Disney Springs has become a tourist destination all on its own in recent years, not only featuring world-class shopping and dining from some of the world’s best brands but also exciting entertainment options, fun annual events, and more. Though Disney Springs has changed a lot over the years, Disney continues to make innovations and improvements in the space that will keep guests coming back for years to check out everything happening in this thriving entertainment district.
This month, Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life announces new segments have been added to the show, a new first-of-its-kind retail outlet opens, a new Disney100 addition debuts, plus Jaleo hosts a special 21+ event this month. Plus, Disney springs’ resort area hotels are now offering a deep discount for guests who visit this summer. Read on for more!
1. Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life gets new segments, updated score, and more
Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life at Disney Springs debuted in November 2021, and follows the journey of a young girl named Julie who discovers an unfinished piece of animation left by her late father, a Disney animator. And though the show has received plenty of praise, it looks like some big changes have been made to the show. While the storyline remains the same, the creative team has added new acts and made modifications to existing ones to keep the show fresh.
One of the new acts, called Icarian Games, features performers who juggle their partners using their feet, paying tribute to Disney’s animated forests and creatures. The act is accompanied by a new musical composition that blends traditional Cirque du Soleil sounds with elements from different languages spoken in Ethiopia. Another modification was made to the Dream of Colors act, which now includes a trio of aerial hoop artists to complement the existing trapeze artists.
“Drawn to Life” has had over 650 performances and has entertained more than 600,000 guests since its premiere. The show now includes Sunday matinee performances in addition to the regular evening performances on Wednesdays through Saturdays.
The show’s creative team has hinted that the show will continue to evolve in the future. As they continue to assess what works and what doesn’t, they will make improvements to ensure that the show remains a captivating experience for guests.
2. First-ever Corkcicle retail kiosk now open near Paddlefish
The first-ever Corkcicle retail location ever has opened at Disney Springs in the form of a kiosk in front of Paddlefish at Disney Springs. This location features a diverse range of high-quality products from the brand, including special Disney collaborations featuring beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Cinderella. These designs are available on both the 16 oz. tumbler ($37.95) and the 20 oz. sport canteen($47.95), and can be used for both hot and cold beverages.
Star Wars enthusiasts will be equally pleased to discover R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader, The Mandalorian, and Grogu adorning Corkcicle products. The R2-D2 design is featured on the stemless option, while the Grogu design is available on the mug. The C-3PO, Darth Vader, and Mandalorian designs are available on the sport canteen.
Marvel fans are not left out either, as there are products featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and Black Panther. These designs are also available on both the 16 oz. tumbler and the 20 oz. sport canteen.
Corkcicle products are known for their high-quality materials, which provide long-lasting insulation for cold and hot drinks. The triple insulation technology ensures that drinks remain cold for up to 25 hours and hot for up to 12 hours.
3. Disney100 photo-op now available near AMC theater
As part of the Disney100 celebration, a platinum 100 is now on display at Disney Springs near the exit of Orange Garage. The giant 100 is perched on a platinum base and features the “Disney100” branding. It is placed in a planter at the bottom of the Orange Garage stairs near the AMC, where visitors can take pictures with it. Similar decorations have also been installed at the entrances of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
The Disney100 celebration is a year-long event that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company and features special events, merchandise, and decorations throughout Disney parks and resorts. Recently, characters like Goofy, Pluto and Donald in their special Disney100 outfits began visiting Disney Resorts, so hopefully we’ll see more special Disney100 entertainment in the theme parks soon.
4. Jaleo introduces new Gin and Tonic event
Jaleo at Disney Springs is hosting a Gin & Tonic Festival in celebration of Spain’s national cocktail month from now through April 30. The festival aims to take the Gin & Tonic experience to the next level, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to indulge in Spain’s national cocktail.
Visitors can experience a range of flavors, from lavender and elderflower to lemon and thyme. The festival also offers a tapas menu, including favorites such as Croquetas de Pollo and Patatas Bravas. Other menu options include fried eggplant, fried cod, and toasted slices of crispy bread served with Manchego cheese. Those interested in attending the festival can make reservations through the link here on Jaleo’s official website. You can also check out the official menu for the event here.
5. Disney Springs resort hotels offering deep summer discounts
The Disney Springs Resort Area hotels are offering discounted rates starting from $97 for stays this summer between May 1 and August 31, 2023. These seven hotels include B Resort & Spa, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando, Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs, and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.
All of these hotels are within walking distance of Disney Springs and also include complimentary transportation with daily bus service to all Walt Disney World theme parks, and early access with a 30-minute early entry to any theme park every day. You can get more details about this deal on the official Disney Springs hotel website here.
