Calling all Disney fans! The Walt Disney Company got its start with its magical and imaginative productions, but longtime Disney fanatics want nothing more than to be immersed in this world. Luckily, they can be since Disney World exists! Other Disney Lands around the world are absolutely wonderful and never disappoint their guests, but Disney World stands as the largest of them all with its four-kingdom area, plus its extensive amount of hotels and dining experiences surrounding the parks.
Aside from its super detailed and imaginary attractions, Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) is an extension of the parks that has some of the coolest places to eat and shop! The best part about Disney Springs is that guests don't even have to visit the parks when they shop or dine. They are welcome to roam this Disney World extension for its unique retail experiences.
T-REX
This fun, and colorful, location is fit for all dinosaur-lovers. Also commonly referred to as the "T-Rex Café," this place was created by the masterminds behind the legendary Rainforest Cafe, the T-Rex Cafe has a menu that's perfect for both kids and adults, with a prehistoric interactive theme to welcome its guests.
Featuring a gift shop that'll certainly draw anyone in if they love all things dino-related, this restaurant contains lifelike animatronics, meteor shower simulations, an Octopus bar with moving tentacles, and a kids playing area. Animatronics are typically thought of as "lame," but these are the complete opposite. The realistically large dinosaurs and woolly mammoths bring a more interactive guest experience. Sitting and eating in a restaurant doesn't have to be so dull when it comes to this cafe.
House Of Blues Restaurant & Bar
A location that's probably the best to have a night out to drink, dine, and dance (and not in any particular order), the House of Blues in Orlando offers an older blues-rock vibe with a modern twist.
With the calm and cool blue-lit ceiling, the bar serves up endless drinks while the restaurant itself offers a variety of crafty dishes, including their loaded mac n' cheese. What most people come for though is the musical experience everyone receives while they eat. The onstage rockstars are the ones that light this place up.
Planet Hollywood
With crispy waffle fries and some of Chef Guy Fieri's top-notch, juicy burgers, Planet Hollywood provides a unique dining experience that Disney World calls a "VIP night-out-on-the-town."
A dome-like shape encapsulates its patrons under the shimmering old-style Hollywood lights. The classic move of most (if not all) Disney restaurants is to have photogenic dishes and drinks. The "Super Nova" shakes don't only have to be for the kids! Everyone should enjoy the tasty and bright concoctions topped off with extra dessert pastries.
Jaleo By José Andrés
Walking into the warm-colored room with its contemporary decor, a guest would expect that their experience ends there.
That's far from the truth though! Jaleo's menu consists of authentic cuisines that residents and travelers would have in Spain. They however specialize in their wide array of different tapas. The culinary team aims to provide the most culturally-genuine meal for every single patron as they enjoy their dishes under the large red lanterns or looking at the wall tapestries.
Enzo's Hideaway
Labeled as a "speakeasy" tunnel bar and restaurant, this Disney Springs location pulls guests back in time to the prohibition era.
The 1920s setting gives adult patrons (sorry to the kids) the chance to sip their aged rums and scotches either before, during, or after their dinner. With its dim lights and brick-styled architecture, there's no doubt that this piece of Disney could do what the company specializes in, which is transporting their guests to another place and time.
The Boathouse
Staying true to its Floridian roots, The Boathouse serves a whole menu featuring classical seafood dishes, and of course, for dessert, the highly-popular Baked Alaska is the favorite choice for most.
Seated overlooking Disney Springs' surrounding water, guests enjoy sunset views of the tropical land around them, with the option to embark on a short, twenty-minute ride on one of their boats! Labeled as the "Dream Boat" experience on Disney Springs' site, this little tour is truly the best way to end the day or night circling the Lake Buena Vista area.
D-Luxe Burger
The best part about D-Luxe Burger is that it's not the typical sit-down, upscale restaurant, nor is it like an expected little burger joint either.
While the menu is American-styled with a burger, fries, and a shake for a meal, the burgers they serve are uniquely crafted and cooked. The Buffalo chicken sandwich is one of their signatures, but it's their other burgers that enliven a burger fanatic's experience. The pizza burger is served on focaccia bread, topped with fried mozzarella, Artisan pepperoni, and Pomodoro sauce, while the Southern burger proves its name with fried green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce, bacon, and grilled onions topping off its main burger.
Paddlefish
Dining out on a large stationary paddleboat on the water definitely calls for a menu full of seafood. Walking through the deck gives patrons the chance to fully enjoy the "out at sea" vision, even though it's important to note that the boat doesn't move.
This location is ideal for a special event which should primarily be booked for a dinner because of the beautifully-lit boat. From classic cocktails to traditional seafood-central dishes, The Paddlefish is a unique yet simple way to enjoy the paradise surroundings.
Morimoto Asia
Thanks to the professional Chef, Morimoto, guests enjoy multiple countries and their cuisines in this restaurant. Ranging from traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean dishes, Morimoto Asia successfully brings these cultures to the grounds of Disney Springs.
The two-story location is a modern architectural masterpiece finished with unique overhead light fixtures that bring a new style of dining to patrons' eyes. Separating each culture's genuine meals, diners are encouraged to try them all whether it be Japanese-styled sushi favorites or Chinese-based pancakes with dim sum, patrons won't be disappointed when they experience what Chef Morimoto brought to Disney Springs.
The Rainforest Café
This location could possibly be the most creative and eye-catching locations in all of Disney Springs' property.
The Rainforest Café has a menu filled with large interesting dishes, with kid-friendly sizes of course! However, the actual dining experience here is only accompanied by the food. The real entertainments are the realistic rainforest sound and light effects throughout both the cafe and its attached gift shop. To look and sound like a real rainforest creates a more tangible experience at the cafe, along with how the entire dining room is filled with multi-colored lights and animatronics. If a dessert absolutely should be mentioned, their signature "volcano" dish is a gigantic chocolate brownie-like cake with ice cream.