Are you looking for the best things to do at Disney Springs for the adults in your crew?
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone!
If you don’t already know, Disney Springs is Disney’s outdoor shopping and eatery area, comparable to Universal’s CityWalk. There’s plenty of Mickey merch, Disney snacks, and pixie dust to go around.
In addition to Disney Springs having a spacious layout, there’s also PLENTY of things to do at Disney Springs, ESPECIALLY if you’re an adult!
What are they? And where can you find them?
Let’s dive in to find out!
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
1. Food Truck Tour
If you enjoy the “taste and sample” vibe of EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, then no doubt, one of your top things to do at Disney Springs HAS to be a food truck tour!
The 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck (Mexican), Cilantro Urban Eatery Food Truck (Latin American flavors), and GoJuice (need I say more) food trucks are all DELICIOUS and have meals for $15 or less.
Making a food truck sampler platter an amazing, fun, and affordable way for any Disney adult to spend their day!
Save on your Disney World tickets with Tripadvisor TODAY!
2. Create Your Own Foodie Tour
Believe it or not, Disney Springs is known for having some of the best restaurants, including Morimoto (Asian food), STK (modern steakhouse), and The BOATHOUSE (high-quality seafood).
So, if you’re a foodie, then make sure this activity is on TOP of your list of things to do at Disney Springs!
Here’s a Disney Springs Foodie Tour for You:
- Get an appetizer, sushi and sake at Morimoto Asia
- Grab a tantalizing drink at Enzo’s Hideaway (the prohibition themed bar)
- Enjoy a delicious entrée at STK Orlando
- Get another incredible drink at the Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
- Grab a small plate and wine at Wine Bar George
- Finish off with desserts (and maybe even after dessert drinks) at The BOATHOUSE
Will you be stuffed? ABSOLUTELY! But will this experience also go down in history as one of your all-time FAVORITE Disney memories! YES!
3. Take a Boat Ride in an Amphicar at The BOATHOUSE
And, speaking of The BOATHOUSE, did you know that they offer rides and tours in their world class Amphicars?
…And YES, that’s Amphi- for amphibian, or a car that can drive on land AND sea!
For just $125, you and three to four friends can enjoy a 20-minute tour of Disney Springs from the lagoon and land… a pretty amazing memory for about $30 per person!
Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide
4. Splitsville
Are you a burgers and bowling type of ThemeParkHipster? Then Splitsville should top your things to do at Disney Springs list!
Splitsville always has the best music, delicious food, and a fun, retro bowling alley vibe that you’ll never want to leave!
It’s two floors full of bowling and billiards fun, and they serve pizza, burgers, hotdogs, and even sushi!
Oh yeah, and I didn’t even begin to cover their delectable specialty cocktail list, which boasts Strawberry Margaritas, 1915 Old Fashion, and a Key Lime Pie Martini just to name a few.
WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!
5. Experience Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which is themed after Indiana Jones, if you didn’t already figure it out, is arguably the best themed bar on Disney property (perhaps only second to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto).
Vintage aviation décor and memorabilia fill the space, and you can choose to sit inside the themed area, or outside on the water (you really can’t go wrong either way).
In addition to an awesome ambience, the Hangar Bar has some AMAZING chicken wings, queso dip, and tacos. And the “Signature Libations” section of the menu isn’t too bad either *wink wink*
Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
6. Have Dinner and Movie at AMC
Movie fans, unite! Because for you, the AMC Disney Springs is a MUST on your things to do at Disney Springs list!
Here you can take a break from the Florida heat AND the hustle and bustle of Disney Springs and enjoy a block buster film at AMC in Disney Springs.
While you’re there you can relax while watching a thrilling movie. Plus, you can order dinner and drinks that will come right to your seat for the ultimate movie experience.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
7. Enjoy the Free Entertainment from Live Bands
As you walk around Disney Springs, especially at night, you’ll notice that even without any plans, Imagineers have made sure there’s plenty of fun things to do at Disney Springs.
…What do I mean by that?
Well, believe it or not, in Disney Springs musicians and entertainers work on a rotating basis to make sure that wherever you’re walking, you’ll find spontaneous entertainment.
From solo singers to multiple piece bands, it’s pretty much normal to drop everything and start dancing in the middle of the Disney Springs street!
Hipster Power Tip: Be sure to experience the incredible Sunday Bunch adventures offered at places such at The House of Blues, Art Chef Smith’s Homecomin’ and The BOATHOUSE!
8. Attend a Special Event
Just like EPCOT has it’s festivals and Magic Kingdom has Dapper Day, Disney Springs has special events too!
Oftentimes, the House of Blues will have featured artists and The Edison will have exclusive ticketed events!
Check here periodically to see what fun special events are upcoming at Disney Springs!
9. Irish Dinner and Dancing at Raglan Road
If you love some bangers and mash with a side of live music and Irish step dancing, then Raglan Road is for you! Themed after an Irish pub, diners rave about this Disney Springs restaurant!
