Be sure to read the first part in this series: Things to do at Walt Disney World outside of the theme parks – Sports Activities!
When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another.
I feel like so many people overlook Disney Springs. They figure there’s plenty of dining options at the parks and resorts – but there is SO much more to Disney Springs than just dining and shopping. Check out just a few of the special experiences you can partake in at Disney Springs… and remember, no theme park ticket is required to visit!!!
Weekend/Sunday Brunch Options at Disney Springs: Disney Springs is well known for the incredible dining options for lunch and dinner, but did you know that there are also some BRUNCH options on the weekends?! House of Blues, Terralina, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Wine Bar George, Maria & Enzos, The Edison, Raglan Road and STK all offer brunch on the weekends! The Boathouse even offers a Captain’s Sing-along Brunch that you won’t want to miss!! Some of these restaurants only offer brunch on Sunday while others do offer brunch on both Saturday and Sunday, so make sure you double check the days you’re looking to dine.
Float on the Aerophile at Disney Springs: Aerophile at Disney Springs will allow you to soar sky-high during an 8-minute tethered adventure in the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon. This balloon ascends up to 400 feet and will allow you to see panoramic views of up to 10 miles away on a clear day! Advanced reservations are not required. This operates weather permitting.
Bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes: Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs is a great rainy day or non-park day activity that will be fun for the whole family. Whether you choose to dine there or just bowl, it’s sure to be a hit with all ages. What’s feather bowling? A bit of a cross between bocce ball, curling, shuffleboard horseshoes, and cornhole. There are also pool tables, tons of flat screen TVs, and music to keep the fun moving. I advise booking your lane ahead of time on their website.
Catch a Movie at AMC: Want to do something a little more relaxing? Or perhaps it’s a rainy day and you’d rather not go into the parks. AMC Dine-In at Disney Springs will allow you to catch the latest movies while you enjoy a meal. There’s even a full bar!
Disney PhotoPass Studio: If you purchased the MemoryMaker, make sure you stop by the Disney PhotoPass Studio! Many people don’t realize that you can stop into this studio at Disney Springs and have the amazing PhotoPass photographers snap pictures of you and your family with many fabulous backdrops — and it’s included in the price of your MemoryMaker! This is especially great if your kiddos just got a makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (reopening later in 2022 — date TBD) — capture those moments so they last forever!
Ride an Amphicar at Boathouse: The BOATHOUSE is the only place in the world that offers the unforgettable & thrilling experience of a Captain’s Guided Tour in a vintage Amphicar. These rare cars drive on land and enter the water with a splash, taking you on a Captain Guided, 25-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. Their fleet of Amphicars were purchased from private collections worldwide – there were less than 4,000 of these unique amphibious vehicles produced during the 1960’s. Less than 400 exist worldwide today. These tours are first come, first served – so double check when they open and get there early!
Cirque de Soleil’s Drawn to Life: Set your imagination in motion with Drawn to Life—a love letter to the art of Disney animation. In this first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, journey into a world where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come alive. The show is a celebration of life, accentuated by the delightful, mesmerizing movements of Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic mastery. Advance reservations are highly encouraged.
Live Irish Music and Dancing at Raglan Road: If you’re in the mood for some awesome Irish food and entertainment, you won’t want to miss Raglan Road at Disney Springs. The menu offers traditional Irish Pub fare and there’s a live Irish band and dancing every evening! They even offer brunch on the weekend!
Enjoy a Concert at House of Blues: Concerts have returned to House of Blues at Disney Springs! If there’s an artist heading to House of Blues that you’d like to see, check out the concert lineup and reserve your tickets ASAP!!!
Complete the Ultimate Taste Test at Coca Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar: You’ll find fun for all ages at the Coca-Cola Store in Disney Springs. Not only will you find the Freestyle Experience with up to 5 refills within an hour of your initial purchase, you’ll also find a create-your-own beverage experience where you can play mixologist to craft your own drinks, plus you can sample up to 16 different beverages from various countries around the world when you order an International, float or combo tray. They also offer adult libations for guests ages 21 and older.
Get a silhouette: Did you want to get a silhouette portrait done when you were in the Magic Kingdom but just didn’t have time to stop? At Disney Springs, artisans are available to hand-cut paper silhouettes of you and the whole family! The Silhouette Portraits Cart is located in the Marketplace near Arribas Bros.
Ride the carousel and train at Disney Springs: I know, you’ve been riding rides for days in the parks, but if your little ones still feel the urge to ride a ride, there is a small carousel and kid-sized train that you can purchase ride tickets for at Disney Springs (in the Marketplace). I may have bribed my daughter more than once to behave at dinner and then we’d let her ride the rides after. Just a thought if you need it!
Pick a Pearl at Disney Springs: Bring home an oyster’s precious gem—experience the thrill of discovering your very own pearl treasure at the Pearl Factory Kiosk in the Marketplace at Disney Springs.
And this list only scratches the surface of everything you can see and do at Disney Springs. What’s your favorite thing to do when you visit – did we miss it? Is there something new you learned from this list that you want to check out next time? We want to know!
Aly Hirst
