The best things to do at Disney Springs in Orlando

Did you miss your chance to get something special at one of the parks? Luckily, World of Disney is your one-stop shop for everything Disney, including theme park merchandise, Mickey Mouse headbands, coffee mugs, and more. And while this store is all about merchandise, there’s no shortage of magic: around the store, you’ll notice projections on the ground that come to life with a bit of pixie dust.

Pro-tip: If you can’t find an item at World of Disney, ask a cast member. They should be able to look up the item for you and tell you where to find it in the store, at Disney Springs, or at one of the theme parks or hotels.

Fun fact: World of Disney is the largest Disney store in the world.

Wine Bar George has made a name for itself not only at Disney Springs, but also in the state itself (in fact, it even made our list of best restaurants in Florida). Serving lunch and dinner on weekdays—not to mention a fabulous weekend brunch that’s inspired by wine country—the restaurant also serves every one of its wines by the ounce, glass, or bottle.

Pro-tip: Order the delicious Dole Whip Frozcato, a frozen drink made from Dole Whip Pineapple, moscato, and vodka. This can be purchased inside at a table or at the outside walk-up window.

Fun fact: Wine Bar George is the only Master Sommelier-led wine bar in Florida, and was recently awarded Best Short Wine List in the World in 2024 by the World of Fine Wine.

If you want the perfect family photo without the sun glaring in your eyes, head to the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs. Here, Disney photographers (the same PhotoPass cast members you’ll find in Magic Kingdom that line Main Street U.S.A.) will take your picture in front of fun, seasonal backgrounds. Better yet? Using a process called “Magic Shot,” they can even digitally impose Disney characters right into your photos.

Pro-tip: You don’t need a reservation to get your photos taken here—just walk in and a cast member will get the process started right away.

Fun fact: The most popular Magic Shot character is Tinkerbell, the feisty fairy from Peter Pan, but there are over 50 different options to choose from, and the options are always changing as new Disney characters are introduced from new movies like Encanto.

Disney’s Days of Christmas store is a fan-favorite where you’ll find all types of Disney-themed holiday items from ornaments and nutcrackers to stockings and menorahs. Most items in the store can be personalized with the date, year, and even your name to make it extra special. The store gets very busy around the holidays, so be sure to go here first thing in the morning if you want to snag the perfect memento from your trip.

Pro-tip: You can get other things personalized at this store, like the free birthday buttons that Disney gives out. Just take your button to the personalization counter, let the cast member know what you want, and pay for the personalization at the register before picking up the final product.

Fun fact: The store smells like Christmas spices and a burning fireplace, which instantly transports guests to the holiday season even if it’s the middle of July.

If you want to make your own figurine (one that looks just like you) or get your hands on exclusive Disney LEGO sets, head to The LEGO Store at Disney Springs. Even if you aren’t shopping, the store is like a showcase of LEGO artwork, home to larger-than-life models of Disney characters like Sorcerer Mickey, Rey, Chewbacca, and Maleficent—the models change every so often, which means you’ll likely see new characters whenever you visit.

Pro-tip: Get in line to make your own miniature LEGO figurine. Each figurine is fully customizable, allowing you to pick every feature from hair color to t-shirt designs.

Fun fact: Brickley, the LEGO sea serpent that lives in the lake across from The LEGO Store, is 30 feet long and was made with 170,000 LEGO bricks.

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Designed like a 1940s airplane hangar, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is inspired by the character of the same name who’s also Indiana Jones’ pilot. Order the Air Pirates Cargo Loaded Pretzel, a hearty charcuterie board that stars a large Bavarian pretzel along with things like prosciutto, sliced brats, pickles, and a beer cheese fondue. The bar usually has some sort of rotating menu of snacks and drinks depending on the season too, which are always fun to try.

Pro-tip: There are no reservations at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, so get your name on the list early if you want to dine here. On nice days, you can even dine outside overlooking the lake at Disney Springs.

Fun fact: Keep your eyes open for Indiana Jones easter eggs throughout the bar, like a replica of the fertility idol that Indy plans to steal in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

One of the best places to grab a pastry at Disney Springs is Amorette’s Patisserie. The artfully made cakes and treats sometimes feature Disney characters like Tiana, Minnie Mouse, and more. If you want to learn how to make some of the beautiful desserts yourself, you can take part in a cake decorating class at the bakery, which includes a 90-minute lesson and a drink of choice. At the end of the class, you get to take your dome cake home with you.

Pro tip: I always try to get to Amorette’s Patisserie as early as possible to get the best selection of sweets. Each pastry can be boxed up to go or eaten right there in the store.

Fun fact: The bakery often offers seasonal options, such as citrus-flavored desserts in the summer or pumpkin-flavored desserts in the fall.

Gideon’s Bakehouse, a local favorite in Orlando, also has a location at Disney Springs. The number one thing on everyone’s list at Gideon’s Bakehouse? Well, that’s the nearly half-pound cookies that come in delicious flavors that range from classic chocolate chip to coffee cake. And if the heavyweight cookies aren’t enough, the bakery also sells slices of cake and nitro cold brew coffee. I particularly love the peanut butter cold brew, which is a great afternoon pick-me-up or one to stash in your hotel fridge for the following morning.

Pro-tip: The actual store is quite small, which means the bakery often runs on a mobile waitlist; get a headstart by visiting the bakery first thing in the morning so you can shop and dine at Disney Springs while you wait to be called back.

