From food trucks to celebrity chefs: Walt Disney World unveils its revamped dining destination offering 50 different eateries
Any visitor to Walt Disney World Resorts in Florida will know that taking thrilling rides, watching lively shows and pounding the streets of the happiest place on Earth, tends to work up your appetite.
If you’ve visited in the past decade you might have enjoyed Downtown Disney – an entertainment district that was distinctively grown up. As well as a large network of shops, restaurants and cinemas, there were music venues and night clubs. It was a ‘theme park’ that you didn’t need a ticket to enter and that offered spaces that were adults only.
But, after a three-year transformation, the complex, now known as Disney Springs, has finally been unveiled to the public. And while some old favourites, like the House of Blues, have stuck around, there are now over 50 different dining options open to visitors including offerings from food trucks and celebrity chefs.
The new Village Causeway at Disney Springs provides guests with another path of travel through the Marketplace, connecting the area near The Lego store across the water to Rainforest Cafe
An aviation-themed lounge, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar features unique cocktails and small plates at its prime location along Lake Buena Vista
Guests dine at The Captain’s Raw Bar inside The Boathouse – an upscale, waterfront dining experience in the heart of Downtown Disney with a gourmet menu featuring steaks, chops and fresh seafood
The Coca-Cola store at Disney Springs features a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with a rooftop beverage bar
The first incarnation of Downtown Disney opened in 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in Orlando, Florida.
The transformation into Disney Springs was announced in 2013 and the first phase of Disney Springs officially opened in May this year.
Already fully unveiled is the Town Center.
It features Spanish-revival style architecture, which draws on the history of the Spanish explorers who landed in Florida centuries ago.
Around 40 shops and restaurants opened in the first phase, including brands such as Superdry and Uniqlo.
Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Patina Restaurant Group opened the doors to Morimoto Asia – one of the first restaurants to open at the complex
The first incarnation of Downtown Disney opened in 1975 as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in Orlando, Florida. The transformation into Disney Springs was announced in 2013 and the first phase of Disney Springs (above) officially opened in May this year
Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming restaurant at Disney Springs serves delectable farm-to-fork cuisine showcasing Florida’s fresh flavours and foods of the American South
Three other neighbourhoods – The Landing, Marketplace and West Side – are also in various stages of unveiling this autumn and according to Travel and Leisure, almost all of it opened last week.
All in all, there will be around 150 different shops, restaurants and entertainment spaces.
But Disney, usually better known for its characters than for its food, has made a notable focus on its dining options this time round.
There are already over 50 different places to eat, including fine dining restaurants, snack bars and bakeries and food trucks.
Entertainment is still at the heart of everything Disney does.
At the AMC cinema for example, you can enjoy dinner while you watch a film.
And like the international offering at Epcot, there are more global cuisine options to consider than ever before.
The family-run gelato shop, Vivoli Gelateria (left), serves up gelato (right) that is made with fresh, top-quality ingredients using the exact same recipes from the original shop in Florence, Italy.
Erin McKenna Bakery NYC is a unique bakery with savoury offerings and an all-vegan and gluten-free menu
For example, The Daily Poutine is serving up the Canadian classic of French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds; Namaste Cafe is showcasing Indian inspired dishes like tandoori shrimp with Basmati rice; B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. is dishing up sausages from around the world’ and Portobello Country Italian Trattoria is offering Mediterranean favourites like calamari.
Overwhelmingly though, the options are American.
James Beard, the award-winning chef at Art Smith has a restaurant that puts America’s South-style farm-to-fork cuisine on the menu; The Boathouse is where you’ll find some of the best seafood, and lobsters in particular, on the menu; and then there are the burger at D-Luxe.
There are more fast options than ever before thanks to the growing number of food trucks and casual counter service eateries.
Left, one of the handcrafted margaritas at Dockside Margaritas and right, Gibson’s S’mores Baked Alaska dessert at The Boathouse
Above, the seafood platter at The Boathouse. The gourmet menu also features steaks, chops and other fresh seafood options
There’s also a nod towards the fine dining and celebrity chef culture.
Wolfgang Puck, known for his restaurant in Beverley Hills, Spago; Masaharu Morimoto, who appeared on Iron Chef America; and Rick Bayless, who’s known for his Mexican fare, all have restaurants at the complex.
And for those who have a sweet tooth, the options are virtually endless.
Aside from the dessert menu, visitors can pick up doughnuts and cookies at Erin McKenna’s bakery or one of the startling array of cupcakes from the vending machine at Sprinkles.
Even more restaurants are opening ahead of Halloween as well as the weeks leading up to Christmas.
But it’s safe to say, Disney Springs is fast becoming one of the best food destinations when it comes to choice.
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is described as a true Irish pub with Dublin roots that includes Irish bands and pro dancers performing on several stages indoors
Some restaurants are classics reimagined while others are entirely new. Above, the lobster bake Crostini at The Boathouse
Left, the Key Lime Pie at The Boathouse and right, one of the cocktails at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, an aviation-themed lounge featuring unique cocktails and small plates
Authentic Irish food, music and dance performances set the scene at the Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
Above, a chocolatier working with a fresh batch of custom-made ganache at The Ganachery – a new experience at the resort
Mickey Mouse and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto at the opening of Morimoto Asia, one of several restaurants from the celebrity chef
D-Luxe Burger (above) is a ranch-inspired eatery serving artisanal gelato shakes, freshly cut fries and gourmet burgers