Disney Springs is a large dining, shopping and entertainment destination. Lesser known, is Disney’s Boardwalk offering more dining, shopping and entertainment in a more intimate setting. Learn Disney’s Boardwalk Versus Disney Springs on entertainment, dining and shopping options.
1. Entertainment Highlights
Disney’s Boardwalk:
- Arcade – Inside Disney’s Boardwalk Inn find Slide Show Games, an arcade for any guest to use.
- Evening Street Performers – Often there will be street performers such as a Magician for entertainment.
- Carnival Games – Play Midway Carnival type games and win prizes, for a small fee.
- Atlantic Dance Hall – For those 21+, dance to best of the 80s, 90s and today.
- Surrey Bike Rentals – Are a unique way to experience Disney’s Boardwalk.
Disney Springs:
- AMC Theatres – Catch a movie, bonus for a Disney new release!
- Marketplace Stage – Visit this open-air venue for daily and nightly live performances.
- Sunshine Highline – An outdoor pavilion on the West Side hosting nightly live music.
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes – Guests can bowl a string or two at this bowling alley.
- NBA Experience – Opens on August 12 for an interactive NBA & WNBA experiences.
- Living Statues – Find living statues and more live performers while roaming Disney Springs.
- Aerophiles – Take a balloon flight above Disney Springs, for amazing views.
- Meet the Coca-Cola Bear – At the Coca-Cola Store in Disney Springs.
- Marketplace Carousel & Train Express – For a small fee, children can ride a train or carousel.
- Amphicar – Read 10 facts about the Amphicar Cars.
- THE VOID – For an amazing virtual reality experience, consider tickets for The VOID.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Guests 3-12 can transform into a princess or knight.
note: Entertainment is subject to change.
2. Dining Highlights
Disney’s Boardwalk:
Disney’s Boardwalk has 11 dining options for guests. Including a Character dining experience, no park ticket needed to enjoy.
- Pizza Window – Selling Pizza by the slice or a whole pizza (counter service).
- The To-Go Cart – For American fast foods such as Hot Dog, Cheeseburgers, Pulled Pork and more (counter service).
- Trattoria Al Forno – If you are in the mood for pasta dishes or other Italian foods, Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s Boardwalk offers just that. Plus, enjoy the Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno – a character breakfast.
- BoardWalk Bakery – Selling pastries and specialty cupcakes. As well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Funnel Cake Cart – serves up fresh and delicious funnel cakes. You can order it with powdered sugar, chocolate syrup or with ice cream. It is usually only open in the evenings.
Disney Springs:
Disney Springs has more than 60 dining options for guests.
- The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats is your destination for waterfront dining, fresh seafood, juicy steaks and more.
- Earl of Sandwich – Is a must stop for frugal and delicious sandwich options.
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is your stop for comfort food at The Landing.
- Morimoto Asia – Is a fine dining experience at The Landing, dine on Pan-Asian cuisine.
- Blaze Pizza – For a delicious pizza option, consider Blaze Pizza.
- Paddlefish – Is your stop for Crab Cake starters, Lobster Roll or Maine Lobster for entrées and more.
- Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant – Is located at The Landing. Nightly entertainment is offered 7-days a week, at no extra cost.
- Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs – Consider the Roasted Turkey Cobb salad, Margherita pizza, Crispy Chicken Tenders with French fries, Whole Wheat Hummus Wrap and more.
- Rainforest Café is where guests dine in a traditional rainforest setting, with animals, rainforest noises such as rain and more.
- and many more!
3. Shopping Highlights
Disney’s Boardwalk:
Disney’s Boardwalk currently offers the following shops, below, for guests to browse and purchase art, pins and more.
- Wyland Galleries – It’s like stepping into an Art museum. Browse or Buy Original Disney Fine art. Step inside to see beautiful depictions from Wyland, a world famous marine life artist, and his associates. This location also holds special meet & greets with the artist.
- Character Carnival – Find on the Boardwalk near Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort. This fun store sells plush, character apparel for kids and more. Also shop for a toys or a present to take home.
- Screen Door General Store – Selling Disney Merchandise and souvenirs. Perhaps buy a postcard to mail to some one back home. Other housewares items and jewelry also sold here. Great to stop by and grab a bottled drink as well.
- Thimbles & Threads – Is located inside Disney’s Boardwalk, selling chips & drinks, pins, clothing, Boardwalk Resort merchandise and more.
Disney Springs:
Disney Springs has over 100 shops to browse.
- The Lego Store – Kids will love the interactive build stations and larger than life LEGO sculptures.
- World of Disney – This is the largest shop on Disney World property.
- Goofy’s Candy Company – Guests of any age will feel like a kid in a candy store at this sweet shop.
- Basin – Selling all natural bath and body products, stop in to try the hand scrub for free.
- DisneyStyle Boutique – Sells trendy apparel and accessories.
- Days of Christmas – A must visit for a personalized Christmas ornament.
- Pick-A-Pearl – For a unique souvenir, do the Pick a pearl experience at Disney Springs.
- and many more!
In Short Comparison:
Entertainment: Disney Springs offers more and covers a larger area. Even though Disney’s Boardwalk is only a quarter mile area, it is a charming area to visit.
Dining: 11 (Disney’s Boardwalk) Vs. 60+ (Disney Springs)
Shops: 4 (Disney’s Boardwalk) Vs. 100+ (Disney Springs)
Hours: 6:30am-2am (Disney’s Boardwalk) Vs. 10am-12am (Disney Springs)
Hours are subject to change, check hours on day of visit.
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.