It’s not always possible to spend every waking moment of a Walt Disney World vacation in one of the Disney Parks. For some, the cost of tickets is prohibitively expensive. For others, the need for rest days usurps the desire to see and do every little thing. For a select few, they’re simply in town long enough that they need to think of something new to try to keep their vacation fresh.
It’s these non-park days that have long fascinated Disney vacations. What do you do when you’re visiting a resort known for its theme parks, but you need a day off? Sometimes, the answer is to simply relax at the hotel. But, other times, it is impossible to resist the allure of Disney Springs.
This particular shopping district has gone by many names and had many faces, but its current is its absolute best. It became Disney Springs in 2015, when the name-change capped off a years-long renovation that saw hundreds of shops and restaurants come online alongside new traffic patterns and parking garages.
In its newest incarnation, Disney Springs is absolutely worth one of those fabled non-park days. Here’s how you can spend a full day exploring just this one free-admission section of Walt Disney World.
Shop Everywhere
Image: rain0975, Flickr (license)
For a lot of Disney fans, shopping is a key component of any Disney vacation. Thankfully, Disney Springs is a serious shopping destination, offering stores that feature anything and everything you could possibly ever want.
There are several Disney-specific shops that sell everything from Christmas goods to artwork — including the famous World of Disney store and the eclectic Marketplace Co-op. These stores make up the backbone of Disney Springs and provide guests anything branded they could possibly want. And, on top of the traditional Disney shopping experience, Disney Springs adds a few IP-specific stores that serve up everything you could want related to Marvel or Star Wars.
Additionally, Disney Springs offers a ton of standard and high-end retail options, from Uni-qlo and Under Armor to Lacoste and Ugg.
It’s not possible to look at every single store at Disney Springs in a day and truly see everything. There’s just that much to take in.
Eat Everything
Image: Jennifer Lynn, Flickr (license)
While some love to shop, others get their biggest pleasure from chowing down on vacation — and there’s arguably nowhere better to do that on Disney property than at Disney Springs.
In a full day, you can try multiple restaurants, like the incredible Frontera Cocina, Homecomin’ by Art Smith, Morimoto Asia, Maria and Enzo’s Restaurante, and so many others. In between, food stands like The Daily Poutine, the Exposition Park food trucks, AristoCreps, and others can sate your appetite.
If you want dessert, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Amorette’s Patisserie, Erin McKenna NYC, or The Ganachery all offer astonishingly delicious sweets. For high end cuisine, check out The Boathouse. For a quick nosh, D-Luxe Burgers are a treat.
And, if you’re looking for somewhere to sit and relax in between all of that food, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is an amazingly-themed lounge with incredible drinks and fun snacks.
You literally cannot possibly snack on everything Disney Springs has to offer. You have to pick and choose. There are much worse ways to spend a day.
Take in a Movie
Image: lee-yoshi, Flickr (license)
The AMC Dine-In Disney Springs 24 is one of the best movie theaters in Central Florida, showcasing first-run movies and some special screenings in comfortable seating and with delicious food. The Dine-In theaters offer food service during the film, with alcoholic beverages and warm snacks available.
Premium formats like Dolby Cinema are also offered at this location, meaning you can see major movies with the best projection and sound systems available in major theaters right now.
When Disney has a major movie release at hand, like a new Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, or Walt Disney Animation film, the theater sometimes hold special event screenings with Q&As and limited edition gifts.
All told, a movie is a great way to spend your time at Disney Springs — particularly if you’re planning to be there all day.
Experience the Attractions
Image: juandect, Flickr (license)
One of the best parts of Disney Springs is that it’s far more than just a dining and shopping venue. It also offers a handful of attractions and entertainment options that elevate it far above your typical suburban mall.
The Boathouse features a special tour of the lake next to Disney Springs onboard a custom amphibious vehicle known as the Amphicar. Guests can book one of the cars, and then have an experienced pilot navigate the water with them in the backseat. Additionally, Characters in Flight can give guests a new perspective of the Walt Disney World Resort — high above the ground in a hot air balloon.
If you want something more active, The Void transports guests into the world of Star Wars using virtual reality headsets and immersive themed environments for a hybrid video game/theme park attraction. For music fans, the House of Blues holds concerts year-round in its special venue. There’s even bowling at the funky Splitsville Lanes. And, Disney Springs’ newest entertainment offering is the NBA Experience — an interactive exploration of professional basketball.
In all, there’s far more than just shopping and food to pass the time — even if it costs a couple bucks extra.
Enjoy the Nearby Resorts
Image: byzantiumbooks, Flickr (license)
One of the best parts of Disney Springs is that, if you do get bored at some point during your day there, it’s still fairly easy to escape somewhere new.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is located just next to Disney Springs, and the two areas are connected by a scenic foot path. This path is among the most serene spots on Walt Disney World property — still close enough to the action to provide a wonderful view, but far enough away to feel relaxing all the same. Saratoga Springs has its own collection of solid restaurants, and its sprawling design is a fascinating reminder of one of Disney’s most ambitious experiments. It’s truly a great resort to explore.
Further up the Sassagoula River, guests can take a boat to visit either of Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts — Riverside and French Quarter. The former is themed to the antebellum South, while the latter showcases the rich culture of New Orleans. Both are beautiful, although the French Quarter does win out for its exquisite beignets.
And, when you’re done perusing the resort grounds, you can hop on a boat and head right back to Disney Springs to finish your day.
