Disney Springs July 3-4th, setting myself up for misery?

[Ac_slater10]

So my wife, sort of spur of the moment asked if we could go to Orlando this weekend and spend a few nights at the Waldorf. Knowing the parks would be crazy, we thought we would forgo that and spend a day or two at Disney Springs doing some shopping/eating...maybe try Gideon's, etc.. Obviously we won't be getting any good reservations to table service. We were hoping to do a mix of eating at the Waldorf and getting quick service as DS.

I'm a bit worried that it's going to be a madhouse. Will we have to wait in line for access to stores? Are we going to have a good experience if we just restrict ourselves to fast service food? Are we better off just going in August? We will be ubering. No car.

I definitely tried to sway my wife a bit with the fear of crazy 4th crowds but she seems to think that the allure of 4th of July fireworks, even away from the parks is worth it.

 

[happiestpoe]

I was there over Memorial Day weekend, and it wasn't bad honestly. Queued for an hour at Gideon's (joined the line at 9.30am; had my cookies by 10.30am). Other than that, I had no wait at any shop.

I didn't try for any dining reservations, but I think they could be tricky on a holiday weekend. I mobile ordered from Earl of Sandwich and Chicken Guy twice each, and had my food in about 20 minutes; easy peasy.

 

[Ac_slater10]

I was there over Memorial Day weekend, and it wasn't bad honestly. Queued for an hour at Gideon's (joined the line at 9.30am; had my cookies by 10.30am). Other than that, I had no wait at any shop.

I didn't try for any dining reservations, but I think they could be tricky on a holiday weekend. I mobile ordered from Earl of Sandwich and Chicken Guy twice each, and had my food in about 20 minutes; easy peasy.

Do you mean virtual queue for an hour at Gideon or physical line?

 

[happiestpoe]

Do you mean virtual queue for an hour at Gideon or physical line?

I stood in a queue, but shortly after I arrived they were starting the virtual queue. Some of the virtual people made it in before me lol. But I wanted to enjoy my cookie with an iced coffee from Joffrey's and they don't open til 10, so I figured I may as well stay in line.

 

[mickeymom22]

We were at Disney Springs on Thursday 6/24. It was crowded. A few stores had lines to wait to go in but the lines moved quickly. The line to go into World of Disney looks long, but it just weaves around and moves quickly. The first thing we did was put our names down on Gideon's virtual queue. They said it was a 2 hour and 40 minute wait. We got called after 2 hours. Once you are called you stand in a line outside. We waited there about another 10 minutes. (It might have helped that there was a thunderstorm going on so some people might have not waited to go in.) For dinner, we wanted Chicken Guy. We got in the line to go in which was outside in the hot sun with about 12 families in front of us and 5 behind us. We waited about 10 minutes when we realized you could do mobile ordering. We stayed in line until our mobile order was received and then we dropped out of line. The mobile order said it would be ready in 10 minutes. At 10 minutes I went inside and they handed me our order. We got our drinks and actually got an outside table. We took maybe 15 minutes to eat. When we were throwing away our trash we noticed the family behind us in line was next in line to go inside so they could order. Once you get inside you still are in line with about 6 families in front of you. I highly suggest using the mobile ordering! We thought about taking a bus to a resort that has a Skyliner station just to take a ride while we were waiting for Gideon's, but decided not to since it looked like a storm was coming and we didn't want to get delayed and miss our time at Gideon's. Instead we ordered a Sunset Margarita at Dockside Margarita's. There was about 3 people in front of us there. There was also musicians playing on the stage that we sat and listened to for awhile. The only stores we visited were Sugarboo, World of Disney, the Co-Op, Dockside Margarita's, the small pet accessory store (I don't remember its name) and Chicken Guy.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip!

 

[Shellyred8]

I would recommend doing DS from opening until mid-afternoon if you want to avoid the bigger crowds. I would recommend doing Gideon's first. If the virtual queue is going when you get there, you can put your name on the list and then go do your other wandering around/eating while you wait to be called back.

