Disney Springs...wondering what it is like

[Summer2018]

Our last trip was two summers ago, before Disney Springs. We were big Pleasure Island fans, but never really enjoyed Downtown Disney. We are trying to decide whether or not to include a visit to Disney Springs on our next trip. What is there to do in Disney Springs besides shop and eat out?

 

[avoiding work]

My family just got back, and went there for the first time. It is full of fun and interesting stores, restaurants, a unique bowling alley, and other places to spend your money. We live in a large metro area, and we have many of the same (or similar) fun and interesting places, including Rainforest Cafe and Splitsville Bowling. But still, it is a nice play to go - especially if you want to do some shopping.

 

[CarolynFH]

....What is there to do in Disney Springs besides shop and eat out?

There are various musical and other entertainers, especially in the evenings and on weekends. And there's always people watching. We love to stroll around before or after enjoying a meal there, and we usually have shopping to do (have to keep the ladies in our family stocked with soap from Basin!). But if you're not interested in trying any of the many new restaurants or in shopping I wouldn't make a special trip there.

 

[bryanb]

Usually it's more of a spur of the moment visit for me (depending on who I'm with).

It's a great stop before or after a visit to Typhoon Lagoon, because it's right on the resort bus lines. It's also a nice way to wind down the evening after visiting the theme parks (maybe a late dinner after the fireworks or for adults, there are some nice bars, or perhaps some ice cream sundaes). There are some excellent restaurants at Disney Springs, many of which don't require ADRs.

There are some people here who plan a day for Disney Springs. I wouldn't do that because I would get tired of being at a mall for so long. I'd prefer to end up at Disney Springs for a couple hours at time, maybe several times during a vacation.

 

[No.1000]

We aren't Disney Springs fans. I find it too crowded and I would rather be doing something else besides shopping. We do occasionally plan a meal at one of the restaurants there. We really enjoyed Art Smith's Homecoming.

 

[MaC410]

We aren't Disney Springs fans. I find it too crowded and I would rather be doing something else besides shopping. We do occasionally plan a meal at one of the restaurants there. We really enjoyed Art Smith's Homecoming.

We feel the same way. On our first ever trip to Disney World we took a day off from the parks to go to Disney Springs because we wanted to make sure we saw/did everything we could. We now regret doing that. For all the money spent going there we would have rather had another day in the parks instead of walking around looking at stores we really weren't interested in. Disney Springs is not on our agenda for our next trip.

 

[Parker Clan]

We like Disney Springs, great eats and shopping. But yes that's pretty much it besides night time entertainment.
I wouldn't skip it because we love to shop & love the restaurants, but we do 7 days so we have plenty of time to do all we want at the parks, resorts etc too

 

[yulilin3]

I'm a local and I visit DS about twice a month, mostly in the evenings to take in all the varied entertainment acts, we do not shop at DS and very seldomly we eat, but still have a lot of fun just walking from one act to another

 

[Summer2018]

Thank you all! I had a feeling this was the deal...honestly this is why I didn't like Downtown Disney and avoided it on our last trip. My DH is dying to check out DS. He won't be doing it with me.

 

[beccasmom]

We tend to go earlier in the day as it is just a bit too busy in the evenings, but it's a great party atmosphere for sure. We're looking forward to Homecoming too.

 

[momtwoboys]

We feel the same way. On our first ever trip to Disney World we took a day off from the parks to go to Disney Springs because we wanted to make sure we saw/did everything we could. We now regret doing that. For all the money spent going there we would have rather had another day in the parks instead of walking around looking at stores we really weren't interested in. Disney Springs is not on our agenda for our next trip.

Same we used to like the OLD DIsney Village, way back in the day... seemed smaller and charming., we can't stand the new Disney SPrings, yes there are some yummy places to eat, but its a large outdoor high end shopping mall. No thanks. Just seemed worse sensory wise walking around there versus a park. So we wont spend time there again.

 

[DanielNYC]

We are trying to decide whether or not to include a visit to Disney Springs on our next trip.

Same here. Our first day on property is supposed to be our pool/relax day and we were contemplating heading over to Disney Springs in the early evening to walk around and maybe have dinner. If it's just another high end mall I'm wondering if we might resort hop a bit instead.

 

[jpeterson]

I enjoy Disney Springs but would never plan a day there. Typically go either on arrival day or as part of a rest day. We will plan an ADR there and spend some time shopping and looking around. That's enough for me.

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

When I am on vacation I like to have a nice dinner and some good wine to go with it most nights. DS affords one a higher level of dining options than the parks (even Epcot) and more diversity than the Deluxe Resorts. So we use it for dining if it is convenient to do so. If you are staying at Port Orleans, the boat ride over to DS is fun and convenient. But other than dinner I probably wouldn't go. At least not very often.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I really like disney springs. You can definitely spend a whole day there. I just got back from a visit with my kids there and my phone told me we walked 11 miles that day so be prepared. It's a huge area. I feel as though it won't be the same now that disney quest and cirque are closing but still plenty to do.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Disney springs is good for T-rex and a sunset stroll. I don't do much actual shopping, but it is fun to browse. I just enjoy walking outside in the cool evening air, listening to whatever band might be playing, watching the last bits orange and yellow dance across the water.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We visited the revamped Disney Springs last fall for the first time and LOVED it. Yes - it is a glorified shopping mall, but I love to shop and so it was perfect for me. It is definitley one of the most gorgeous shopping areas I've ever been to. I love going to the Disney stores, but also liked being able to shop at the other stores. The day we went, we had a fun lunch at T-Rex and then had drinks before heading back to the resort at the Hangar Bar. It was a way to spend our no-park day.

 

[tlmadden73]

I use it as an arrival day thing to get some Disney vibe before the big park days. I wouldn't "plan" a day there. Go there for a meal, some shopping (Lego Store and Disney store if you have kids) and just enjoy the look and feel of it. There is a lot of fun energy there. When we went there there was a fun Cars 3 promotion area.

I would probably zip over there more if I stayed onsite for a LONG vacation (which I've never done yet).

 

[twoplustwins]

For DD be me, it was a nice break from the parks. We enjoy shopping and restaurants. DH would not have liked it though.

 

[DaisyJ]

It is an outdoor mall, nothing more. Disney Springs is even more boring than the old Downtown Disney.