Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney)
For a fun day out with Allison and Pete, we checked out Disney Springs. Disney Springs is part of the Walt Disney World Resort. But, it doesn’t have all the rides and attractions like the parks such as Magic Kingdom. Instead, street entertainment, restaurants, and stores fill Disney Springs’ streets. Exploring this area has been on our Florida bucket list for a while, and today was the perfect time to cross it off. We had to drive right by on our way home anyway.
Parking on a Sunday afternoon was a breeze. We followed signs to the surface lot and snagged a spot under a tree close to the entrance. Best of all, the parking was FREE! [Parking + Entrance = FREE]
We spent the first part of the day wandering through the shops and admiring the hidden Disney details. Disney Springs has typical shops such as Columbia and Kate Spade, but there are also Disneyesque stores. Plush toys and costumes fill a gigantic Disney store. Princess tiaras fill a jewelry store. And, Star Wars figurines fill yet another store. It isn’t the merchandise that makes these stores fun and unique though. The stores are interactive. At a store filled with artwork, artists are sketching your favorite Disney character. At a store with glass figurines, you can watch the fiery process of creation. At a store filled with delectable treats, workers dip apples into chocolate in front of you.
Lunch in Disney Springs
After our fill of shopping, we were starving for a late lunch. There are many restaurants to chose from, and we settled on a casual sandwich shop, Earl of Sandwich. Supposedly it is a chain, but neither Nisheet nor I had ever heard of it before. It did not disappoint. I ordered the chipotle chicken avocado sandwich, and Nisheet had the Hawaiian BBQ sandwich. Both of them were absolutely delicious, and for Disney, I thought the prices were a bargain. I was expecting overpriced food and drinks, but that wasn’t the case at any of the restaurant menus I looked at. [Chipotle Chicken Avocado = $6.99, Hawaiian BBQ = $6.99]
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
Our late lunch gave us enough energy to start exploring again. We weren’t in the mood for more shopping though. Instead, we took a boat ride from Disney Springs to the Port Orleans Resort. The first stop was the French Quarter. Right next to the boat dock was a super fun looking little water park. Sadly, we didn’t have our bathing suits with us, so we just explored the resort. I shouldn’t have been surprised how closely it resembled the actual French Quater. Disney always pays attention to the details. The hotel rooms had wrought iron railings, the trees had Spanish moss, and the cafeteria had freshly made beignets. There were even horse drawn carriage rides next to the river!
We didn’t take a carriage ride, but we did walk along the river. The riverwalk led us to Riverside, another area of the Port Orleans resort. Here we found another water park, and we also found an arcade! I have funny videos of certain people trying a jumping game in the arcade. I’ll be nice though and just assure you we had a fun time instead of posting it.
At this point, it was getting late in the day, and Nisheet and I still had to drive back to Tampa Bay. So, we loaded up on the boat and headed back to Disney Springs.
Back to Disney Springs
Once back in Disney Springs, we noticed a huge change. Earlier in the afternoon the place was empty. Now it was alive with street performers, people drinking cocktails, and twinkling lights. We took the long way back to the parking lot to soak in some of the energy. And, we saw some entertaining characters along the way! (Not Disney characters, look at the picture below.) We will be back! And, next time we will go on a night we don’t have to head back to Tampa so soon, so we can enjoy a cocktail.
Disney Springs Packing List
- Hat
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
