Top Ten Disney Springs
We’ve decided to round out our top ten series with Disney Springs! This is a dining, entertainment and shopping district at Walt Disney World that has so much fun stuff to do, see and experience! We’ve decided to stick to the same rules as the parks and not focus on restaurants (but there are a few little cheats we snuck in…) but will circle back to dining at Disney Springs in a future episode! So without further ado let’s get started!
Jessica’s Top Ten
#10 - UNIQLO
This is a shop with mens, womens and childrens clothing that has tons of basics and some cute unique pieces as well. It’s kind of like H&M but a bit different. BUT the reason I really love it is because they have a section of Disney clothes with unique designs that you don’t see anywhere else in the parks and the pieces are a fraction of the price of what something similar would be in World of Disney.
#9 - Splitsville
The food at this restaurant is pretty good but of course it’s also a bowling alley and it’s HUGE! I love the idea of going for dinner and bowling after and making a night out of it!
#8 - Sugarboo & Co
This is one of those shops you go in and say “I’ll take one of everything!” Is a lot of it overpriced? Maybe. BUT there are so many cute things in there with quotes, unique decor, they’ve got kids stuff and it’s a great place to find gifts for yourself or someone else!
#7 - The Coca Cola Store Rooftop
The whole Coca Cola area is very cool, there’s a shop on the lower level that’s fun to look around but really…I like Coke but not enough to buy anything that says the brand name. But upstairs you can get all kinds of different Coke drinks! Flights, floats, juice, coffee and more! And in tons of flavors! Any way you can think of to drink your Coke…they’ve got it!
#6 - The Dock Bar at The Boathouse
This bar area is connected to The Boathouse restaurant is an outdoor bar area over the water with plenty of seating to grab a drink and take in the atmosphere. You can watch the water or enjoy people watching and even order some appetizers while you enjoy the sunshine!
#5 - Salt & Straw Ice Cream
There are plenty of places in Disney Springs to get ice cream, but I’m gonna need you to take all of them off your list and put Salt & Straw at the top. Oh. My. Goodness. This is the best ice cream I have ever had and I consider myself…someone who eats a lot of ice cream! Listen, I worked at Dairy Queen when I was younger so…I know ice cream and this is the best I’ve ever had!
#4 - Basin
This shop makes bath products that is such a happy store to go in! They’ve got bath and body products that you can mix and match, scoop your own bath salts, they’ve got Disney products and they’re really nice products! You can order them online as well and they have an additional shop at the Grand Floridian. One of the things I like to do when we’re in Disney is get one of the mini bath bombs and get a bath at the resort - it is such a treat!
#3 - Marketplace Co-Op
I agree with Tyler, the environment of this place is so fun to wander through! Each of the sections actually have their own name, for example the tech area is called D-Tech and the home section is called Disney Centerpiece and that might be my actual favorite shop in the co-op!
#2 - Getting an Iced Coffee and Watching Live Music
There is always something happening around Disney Springs! Whether it’s at the Irish pub, at one of the smaller stages throughout the district or in the amphiteatre. You’ll find various performers from solo singers to bands or even high school choirs! It makes the whole area feel so alive and it’s one of the things thats very unique to Disney Springs versus other shopping districts.
#1 - World of Disney
I know that some people might see this and think “hm really?” but we go in here every time and there’s a reason. A) we have kids of course and it’s a fun store to go in and get a special Disney toy but B) this is the heart of Disney Springs. The big old Disney store! It’s all the Disney feels wrapped up in one shop for me and it reminds me of those Disney stores we all grew up with and it’s got a bit of a nostalgic element for me as well.
Tyler’s Top Ten
#10 - Days of Christmas
I didn’t think I would’ve originally thought of this store upon first glance at Disney Springs but when I was thinking through I realized that I really love going into this shop everytime we’re in Disney Springs. You can get some really amazing and unique ornaments of nearly any character you can think of plus you can get personalized ones along with other Christmas decor. It’s just a really magical shop!
#9 - The Spice & Tea Exchange
This shop is mostly tea with some spices but the tea is really, really good! We got some really unique tea on a previous trip to take home as well as getting a tea to-go at the drink counter which was delicious! It’s a unique shop that is easy to pass over but I recommend stopping in if you like tea!
#8 - DisneyStyle
I like this shop because they have some very cool shirts that I don’t see in any other shops BUT my gripe with this place is that they never ever have my size! So I’ve never actually bought anything there but there’s been plenty of things that I have wanted to buy!
#7 - The Amphicars
We’ve never actually ridden in these cars BUT I still wanted to include it on my list because despite not actually riding in one (yet!) they are so cool to watch in the water! They’re vintage cars that drive into the water and turn into a boat and take you on a boat ride around the water at Disney Springs! It is such a cool thing to see!
#6 - Splitsville
This is such a fun environment and there’s something kind of fun about going bowling at Disney (even though you can literally bowl anywhere) but the atmosphere is great, the food is good and it’s a really cool place to go!
#5 - UNIQLO
I love this store for a lot of the same reasons as Jessica. The Disney merchandise you can find here is very unique and a great price for Disney merch! But one of my favorite things I’ve gotten from there is my favorite coat. I wear this coat 90% of the time and it is SO warm and such good quality. Even if it’s like frigid out I will wear this as a layer under a thicker coat and it’s amazing. But additionally I love a lot of the basics there, gear I wear for running etc.
#4 - Marketplace Co-Op
This a marketplace of shops full of cool decor, clothing and other unique items that you can’t find anywhere else. The whole environment is a fun place to be in and wander through. Even if you don’t buy anything it’s a fun place to wander and see everything they have to offer!
#3 - Sugarboo & Co
This is my favorite store in all of Disney Springs! When you go in there they’ve got really cool books, stuff for the home, cool barware, posters, they’ve got a lot of travel related things but I just love the quotes they have on a lot of their stuff. I love the style of everything they’ve got in there, it’s a vintage style that’s just amazing!
#2 - Live Music
There are tons of acts all around Disney Springs from high school choirs to a guy with a guitar to people playing piano and every single artist I’ve ever seen at Disney Springs has been unbelievable!
#1 - Get a Highline and Walk Around
There is something so special about walking around this area and just taking in all of the activity, the excitment, the sounds, sights and smells. Especially at that golden hour when the day is just turning to night - it’s a magical environment to be a part of! AND it’s even better with a Highline (my favorite beer of all time!)
We also asked our followers on Instagram what their favorite things in Disney Springs were and there were TONS of amazing responses! Here’s just a few to add to your list for your next visit!
The Christmas Tree Stroll at the holidays!
Sephora!
Letting kiddos play at The Lego Store!
It used to be DisneyQuest! So sad it’s not there anymore!
Wash your hands at Basin!
Gideons Cookies!
Free People!
Irish Dancers at Raglan Road!
Seeing the Lego statues!
The Co-Op!
Purchase a box of chocolates at The Ganachery!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to participate in polls, questions and more fun things that may show up in a future podcast episode and/or blog post!
Want to listen to the podcast version of this blog post? Or maybe watch the video? Click one of the options below!
Did you know that the amazing travel agents over at our partner agency People Mover Travel can help you plan your next Disney vacation completely free? That’s right, planning services are totally complimentary! Visit the People Mover Travel website for more information!