Shop and Dine at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World

by Michael LaPaglia | May 8, 2017 | Disney, Disney Food, Disney Restaurants, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

Shop and Dine at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World

Our amazing week on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was followed up with a day long stop at the now nearly completed Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. As a shopping and dining complex (similar to CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort), Disney Springs can be a one-stop location or an all-day venue. It’s a great place to hang out on your Disney Arrival Day!

Transformation at Disney Springs

It is astounding to see the difference a little less than a year makes. During our last visit in 2016, the renovations and additions to Disney Springs were about three quarters of the way complete. Visits up until that time allowed us to enjoy the recently completed Orange Parking structure, dine at The Boathouse, sip drinks at Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar, and gain an overall appreciation of the scope of the project.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.

This visit in early February 2017 allowed us to savor even more of Disney Springs. While the list of new eateries and retail outlets is certainly too lengthy to review here, we’ll continue to take a closer look at individual Disney Springs’ offerings in future articles. Sign up here!

The primary highlight for us was enjoying the architectural and design details that have been added and integrated into the area (okay, we enjoyed some tasty eats too 😉 ). We parked in the Lime Garage and walked out into Town Center. What a pleasant surprise! The Landing was completely obstructed by construction walls last year.

Convenient parking at Disney Springs.

UNIQLO

We shopped at the UNIQLO retail outlet to take a look at the much ballyhooed T-shirts and other exclusive offerings. I was able to get my hands on a unique Marvel Iron Man shirt! Yep, I highly recommend browsing this store for themed shirts.

Mickey shirts at UNIQLO.

By far, the most impressive aspect of the Town Center area lie in its design and architectural details. Those details allow for an immersive experience into the entirety of the Disney Springs thematic approach to shopping and dining.

Plenty of stores to browse at Disney Springs.

Architectural Details

The retail outlets located here can be found at most upscale shopping centers and other areas, but it is the visual impact related to the details and design that make it special. It is clear that you are on Disney property.

Gorgeous fountain at Disney Springs.

Love the architectural details at Disney Springs.

D-Living

One highlight of this area was the D-Living store. At the time, this store was all decked out in Beauty and the Beast decor and merchandise. It was a fun store to browse through! Note that D-Living is closed until May 11, 2017 when it will unveil a new theme and matching merchandise.

D-Living featured a Beauty and the Beast Theme.

Wolfgang Puck Express

For lunch we had an unadventurous, but thoroughly enjoyable pizza at Wolfgang Puck Express.

One of our favorite lunch stops is Wolfgang Puck Express.

Wolfgang Puck Express Disney Springs Offers Cheese Pizza

Delicious cheese pizza at Wolfgang Puck Express.

Amorette’s Patisserie

Next, we headed over to Amorette’s Patisserie. The rave reviews that this establishment has boasted since opening is certainly well deserved. An absolute joy to experience and our choices — a Mickey Dome Cake and Raspberry Eclair– were memorable. 😉

Raspberry Eclair and Mickey Dome Cake. Yum!

Star Wars and Rogue One Merchandise

It should not be surprising to anyone that I was most eager at finding Star Wars and Rogue One merchandise. I was very pleased to see the entire middle wing of Once Upon a Toy dedicated to Star Wars and Rogue One merchandise!

Star Wars Merchandise.

In fact, Rogue One icons, posters, and other visuals were in display all across Disney Springs. As if there wasn’t any doubt, it is now entirely clear that Star Wars will be a huge influence over all that is Disney for the foreseeable future. I will not voice any complaints about that!

Star Wars Displays at Disney Springs.

There will be lots more to see, eat, drink, and purchase at Disney Springs during future Walt Disney World visits. I am most looking forward to returning and dining at The Edison when it opens later this year. For now, our family plans to spend a day at Disney Springs in early June. Yes, I’m counting the days!

Looking forward to The Edison!

Plan a visit to Disney Springs in Walt Disney World — and don’t be afraid to bring the kids!

What do you enjoy most about Disney Springs in Walt Disney World? Do you plan to stop by Disney Springs on your next vacation to Walt Disney World?

Join Our Exploration and Ask “Why Disney”?

by Michael LaPaglia | Nov 2, 2016 | Disney, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World

Are You Wondering “Why Disney”?

The question of Why Disney might seem superfluous given that this post is being written in concert with a website dedicated in part to exploring and discussing Disney related topics.

There will be no new ground broken in any discussion related to a person’s interest, love, and passion for Disney. This, however, does not deter me from posting an explanation in my own words. There will, of course, be inclusion of several clichéd adjectives and other descriptors that I will state here shortly, so please accept my heartfelt apology for their use.

Disney is a person that starts and ends with Walt

The truth, the myths, the misperceptions, the idolatry, the history, his legend, his critics, his family, his genius, his creativity, his faults, his creations, and all the interpretations of such related to this one man is truly the reason for everything else that follows.

Walt Disney won 22 Academy Awards!

Regardless of how anyone or anything else interprets the importance of Walt, it is his legacy, well over a century old at this time, that is the foundation by which my passion for Disney exists.

Disney is a destination and physical place

My family and I have experienced all that encompasses Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the Disney Cruise Line. Relative to each and every one of these destinations, the following clichéd words and phrases are all accurate and true for me: family, memories, fantasy, wonder, familiar, peace, magic, escape, stress break, home, music, multi-sensory, food, exhausting, visually aesthetic and pleasing, overwhelming, awe-inspiring, inspirational, fun, crowded, expensive, addictive, and a variety of others that millions more like me are able to list and describe.

Stop and look at the turn-of-the-century details

Disney is art

And all that is related to human creativity and imagination. Animation, architecture, storytelling, sound and music, technology, landscaping, transportation, education, entertainment, dance, filmmaking, and finally the creation of characters (both drawn and living), whose personalities have transcended place and time in history.

Seven Dwarfs at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

For all that I’ve listed above, and much more, lies the motivation to share in this medium. That is why.

Why is Disney important to you? What aspects of Disney do you love most? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!