We usually do quick-serve stuff while we are at DS. There are lots of good options to choose from, so I don't think you will have to worry about not being able to get some good food. Earl of Sandwich is one of our favorites. If there is a line, use their mobile order. Though, their lines usually move pretty quickly.

If you haven't already tried, you might want to look at OpenTable to see if you can find any DS reservations. They sometimes have openings when ADR's are all booked up.

 

[Ac_slater10]

We were at Disney Springs on Thursday 6/24. It was crowded. A few stores had lines to wait to go in but the lines moved quickly. The line to go into World of Disney looks long, but it just weaves around and moves quickly. The first thing we did was put our names down on Gideon's virtual queue. They said it was a 2 hour and 40 minute wait. We got called after 2 hours. Once you are called you stand in a line outside. We waited there about another 10 minutes. (It might have helped that there was a thunderstorm going on so some people might have not waited to go in.) For dinner, we wanted Chicken Guy. We got in the line to go in which was outside in the hot sun with about 12 families in front of us and 5 behind us. We waited about 10 minutes when we realized you could do mobile ordering. We stayed in line until our mobile order was received and then we dropped out of line. The mobile order said it would be ready in 10 minutes. At 10 minutes I went inside and they handed me our order. We got our drinks and actually got an outside table. We took maybe 15 minutes to eat. When we were throwing away our trash we noticed the family behind us in line was next in line to go inside so they could order. Once you get inside you still are in line with about 6 families in front of you. I highly suggest using the mobile ordering! We thought about taking a bus to a resort that has a Skyliner station just to take a ride while we were waiting for Gideon's, but decided not to since it looked like a storm was coming and we didn't want to get delayed and miss our time at Gideon's. Instead we ordered a Sunset Margarita at Dockside Margarita's. There was about 3 people in front of us there. There was also musicians playing on the stage that we sat and listened to for awhile. The only stores we visited were Sugarboo, World of Disney, the Co-Op, Dockside Margarita's, the small pet accessory store (I don't remember its name) and Chicken Guy.

I hope this helps! Have a great trip!

Sounds somewhat as expected. The one thing that raised my eyebrows was the lines to get into stores. Even if short, I don't think my wife is going to like that at all. We went to a mall during Covid and half the stores had 5 minute waits. She wasn't happy about it. To most people, it's a small thing, but on a 90 degree day, that can be a lot for some. Enough to turn a fun day into a minor headache.

 

[Marthasor]

We were just in WDW for a week and avoided DS like the plague. As you said, it's hot and, if it's crowded and you have to wait to get into stores, it will be miserable. I wouldn't necessarily give up on ADRs. We made zero ADRs initially and I would look for availability day-of - I had a lot of options, particularly if I wasn't looking for an in-park ADR. Swan/Dolphin have great restaurants and, typically have availability day-of - perhaps consider dinner on the Boardwalk (Swan/Dolphin, YC/BC/BWI) along with a stroll and mini-golf (you can call ahead for a tee-time). We also spent an amazing day at Ft. W - visiting the stables, eating P&J's takeout, kayaking, archery experience. Maybe even consider going to Blizzard Beach? Or, look for a resort ADR at WL/GF/Poly/CR and then go for a monorail ride and visit the resort shops? I would perhaps try to come up with some DS alternatives.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sounds somewhat as expected. The one thing that raised my eyebrows was the lines to get into stores. Even if short, I don't think my wife is going to like that at all. We went to a mall during Covid and half the stores had 5 minute waits. She wasn't happy about it. To most people, it's a small thing, but on a 90 degree day, that can be a lot for some. Enough to turn a fun day into a minor headache.

It sounds like DS may not be the place for you right now if a 5 minute wait is not enjoyable to your wife. There will be waits at some stores, especially on a holiday weekend. You may be best to wait and go another time when there are no longer restrictions on how many may be in a store at a time.