We Can’t Wait to Experience This at Disney Springs

There’s a lot to see, do and eat at Disney Springs.  

This behemoth of an entertainment, dining and shopping complex is always improving, with new restaurants, lounges, shops and shows added to the wonderfully eclectic mix.

But to be honest, we’re so busy when we vacation at Walt Disney World that we still haven’t caught up with the additions from a few years back!

On our upcoming Disney trip, we’ve vowed to spend more time at Disney Springs to explore the area in a way we never have. Of course, it helps that this time around we’re staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, so we’ll be a quick stroll away from all the excitement at Disney Springs.  

Here are a few things we can’t wait to try at Disney Springs on our next Walt Disney World vacation.

Gideon’s Bakehouse

Who doesn’t love chocolate? (Well, ok, admittedly I have a friend who despises it, but Greg, you know you’re outvoted.)  

I have been hearing nothing but rave reviews for Gideon’s Bakehouse at The Landing at Disney Springs. And why not? When you make gourmet chocolate chip cookies that take over a day to make and weigh almost half a pound each, people are bound to line up at your door!

Gideon’s Bakehouse offers a delightfully sweet menu of cookies and cakes, along with iced drinks. There are also special limited-edition offerings and seasonal treats, but be aware there’s a strict limit of 6 cookies per customer, unless you pre-order online.  

We can’t wait to skip right to dessert by filling up at this marvelous bakeshop – and the moody Victorian bookshop interior is the proverbial cherry on top!

Drawn to Life

A collaboration between Disney and Cirque du Soleil? I’m in!  

Picture a stage turned into a larger-than-life animation table that becomes the setting for Cirque du Soleil’s unparalleled acrobats to reinterpret classic Disney animation. With an inspirational story, fabulous costumes, an original score and all the death-defying choreography and aerial acrobatics you’d expect, this show promises to be quite a spectacle.

We’re thrilled Drawn to Life has opened, and can’t wait to check it out on our next visit to West Side at Disney Springs.

Enzo’s Hideaway 

This is more of a “new to us” than a “new” offering, since it’s been open since 2018, but we’re still very excited to finally explore Disney Springs’ secret bar!  

Enzo’s Hideaway at The Landing is excellently themed as a prohibition-era speakeasy, and while it has a fictitious backstory like most Walt Disney World dining locations, it’s inspired by Florida’s actual history of rum-running.  

The gritty, secretive tunnel atmosphere looks perfect, and for a location that markets itself as a bar, the menu is surprisingly extensive. While many Guests come to Enzo’s Hideaway to enjoy drinks before or after dinner (you won’t find a bigger selection of rum and scotch anywhere in Disney Springs), you can absolutely eat a filling lunch or dinner here, which is what we plan to do!  

Offerings include hearty, feel-good Italian favorites like Ravioli Ai Formaggi, Linguine Alla Burrata, Cannoli Siciliano and Tiramisu.

M&M’s Store

If by some remote chance you’re still hungry after visiting the restaurants and bakeries of Disney Springs, stop by the M&Ms store at West Side. 

Chocolate galore awaits here, along with unique gifts that, while not edible, are still pretty cool. You can also pose for pics with your favorite life-sized M&M characters.

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

We love a good donut shop, but we’ve rarely found offerings at Walt Disney World that lived up to our (admittedly high) gourmet donut standards.  

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew to the rescue! This new(ish) shop opened its doors in 2021 at West Side in Disney Springs and features a promising array of fun flavors. I predict a new sweet shop favorite!

Among the many flavors we can’t wait to try on our next trip to Walt Disney World are the Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Maple Double Bacon, Peanut Butter Explosion, and S’Mores Galore. There are also a variety of coffee and cold brew options, as well as sandwiches and fries, which we don’t plan on being able to review because we’ll be exclusively enjoying donuts as our main course.  

Paddlefish

Typically, when looking for waterside dining and excellent food at Disney Springs, we opt to eat at the always-amazing BOATHOUSE Restaurant. But this means we haven’t yet experienced Paddlefish, not since its multimillion-dollar metamorphosis from Fulton’s Crab House, which formerly occupied this spot since 1977.

But we’ve heard amazing things about the décor and 360-degree waterfront views, not to mention the seafood (and especially the Lobster Corn Dogs), so we’re looking forward to finally giving Paddlefish a try.

Perhaps a sunset cocktail and appetizer on the outdoor patio?

Bottom Line

There are plenty of tried-and-true spots in Disney Springs that we can’t wait to become reacquainted with on our next vacation to Walt Disney World. T-Rex Café, The Edison, Marketplace Co-Op, Jock Lindey’s Hangar Bar, Super Hero Headquarters, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC and Aerophile are just a few of the restaurants, bars, shops and experiences that have earned a permanent place on our “Disney Springs Favorites” list!

But this time around, we’re also excited to branch out and sample some offerings that are either new to Disney Springs, or new to us, that we’ve been meaning to try for years and just haven’t gotten around to.  

What is on your list of experiences to try on your next visit to Disney Springs?