Hello and welcome to episode 208 of Travel Stories from the Back Again And Gone podcast.
This is being recorded in the beautiful home office of Chateau Relaxo, FL. If you are a new listener, welcome; if you are a returning listener, welcome back. Tonight, we’re talking about dining at Disney Springs.
It’s no secret that I am a fan of Disney Springs, and more so than being a fan of any of the parks. I make it to Disney at least once a year, and that trip is typically to Epcot during the food and wine festival. Disney World doesn’t turn me off; I don’t like waiting in line in the sun for an hour to ride a one- or two-minute attraction.
I can’t tell you how many websites there are that Disney are Disney-related; I’m guessing thousands.
There is even a 2025 100 Best Disney Blogs and Websites i, which will help you narrow it down.
These sites cover such topics as:
Packing lists
Lightning Lanes
Attraction rankings
Vacation planning guides
If you didn’t know, a Disney family vacation isn’t cheap. The average cost for a family of four to Disney World can easily top $6,000 for a seven-night trip, and that’s if you’re a frugal traveler. A 7-day family trip to Disney World can exceed $12,000, especially if you splurge on memorable character meals and hotels closer to the theme parks. Being Florida residents, we get a break on tickets with a 4-day ticket running $240.00 per person, so $60.00 per day for park admittance. This, of course, comes with terms and conditions. Tickets with an advance park reservation are valid from January 13 to May 23, 2025. Reservations are limited and subject to the availability of reservations allocated to this ticket as determined by Disney and park capacity.
About eight years ago, we bought an annual pass, and the yearly pass was $749.00 per person. The four of us went twice that year, which means each visit cost us $375.00 before food and beverage. in 2025, there are four levels of the annual pass ranging from $469 up to $1549.00. But have no fear, as you can make 12 monthly payments at 0% interest.
If you decide to open your wallet and head to the Mouse House, other than the long wait times, which can be reduced by purchasing the Lightening Lane, or you’re not bothered paying $4.00 for a 20oz bottled soda, it will be a spectacular time. Everything there is perfect: the bathrooms are as clean as your local Bucee’s, there will be no litter anywhere, and the cast members, that’s what they’re called, are as friendly as the person taking your food order at a Chick-fil-A.
On to Disney Springs. It opened in 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. Over the years, it has expanded and been rebranded. In 1977, it was called the Walt Disney World Village. In 1989, it was rebranded the Disney Village Marketplace. 1997, it became Downtown Disney and finally became Disney Springs in 2015. The hours are typically from about 10:00 a.m. until about 1:00 a.m.
Disney Springs is a standalone area within Walt Disney World. It features stores, entertainment, and dining and does not require an admission ticket or fee to visit.
The area is divided into four sections: The Marketplace, The Landing, Town Center, and West Side, each offering unique experiences. Significant attractions include an AMC 24-plex movie theater, Cirque du Soleil's, a House of Blues, and the Aerophile balloon ride.
Disney Springs boasts an impressive 68 restaurants. This includes table service, quick service, bars, lounges, and specialty food and beverage spots. Whether you're in the mood for a gourmet meal or a quick snack, there's something for everyone!
There are a few chain restaurants:
Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza - Where you can build your pizza.
Chicken Guy! Which is a Guy Fieri creation. Believe it or not, there are 20 locations across the United States, so it’s not that unique.
Earl of Sandwich also has locations at several of the Florida Turnpike rest stops.
House of Blues - Southern-inspired cuisine and live music. We’ve seen several concerts there.
Planet Hollywood is a themed restaurant in most major cities with a Hollywood vibe.
Rainforest Cafe - An immersive dining experience with a jungle theme. This is not a quiet and intimate dining experience.
Starbucks - of course, there’s one at Disney Springs; need I say more?
The Boathouse—While not a traditional chain, this one has multiple locations and offers upscale dining with a nautical theme.
