Disney Springs Florida

By alantvuong on February 15, 2022

Back in November, a friend and I got to stay at Pop Century Resort for 4 nights and had to fit in visiting all 4 theme parks in the 4 days. The only chance we were able to visit Disney Springs was after our visit to Animal Kingdom since it closes for the day the earliest out of the 4 parks. Disney Springs is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at Disney World and we wanted to check it out for at least a few hours on this trip.

Getting There

Staying at Pop Century Resort, there is a bus stop to get to Disney Springs as there is a stop to everywhere in Disney World. Since Animal Kingdom closes at 7 PM on the day we went, we left the theme park around 6.30 as we wanted to leave before the whole crowd came out. It was still quite busy as a smarm of people exited the park with us.

from Animal Kingdom to Congress Park bus stop

We were told that the best route to Disney Springs was to take the Saratoga Springs Resort bus and to get off at Congress Park bus stop. It was the same kind of accessible bus that we took on the entire trip so far. From Congress Park station, we took the walkway that led us directly to Disney Springs.

boardwalk to Disney Springs

Disney Springs

Disney Springs opened in March 1975 and was known previously as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in 1975, Walt Disney World Village in 1977, Disney Village Marketplace in 1989, and Downtown Disney in 1997. It is located on 120 acres (49 ha) of land and is divided into 4 different areas or lands: The Landing, Marketplace, Town Center, and the West Side.

Disney Springs

Shops

some 50th anniversary display

By the time we arrived to Disney Springs, it was probably around 7.30 PM, so we only had a few hours to check out the area. Depending on the store or restaurant, most places closes somewhere between 10 PM and midnight. We started out looking around Once Upon A Toy Store and took some cool pictures with Buzz Lightyear and Mr. Potato Head.

Buzz Lightyear at Once Upon A Toy Store

We then went into the World of Disney Store. This is their biggest location and the store was crazy busy. People were scrambling and in a frenzy to buy some 50th Anniversary items even though prices are quite high. We also checked other stores like Uniqlo, Star Wars Trading Post, Pin Traders and the massive Lego Store. It was really neat to see the life size Lego sculptures.

Lego Mickey at the Lego Store

Food

As with the rest of Disney World, reservations are needed to dine at the restaurants. We didn’t have any reservations as we had a late lunch at Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom, and will just rely on food kiosks or at a fast food place at Disney Springs.

Taiyaki and a Pizza Bun from YeSake Kiosk

The first snack my friend got was Taiyaki and a Pizza Bun from YeSake Kiosk. The taiyaki was a sweet red bean pastry with some Bavarian cream, while the pizza bun had sausage, marinara and cheese inside. Takeout Blaze Pizza was our last food for the day as we enjoyed it outside at one of the seating areas nearby.

takeout from Blaze Pizza

Attractions & Entertainment

volcano eruption show at Rainforest Cafe

Since we were visiting Disney Springs so late in the day, a lot of the attractions have been already closed. Choices includes hot air balloons, carousels, movie theaters, train rides and live theater. There is also live entertainment with music at some of the bars, restaurants, and Waterside Stage.

live music at Waterside Stage

We happen to catch a Christmas group playing some music with drums and instruments. There is an eye catching display of fire and lights as the volcano erupt at the Rainforest Cafe daily. This show lasts about 2 minutes and happens every half hour once it gets dark and can be seen from almost anywhere in Disney Springs.

Christmas music

Final Thoughts

inside Uniqlo Store

It was a fun night for us to visit Disney Springs after our day at Animal Kingdom. We had no other chance to visit so the few hours we got to explore was definitely worth it. I would like to come back and visit during the day to check out some of the attractions and just to see how different the experience would be. Hopefully soon.