Welcome back, friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney Springs!
Now that the dining and shopping district has reopened its third party locations, we’re here to share all the new and exciting things happening again. And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, entertainment, and construction updates to share with you so let’s dive right on in!
Disney Springs Entertainment Update
Parking
If you’re driving from I4 West, you currently cannot exit and then go directly into the Orange Garage like you used to be able to.
Right now, guests have to turn right, go down a ramp, and then U-turn at the designated light to get into the Orange Garage instead.
So, keep this in mind the next time you’re visiting Disney Springs!
Check out the new parking procedures at Disney Springs here!
Aerophile
Disney’s resident hot air balloon is open to guests again! At this time, you cannot walk around the hot air balloon during your flight on the Aerophile and availability is dependent on weather conditions.
Tickets are $20 per person for those ages 10 and older, $15 for kids ages 3-9, and FREE for toddlers ages 2 and under.
Read all the details about the Aerophile’s reopening here!
Pin Trading
While Pin Trading isn’t currently available, the Cast Members we spoke with said that there may be Pin Trading on specified boards near the Marketplace Co-op and other locations in the future.
However, there likely won’t be any personal Cast Member pin pads or trading off of lanyards at this time.
Live Entertainment
At the moment, live entertainment isn’t taking place in Disney Springs. Cast Members are unsure of when it will return.
Disney Springs Food Update
STK Orlando
Cheers to a NEW week, friends! You can toast to the reopening of Disney Springs at STK Orlando with their happy hour specials right now.
Plus, the restaurant opened up an outdoor bar with to-go drinks and menu items so you can grab and go.
There is also indoor dining (that gets pretty busy!) where you can get drinks at designated tables in the bars upstairs and downstairs.
Right now, STK Orlando’s hostess is inside of the restaurant whenever you check-in or walk up.
You can read more about the newly reopened STK Orlando here!
The Basket at Wine Bar George
While Wine Bar George is THE spot for many eats and drinks, we made our way over to its to-go area at The Basket to grab their NEW fries and frozen combo! Each basket of fries comes with a full POUND of loaded goodness for $8, while the drink options are $13 each. They aren’t sold together so you can mix and match your choices, but The Basket has suggestions for the best pairings.
We picked up the Freaujolais while we were there…
…along with ALL the fries available! That means we snacked on FOUR WHOLE POUNDS of Buffalo…
Read our full review of The Basket’s Buffalo Fries and Freaujolais here!
…Togarashi, California, and Queso Fries — just for you guys!
And, check out our review of the rest of the new fry baskets here!
While you’re there, you can also pick up the NEW Teal and Lime Corkcicle that comes with YOUR choice of a frozen drink when you purchase it!
Take a look at all the details on the new Corkcicle here!
Right now, there aren’t any tables for The Basket diners, so you’ll have to find another spot to snack on your treats!
Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood has reopened! The restaurant is currently selling bottles of water and beer (Bud and Bud Light only for now) outside for guests to purchase.
West Side Starbucks
Although West Side Starbucks originally reopened with Mobile Order only, the coffee shop has now opened a few of its registers for guests to purchase snacks and drinks.
There is still no seating inside, so guests cannot hang around to sip on their Frappuccinos.
Read about our full experience at the West Side Starbucks here!
Vivoli il Gelato
While Vivoli il Gelato was supposed to open along with the rest of the Patina Restaurant Group spots, its opening has been delayed. A Cast Member said that it would hopefully reopen within the next week.
And, the Cast Member told us there will hopefully be specials coming to Vivoli soon to celebrate the gelato shop’s 5th anniversary on June 10th.
Read more details about Vivoli il Gelato’s delayed reopening here!
Joffrey’s Coffee
Perhaps one of the most EXCITING pieces of news that we have for you guys happens to be that FACE COFFEE HAS RETURNED (and the crowd goes wild)!
When we were at Joffrey’s Coffee earlier in the week, you could only get the pre-loaded designs like Mickey printed onto your latte or cappuccino.
But, now you can use the Ripples app on your phone or Joffrey’s tablet to upload your selfie too!
The Polite Pig
If you’re looking for a spot to pick up a face mask in Disney Springs, The Polite Pig is selling their version with the restaurant’s logo for $12.50 at the register. But Polite Pig told us these are selling out quickly!
While we were at The Polite Pig, we noticed that the Spinach Salad had been removed, but the Chili was back as a side! The Baked Beans are now vegetarian, and watermelon rind has also been added to the Tomato and Watermelon Salad. There are also two new bourbon flights that you can get at The Polite Pig’s Bourbon Bar too!
The Private Barrel Bourbon Flight comes with Elijah Craig, Wellers 107, and Blantons for $20. And, The Three Little Pigs Flight comes with WhistlePig’s Piggyback six year, Farmstock, and 10 year private barrel for $33. And, now onto the BIGGEST eats and drinks! We tried the classic Grapefruit Margarita…
…to pair with the NEW Smoked Shrimp and Grits and Creamed Florida Corn! (IT HAS ALL THE CHEESE.)