Most chain restaurants offer identical food, so there are no surprises. However, I want to try a new or different dining experience when I travel, so I avoid chain restaurants.
Over the years, the CEO (My Wife) and I have dined at most of these restaurants. Some are good, some are average, and some wouldn’t be in business if they were anywhere other than Disney Springs, which provides a rotating clientele. Most of these establishments require a reservation, so the chances are slim that you will walk up and be immediately seated. So, to save time and aggravation, there is a reservation portal.
So, to save time and money, here are the highlights, focused on restaurants that offer table service. I have no bias toward walk-up establishments, but when I dine, I typically want to sit in an air-conditioned environment and not stand in the baking Florida sun woofing down a Wetzel Pretzel with mustard dripping onto my shoes.
Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is a unique, aviation-themed bar inspired by the character Jock Lindsey. If you recall, Jock Lindsy was Indiana Jones' pilot from the "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Its vintage airplane hangar-turned-dive bar offers a fun and immersive experience with its eclectic decor, featuring airplane parts, salvaged equipment, and mementos from Jock's adventures. The bar serves a variety of creative cocktails and delicious appetizers. Some popular menu items include the Snakebite Sliders and Air Pirate's Pretzels. They also offer a walk-up bar outside the establishment. Our go-to meal here is the Snakebite Bao Buns which consists of Smoked Brisket, Amarillo Mustard, Peppadew Relish, Pickled Onion, and Tomato, accompanied by Jock’s Old Fashioned made with Knob Creek Disney Single-Barrel Bourbon. Yes, Disney has their own single-barrel bourbon.
Morimoto Asia as in Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. This destination features a stunning two-story layout with kitchens showcasing traditions like Peking duck carving and dim sum preparation. The restaurant offers a diverse menu with highlights such as sushi, sashimi, Morimoto Spare Ribs, and Ramen. The venue also includes a second-level sushi bar. You can enjoy a dining experience with Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes. My last meal there was the Tandoori Angry Chicken, half of a chicken with Morimoto epice spice, bell pepper, carrot, mushroom, and coconut curry sauce. My drink of choice is their Japanese Old Fashion, made with Suntory whisky, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. It's not your typical Old Fashion, but it is tasty. There is also the walk-up Morimoto Asia Street Food, which has a limited menu, but they’ll serve you fast. Take note, as there is limited outdoor seating.
The Edison is a unique dining and entertainment venue designed to resemble an abandoned 1920s power plant. This industrial, gothic-themed hotspot offers classic American cuisine, signature cocktails, and a variety of live entertainment. Multiple levels have distinct dining and bar areas, including a dance floor and stage for nightly performances. Steampunk-inspired décor and waterfront balcony views enhance the ambiance. The menu includes a range of contemporary American dishes, such as sandwiches, salads, and entrees, along with craft cocktails. The typical meal starts with Candied Bacon, The Edison Burger, which consists of sirloin, short rib & brisket, white cheddar, Applewood smoked bacon, pickles, lettuce, and tomato, topped with their Edison Sauce. The libation of choice is whatever we’re in the mood for.
Next up is Jaleo by José Andrés, which brings the flavors of Spain to life. The menu offers an extensive variety of tapas and contemporary Spanish cuisine. They serve authentic paella cooked over a wood-fired pit, cheeses, and salads. They also have a premier selection of sangrias, Spanish wines, and sherries. Okay, here’s where the tide turns. We’ve been here once, and that’s it. I don’t recall what we ordered or drank; it was a giant cup of OK.
If you want to get your Gaelic on, head to Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. This authentic Irish-owned establishment was built entirely in Ireland and reassembled in Orlando. It offers traditional and contemporary Irish cuisine, live music, and dance. The menu features hearty favorites like bangers and mash, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and boxty potato pancakes. A variety of Irish beers, whiskeys, and cocktails are available. Raglan Road is known for its entertainment, including talented musicians and Irish dancers performing on multiple stages. They also host the Mighty St. Patrick's Day Festival. If you dine here, go with the Shepherd's Pie made with braised and pulled beef & lamb and root vegetables in a rich red wine jus with Irish peat smoked mashed potatoes with a mug of Guinness. Here’s today's trivia: what’s the difference between Shepard's Pie and Cottage Pie? Shepherd's pie is made of ground lamb, while cottage pie uses ground beef.
In episode 207, I discussed Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. Although it provides a contemporary take on the classic bar and grill idea, the food didn't impress us. Here’s a quick summary: the truffle fries, two WP Prime Burgers, and two double drinks amounted to $143.00, not including the tip.
Terralina Crafted Italian is a delightful waterfront restaurant inspired by Italy's lake district. It offers a warm, rustic setting to enjoy classic Italian flavors. The menu features a variety of dishes, including wood-fired pizzas, hearty pasta, and fresh vegetables. My last meal was seafood fettuccini with fresh mushrooms, shrimp, fish, spicy lemon-tomato broth, and a grilled baguette. Terralina Crafted Italian has an extensive wine list and craft cocktails to complement your meal.
If you plan to dine at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin, you will need a reservation, and even then, plan on your reservation being 30 to 45 days out. This spot is known for its Southern comfort food. The restaurant emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients, showcasing Florida's agricultural bounty. Signature dishes include fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and house-made sugar doughnuts. As hack as it sounds, their Moonshine Cocktails aren’t that bad.
The decor and ambiance are designed to make guests feel at home, but again, you will need a reservation.
If you’re a fan of hamburgers, consider D-Luxe Burger. They offer gourmet burgers and hand-cut fries. Try the Classic Cheeseburger or the Barbecue Burger. Each is made with a signature blend of beef and served on a house-made bun for ultimate freshness—plan on being surrounded by lots of kids and strollers.
We have two go-twos if you are looking for a restaurant where you won’t need a reservation and the wait will be less than 10 minutes.
The first is City Works Eatery & Pour House. It offers an extensive selection of craft beers, 90 of which are local and classic American bar food. City Works also has massive, state-of-the-art HDTVs, making it ideal for watching sports. We usually order appetizers such as duck nachos, pretzel bites, or BBQ chicken flatbread. We watched several of the Florida Panther’s Stanley Cup runs here last year.
The second, and probably our favorite, is Splitsville. Typically, one of us will post a picture on social media with the caption, “renegotiating everything,” which is usually followed up with concerning texts from family and friends. Splitsville offers a unique entertainment, dining, bowling, and live music blend. Splitsville has 30 luxury bowling lanes for bowlers, and no bowling alley would be complete without billiard tables.
The menu goes beyond typical bowling alley food, offering everything from fresh-rolled sushi to mouth-watering cheeseburgers and hand-tossed pizzas. My typical order is a Buffalo Chicken sandwich with extra buffalo sauce for the fries. Try one of their frozen drinks—think adult Slurpee. My favorite is the Swampwater, a mix of Orange Chrush and Big Wave Dave. When you mix the Orange Crush Vodka, 153 grains, and orange with the Big Wave Dave Vodka, grain alcohol, and raspberry, you get Swampwater.
If you’re a fan of sweets, check out Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop or Gideon's Bakehouse. At Ghirardelli, I’d go with the Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae. Gideons is famous for its cookies. Be prepared to stand in line and wait, and then wait some more sometimes; the wait is two hours. Personally, I think the juice isn’t worth the squeeze because they have a second location at the East End Market. While these cookies are delicious and huge, they are expensive. The CEO (My Wife) and I went the other day, and four cookies set us back $25.00.
Well, there you have it, Episode 208, Dining at Disney Springs. For long-time listeners, thank you for your comments and emails. For new listeners, I hope you return.
If you want detailed show notes, links, and pictures, head over to substack at travelstories.substack.com/ You can also leave me a message on Anchor or email me at TravelFrick@gmail.com. As I always say, travel safe, stay safe, and thanks for listening.
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