Tell me about Disney Springs with kids

[BubblyTrip]

We've never done DTD as part of a trip with DS (almost 7). I've been pre-kid before, but that was 10+ years ago. I think we are going to do this on arrival afternoon / eve instead of a park.

What's the most fun for kids? Is Disney Quest appropriate for a first grader? Favorite dining options, activities and shopping? How much time to spend here typically?

Also, this is still mid-refurb I gather?

Thanks you!

 

[busymommy2pink]

Well we go solely for Fultons Crab House now. First time last trip and our girls Even asked to cancel a castle reservation to repeat Fultons. We ended up there three times that trip lol

World of Disney is great. My kids also like the make your own lightsaber part in the smaller toy store. We've never done Disney quest so no real opinion there. We also go to goofy candy shops and the Christmas store

 

[rteetz]

We've never done DTD as part of a trip with DS (almost 7). I've been pre-kid before, but that was 10+ years ago. I think we are going to do this on arrival afternoon / eve instead of a park.

What's the most fun for kids? Is Disney Quest appropriate for a first grader? Favorite dining options, activities and shopping? How much time to spend here typically?

Also, this is still mid-refurb I gather?

Thanks you!

Disney quest can be appropriate for any age really as there is a lot of different types of games there for everyone. Disney quest is likely to be closing sometime in 2017 though.

Anyways Disney Springs is all about shopping and dining. While they don't have any character dining there are a good amount of things could be interested in. World of Disney is the largest Disney store and even if not buying is just fun to look around in. The Lego store is fun for kids as they have building stations. Once upon a toy is a big Disney toy store that is always good as well. We typically spend an evening there. A few hours to maybe a half a day is good enough.

Disney springs should be finished by late 2016.

 

[magicaldisney]

Goofy's Candy Company would be a great place to go. They can design there own candy treat. Check it out here:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/04/05/goofys-candy-company-create-your-own-snacks/

 

[larryz]

Lots of walking. Make sure they're up for it.

 

[Stigsmom]

My boys ages six and seven actually prefer Disney springs to the parks. Between once upon a toy and the Lego store they could easily waste half their day- add a meal and the World of Disney megastore and there's a day gone but my kids are shopaholics lol. It definitely is a lot of walking but my kids feel it's worth it. One thing we learned, a kid can get easily lost or separated in the crowds. There are live performances where crowds gather and it's also easy to be distracted by the storefronts. It may sound silly because you'd be careful as in a theme park or other public place, and op has only one kid to watch out for but I just wanted to put it out there having seen the crowds get massive around the performance areas at night. Enjoy!!

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Took my two year old last year. Going again in 2 weeks now that she's three. We actually spent an insane amount of time there simply because we made it out half day, as we arrived to our hotel around 11am. Ate lunch at T-Rex, then dinner at Rainforest Café. The two Disney stores are super great, and she killed some time playing with the potato heads. She also killed time playing with the diplomat blocks at the Lego store. There's also regular Legos for the older children. And of course, digging for dinosaur bones while waiting for our table at T-Rex.

Then, the day we were supposed to leave, outfought got canceled. Twice actually. Three times, if you wanna get technical. Since we didn't know that we were going to have an extra day, rather than pay extra to go to AK, a park we had not gone to that trip, we decided to go back to Diwntiwn Disney. We rode the tiny train and the carousel. There's of course that giant balloon if you wanna pay for that experience. Then we killed an hour having her play in the floor fountain with the other kids.

Personally, I think she would've been too young for Disney Quest, even this time around. And considering how expensive admission is, it would be stupid to hafta pay for her too. But I think a 1st grader would love it. But be warned. I've heard that it hasn't been updated or maintained since the 90s. Last time I went was in 2005. Only issue I had was my buzz lightyear bumper car got stuck in a corner the entire time, and this stranger insisted on being with me even though me and my newly wed husband were standing in the singles line for a reason.

 

[kohlby]

The Lego stores has a spot where they can build cars to race. There have been times that my kids spent a full two hours there! They also love Once Upon a Toy - though last time we were there, there was some construction going on so it wasn't as big as usual. We like that they can take their time shopping and not feel like we're missing attractions.

As for Disney Quest, my kids were 5, 8, and 11 the last time we went - Sept of 2014. The 5 and 11 year old really liked it. The 8 year old did not. It was included in our tickets though, as we had the waterparks and more.

 

[mrzrich]

Characters in flight tethered balloon is pretty cool. You can get a groupon for it, but it only flies of the wind conditions are good. I usually wait until I get there and buy the groupon on my phone before getting on line.

 

[msmama]

Like someone else said, my 7 (almost 8) might prefer DS to the parks! We love the toy store and world of Disney and the Lego store in the marketplace. If you walk over to the other side it's usually less crowded and there is a marvel store and the D-signed store that now has all Star Wars stuff.

Our favorite place to eat is Earl of Sandwich.

I've never taken him to DisneyQuest, but I'm sure he'd love it. We just don't usually have the time.

That said, Disney springs is basically a big outdoor shopping mall so have the discussion early about what you will and won't be buying. Some of our favorites over the years have been to stuff a box with Mr. Potato Head pieces (although the selection seems to have gotten smaller over the years) and Build your own lightsaber - both of those are in the big toy store (lightsabers can also be built at HS and MK). We also have a couple Build-a-Dino's from T-Rex (there's a cute store you can go in without eating there, it's too loud for me to actually eat there).

If you're in the summer there are water fountains for kids to play in - my son loved it when he was younger, he seems to have outgrown it now though.

You can also take a boat to get from one side to the other which is always fun.