My love of the Mouse House began as a child but became the “real deal” in 1986 when my family went to Walt Disney World for the first time. I wish I could say that I remember every element of that experience, but my most vibrant memory is of the visor featuring a stuffed Mickey Mouse head that I wore for an hour and then lost at Pecos Bill's. I shed a few tears but magically a Disney employee – or my parents – gave me a replacement visor.
By the way…I no longer have that visor.
Walt Disney World has been a part of my life for a very long time and will always have a special place in my heart. The home I purchased just over a year ago is three miles down the road from the Magic Kingdom. The proximity to Disney provides a lot of opportunities for me to explore in and around the parks. Today I'm going to focus on some of my favorite things (I just sang that to y'all) in Disney Springs.
Disney Springs, in my somewhat Disney-biased opinion, is an entertainment mecca of restaurants, shops, and experiences for Disney fans of all ages. It's a place that I go to on my own, on dates with Jared and out with friends. I would call myself the “Mayor of Disney Springs,” but that would make me sound like Scrooge McDuck or his egotistical equivalent.
Without further ado…here we go…
Drinks and Dining
I like to march my (not so) little Disney-loving behind out to the bar located on the back dock of the restaurant. It's a picturesque place to sip on the libation of your choice, eat some seafood and watch the amphicars and other boats drift by,
The live edge of the bar. The fried chicken and biscuit sliders. The decor. All of these elements make the faux Southern girl in me swoon (I have the chicken “vapors”). Bonus item – when I tweeted Chef Art Smith about a photo in the restaurant indicating a “job at the Colonel,” he confirmed that he worked for KFC in his early years.
Jared and I recently ventured into The Edison. It's “steampunky” with a side of Disneyfied “speakeasy” (everyone's invited…with a reservation). The cocktails are stellar, and the appetizer menu game is strong. Like most venues at Disney Springs, it is pricey, but the food, service, and decor are worth the extra pennies….or dollars.
The Ganachery is a cozy chocolate shop that usually has quite the line (maybe it should have a Fast Pass system?) The chocolates are worth the wait, but if the s'mores are available, please get one. You get to watch the process of your s'more being made (they use a blowtorch!) They are a delectable layered dessert made of handmade graham crackers, melty chocolate, golden-toasted marshmallow and finished with a confectioner's sugar Mickey. Want. One. Now.
A cupcake shop with an ATM. An ATM that takes your money and gives you…cupcakes! Although the cupcakes aren't the best I've ever had, the experience of the ATM is pinkalicious fun and oh so tasty. I'd do it again (and I have!)
Entertainment
I've been going to this movie theater for over twenty years! It has evolved over time to include dine-in service in select theaters and a couple MacGuffins Bars. Recently they added a Dolby Cinema theater complete with reclined seating. You feel all of the action during the movie within and around your seat. It was the BEST venue to see Titanic twenty years later. “I'll never let you go, Jack…”
Total bonus…a ticket purchased before noon is just under $6!
The Aerophile has been around for close to a decade and I still haven't been up in it to check out the view of Disney Springs from the air. The experience is typically available on Groupon so you can check it out at a discounted price. The attraction will shut down due to weather (safety first, people!) I am hoping to exchange my Groupon in soon to see the area with the eyes of a bird.
Shopping
I'm an Anthro-girl through and through. The Anthropologie shop at Disney Springs is a two-level beauty. It's a “must stop” for me to find home decor odds and ends. And it even has a “sale” section (how many sale sections have YOU seen at Disney?)
Disney-Themed Shops
There are so many shops in the Downtown Disney area devoted to the Mouse and all of his friends. The options are nearly limitless – from clothing to jewelry to accessories and home goods. It's a Mouse House lover's paradise. Disney Style just opened its doors in May of 2018. I've literally only window shopped it. My wallet asked me to wait until next month to check it out. I try to abide the “Wallet Dude.”
My Disney Springs Future
Cake Decorating at Amorette's Patisserie
Like Alice going down an internet rabbit hole, I stumbled upon a super cool activity available at Amorette's Patisserie – a cake decorating demonstration. The shop makes stunning Disney cakes and offers a class five days a week for guests to learn tips and tools of the trade while getting hands-on experience decorating their own Mickey Mouse cake.
The class size is incredibly small, so getting a reservation requires a bit of tenacity and legalized Disney stalking. The price is also a bit high at $149 plus tax for two people. My reservation has been made for November (the first available date I could get!) I will be sharing my experience with all of you months and months and months…and months from now.
