25 Fun Things to Do at Disney Springs
Disney Springs has much more to offer than just shopping and dining. From cake decorating classes to glassblowing demonstrations, Disney Springs is full of hidden (and not so hidden) things to do, see, and enjoy! So if you’ve been wondering what to do at Disney Springs, this post rounds up 25 fun things to do at Disney Springs to make the most out of your next Walt Disney World vacation!
A Brief Introduction to Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a large shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Walt Disney World that is FREE to enter! Home to 150+ shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, Disney Springs has plenty of things to see and do, ranging everywhere from shopping at the world’s largest Disney store to eating delicious food at the plethora of restaurants that are onsite.
The 3-year transformation that turned Downtown Disney into Disney Springs also led to the creation of four distinct “neighborhoods” that Disney Springs is divided into–Town Center, Marketplace, The Landing, and West Side–and make up the backstory of Disney Springs.
25 Fun Things to Do at Disney Springs
Disney Springs has much more to do besides shopping and dining. This post highlights 25 fun things to do at Disney Springs!
1. Ride in the Aerophile Balloon
There’s no need for a magic carpet with the Aerophile Balloon nearby! See Disney Springs from a whole new perspective in this custom made, hand-painted balloon that takes guests on an 8-minute ride up to 400 feet, offering stunning views up to 10 miles away!
2. Take a Cake Decorating Class
During a visit to Disney Springs with my sister, we visited Amorette’s Patisserie for the first time to try one of their dome cakes. (Spoiler alert: It tasted amazing!) So imagine my surprise when I learned that they offer a cake decorating class where guests learn how to decorate one of these dome cakes to look like Mickey or Minnie Mouse?!
Although a pricier experience ($199 plus tax, as of November 2023), this 90-minute cake decorating class gives you access to the patisserie before it’s open for the day, a delicious cake, mystery gift, beverage, and a lesson from a Disney pastry artist.
3. Enjoy a Limited-Time Offering
One of the best things about Disney Springs is its limited-time offerings, which offer something new with each visit! Past offerings have included yoga classes during Health and Wellness Month, the annual Christmas Tree Stroll, and more!
4. Listen to Live Music
There’s plenty of live music to be heard at Disney Springs! Waterside Stage and Waterview Park are two of the more public areas where you can listen to music, but plenty of restaurants offer live music, as well! Raglan Road is one of my favorites because not only is there Irish music, but also Irish dance! (I’m extremely uncoordinated, so I’m always in awe of their dancing!)
5. Relax at the Movies
Disney Springs features an AMC Theatre, and to this day it is still the best theatre I’ve visited. The theatre exterior often features photo opportunities from the latest movies and inside you can sometimes find movie costumes on display. The theatre also offers a couple of ticket experiences to choose from, with one being a dine-in service that delivers snacks and drinks right to your seat. No need to leave for the concession stand during the movie and risk missing a great scene! I saw Avengers: Endgame at this theatre with the popcorn delivered right to my seat and it was hands-down the best experience.
6. Take Photos Around Disney Springs
One of my favorite things to do is take photos around Walt Disney World, and Disney Springs is no exception! Disney Springs has a plethora of photo opportunities, ranging everywhere from the popular Orange Bird mural to the cute teacup in DisneyStyle. Be sure to check out my post on the best photo spots in Disney Springs (and where to find them!) to make taking photos in Disney Springs easier than ever!
7. Watch Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil opened their newest show at Disney Springs, Drawn to Life, in 2021. This show brings together the enchantment of Disney animation with the wonder of Cirque du Soleil for a spectacular show that you’re sure to remember!
8. Relax on a Boat Ride
See Disney Springs from a whole new perspective when you take a boat ride! Disney Springs offers two types of boat rides: boat transportation to four Disney resorts (Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter) and rides in the Vintage Amphicar.
The boat transportation to Disney resorts (via Sassagoula River Cruise) is FREE and a great way to relax and experience resort hopping! I’ve actually taken the boat transportation from Disney Springs while staying at Port Orleans Resort and it was a fun experience! (Much more memorable than the standard bus ride!)
However, if you’re looking for a shorter or more unique experience, then you’ll want to check out the Vintage Amphicar Tours. Although pricey (currently $125 per car, as of November 2023), this 20-minute ride offers a much more unique and private experience.
9. Go Bowling
Escape the Florida heat by bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes! Splitsville has everything you need for several hours of fun, including bowling, dining, live music, and more!
10. Meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear
Disney Springs has a lot of great offerings, including a “secret” character meet-and-greet…the Coca-Cola Polar Bear! Guests can meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear at the Coca-Cola store.
11. Take Kids to the Kids Club
Did you know that Disney Springs has a Kids Club? Every Saturday, kids are invited to join the fun at Disney Springs’ Waterview Park for activities and music! Disney Springs’ Kids Club can include anything from limbo to aerobatics to drum circles, so be sure to check them out and have your little one join in on the fun!
12. Take Kids for a Carousel and Train Ride
Choo-choo! Disney Springs’ Marketplace offers two fun rides for little ones: the Carousel and Train! Rides start at just $5 each (as of November 2023) and offer a great and entertaining break for little ones while exploring Disney Springs.
13. Shop ‘til You Drop
Disney Springs offers nearly 100 stores to explore, so it’s the perfect place to shop ‘til you drop! One of my favorite activities is shopping and window shopping at the numerous stores, which makes it so easy to find new favorites! Some of my must-visit stores with each Disney Springs visit are:
- World of Disney: The largest Disney store in the world! World of Disney is a must-visit for any Disney fan and features everything from apparel to home decor!