Plus, we wrapped things up with the lovely Orange Blossom Pie that tasted like sweet orange juice!
Read our full review of our meal at The Polite Pig here!
Morimoto Asia Street Food
The menu at Morimoto Asia Street Food has seen a lot of changes for the reopening. The menu has been removed from overhead and you can pick up a copy can by the cash register instead. Since the quick-service spot has reduced its menu currently, the ribs are gone along with the self-serve condiment bar. But, your server will give you any cutlery, chopsticks, napkins, and sauces you need.
There were no sodas available for purchase when we went because their machine was broken. However, we could still purchase bottled water, draft beer, and other canned or bottled drinks.
We also noticed the BBQ Pork Tenderloin Rice Bowl has been switched over to a BBQ Beef Tenderloin Rice Bowl instead.
During our visit, we tried the Spicy Pork Ramen and BBQ Pork Bun to get our pork fix for the day!
When you’re visiting Morimoto Asia Street Food, be aware that the number of tables has been reduced, hand-sanitizing stations are available in the dining area, and plexiglass has been installed between guests and the cash register.
See if we think Morimoto Asia Street Food’s Pork Bun is better than Pandora’s Cheeseburger Pods here!
Morimoto Asia
We couldn’t visit the Morimoto area without dining inside of Morimoto Asia, of course! When you arrive at the restaurant, there is a stand-by line to the right of the main entrance and a line for guests with reservations to the left.
They are currently offering a reduced menu that you can view with the QR code posted. Right now, there is no sushi bar or alcoholic bar service.
While we were there, we tried the Sparkling Belvedere and Forbidden Highball cocktails…
…and feasted on the Cauliflower and Cheese Springs Rolls (with beer cheese sauce!!)…
…Buri Bop…
…and Beef Lo Mein! And, boy, were they all AMAZING!!
Take a look at our full dining experience at Morimoto Asia here!
Pizza Ponte
As a health and safety precaution, there is one-way traffic through the restaurant that exits in the gift shop.
There are no new menu items currently, but Pizza Ponte removed a few of its sandwiches to reduce its menu.
The pizza joint is using contactless payments currently with its menu available to view overhead or on your device using a QR code.
The restaurant also added some barriers at the pizza display so Cast Members slide your food through a little window in the plexiglass to pick up.
You can read more about Pizza Ponte’s reopening here!
Sunshine Churros
Chocolate and minty goodness? Yes, the Thin Mint Churro is planning to return to Sunshine Churros!
Although it wasn’t available during our visit, the Cast Members said that it should be back soon.
Check out our full review of the Thin Mint Churro here!
City Works
City Works may not be open yet, but we did see a drinks-to-go sign and people working outside.
We’ll keep you updated when we learn more about City Works reopening.
Disney Springs Merchandise Update
Happy Hound
To start this merchandise section off the RIGHT way, we had to show you the adorable dog bandana display that Happy Hound was showing off! They have face masks, you guys.
This would be a great way to bring your best friend a little present from Disney Springs!
Bandanas or “doggie face masks,” you can pick these up at Happy Hounds!
Kiehl’s
Kiehl’s has reopened to guests so they can look at the shampoos, soaps, and more in the store!
Plus, you can say hello to this Funky Skeleton!! Bill Nye, is that you?
The store isn’t automatically offering samples, but you may be able to request them nicely from a Cast Member.
Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama has reopened once again to guests! While you’re looking around the store, you can find the Honolulu Company Cookies that Boutiki offers over at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. (YUM!)
At this time, Tommy Bahama isn’t selling face masks, but the store said that could always change.
American Threads
American Threads is… well, WAS selling face masks for $15. However, the store is currently waiting on another shipment and even looking into making different ones with straw holes.
There are also no dressing rooms available right now, but you can return clothes with the tags on and receipts within 14 days.
Sunglass Hut
If you’re looking for some new sunnies to wear in the Florida weather or back home, Sunglass Hut has those ADORABLE Disney Ray-Bans!
You can try on the glasses still, but you must put them in the designated bins afterward to let Cast Members sanitize them.
Take a look at all the Disney Ray-Bans at Sunglass Hut here!
Sosa Cigar
Sosa Cigar has also reopened to guests and you are still able to smoke currently.
Disney Springs Construction Update
M&M Store
If you’re a big chocolate fan like we are, we bet you’re SUPER excited for the new M&M Store coming to Disney Springs! There isn’t too much progress on construction…
…but there’s a QR code available for “exclusive offers.” We scanned it and it led us to a newsletter sign-up (we’ll let you know if we find free M&Ms).
Read all about the new M&M Store here!
Even with only select stores and restaurants open so far in Disney Springs, there are still PLENTY of opportunities for delicious food and great shopping if you decide you decide you’re ready to visit. Certain Disney-owned locations are scheduled to reopen this week, so we’ll keep you updated with more food, merchandise, entertainment, and construction updates!
Take a look at our full experience at the grand reopening of Disney Springs here!
Where are you heading to first the next time you’re in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!