Disney Springs is like mixing fantasy with nightlife. The entire complex is filled with places to shop, dine, and play! Whether you’re a local or from out of town, Disney Springs has something for everyone. However, the abundance of choice can be overwhelming. How are you supposed to narrow down a place to have dinner when just about every restuarant there is the best of the best? Springs is divided into four sections. West Side, The Landings, Town Center, and the Marketplace, I’ll break down all four to make your next visit as stress free as possible, now moving on to The Landing.
Dining
The Landing is like a sliver of Heaven on Earth to me. Some of my all time favorite restaurants, not just on Disney property, are located on this island in the middle of Disney Springs. While not very heavy on the shopping, the places to eat here rival those in the parks.
The cuisine at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is the very definition of southern comfort food. You might think you’ve had good fried chicken, but you haven’t until you’ve eaten here. Served with their mouth watering sides like Momma’s Mac and Cheese and creamy mashed potatoes, you’ll most likely be full a few bites in. Wash this down with their famous moonshine cocktails and it will truly feel like the most magical place on earth. You have not lived until you’ve ordered the Thigh High Chicken Biscuits. It is my go to order and they never let me down.
The Edison is like traveling back in time to a 1920’s nightclub. Featuring live entertainment every night, this electric (pun very much intended) environment has something for everybody. Whether you want to cut a rug on the dance floor or sit back and sip an old fashioned, The Edison is worth a visit. It’s also home to the best burger I have ever consumed. I have thought about it every day since. The Edison burger, I love you.
If you want good seafood in Orlando, Florida, your options are pretty limited. Not at The Boathouse however, which has the best seafood I’ve ever tasted (Outside of New England). I recently visited The Boathouse and ordered Tuna that melts in your mouth. I had never understood why people described food that way until I tried their Coriander Seared Yellowfin Tuna. Their Maine Lobster Bisque is to die for, and their Maine Style Lobster Roll is worth resurrecting to try. If you don’t like seafood, Boathouse is famous for their Filet Mignon sliders, and offer many surf and turf options!
Looking for a quick bite? Pizza Ponte, connected to Maria & Enzo’s is a quick service window that offers pizza by the slice! It is a GIANT slice and well worth the money as it’s really delicious! Indiana Jones fans will love to hear that there’s a themed bar just a few feet away! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is themed to… well an airplane hangar! This hangar now serves drinks themed to the Indiana Jones films and they have plenty of creative concoctions! Just reading the menu and seeing the references is an adventure in and of itself! This bar offers small bites as well to pair with your beverages.
One of the biggest draws to Disney Springs is Gideon’s Bakehouse. Here you’ll find cookies that are almost HALF A POUND. They are prepared over 24 hours and that first bite into a Gideon’s cookies makes that apparent. They are incredibly rich and flavorful, one cookie could last you almost two days (They are sooo much better after being in your fridge overnight). Depending on when you are visiting, the menu might be different as each month they offer new limited editions, cookies, cakes, and cold brews. If you see one that catches your eye, you’ll want to arrive early, as they tend to sell out!
Shopping
While dining options do outnumber those of shopping in The Landing, there a few shops of note! Sanuk, a footwear store specializing in flip flops, sandals, and slippers. If you don’t find a pair there that you like, Havianas also carries flip flops! Springs has its own Oakley store, the popular athletic wear brand. Chapel Hats offers fashionable choices in fedoras to floppy hats, which can come in handy if you need a little shade on a warm date night at Springs!
What is your favorite thing to do at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments!
Written by
Mateo Osorio
Mateo has been in love with the Disney Parks for as long as he can remember. During his childhood he spent any free second talking about Walt Disney World and Disneyland to anybody who would listen. Not much has changed! During his free time you can find him either at Hollywood Studios or trying to convince his friends to go on another trip to Disneyland.
