We had some time in Orlando before checking into our hotel for our trip to Hollywood Studios, so we decided to do some shopping and grab some lunch.

Disney Springs is a shopping and dining experience that is just outside of the Disney Parks. Disney Springs is more than just a shopping center. It also has many delightful restaurants and experiences to enjoy.

Disney Springs was the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and explore. The complex includes four distinct areas: Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side. In addition to dining and shopping, Disney Springs offers a variety of activities and entertainment.

There are so many things to do at Disney Springs, you could spend the whole day just exploring all the shops and activities. Here you will find unique shops, one-of-a-kind restaurants, and lively entertainment. This is not a dusty old shopping mall, it is a shopping destination.

Aerophile

If you want to catch a view from another perspective, the large blue balloon, Aerophile, will give you a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the area from 400 feet in the air over the lake. Soar sky-high during an 8-minute tethered adventure in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon. Located in the West Side section, this unique helium balloon sends you soaring for an 8- to 10-minute experience. You should be able to see Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life. You can also see the Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel at Icon Park in the evening.

Amphicar Tours

You may do a double-take and look again when you see cars driving in the lake. These are the Amphicars. Your tour guide will take you on a 25-minute sightseeing tour around Disney Spring’s Lake. It’s a pretty cool way to see Disney Springs in a new way.

The Boathouse in Disney Springs is the only place in the world that offers Captain Guided Amphicar tours in a unique water experience around Lake Buena Vista. You will start on dry land driving on the dock but then you head into the water and start boating around the lake in the Disney Springs area.

Shopping

If you haven’t yet found your souvenirs at the Disney parks, then you will be sure to find them here at Disney Springs. Besides, who wants to lug a souvenir around the park all day? There are over 100 different shops to enjoy at Disney Springs, and I’m sure you will find something here for everyone.

Marketplace Co-Op

The Market Co-Op is a collection of Disney shops and boutique stores that sell more unique items than what you’ll find in most other stores. There’s a home goods section, clothing sections, a pet store, a tech gear store, an art section, and more. You never really know what you will find here which is part of the fun.

World of Disney

If they don’t have what you are looking for at the Co-Op, then you will be sure to find it at World of Disney. I don’t think I have seen a larger Disney gift and souvenir shop. The World of Disney store is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs for the whole family.

The LEGO Store

The LEGO Store is across from the dragon out in the waterway. Once you step inside the Lego Store, you’ll immediately be surrounded by thousands of Lego toys. They have everything from collectible play sets inspired by some of your favorite Disney films and characters to individual bricks, kits, LEGO-themed merchandise and so much more. The LEGO Store is a dream come true for kids.

Entertainment

It’s not all shopping at Disney Springs. There are plenty of choices for entertainment at the complex. Head to the western end of Disney Springs and take in a show at Cirque de Soleil for some awesome acrobatics. Or throw a strike at the upscale Splitsville Luxury Lanes. Splitsville is a modern, retro-style bowling alley where the food is pretty good and the bowling is great.

AMC Theatres invites you to stick around and enjoy dinner and a movie on one of their 24 screens. Here you can order food and drinks to be brought to your seats while you enjoy the latest box office hit.

If live music is on your agenda, you can catch a concert at the House of Blues.

In addition, there is wandering entertainment putting on magic shows, or acrobatic performances.

Dining

After all the shopping, you will surely work up an appetite. There are over 65 restaurants at Disney Springs, so choosing one was not an easy task. Let’s see. There is The Polite Pig for some mouth-watering BBQ, or dinner and a show at Raglan Road’s Irish Pub. We decided to head to the observatory at Planet Hollywood where I had the Championship Pulled Pork made with Guy Fieri’s signature BBQ sauce and slaw. The size of this four-story restaurant is impressive, if you are looking for a small intimate dining lunch this isn’t the place but if it’s a fun dining experience that you are looking for, there is no better venue. We sat under the huge 4500 square-foot IMAX-style video screen which was constantly playing movie clips and occasionally playing singalong songs where the whole restaurant could join in.

There is a giant movie screen that shows fun music videos, movie clips and occasionally singalong songs where the whole restaurant could join in. The wait staff still lead you in a rendition of “YMCA” by the Village People (I still don’t have all my letters down). Overall the restaurant is pretty noisy.

Planet Hollywood is not only a restaurant but a museum as well. One of the main draws to Planet Hollywood is the Movie Memorabilia lining the walls. On display are all kinds of props and accessories from famous Hollywood films and shows.

Dessert at Amorette Patisserie

Amorette’s is a charming bakery located right next door to the giant World of Disney store. It serves some of the best-baked goods at Disney World, along with some other delicious desserts. It’s fun to watch the talented pastry chefs do the finishing touches on these masterpieces. Their cakes are works of art which makes cutting into them hard to do. It’s like stepping into a French Pastry shop.

I just touched base on all there is to do at Disney Springs. I wish we had more time to explore and enjoy the many restaurants and activities. There is enough to do to keep you busy all day and into the evening. Disney Springs lights up and comes alive when the sun goes down. Music and entertainment are offered at the different stages around the Disney Springs neighborhoods. 

Disney Springs: 1486 Buena Vista Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL

Hours:

Sunday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM