Disney Springs worth it for kids?

ngm · Jan 16, 2017

I've got all our park days planned, and it just occurred to me that we get into town early enough the day before our first park day that we could spend some time at Disney Springs. I have only been once when it was Downtown but under a lot of construction so there wasn't much to see. Is it worth it with kids? (Ages 4 and 8)? Should I make reservations somewhere for an early dinner (Rainforest Café maybe?) or are there enough places to just grab something? Is it easy to park there, or should we uber (we are staying offsite)?

ChasingLeslie · Jan 16, 2017

Last trip, we did DSp on our arrival night. We grabbed QS at WGP and Bongos Express.

If you want a sit down dinner, I'd suggest using Open Table instead of making an ADR through Disney. It's easy to change your mind, and there's no cancellation fee.

westie55 · Jan 16, 2017

DS is restaurants and shopping. Many of the new stores added are not Disney related and are stores you might find in a high end mall. The older part of DS sells a lot more Disney merchandise. If your kids like shopping, there is enough to keep you busy during your extra time. I think it's worth a visit unless they really dislike browsing in stores.

DisneyRegulars · Jan 16, 2017

There's a lot more to do than shop. There seems to always be some sort of party/dj thing going on outside Earl of Sandwhich and another in the amphitheater towards the Lego store. My son could spend an entire day making and racing cars at the Lego store alone.

I would recommend TRex Cafe over Rainforest Cafe. There's also a wide selection of quick service type places. I love the bao tacos as the Marimoto street food counter. Yum!

I would go. Parking is pretty easy if you aren't there during a busy time. Like Christmas. There are two HUGE garages that tell you exactly how many spaces are open and exactly where they are.

cariann77 · Jan 16, 2017

Yes, it's worth the walk through. Lots of shops that the kids will enjoy. We don't really hit the gift shops in the parks so, mine love going to the toy store, Disney store, Lego store, there's a pin trading shop, etc. We've always wanted to do Characters in Flight (there's usually a groupon), but it never seems to be running while we are there. We love Earl of Sandwich and usually have Raglan Road for our dinner. This year, we want to check out the CocaCola bar.

TwoMisfits · Jan 17, 2017

My kids say no. They hated it their last trip and didn't even spend their souvenir money b/c they wanted out of there. The parking lot puts you in the middle of upscale land and it's a long walk back and forth to get to anything kid friendly. And then the kids have to walk back...

We spent under 2 hours and got gelato...and that was the kid highlight. They were bored by the stores (only Lego held their interest, but we have one at our malls here) and they just didn't want to be there. Now, we went in an afternoon where it was 80 or so, so I'm sure heat played a factor...

Amanda Hall · Jan 17, 2017

My boys (4 and 7) LOVE it. So much to see. They get a kick out of just seeing all the different places. We do tend to stick to the older area. We had Blaze pizza last time and it was great! The long line goes fast. Ask for the balsamic drizzle at the end. Yum! We sat outside overlooking the water area. Sprinkles is near by as well. Kids like the build your own mini droids at Once Upon a Toy. Last time we let them go to the Build a Dino store connected to T-Rex and that was fun. It's owned by build a bear. I will say the loudness of T-Rex terrified my youngest while we made the Dino's. Im glad we did not eat there. Earl of Sandwich is yummy too. We have been there early (10 til lunch ) and at dinner time. It is much more relaxing early on. Great for the 1st half of a down day.

lindsay0526 · Jan 19, 2017

We took our little ones to see if they wanted to buy some items and we've gone to the movies there. Make a reservation through Open Table- if no one wants to head to DS for the day, don't go and if they want to go- go! It isn't on our *must* do list, but if you just want something to do, it could be fun!

Amanda Hall · Jan 19, 2017

I forgot to add that the kids love going to Goofy's Candy Co. Build your own rice krispie treats. There are some fun house mirrors there . I always have to drag them away. The love making silly face and such in them.

Thing 1 · Jan 19, 2017

It could end up costing you more than adding that day onto a park ticket. Last trip DS loved the Lego store and the toy store and the world of Disney! We ended up buying things we had no intention of buying. He also flipped over the t-Rex place. We had planned to do CS that night. So.... yes he liked the place but it ended up costing a lot.

ngm · Jan 19, 2017

You read my mind! I looked into adding another park day and its $35 for all of us combined. I can guarantee we'd spend more than that wandering around those stores! So, the girls will get to go to AK instead (which hadn't originally been in the itinerary). They'll be thrilled!

jvz82 · Jan 19, 2017

We had a good time. 3 of my kids stripped off some of their clothing and shoes and hung out in the splash pad for a really long time one day. We ate at the t-rex restaurant, got some cotton candy, did some shopping. It was good!

Crystal824 · Jan 23, 2017

My kids (6 and 2) enjoyed DS during our last trip. We ate at Deluxe Burger, they built Light Sabers at the Toy Store, and they made candy treats at Goofy's Candy Company. They also played with Legos at the Lego Store. They loved getting a cupcake from the cupcake ATM. There was a lot of entertainment going on all around DS, mostly live music. We also stayed and saw the Drone show and the Christmas tree trail, but those were Christmas evens so they are over. We also did a bit of shopping too. I'm not sure they loved that part, but we mixed it up so we would shop and then do something else they would enjoy.

Crystal824 · Jan 23, 2017

jvz82 said:
We had a good time. 3 of my kids stripped off some of their clothing and shoes and hung out in the splash pad for a really long time one day. We ate at the t-rex restaurant, got some cotton candy, did some shopping. It was good!

Kids love those. My oldest has done this before too minus the stripping of clothes. I brought a change of clothes so we just changed after she was done playing. On our last trip, it was too cold for this.

Baymax1076 · Jan 23, 2017

On off nights when we didn't go to a park we found Disney Springs a lot of fun even if you're just walking around. My son was 8 and although he loved the Lego and toy store, he had a blast watching the different street performers that seem to be there every night.

2Pirates2Princesses · Jan 24, 2017

We plan on going on our "no park/off" day. Lots of restaurants kids would like (T Rex, Rainforest Cafe, Blaze Pizza), World of Disney store, Goofy's Candy Co., the Lego Store, Splitsville Bowling,etc.; and my kids also liked riding on the carousel and mini train there (hopefully those are still there).

Suzanne74 · Jan 25, 2017

ngm said:
I've got all our park days planned, and it just occurred to me that we get into town early enough the day before our first park day that we could spend some time at Disney Springs. I have only been once when it was Downtown but under a lot of construction so there wasn't much to see. Is it worth it with kids? (Ages 4 and 8)? Should I make reservations somewhere for an early dinner (Rainforest Café maybe?) or are there enough places to just grab something? Is it easy to park there, or should we uber (we are staying offsite)?

Raglan Road has fantastic food and Irish Dancers. The kids can get up and learn to dance with them on stage. My kids were 13 and 5 when went last time and loved it. That said, we don't do a lot of the other stuff. We have a Rainforest, Lego store, bowling, movies, etc.. near where we live.

Our arrival day is ALWAYS Chef Mickeys (knocks out a lot of the must have autographs and is so much fun!) a loop around the monorail, lagoon parade, and a swim at the hotel pool.

WhispyPixie · Jan 25, 2017

Our kids have always loved it! Regardless their ages. Some of their favorite things include, The HUGE Disney Store, The Lego Store, Goofy Candy, the stage in front of the Big Disney Store always has something going on. They love to eat at Earl of Sandwich, Ragland Road and Rainforest. When they Pin Traded, it was one of their favorite spots.

ml sumner · Jan 25, 2017

Thing 1 said:
It could end up costing you more than adding that day onto a park ticket. Last trip DS loved the Lego store and the toy store and the world of Disney! We ended up buying things we had no intention of buying. He also flipped over the t-Rex place. We had planned to do CS that night. So.... yes he liked the place but it ended up costing a lot.

Yes, this was our experience too. Just adults with no kids I would love to go back, but that trip got expensive fast!

MiracleCream · Jan 25, 2017

Amanda Hall said:
My boys (4 and 7) LOVE it. So much to see. They get a kick out of just seeing all the different places. We do tend to stick to the older area. We had Blaze pizza last time and it was great! The long line goes fast. Ask for the balsamic drizzle at the end. Yum! We sat outside overlooking the water area. Sprinkles is near by as well. Kids like the build your own mini droids at Once Upon a Toy. Last time we let them go to the Build a Dino store connected to T-Rex and that was fun. It's owned by build a bear. I will say the loudness of T-Rex terrified my youngest while we made the Dino's. Im glad we did not eat there. Earl of Sandwich is yummy too. We have been there early (10 til lunch ) and at dinner time. It is much more relaxing early on. Great for the 1st half of a down day.

Does anyone how much build a Dino is? My son already has the dinosaur puppet from build a bear so wondering if it's worth the price for build a Dino and if they're similar

Disney Springs worth it for kids?

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