Do you guys love Disney as much as I do? What are your favorite Disney experiences? I'm always on the lookout for new ones.
Do you ever wonder why Mickey has three fingers and a thumb? Let me know in the comments.
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
P.S. See you real soon…with another blog post!
ahh I didn’t realise there’s so much to do at Disney! And how cool is it that you still have that ticket – shame about the visor though… but I’m sure you got yourself new ones 🙂
Between the parks, hotels and Disney Springs there is so much to do! The visor was a bit of a hot mess, but I loved it when I was eleven years old. Now I have a tendency to wear sequined Mickey ears. 🙂
I loved this post! We spent two days at Disney during our honeymoon in November 2015. We’re already planning to go back for our five-year anniversary in 2020, since Star Wars Land will be open. I feel like a kid!
I am so glad you loved it! I am such a huge fan of all things Disney! Oh my goodness…did you know that they have a Star Wars-themed race weekend? Professor Nicole and I did the Stars Wars Half Marathon. It was a trip!
I did not know that. How cool!
OK I so want to go to Disney Springs, I am absolutely loving the bedroom how amazing is that! I’m not sure I would ever want to leave.
One of things I love about Disney Springs is that the parking is free. That’s a great perk for locals and travelers to Disney.
That bedroom was so darn cute. The displays in that particular store of non-traditional Disney items was nothing short of stellar.
I love Disney too! Went to D-land back in the 60s for the first time. Still have my ticket book. All the E tickets are gone tho…When I used to work for the Portland School District we did a shoot at Disneyland as part of our “career” series. We got to go behind the scenes and meet topiary landscapers, costume people and other Disney career folks. I saw Donald Duck walking backstage with his head under his arm. I have to admit I was crushed. (they wouldn’t let us video that)
There used to be a ticket book? How cool is that?
The “career” series sounds like a ton of fun! I think seeing any character without a head would be quite the letdown. 🙂
I love going to Disney Springs. There is so much to see and do. I love those Sprinkles cupcakes.
Hi, Amber! Are you an Orlando local? What’s your favorite cupcake from Sprinkles? I’m a salted caramel girl. 🙂
The Bedroom looks so classic. Wish to go in the near future.ill now never been there.
The bedroom was so darn cute. I wonder if anyone bought the elements to make a room of their own? If you do go, I hope you enjoy it. There is so much to do!
I’ve always wanted to go here, so thank you for posting this because you’ve definitely convinced me! I love all the food places you found too!!
It’s such a fun place to go with a crazy amount of food places to try. If I was at home today I would be heading over to Disney Springs to try out the new wine bar. #NationalWineDay
I love Disney Springs. It is such a great place to shop and hang out. Thanks for sharing.
It is! And I appreciate that they have lots of parking that is free! Definitely makes me a repeat customer. 🙂
Omg that bacon hanging from the line… sign me up! Also, great tip on looking for Groupons for some of the experiences!
When we walked in nearly half of the tables had the “bacon on a clothesline” dish. It was such a fun presentation and delicious!
We love everything Disney. We’re thinking about visiting Disney Springs this summer, but it’s a huge maybe.
I wish I could tell my eleven-year-old self that I was going to live down the street from the Magic Kingdom. It would have blown my little kid mind. 🙂
I hope your “maybe” ends up being a “yes” and you have the best time!
Awww what a great post! That Mickey S’more looks soooo yum! And how I wish we had that Cupcake ATM here! :’D
The Cupcake ATM is super fun, but that s’more is WAY better. It’s delicious and fun to watch them make it.
Thank you for the blog ❤️!!
Disney Springs is a “park” itself lol. So much to do and have a good time. How awesome is it that you live right there!
That’s a really great way to put it! It’s definitely a park in and of itself.
It’s really fun living so closeby. Sometimes I walk out to the back of my house to watch the nightly fireworks (I definitely hear them!)
I love everything Disney! I do not think I have been to Disney Springs though! I love the thought of a cupcake atm and a cake decorating class! (Can you tell I love cakes?) I will definitely look into these for my next trip!
I love cake, too! I really love personal cakes…a.k.a. cupcakes. There i so much to do in Disney Springs. If you do make it there, I hope you love it!!
I loved Disney! I worked there as an intern at 21 in 1997. I was offered a job to stay but my mother who was helping me pay for school said no to helping me financially so back to NY I went. Then joined the Army. I’ll go back someday.
I hope you don’t mind new people you never met before reading your blog, if so I can stop. I follow a lot of wine bloggers 🙂
Hi, Lisa! I moved to Orlando in 1997 and worked at Planet Hollywood. I wonder if we ever crossed paths?
