(Above) Disney Springs is not just all shopping, but a great place to hang out with friends and family. One of the most popular activities at the property is Splitsville Luxury Lanes. Splitsville offers two stories of private bowling lanes along with a full stocked menu of party favorites, including pizza, burgers, and various desserts that you can order to your lane while you bowl.
While Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot attract hundreds of thousands of Disney World fans every single day, many overlook the hidden gem that is Disney Springs. Disney Springs is a 120-acre outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with free admission and free parking. It opened in 1975 under its original name Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, and it’s been rebranded over the years through names like Walt Disney World Village and Downtown Disney before becoming the official Disney Springs in 2015. There are four different neighborhoods: The Town Center, The Landing, The Marketplace, and The West Side. Many people don’t know that more than 57,000 recycled bricks from Rollins College were used to build many of the buildings in The Landing! Disney Springs offers fun from outlet stores and viral foods to relaxing attractions. Guests can take scenic boat rides or view the whole complex from the sky in a tethered hot air balloon. Along with hands-on experiences like baking a cake at Amorette’s or drawing at the Art of Disney store, visitors can take home souvenirs of their crafts. Disney Springs also goes all out for different holidays like Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day with festive decorations. With everything that the venue offers, it can be hard to know where to start. So, here is the perfect itinerary of must-do’s for a magical day at Disney Springs!
(Above) Many people think that to try the world-famous Disney Dole Whip float, they have to go to one of the major parks. However, at Disney Springs, they offer multiple different Dole Whip desserts, including seasonal menu options. The St. Patrick’s Day sampler offered a chance to taste three mini flavors with classic pineapple, topped with a fresh slice of ripe pineapple. A banana and peanut butter flavor is topped with crunchy peanut butter balls that perfectly balance the sweetness of the banana with the salty and savory flavor of the peanut butter. Lastly, inspired by St. Patrick’s Day, there was a mint chocolate chip whip, topped with a white chocolate disk painted green and decorated to look like a shamrock, topped with gold sprinkles. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Coca-Cola is one of the biggest stores at Disney Springs, filled with multiple attractions. The Coca-Cola building is home to a rooftop tasting experience, where guests have the chance to try 28 different Coca-Cola beverages from around the world. Some of the flavors on the tasting menu range from Cranberry Hibiscus to Maple Spice. The rooftop also offers a seasonal mocktail tasting menu, different kinds of Coca-Cola floats with a variety of ice cream, and salty snacks to pair with the sweet beverages. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) The iconic leather hot air balloon has become the biggest attraction at Disney Springs, where visitors can enjoy views of the property from above. This makes it a perfect place to watch the fireworks. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Like the name suggests, the Waterside Stage, sponsored by Advent Health, is located by Village Lake and between The LEGO Store and the World of Disney gift shop. Center Stage Dance from Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, performed for a large crowd as part of the Disney Imagination Campus, which is a unique travel program that allows students and educators in the U.S. to engage in creative workshops and showcase performances. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) The Ganachery knows exactly how to satisfy any sweet tooth! Located at The Landing, this chocolate shop sells chilled chocolate beverages, artisanal s’mores made to order, ganache squares, and much more. There is even a window for customers to watch how the chocolatiers make the desserts. In honor of Easter, milk chocolate piñata eggs filled with jelly beans were a special on the menu. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) The LEGO Store is a fan favorite for all ages, not just kids. On top of all the elaborate LEGO statues surrounding the building, there is a DIY racecar-building area outside of the exit. Many young children gathered around to try and create the fastest racecar they can. (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Disney Springs offers a wide variety of shopping options, including Anthropologie. The two-story shop sells clothing, jewelry, home decor, and gifts. Katie Mathews, grade 12, says that she, “Loves their patterned dresses and scented candles.” (Alyssa Wiboon)(Above) Summer Houseon the Lake’s lemon raspberry pancakes, herbed chicken breast paillard, and short rib hash are a definite brunch must-try. (Hayden Roberts)(Above) Disney collaborates with Cirque du Soleil in Drawn to Life, a production presenting Disney animation in a Cirque du Soleil style, with acrobatics, stunts, comedy, and more. The story follows Julie, a young girl who is left with an unfinished animation piece from her late father and is guided by a pencil that comes to life. She goes on a journey to animate the story of her future. Ticket purchases can be made at cirquedusoleil.com. (Alyssa Wiboon)
Hayden Roberts is a sports writer for Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Upper School newspaper, Twice-Told Tale. Hayden has been writing for the newspaper since January 2023. Roberts loves to cover and write about all different sports and hopes one day to study sports journalism.
Alyssa Wiboon, grade 12, is the Editor-in-Chief of Lake Highland Preparatory School’s Upper School newspaper Twice-Told Tale, and Director of Photography of the Upper School literary magazine By Any Other Name, both nationally recognized by the American Scholastic Press Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Alyssa is also the Co-President of her school’s club, Paws for a Cause, where she helps spread awareness for animals within local Orlando shelters. Outside of school, she enjoys Irish dancing, going to the beach, crocheting, and watching movies. With over 200 service hours, Alyssa prioritizes helping local communities in any way she can, whether it be at her church or nearby food banks. In the future, she plans to pursue optometry and continue her passion for writing in college.
