Hidden Gems of Disney Springs

If you've been to Walt Disney World in the last three years, you most likely have been to/heard of Disney Springs. Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) is Walt Disney World's mega-center of dining, bars, shopping, and more. Disney Springs has shops from Alex and Ani to the Art of Shaving, another extension of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (the other location being in Cinderella's Castle), the giant World of Disney Store (where you can find nearly any Disney parks merchandise you're looking for), along with over 100 other retail locations. There are also restaurants and bars GALORE, and I'm going to share with you a few of my new favorites!

Three words: sweet tea moonshine. Now this may seem intense (especially if you're not from the south with a previous wack at moonshine), but trust me - it's all worth it. At Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', you can get this deliciously authentic "Sweet Tea Shine" made with sweet tea, freshly-squeezed lemon and of course, moonshine. Now don't let the word "moonshine" scare you, but don't let it fool you, either! This stuff is absolutely delicious, but man is it strong! It's one of those drinks that's so good because you can't even taste the alcohol, but it'll definitely hit you when you least expect it! Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' has a unique variety of fresh Florida flavors, showcasing a farm-to-table cuisine from the celebrity chef, and everything is to die for!

Sweet Tea Shine at Chef Art Smith's Homecoming. Click for the full restaurant menu!

Another favorite dinner spot of mine at Disney Springs is The Boathouse. The Boathouse has waterfront dining on the Sassagoula River, where you can watch the resort ferry and retro boats sail by - while offering views of the Disney Springs West Side and Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The whole aesthetic of this restaurant is phenomenal - from the live music, to the antique nautical memorabilia - it's definitely one-of-a-kind. Although the scenery and atmosphere are nothing short of fantastic, the food is even better! If you like seafood, The Boathouse is the place to be. They have the best (and biggest) crab cakes, and the rest of the menu has a wide variety of seafood/steak/American options, and the signature cocktails are a must-have as well! If the weather is nice, ask to be seated outside on the water!

At the Boathouse in April 2018, enjoying signature cocktails and of course, the famous jumbo lump crab cake. Click for full menu!

Another new gem at Disney Springs is Frontera Cocina, which consists of authentic Mexican cuisine with a twist, by Chef Rick Bayless. The items on this menu are your traditional Mexican, with a few eccentric offerings. Frontera Cucina has an appetizer called Pumpkin Seed "Hummus," which you basically just have to experience for yourself, because it's that good! It's a pumpkin seed habanero dip (with a hummus consistency) served with tortilla chips. You definitely don't need to be a PSL lover to love this, and I strongly recommend ordering it as your appetizer!

Pumpkin Seed "Hummus" at Frontera Cocina. Click for full menu!

Want a visit from the Green Fairy? Whether you want to try your shot at Absinthe or take a trip back in time, you'll definitely want to visit The Edison! This bar/restaurant has a 1920's theme, with "industrial gothic" decor, steampunk vibes, Edison light bulbs all around, live flapper girls, aerialists, craft cocktails, and a real-life Absinthe fairy to personally serve you her green goodness. It's definitely worth the stop-in during your night out at Disney Springs!

The Edison at Disney Springs. Click for full menu!

If you're looking for a secluded yet unparalleled bar experience at Disney Springs, I highly suggest checking out Enzo's Hideaway!It is an "underground" tunnel-bar with a that has a speakeasy vibe, where you can enjoy prohibition theme cocktails and Italian cuisine!

Look for this sign when heading to Enzo's Hideaway, right across from Maria & Enzo's restaurant!

There are tons of great options to choose from when it comes to wining and dining you way through Disney Springs, but I just felt the need to share a few of my off-the-beaten-path favorites! You could realistically spend an entire day of eating, drinking, and shopping your way through the Springs! Although I definitely have my preferred go-to locations that have been there since the Downtown Disney days, all of these bars/restaurants are part of the new Disney Springs expansion, which Disney has done an incredible job with. (Would we expect anything less?) One of the most convenient things about Disney Springs is that you don't need park admission to visit, making it an easy dinner spot on your trip! For more info about some of my recommendations, feel free to email me at pixietravelco@gmail.com !