I love new people and people I have never met so you fit right in. Only stop reading if you don’t enjoy the blog. Welcome to Work, Play and Chardonnay!! 🤗🍷👩🏼💻
Hi! I mostly worked in MGM Studios at ABC Commissary (I still know the Happy Days dance!) I also did stadium vending and I was out there for the Hercules parade, selling those huge pretzels.
So you would remember Cinderella’s castle for the anniversary when it was pink! ☺️
I love those pretzels so darn much!
And oh yes…I remember the pink Cinderella’s Castle. It looked absolutely horrid (I just became momentarily British). 🙂
That food look amazing. I always wanted to go to Disney and stay to be my guest. Beauty and the beast is my favorite Disney story.
The food options at Disney Springs are awesome! Have you seen the live action version of Beauty and the Beast? I liked it way more than I thought I would. 😀
I’m currently planning Disney for in a few years from Australia !!! I’m so excited thanks foryour post
Hello, Australia! You are going to have so much fun when you get here. Disney is constantly making updates and adding new attractions/experiences so you will have so many things to try!
Thank you for reading! 🤗
Disney is truly a magical play. We go every 2 years to Florida and Disney is a must see for us each time we visit. It really has changed over the years to make it a play for adults to also enjoy.
Hi, Drea! Where are you from? And when you come to Orlando do you stay on Disney property?
Thank you for stopping by Work, Play and Chardonnay! 🙂
What a fun name for your blog —work, play & Chardonnay!
Thank you, Taite! I can still remember the first time the phrase came out of my mouth. It’s my never ending quest for work/life balance. With a glass of wine. 🙂
Thank you for checking out the blog! I hope you come back soon. – Laurie
Disney Springs looks so lush. I will be going to Disneyland next week but i will be going to Disneyworld this summer so thanks for this beautiful review.
Hi, Kiwi! Thank you for checking out the blog. I hope you have a great time at both “coasts” of Disney! 🙂
THe food looks great, i love to try oysters and what are s’more lol (British mind thought it was cheese lol
Hi, Charmain! Oysters are so darn good. I love them with mignonette. How do you like your oysters?
S’mores are graham crackers and chocolate with a toasted marshmallow. They are ooey, gooey, messy and lovely.
The food looks so delicious!
It was so darn good! It makes me want to do bacon on a clothesline at home. 🙂
My daughter has been always asking us to take to Disney land and her list never ends what she wants to do their, recently when they visited States, they did not make it as it packed scheduled, but this time around we are trying to make it and let her live her dream :-)…!
How old is your daughter? I am so happy for her and for you that she will be able to live her dream. She’ll have wonderful memories! 🙂
looks like you had an awesome time. thank you for sharing your words, great tips and experiences
Going to Disney Springs is terrific. I love everything without a doubt. The best adventure for everybody
A place where every kid wants to visit. Can’t imagine the fun you had over there 🙂
I haven’t been to Disney Springs since it was downtown Disney! I look forward to going back.
I really hated it when they changed the name but I have since changed my mind. I enjoy the area so much more than I did before (although I still miss the Comedy Warehouse). 🙂
We are huge Disney fans in our house but I never heard of Disney Springs. We will be visiting here next time we are in the area.
Disney Springs was previously known as “Downtown Disney”. I hope you enjoy it when you come visit! 🙂
What a cool post! Disney is something we all love within my family. I enjoyed reading this! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Disney and family are like peas and carrots. 🙂
I love Disney! We went with my Family last year and we had so much fun. My daughter loves the rides but I’m not that much as I am scared of heights. But it’s really a great experience. Thanks for sharing.
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to take my daughter to Disney when she is old enough
Hi Gavin! It’s such a wonderful place where memories can be made in so many ways. I can’t wait for you and your family to go!
It looks like not only a kids have fun there:P I’m planning to visit Disneyland Paris next year with my toddler but I have feelings it will be ore for me not for him:D
Disneyland Paris sounds like so much fun! I hope you both enjoy. 😀
Going to Disney next February! Can’t wait to visit some of these places!
That’s so awesome! I hope you enjoy Disney Springs! There are still so many things that I need/want to try!
It looks like you had an amazing time!! I’ve never been but after seeing your post I want to go!! Thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through you! Great post. 🙂
Hi, Sarah! I totally recommend time at Disney Springs if you ever make it to the Orlando area. It’s so much fun! They have added a lot more parking over the past few years which has been a parking godsend (I never thought I would write that!) 🙂