If you’ve been avoiding Disney Springs lately, you’re not alone. The area formerly known as Downtown Disney is in the midst of doubling its number of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, and that has naturally caused a lot of construction and a lot of traffic headaches. But even though the space is being transformed, it’s still worth spending some time there! Here’s a list of Disney Springs places that are open right now that you shouldn’t miss:
1. Have a drink at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
This airplane hangar-turned-dive bar is one of the newest offerings at Disney Springs, and it’s already gotten rave reviews. The space is themed after Indiana Jones’ pilot and features tons of little touches from the movies (you can find the Chachapoyan Fertility Idol from “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” among other artifacts), and the appetizers menu includes Rolling Boulders Sliders (made with meatballs, of course), Dr. Elsa’s Shrimp BLT Flatbread (courtesy of the archaeologist from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”) and “Squid! Why’d it have to be Squid?” (fried calimari). The bar is family-friendly, with a few nonalcoholic drinks available, and a long list of alcoholic beverages. Jock Lindsey’s is located in The Landing, which is the area that used to be known as Pleasure Island.
2. Go shopping at the Marketplace Co-Op
This store-within-a-store-within-a-store is a little reminiscent of the World of Disney, but it’s not nearly as overwhelming as Disney’s largest shop. The Marketplace Co-Op has distinctive areas with their own brands, and many of the items are new and can’t be found at every other Disney store. The Disney Centerpiece room features home goods like dishes and throw pillows, the Disney TAG (Travel-Accessories-Gear) area has luggage and wallets, Cherry Tree Lane features designer jewelry and shoes, Twenty Eight & Main has men’s clothing and vintage-themed accessories, D-Tech on Demand has iPhone and Android cases and chargers, and the WonderGround Gallery offers limited-edition artwork that features a fresh take on Disney’s classic characters. And the store offers a little upscale touch for its shoppers: Instead of the usual flimsy plastic Disney shopping bags, purchases here are wrapped in orange tissue paper and placed in a chic brown paper shopping bag with handles. The Marketplace Co-Op is located in Disney Springs’ Marketplace area.
3. Take a spin on an amphicar at The Boathouse
Another new addition to Disney Springs is this unique upscale restaurant that features much more than just seafood and steaks. The decor includes an array of working outboard motors and nautical-themed rubber ducks, one of the booths is actually “in” a real boat, and you can buy things like 2-foot-long personalized boat oars for $60 at the gift shop. However, the eatery’s most interesting amenity is the Amphicar Launch. Here, you can take a boat that looks like a classic car out into the lake. The price tag for this experience is about $100 for a 20-minute cruise with three guests plus a boat captain, but when else will you get the chance to “drive” into a lake and have a real waterside view of Disney Springs? The Boathouse is located in The Landing area.
4. Bowl the night away at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
There’s so much to do at this bowling alley that you can have a ball without ever even picking up a ball. Sure, there are 30 bowling lanes, but there’s also two sushi bars and other upscale food, pool tables, live music and dancing. This place is popular and waits for a bowling lane can be long, but one way to avoid the line is to get a “FastPass” by reserving a lane for up to eight bowlers ahead of time at $80 to $125 per hour (depending on the date and time of your visit). Splitsville Luxury Lanes is at Disney Springs’ West Side.
5. Take to the skies with Characters in Flight
One way to see absolutely all of Disney Springs is by ascending into the air, and Characters in Flight…Operated by Aerophile sends riders 400 feet up in the world’s largest tethered helium balloon. The 8- to 10-minute flight gives a 360 view of the entire area and you can even see theme parks and hotels in the distance. The balloons hold 29 people, along with a pilot, and while the price is pretty reasonable at $18 for adults and $12 for children, you can usually find discount coupons by signing up for Orlando’s Groupon deals. Just be sure that you allow more than one day to complete the experience, as the balloon won’t operate in storms and if wind speeds exceed 22 miles per hour. Characters in Flight boards at Disney Springs’ West Side.
When Disney Springs is completed later this year, it will have more than 150 dining, shopping and entertainment options in four neighborhoods — The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center. Some older attractions like DisneyQuest will be going away, but there will be plenty of new ones to take their place. So even though the traffic and construction might be a hassle right now, this area is worth exploring now and in the future! What are your favorite places at Disney Springs? Let us know in a comment below!