The food is tasty and reasonably priced for Disney World (between $18 and $30 for an entrée) and the entertainment never fails to impress.
Plus, they even offer a delectable brunch on Saturdays and Sundays; so make sure this is on top of your things to do at Disney Springs.
P.S. Reservations at Raglan road are highly recommended.
10. Happy Hour
Believe it or not, there are so many happy hours happening at Disney Springs, I don’t have the time or space to list them all!
From Frontera Concina’s Margarita Mondays and Tequila Tuesdays, to $7 drinks as The Edison also has Happy Hour and a whole cocktail culture with unique classes for you to enjoy.
The STK’s dedicated happy hour menu, you’ll definitely find lots of reasons to be happy at Disney Springs.
STK Steakhouse has the best Happy Hour at Disney Springs as you have an array of food and drinks to choose from at a decent price.
But FYI, oftentimes deals and offers at Disney Springs update or change, so always be sure to check it out here before you visit for the latest happenings!
WATCH NEXT: Best Restaurants at EPCOT You MUST Visit on Your Disney Vacation!
11. Enjoy drinks and appetizers outside The BOATHOUSE overlooking the lagoon
If you’re not into an Amphicar tour yourself, then why not watch others take one?
The lagoon view from the outside of The BOATHOUSE is amazing, especially at sunset, and their food and drink menu certainly doesn’t disappoint either.
My favorite combo is the Firecracker Shrimp, Filet Mignon Sliders, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake, and Lemon Drop Martini!
But basically, if you ask us, sunset drinks at The BOATHOUSE makes the perfect ending to any park day!
Read Next: How to Find the BEST Vacation Home Rentals Near Disney World
What to Know Before You Go to Disney Springs
Now that you have your perfect Disney Springs itinerary, I want to answer a few questions that you may have.
Is there a fee to go to Disney Springs?
Unlike most other activities on Disney property, Disney Springs is completely free of charge. In fact, you don’t even have to present a MagicBand, park ticket, or any other sort of reservation to enjoy Disney Springs.
Instead, think of it more like a Disney-fied outdoor mall, with plenty of restaurants, bars, stores, entertainment, and peaceful water views.
Find Cheap Last Minute Flight Deals with CheapOAir TODAY!
What are the Disney Springs Parking / Transportation Options?
Today we’re happy to tell you that parking at Disney Springs is plentiful, and luckily, free of charge!
Disney Springs has a multi-level parking garage with state of the art technology that counts how many cars are on each level!
So, what does that mean for you?
No need to drive around in circles for hours to find a spot, the counters affixed to the ceiling have already done all that work for you!
Or, if you’re a resort guest, Disney does offer bus transportation to Disney Springs up to 30-minutes before and after it’s operating hours.
At this time, however, Disney Springs cannot be accessed via the monorail.
I will also add in, however, that Disney Springs is very Uber/Lyft/Taxi friendly, with a special drop off area dedicated to those types of services near the City Works restaurant and near Earl of Sandwich.
When is the Best Time to Visit Disney Springs?
Oftentimes families/solo travelers think of Disney Springs as a nighttime activity, i.e. booking dinner reservations or enjoying the evening’s sunset and ambience. And, while this is a great plan, it also makes for the most crowds.
Therefore, if you’re someone who likes to explore with plenty of elbow room, consider setting aside an entire day, or partial daytime hours to explore the fun things to do at Disney Springs.
You’ll find that the restaurants and stores are less crowded, which less face it, is definitely more ideal during social distancing!
Choose the BEST Day to Go to Walt Disney World with This Crowd Calendar!
Are there any special Disney services at Disney Springs?
While many describe Disney Springs as “Disney’s outdoor mall,” don’t worry, there’s still plenty of Disney to go around!
You can buy Disney merch in most stores, most notably “World of Disney,” and all Cast Members there are Disney trained.
Additionally, there is a Disney Guest Services area and at times, character meet-and-greets!
So don’t worry, you can still get your fill of Mickey Bars, Bippity Boppity Boutique Makeovers, and pixie dust at Disney Springs!
Recommended: Top 5 Ways to Find Cheap Disney World Tickets for Your Vacation!
My Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Things to Do at Disney Springs
There are plenty of fun things to do at Disney Springs for grown-ups, no matter what your age!
From adult beverages to hands-on activities, Disney Springs provides a fun, laid back Disney experience that is very welcome after a long park day.
What are some of your favorite things to do at Disney Springs? Do you feel like we missed anything? Please, let us know in the comments below; because ThemeParkHipsters plan better, together.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Gina is a former Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Cast Member who enjoys reliving the magic by writing helpful tips and tricks for future guests!
Check out more about her Disney adventures and writing endeavors at www.ginaarfi.net.
(Original Article Date: May 19, 2021/Updated by Editor on April 29, 2024)