- Sugarboo & Co: I absolutely love the boho vibe of this store. From journals to jewelry to home decor, it’s hard for me to not splurge my entire budget here!
- DisneyStyle: This smaller Disney store offers the cutest apparel! Every time I visit I find something to be obsessed with. (And I’m a picky shopper, so that’s saying something!)
- Tren-D: I love not only the store name’s word play, but the styles offered in this smaller Disney shop.
- Disney’s Candy Cauldron: Watch the fun Disney-themed desserts come to life in the shop’s window as Cast Members decorate candy apples and more.
14. Try some New Foods
Disney Springs has a TON of dining options available. (Nearly 70, to be exact!) Dining at Disney Springs ranges everywhere from casual and quick options to high-end table service dining, with many restaurants taking on unique stories and themes, such as Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (perfect for Indiana Jones fans!) and Enzo’s Hideaway (themed like a 1920s speakeasy!).
Of course, there are plenty of quick service options available, as well. My favorites include:
- Gideon’s Bakehouse: This locally owned small business serves the BEST cookies I have ever tasted. Their line is frequently several hours long, so be sure to get there early! (And on a weekday, if possible!) Plus, some orders come with a fun and collectible trading card!
- Disney Food Trucks: The food trucks serve up some amazing food; I love their mac n’ cheese!
- Salt & Straw: Salt & Straw is an ice cream store that offers both classic flavors and thought-provoking seasonal flavors. (Cheesy Potato Casserole, anyone?)
Looking to try some of the amazing desserts offered at Disney Springs? Be sure to check out my guest post on 5 Must-Try Desserts at Disney Springs to Add to Your Foodie Bucket List at The Florida Travel Girl!
15. Get a Makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
The popular Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique* only has three locations at Walt Disney World, with one being at Disney Springs! At the boutique, little ones (ages 3-12) can receive a royal transformation from an apprentice of Fairy Godmother, with PhotoPass photographers there to capture the magic!
*As of November 2023, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is currently listed as unavailable at Disney Springs and Grand Floridian.
16. Do some Pin Trading
Pin trading is a Walt Disney World staple and is such a fun activity to do at Disney Springs! Disney stores and Cast Members often have pin boards and lanyards to trade from and the best place (in my opinion) to trade is at Disney’s Pin Traders. After all, you can trade for pins and shop for new pins at the same time!
17. Create a LEGO Minifigure
Calling all LEGO fans! The LEGO Store at Disney Springs offers a unique souvenir that you can customize and take home: your own LEGO minifigure! This 30-minute experience at LEGO® Minifigure Factory allows you to personalize your own LEGO minifigure to purchase and take home. However, they do recommend booking in advance!
18. Have a Silhouette Portrait Created
One of the coolest souvenirs I’ve gotten from Disney is a silhouette portrait! A portrait only takes a few minutes for the artist to cut and it’s amazing how much of the person’s likeness they capture in the paper profile. (It also makes a great decor piece to feature at home!)
19. Sample Drinks from Around the World
You may know that you can sample drinks from around the world at Club Cool at EPCOT, but did you know that you could do this at Disney Springs, too? The Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar has several options for their “Taste of the World”, where guests can sample up to 16 international flavors in either drink or float form! However, unlike EPCOT’s Club Cool, the drinks at the Coca-Cola Bar are a paid experience.
20. Sample Honey from Around the World
This is sure to bee a unique experience to tell your friends about! Savannah Bee Company not only offers a variety of bee themed items, but also offers a unique tasting of honeys from around the world at the Honey Bar.
21. Get a Personalized Ornament or Button
As someone with terrible handwriting (it is really, truly awful), I’m always in awe of the Cast Members that personalize ornaments at stores like Disney’s Days of Christmas. I can only imagine how much talent and practice it takes! At this store in Disney Springs, you can utilize their personalization service to get an ornament personalized. Although it does cost money, it makes a unique souvenir to take home!
22. Relax with a Facial or Salon Service
Did you know there are facial and salon services available at Disney Springs? At The Art of Shaving, the Barber Spa offers a wide range of services, ranging everywhere from cuts and shaves to scalp therapy treatments. It’s a great way to get a fresh new look for your Disney vacation!
23. Have your Face Painted or Get a Temporary Tattoo
The Face Painting Kiosk by Enjoy Your Face offers a variety of face paintings in addition to temporary and henna tattoos!
24. Have an Art Piece Signed at The Art of Disney
The Art of Disney offers stunning art pieces to take home, ranging everywhere from prints to figurines. (Although my favorite are the postcards!) Occasionally, a Disney artist will be present at events and can sign their pieces, making it extra special!
25. Watch a Glassblowing Demonstration
Stepping inside of Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers takes you into a world of sparkles with enchanting tiaras, jewelry, and more. However, they also offer glassblowing demonstrations!
As a former Cast Member and current Annual Passholder, I love exploring the Disney Parks and putting together tips and tricks for helping others make the most of their magical vacation. Be sure to check out the posts below and let me know in the comments your favorite thing to do at Disney Springs!
- An Instagrammer’s Guide to Magic Kingdom
- 10 Magical Photo Spots with Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World
- Where to Find Orange Bird Photo Opportunities at Walt Disney World
- 8 Best Photo Spots at Disney Springs
- The Ultimate Guide to Popular Instagram Walls at Walt Disney World (and where to find them!)