Fun fact: Only available at their Disney Springs location, Gideon’s Bakehouse offers a hot cookie hour at 7pm every night—you’ll get a hot chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven topped with homemade ice cream.

Drawn to Life, an original Cirque du Soleil show that combines acrobatics with Disney animation, is a must at Disney Springs. The show brings Disney films to life through the lens of a talented team that includes Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering. The show is heartfelt and mesmerizing and can please everyone in your family. I love sitting as close as I can to the stage for this show so I can see the performers’ outfits and facial expressions, which bring so much to the show.

Pro-tip: It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance for the show, as the theater is fairly small and shows often sell out.

Fun fact: The show, which features all-new animation sequences by Disney artists, is led by Eric Goldberg, best-known for creating characters like Genie from Aladdin.

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One of the coolest spots to hang out at Disney Springs is House of Blues. From the Front Porch, where local artists perform every day, to the indoor restaurant that serves up comfort food with a bayou twist, there’s something for everyone here. I also love that House of Blues offers happy hours from the moment they open until 5pm Monday through Thursday.

Pro tip: House of Blues offers a southern-style weekend brunch that’s one of the best at Walt Disney World. A big hit on the brunch menu is the chicken and donuts, which combines golden fried chicken and maple-bacon donuts.

Fun fact: House of Blues also has a concert hall where local and nationally recognized bands perform nearly every weekend.

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Need a break from shopping? Head to Splitsville and get sporty instead. The entertainment complex features two floors with everything from traditional 10-pin bowling to billiards and feather bowling. Here, food can be brought right to your lane—order the loaded fries topped with queso, bacon, and ranch dressing. and split them with your crew.

Pro-tip: If you just want to eat at Splitsville, there are plenty of outdoor seats with big-screen TVs and often live music.

Fun fact: Some of the bowling balls at Splitsville have Mickey Mouse embossed right on the surface of the ball.

Walt Disney World is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Victoria & Albert’s, at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. If you’re looking for even more Michelin-recommended dining, head to one of the two options at Disney Springs, The Polite Pig or Morimoto Asia, which serve barbecue and modern Asian cuisine, respectively. Both are fairly easy to get into but offer very different experiences. Polite Pig is known for its casual setting, fast-casual service style, and bourbon bar, while Morimoto Asia is more high-end table service dining where impeccable cocktails are paired with fresh sushi and Peking duck.

Pro tip: Both restaurants are ideal for lunch before the dinner rush sets in. I try to sit at the full-service bars where I can order a drink and food without taking up a large table for just one or two people.

Fun fact: Did you know there are other Michelin-starred or recommended restaurants at Walt Disney World? For more award-winning meals, head to Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Cítricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or Toledo at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

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The Ganachery at Disney Springs is a specialty chocolate shop where you can find handcrafted ganache squares in a multitude of flavors, such as chai and passion fruit. The shop features a large window from which guests can peek into the kitchen and watch the chocolate masters at work.

Pro-tip: Every summer, The Ganachery churns out s’mores with large homemade marshmallows, perfectly crisp graham crackers, and hunks of chocolate—it’s one of Disney Springs must-have treats.

Fun fact: From ganache squares to full-sized candy bars, The Ganachery uses its own custom blend of chocolate to make everything in the store.

For over-the-top donuts and top-notch cold brew coffee, Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew has it in the bag. The small shop, on the west side of Disney Springs, whips up sugar-stuffed donuts like a peanut butter explosion, topped with chocolate icing, peanut butter chips, and crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. For something truly next-level, order the Donut Shop Topper, a large cup of cold brew that’s served with a donut on top of the lid—it sure beats a cherry on top, don’t you think?

Pro-tip: If you visit in the afternoon (before the evening rush) you’ll get the best selection of donuts without the long lines.

Fun fact: All of the donuts at Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew are made on-site at Disney Springs.

The Coca-Cola Store is a fun-fueled spot for anyone who loves the iconic soda brand. The shop itself is modeled after a 1920s bottling plant with multiple floors that stock all sorts of Coca-Cola merch. While walking through the store, stop and take a photo with the giant Coca-Cola Polar Bear, just like the ones seen in the brand’s charming holiday commercials.

Pro-tip: Head to the rooftop bar for a flight of 16 different Coca-Cola products from around the world.

Fun fact: Inside the store, keep an eye out for a 30-foot-wide blown glass chandelier that's made from repurposed Coca-Cola bottles.

From high-end table service to walk-up takeaway, you’ll find a wide range of dining options at Disney Springs. For a quick bite, head to Chicken Guy!, a restaurant collaboration with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. This hotspot specializes in chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders that are served with Fieri’s signature flare.

Pro-tip: The line at Chicken Guy! gets long, and the restaurant does not currently take mobile orders—for the shortest wait, consider eating a late lunch after midday crowds ease up.

Fun fact: In true Flavortown fashion, Chicken Guy! offers a dizzying array of 12 different sauces, ranging from garlic parmesan to avocado crema.

Candy lovers, get ready for your sugar rush: at the M&M’s Store, you’ll find everything from t-shirts to candy dispensers and more. The store features a large display of every color M&M’S possible, plus a wide array of flavors that rotate seasonally.

Pro-tip: If you’re looking for a unique gift to bring home, consider designing your own M&M’S and have a photo from your trip printed right on the candy.

Fun fact: This is the only location where you can find M&M’S candy featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse (both are for sale at Mickey Mix and Minnie Mix).