest, temps are consistently in the upper 90’s with high humidity, and crowd levels are uncomfortable to say the least. In all likelihood you will tire out very quickly after walking around for just a little bit.
Why not take an hour or 2 break to see a movie in a comfy air conditioned theater? Take a refreshing time out and rejuvenate yourself before heading back out into the intense, blinding sun. This theater features Fork&Screen, a service which allows you to upgrade your seating to a recliner, order from an extensive restaurant menu, and request service with the quick push of a button – how’s that for a vacation?!
10. Shop for souvenirs at World of Disney
Everything you could possibly want to add to your collection can be found here – clothing, Mickey ears, home decor, toys, stuffed animals, and much more! I know that I never have much time to shop for souvenirs when I am busy at the park enjoying rides and show. This massive gift shop is a fantastic place to stock up for early Christmas gifts for any WDW fans on your list!
Check out the Spring directory including restaurants, shops, and attractions
