The BEST Hidden Things to Do at Disney Springs with Kids
So the kids want to go to Walt Disney World, and while there are plenty of new rides and shows, maybe you’d rather not go into the parks. Or if you’re looking for a more low-key day at Disney, you’ve got options. These things to do at Disney Springs with your kids will make for a fun-filled day.
But first, let’s eat…
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Before we get into the many hidden things to do at Disney Springs you may not know about, let’s grab some food to fuel up the fun.
Oh! And we’re sharing details about the NEW drone show at Disney Springs, keep reading…
Kid-Friendly Restaurants at Disney Springs
There are dozens of eating options at Disney Springs, from food trucks to sit-down experiences and quick-service restaurants. While all welcome children, this is Walt Disney World, after all, some are geared a little more toward the younger crowd.
Here are some kid-friendly restaurants at Disney Springs you may want to consider when dining with your family for a meal.
AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theaters
Six of the 24 theaters at AMC Disney Springs offer a dine-in movie experience. Enjoy the latest released movie while in a big, comfy chair getting seat-side table service. You can order food off a menu that includes gourmet finger foods, burgers, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Bonus for adults, there’s a full bar.
Rainforest Café at Disney Springs Marketplace
You can spot this restaurant from anywhere in Disney Springs. Just look for the volcano that erupts roughly every 20 minutes. Dining here means eating deep in a rainforest with lush landscaping and audio-animatronic creatures like birds, elephants and gorillas.
Similar to a rainforest in the Amazon, there are often storms with thunder and lightning – something to keep in mind when dining with young ones. The menu is huge and includes all the favorites adults and children usually enjoy from pasta to pizza to chicken fingers and plenty more.
Pro-tip!! Join the Landry’s Select Club to earn rewards at participating Landy’s restaurants and priority seating (kind of like “skip the line”), including Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex Cafe.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Splitsville Orlando is a great time for families. Besides being a kid-friendly restaurant at Disney World, it is one of our favorite things to do at Disney Springs. In addition to the vast menu – sushi, salads, burgers – your crew can bowl while you eat.
This two-story establishment has TVs, billiards, and live music all set in a nostalgic, retro atmosphere. They also host birthday parties.
Terralina Crafted Italian
Terralina Crafted Italian is known for its hand-tossed pizza baked in a wood-fired oven. Take a table inside and watch the kitchen through large windows. You’ll be able to see your pizzas being made and baked in the pizza oven. Or, take a seat on the deck outside and enjoy some of the best people-watching.
Our sibling site, Orlando-Parenting.com narrows down the search with 10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants at Disney Springs.
Also try…
- Planet Hollywood
- Chicken Guy
- Blaze Pizza
Rides and Attractions at Disney Springs
Are there any rides at Disney Springs?
While you won’t find your traditional Disney theme park attractions here, there are still some rides at Disney Springs.
Marketplace Carousel
This classic, old-fashioned carousel has 16 handcrafted horses and two ornate carriages you can ride. Guests under 42-inches need to be accompanied by an adult for the nearly three-minute ride. The cost is $5 per person.
Marketplace Train Express
The classic choo-choo train ride takes little ones on a short trip around a track. Like the carousel, guess under 42-inches need to be accompanied by an adult and it is $5 per person.
Aerophile
Better known as the big balloon, this is the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon. It was custom-built for Disney by Paris-based-company Aerophile S.A. It’s filled with 210,000 cubic feet of helium and can go as high as 400 feet, weather permitting. Each ride last about 8 minutes and offers panoramic views up to 10 miles away.
Tickets are purchased at the attraction on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $25 for adults, 10 and over and $20 for children ages 3 – 9.
This is also a neat way to see Disney fireworks outside of the parks, if you time it right.
Vintage Amphicar Tour
Seeing an amphicar (a convertible that can operate on land and in water) is rare. There are less than 400 in existence. Riding in one is even rarer.
Disney Springs is the only place in the United States where guests enjoy this experience. The 20-minute tour is given by an experienced, licensed driver on the lake that surrounds Disney Springs.
The cost is $125 per car, which can accommodate three to four people. Tickets are sold at the BOATHOUSE BOATIQUE. If you spend $50 or more at the BOATHOUSE Restaurant or BOATIQUE, you get $25 toward your Amphicar tour.
NEW Drone Show at Disney Springs
Disney Dreams That Soar is a marvelous new drone show in the skies above Disney Springs. Anyone can view this new show – no ticket required.
“Disney Dreams That Soar” performances are nightly 9:00 PM and 10:45 PM, May 24 – Sept. 2. The beautiful drone show lasts 9 minutes.
Viewing Locations at West Side
- Best: directly behind Starbucks and Summer House on the Lake
- Second best: behind House of Blues
- Decent, but not great: restaurants and general area of The Landing at Disney Springs
Get even more tips and precise viewing locations at OrlandoDateNightGuide.com.
Things to do at Disney Springs Stores
Personalize a minifigure at The LEGO Store
This location is the only LEGO store in North America where you can make a personalized LEGO minifigure. You start by selecting from 150 different torso options and then you get to design the shirt, pick out legs, hair or a hat and even accessories like a phone or glasses. You could make your minifigure look just like you!
The cost is $12.99 and you can book a reservation online at storebooking.LEGO.com or you can join the virtual queue when you arrive at the store.
Design your own M&M at the M&M Store
Design your own M&M from color to the design on it. You can even put your face on the chocolate-coated candies. Prices vary depending on what you take your M&Ms home in, like a bag or box or another container.
While at the store, you’ll want to make a stop at the back wall, which has dozens of M&M flavors available for purchase.
Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
Take home a piece of iconic glassware from Arribas Brothers. Select a glass vessel to hold your colored crystals. Options include a skull for $55, a carriage, apple or wand starting at $65, a rose for $79 or Mickey’s hand for $85. Then you select from a rainbow of small, colored crystals and decide the pattern of how you want your creation to look.
Design your own candle
You can design your very own candle, from how the glass jar looks, to the scents, to the colors. Head to West Side and look for the Bowes Signature Candles shop. There is no minimum age for this experience, however, little ones will need some assistance as you do work with hot wax and glass.
It’s pretty impressive watching an empty glass become a beautiful-smelling candle in about half an hour. The candle does need dry for about 40 minutes before it can be packaged up to take home. The cost is $30.
Candle making is available from 12pm- 8pm.
Disney + Cirque du Soleil show
This new show is an awesome collaboration between Disney animation and Cirque du Soleil. The 90-minute show is highly entertaining, but I wondered if it would capture the attention of my three high-energy children.
My 10 year old tried to grasp the storyline, but had some trouble following along. She did appreciate the talented performers. My 7-year-old son was enthralled with everything. He laughed a lot, gasped many times and kept pointing out sights all around the theater. My 5 year old was the one I was most worried about, but he was absolutely mesmerized, constantly yelling out the names of the Disney characters he saw and the Disney songs he heard.
Check out our Parent’s Review of Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life.
Disney Springs Kids Club
Last summer Disney Springs introduced the Kids Club! Every Saturday at 10:30 AM, 11:15 AM and noon head to Waterview Park in The Landing at Disney Springs (in between The BOATHOUSE and Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar).
Important note: Currently Disney Springs Kids Club is not showing on the schedule, indefinitely. We will provide an update as more information is available.