The Best Way To Start Your Vacation: Downtown Disney

You have arrived. Finally arrived. But it’s 3pm and you don’t want to hit the parks mid-day. So what do you do on your first day at Walt Disney World?

Downtown Disney, of course.

What better way to immerse yourself in the magic than Disney shops, stores and attractions that don’t require a park ticket?

Downtown Disney, soon to be renamed Disney Springs, is an expansion and improvement over the already popular Disney destination. The projected completion date is 2016. With the addition of a multi-level parking garage, Disney Springs will include a rumored 180 shops and restaurants found in four distinct “neighborhoods” connected by an over-the-water pedestrian causeway.

Construction is well underway. And I’m not going to lie; navigating through the barricades is a tad annoying. With limited walkways, it makes the crowds feel tighter. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying our first night at Walt Disney World.

You’ll find the largest Disney store in the world and amazing edibles. But if you think that Downtown Disney/Disney Springs is all about shopping and eating, you couldn’t be more wrong. Watch a movie at AMC Theater 24 or have dinner at one of their dine-in options. There’s Splitsville Lanes for bowling, Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba, and Disney Quest – a five story, indoor, interactive theme park. You can catch a concert at House of Blues. And we’ve just scratched the surface.

With all there is to do and see, it can be overwhelming. Highlights (or a Disney-Springs-Bucket-List, if you will) are listed below.

Dining Options:

Fulton’s Crab House is always packed to satisfy your calamari/escargot/shrimp/oyster and (of course) crab cravings.
Two Irish fare establishments: Cooke’s of Dublin is a counter service option with fish and chips and lamb pies. Raglan Road is an upscale pub atmosphere, sit-down dining option with rack of lamb and traditional Shepard’s Pie.
Wolfgang Puck Café and Wolfgang Puck Express – both a sit-down and counter-service option.
And you can’t leave without dessert! Ghiradelli’s Soda Fountain has the best hot fudge sundaes on the planet – according to my son, that is.
There’s even a Starbucks, with a 70-inch, interactive touchscreen connecting you to the Disney and Starbucks fans in Disneyland – Anaheim, California.

Shopping Options:

World of Disney Store – largest Disney store in the world.
For the budding chef or foodie, try Mickey’s Pantry.
Disney’s Design-A-Tee – Can’t find a souvenir t-shirt that suits your fancy? Create your own! (Thanks, April, for your amazing customer service!)
LEGO Imagination Center – Legos, Legos, and more Legos. From hard to find kits to a large “Pick A Brick” wall so you can replace lost Legos from your sets at home.
Build your own Mr. Potato Head or custom light saber at Once Upon A Toy.
Tren-D – for the fashionista in your party.
The Art of Disney – There’s something for everyone and every wallet. Browse or buy. It’s an attraction in itself.
Can’t get a reservation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Magic Kingdom? Try the one at the World of Disney Store. Same princess options. Less crowded.

Entertainment Options:

Take a “ride” in a hot air balloon, rising 400 feet in the Characters in Flight balloon.
Disney Quest is a 5-story, indoor interactive theme park. Create your own roller coaster. Fight pirates. Ride a virtual Jungle Cruise or Aladdin’s carpet.
A Cirque du Soleil like no other. La Nouba was created just for Disney. A must-see show!
Have a meal and see a show at House of Blues.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes offers more than just 30 lanes of retro-inspired bowling. There’s great food, live music, dancing and billiards.
Catch a movie and a meal at AMC Theater 24.